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Kilburn Priory
There is a curious legend connected with Kilburn Priory, which states
that at Saint John's-wood, not far distant, there was formerly a stone
of a dark-red colour, which was the stain of the blood of Sir Gervase
de Mertoun, which flowed upon it a few centuries ago, Stephen de Mertoun,
being enamoured of his brother's wife, frequently insulted her by the
avowal of his passion, which she, at length, threatened to make known
to Sir Gervase; to prevent which, Stephen resolved to waylay his brother,
and slay him. This he effected by seizing him in a narrow lane, and
stabbing him in the back, whereupon he fell upon a projecting rock,
which became dyed with his blood. In his expiring moments Sir Gervase,
recognizing his brother, upbraided him with his cruelty, adding, "This
stone shall be thy death-bed."
Stephen returned to Kilburn, and his brother's lady still refusing to
listen to his criminal proposals, he confined her in a dungeon, and
strove to forget his many crimes by a dissolute enjoyment of his wealth
and power. Oppressed, however, by his troubled conscience, he determined
upon submitting to religious penance; and, ordering his brother's remains
to be removed to Kilburn, he gave directions for their re-interment in a
handsome mausoleum, erected with stone brought from the quarry where the
murder was committed. The identical stone on which his murdered brother
had expired formed a part of the tomb; and the eye of the murderer resting
upon it, the legend adds, blood was seen to issue from it! Struck with
horror, the murderer hastened to the Bishop of London, and, making
confession of his guilt, demised his property to the Priory of Kilburn.
Having thus acted in atonement for his misdeeds, grief and remorse
quickly consigned him to the grave.