In 1788 King George lll went mad. He was a popular king and the loyal and the devout of the nation were conscientiously praying for his recovery. Indeed, congregations were offering up prayers all across Europe. Up, of course, because that's where Heaven is.
The citizens of Semper Fideles prayed as sincerely as any and on Sunday 23rd November a small miracle occurred in Exeter cathedral which was briefly reported throughout the kingdom. This from The Ipswich Journal of 29th November 1788:
"In Exeter cathedral while the congregation were praying for the King , a robin perched on the altar and sung through the whole prayer,"
Ring/rung, sting/stung, cling/clung, swing/swung, so why not sing/sung?
It was touch-and-go with the monarch's mental health but soon enough after this he was his old self again, just in time to give a clear mind to the consequences of The French Revolution. Our good King George more or less stayed sane for a further twenty years or so.
I may be wrong but I think it was this famous Exeter robin who perched on the altar and sung who made all the difference.
I have just discovered you are in Exeter Wayland Wordsmith. How are you?
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