File:St. Bartholomew the Great - the Founder's tomb - geograph.org.uk - 1125932.jpg

English: St. Bartholomew the Great - the Founder's tomb, near to London, City of London, Great Britain. The tomb of Prior Raher, north of the high altar, dates from 1405. Rahere was a courtier and favourite of King Henry I. It is thought that it was the death of the king�s wife Matilda, followed two years later by the drowning of their heir Prince William, his brother, half-brother and sister, that prompted Rahere to renounce his profession for a more worthy life and make a pilgrimage to Rome. In Rome, like many pilgrims, he fell ill. As he lay delirious he prayed for his life vowing that, if he survived, he would set up a hospital for the poor in London. His prayers were answered and he recovered. As he turned for home the vision of Saint Bartholomew appeared to him and said �I am Bartholomew who have come to help thee in thy straights. I have chosen a spot in a suburb of London at Smithfield where, in my name, thou shalt found a church.� {Source <a title="http://www.greatstbarts.com/Pages/Church/Architecture%20and%20History/history.html" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.greatstbarts.com/Pages/Church/Architecture%20and%20History/history.html">Link</a><img style="padding-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="http://s0.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/>