Flitch of bacon custom does not seem to have been claimed very often. Horace Walpole, who visited Whichnoure in 1760, reported that the flitch had not been claimed for thirty years and that a real flitch of bacon was no longer kept ready at the manor. A replacement, carved in wood, was now displayed over the mantle of the fireplace in the main hall, presumably in order to continue to meet the conditions of the original land grant. Walpole is quite taken by this tradition and mentions it in several letters to his friends. In a letter to the Countess of Ailesbury (Lady Caroline
O What a Savior and gave His life-blood,<br> To make the vilest sinner clean. O what a Savior, O hallelujah!<br> His heart was broken on Calvary,<br> His hands were nail scarred,<br> His side was riven,<br> He gave His life-blood for even me. Death's chilly waters I'll soon be crossing,<br> His hand will lead me safe o're,<br> I'll join the chorus in that bright city,<br> And sing up there forever more. O what a Savior, O hallelujah!<br> His heart was broken on Calvary,<br> His hands were nail scarred,<br> His side was riven,<br> He gave His life-blood for even me. O What a Savior "O What