Comments on: A New Quill For Old John Stow

By: tom

tom — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 07:18:30 +0000

The real white quill feather reminds me somewhat of Shakespeare’s monument at Stratford on Avon. I wonder if there are other monuments which have such a device? Replaced each year?

By: wayne stowe

wayne stowe — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 21:02:51 +0000

I hope to see in person one day. Maybe 2019 when the new quill comes.

By: Dolores Gaines

Dolores Gaines — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:41:42 +0000

As a descendant of John Stow, I was thrilled to read this article and see the photos. Thank you!

By: Michael Bundy

Michael Bundy — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 11:27:24 +0000

How apt that the writings of his quill will survive the ravages of the centuries, when even his monument will crumble into dust.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 12:49:40 +0000

I have a copy of John Stow’s summary of the chronicles of england dated 1598 , it is a miniature bound in vellum. I have not seen a further copy on the market for sale and the only thing available is a copy as an e-book. Can anyone tell me if other miniature copies exist to view ?

By: Dorothy V. Malcolm

Dorothy V. Malcolm — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 16:15:44 +0000

I live in Salem, Massachusetts, settled in the early 1600s (and yes, where the infamous witchcraft trials took place in 1692); it’s a small city that I dearly love. It has a great maritime, literary and architectural history, but in this time of the 21st century, it is being overshadowed by what some call “urban blight.” Much like London, indeed Spitalfields, it feels we are losing our genuine cultural heritage of this city.

We have a mayor (she’s in her 40s, born in Hawaii–our 50th state) who went to university here in Salem and decided to stay. Sometimes I think she has no idea whatsoever that more “modern” buildings being built which she authorizes, diminishes and denigrates the beauty and authenticity of this city. Salem-is-not-Las-Vegas-or-Los-Angeles, for heaven sake! (How she keeps getting elected is beyond me.) These modern behemoths chill me to the bone and fairly break my heart. Look, I’m not saying we can’t progress as the years go by, but why must these Soviet bloc type monstrosities laud over our beautiful and original buildings, swallowing them up in an excuse called progress? More’s the pity….

By: William John Teaford

William John Teaford — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 04:17:21 +0000

My Mother was a Stowe, a direct descendant of the 1634 US Immigrant John Stowe. In September 1964 while in London visiting my wife’s family, my mother urged us to visit St. Andrew, and the statue of this John Stowe. I and all my Stowe Cousins now have our copies of “London and Environs”, and are delighted to see the church and the statue in such excellent condition. Fifty years ago I was greatly concerned that all, statue, church and all would not long survive. Thank you Londoners for honoring and preserving the story of a simple tradesman who poured his life into a lasting monument to guide us forever.

By: Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:20:02 +0000

This is lovely. I’ll be visiting next week from the U.S., just in time to see the fresh quill!

By: Nina

Nina — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 22:16:27 +0000

…. a lovely tradition, I never knew about John Stow until I read this so thank you Gentle Author …

By: Carolyn Badcock - nee Hooper

Carolyn Badcock - nee Hooper — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 06:58:05 +0000

What a wonderful man – John Stow – and what a superb legacy to leave the world.
This post has been really great, so thanks again, to you, gentle author.