Thursday, 5 March 2015

Preston - St Wilfrid's Banner

 


Carved in stone on the south side of the Obelisk in Preston's market square is St. Wilfrid’s Banner.    Saint Wilfrid (634-709 AD) was Bishop of York, and Preston was put under his authority in 670.  The word Preston is derived from the Old English words  “Preosta-Tun”  meaning “Priest’s Town”.    Wilfrid’s banner, The Lamb and Flag,  became the community symbol and can now be found all over the City on lampposts, stonework, pavements, and litter bins. 



The lamb represents the Lamb of God, and the Flag is the banner of truth.   The “PP”  represents the Latin words “Pinceps Pacis” meaning “Prince of Peace”.



This expression comes from Isaiah 9:6 which reads: 


"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."


This is an excerpt from the FREE tour Preston Flag Market found on www.obelisktours.co.uk

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