Eof's Statue

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 20 Jun 2017

The statue in the Market Place is the work of the renowned sculptor John McKenna. It was unveiled in June 2008. The work is a representation of the legend surrounding the origins of the town. It depicts the swineherd Eof (or Eoves) on his knees covering his face at the apparition of the Virgin Mary, whose face is emerging from the canopy of trees. The river Avon is depicted in the form of ripples of water and fish around the base of the statue. The following is from an information board provided by The Vale of Evesham Historical Society: “Legend has it that towards the end of the 7th century, an Anglo-Saxon swineherd named Eof was tending his pigs in the oak forest that then occupied the loop of the River Avon at Evesham. He saw a vision of the Virgin Mary and rushed to tell his story to the Bishop of Worcester. Having heard his tale, Bishop Ecgwin came to Evesham and saw the same vision. Impressed, he decided that the site was blessed and persuaded Ethelred, King of Mercia, to found an Abbey in 701AD, which later became one of the most important monasteries in England. The name of Evesham derives from Eof’s name and the Anglo-Saxon hamm, which has a local meaning for land in a bend of the river.”

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