Wigan Album
Gidlow Lane, Wigan
5 Comments
Photo: Rev David Long
Item #: 29822
There's a pic in the Album of Gidlow Lane dated 1907, which may show the wall of the farm, which has presumably been demolished. Can anyone confirm this?
Note the date and the position of the rat. After Ralph Standish was convicted of treason in 1716 for joining the 1715 rebellion, his family connections saved him from execution - but he forfeited his lands. After that the rat is shown supine in the owl's claws - was it to symbolise his own humiliation, or his appreciation that the Catholic cause was lost as far as he was concerned, or a subtle way of showing defiance - the rat symbolising the state which would eventually succumb to the owl?
There was a farm on the crossroads which today would be facing Galloways Bakers - then the one known as Gidlow further down the lane where the new doctors was built. Christopher House is still there and still has its boundary wall - not the same for the farm. Brilliant bit of research David.
Ralph was finally pardoned and his land restored.
I have always assumed the upturned rat to symbolise a turn in fortune for the Standish family.
When the young pretender rode through the parish he found little support.
See.. Gentlemen of courage forward..L.Hill.
The altered coat of arms are displayed in a stained glass window in the church. Given the expense incurred you would think it a sincere statement.
I read claws up signified good times, claws down bad times. Or is it the other way around?
I have recently read a book on the early life of Myles Standish this before he sailed with the pilgrims on the Mayflower in 1620.There were two Standish families one living in Old Hall Standish the other at Duxbury Hall Chorley, whilst they were related were not on good terms In this book is a chapter titled the OWL and the RAT when Myles Standish and Alexander Edward Standish are involved in a argument to the point were they are about to draw swords on each other when Rose Charnock steps between them. Alexander says you have spoiled it Rose, if you had not come we might have seen the Owl shake the Rat. As there is no further reference to this comment in the book it leaves the reader wondering it's meaning.
David
There was a third branch of the family from the Isle of Man.
Myles came from this branch.
Ralph died in 1755 and with him all Jacobite sympathies.
I think it was the influence of the Duke of Norfolk and the Stricklands which made the heraldic change.