Saint
The Key in the Fish
He threw away the key. The Tiber sent it back.
Stand where it happened
- What's there
- Abbot Lichfield's bell tower in abbey grounds
- Legend from
- Saxon saint's life
- Tone
- Curious
He locked his own feet in irons and threw the key in the river. A fish in Rome gave it back.
Egwin, third Bishop of Worcester, made enemies with his stern discipline and set off for Rome to clear his name. According to legend he first locked iron shackles on his own feet and threw the key into the River Avon. In Rome, as he prayed at the tomb of the Apostles, a servant brought him the very key, found in the mouth of a fish just caught in the Tiber. Freed, he won the pope's support, came home and founded Evesham Abbey, where he died around 717. The abbey was dismantled in 1540, leaving little but Abbot Lichfield's Bell Tower, which still stands near the river.