English Folk Figure. A professional ropewalker and showman whose descent from the cupola of St Paul's Cathedral, sliding face-first down a rope while blowing a trumpet earned him fame and the title ‘Icarus of the rope.' In February 1739, he orchestrated a stunt in which he walked up the 800 feet of rope that connected the 222 foot high spire on St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury from where it was anchored in Gaye Meadow below; firing off pistols and performing tricks on the rope during his ascent. At the top, he fastened on a grooved wooden breastplate, and launched himself in a ‘flight' across a rope spanning the Severn River. The rope snapped when he was half way across and Cadman fell to his death, effectively ending the so called flying craze of the 1730s. His monument at St Mary's reads: ‘Let this small monument record the name of Cadman, and to future time proclaim now by'n attempt to fly from this high spire across the Sabrine stream he did acquire his fatal end. ‘Twas not for want of skill or courage to perform the task he fell. No, no, a faulty cord being drawn too tight, Married his Soul on high to take her flight, which hid the body here beneath good Night. Feb. 2nd 1739 aged 28.'
English Folk Figure. A professional ropewalker and showman whose descent from the cupola of St Paul's Cathedral, sliding face-first down a rope while blowing a trumpet earned him fame and the title ‘Icarus of the rope.' In February 1739, he orchestrated a stunt in which he walked up the 800 feet of rope that connected the 222 foot high spire on St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury from where it was anchored in Gaye Meadow below; firing off pistols and performing tricks on the rope during his ascent. At the top, he fastened on a grooved wooden breastplate, and launched himself in a ‘flight' across a rope spanning the Severn River. The rope snapped when he was half way across and Cadman fell to his death, effectively ending the so called flying craze of the 1730s. His monument at St Mary's reads: ‘Let this small monument record the name of Cadman, and to future time proclaim now by'n attempt to fly from this high spire across the Sabrine stream he did acquire his fatal end. ‘Twas not for want of skill or courage to perform the task he fell. No, no, a faulty cord being drawn too tight, Married his Soul on high to take her flight, which hid the body here beneath good Night. Feb. 2nd 1739 aged 28.'
Bio by: Iola
Inscription
"Let this small Monument record the name Of CADMAN, and to future times proclaim How by'n attempt to fly from this high spire Across the Sabrine stream he did acquire His fatal end. 'Twas not for want of skill Or courage to perform the task he fell: No, no , a faulty Cord being drawn too tight Hurried his Soul on high to take her flight Which bid the Body here beneath good Night. Feb.ry 2nd 1739 aged 28."
Advertisement
