Remembrances of Leicester - Reminscences
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Mr. Ashley Philip Brewin, who had seen the article that I had written on my Grandfather and kindly sent one written by his Grandfather for my perusal.
I found his Grandfather's account fascinating and asked Ashley if he would permit me to share it with you. He very generously agreed to my request and over the next two weeks I would like to share these memories with you.
The way that Ashley's Grandfather detailed everything is amazing, his articulation and delivery places his memories right at your feet. Ashley himself has added notes of his own throughout, and not wishing to destroy the purity of his Grandfather's memories, I shall present this to you, entirely untouched by me and as Ashley I think, would wish me to.
by
Rev. George Harry Berridge Brewin
Third November 1878 - 28th February 1954
Written in 1918
Notes by Ashley Philip Brewin, Grandson. 1999
Round about my home were many reminders of those far back days. Ruins of Roman origin recall the Roman Legions, and the stately patricians who sported in baths made beautiful with brightly coloured tessellated paving. Close at hand still stand the remains of the wall by which the Jewish settlers were shut out from the city in their own "Jewry". Near this again a street known as "Holy Bones", which is reminiscent of the "God's Acre" of early Christians - possibly the remains of some outstanding saint of forgotten memory lie buried there, St. Nicholas?
In my boyhood there still stood quaint houses with bedrooms jutting out over the pavement in which royalty and other grandees had sometime lodged on occasions when the city was made resplendent with their brief sojourn - on their way to the tournament ground or to more earnest battlefield.
The old Abbey had sheltered a once powerful Cardinal, but now a broken idol recently fallen from his high estate. Names of warriors and statesmen who had had no small share in the fortunes of the nations, in raising up and casting down of royal thrones, were recalled by monuments here and there about town. On my way to school I passed the spot where the head of a king
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