St. Eligius

14th century
Panel from a rood screen
Church of St. Andrew, Hempstead, Norfolk, England

The panel was stolen in 1982.  This is an older photograph.

As bishop of Noyon, St. Eligius wears a chasuble and mitre. But instead of a bishop's usual crozier his left hand holds a hammer, referring to the tradition that he was originally a farrier by trade. In his right hand he holds a horse's foreleg, a reference to a legend that he once removed it from the horse, attached an iron shoe, then replaced it neatly on the animal.

Read more about images of St. Eligius.

Source: The Norfolk Churches Site