Florence Wadham facts for kids
Florence Wyndham (born 1538, died 1596) was an important lady from a noble family. Her father was John Wadham (died 1578) and her brother was Nicholas Wadham. Nicholas helped start Wadham College, Oxford University. Florence married Sir John Wyndham of Orchard Wyndham in Somerset. She is famous for a very unusual event that happened to her.
A Remarkable Escape
Florence Wyndham's story is about a truly amazing escape from a terrible situation. It also shows how important she was for the future of the Wyndham family.
In 1556, Florence married Sir John Wyndham. About a year later, she became very ill. Everyone thought she had died. She was buried in the Wyndham family tomb at St Decuman’s church in Watchet, Somerset.
That same night, a greedy church worker, called a sexton, opened her coffin. He wanted to take her rings. As he tried to get a ring, he accidentally cut one of her fingers. This cut made Florence wake up! She had not died, but had fallen into a deep sleep, like a trance.
The sexton was so scared that he ran away, leaving his lantern behind. Florence used the lantern to find her way home across the fields. Her family was completely shocked and amazed to see her alive!
Soon after this incredible event, Florence gave birth to her only son, Sir John Wyndham (1558–1645). Almost every member of the Wyndham family today is descended from this son.
Because of her amazing survival and her importance as an heiress, the Wyndham family often honors her. Many generations have named their eldest son "Wadham Wyndham" after her family name.
How the Story Started
It's not completely clear how this story first began. It seems to have grown and changed over time. One of the earliest versions was written by a historian named Collinson in 1791. He wrote:
"It is said that this lady was the year after her marriage, 1562, buried, having in a sickness lost all appearance of life; but the sexton hearing some noise in the coffin, as he was closing the vault in the church of St. Decuman's, she was happily taken up, and soon after delivered of Sir John Wyndham."
Lady Wyndham's Return
The amazing story of Florence Wyndham even inspired a poem! It's called 'Lady Wyndham's Return'. The poem was written by Rev. Lewis H. Court, who was the Vicar of St Decuman's church. Here are some lines from the poem:
He seized the slender fingers white
And stiff in their repose
Then sought to file the circlet through;
When to his horror blood he drew,
And the fair sleeper rose
She sat a moment gazed around,
Then great was her surprise,
And sexton startled saw at a glance
This was not death but a deep trance,
And madness leapt to his eyes.
The stagnant life steam in her veins
Again began to flow
She felt the sudden quickening,
For her it was a joyous thing,
For him a fearsome woe.
