Blanche Mortimer

At Much Marcle there is a beautiful tomb to Blanche Mortimer, who died in 1347.

It’s a large tomb, unusually so, and decorated in conventional aristocratic style with lots of coats of arms. It doesn’t have any saints attached, though there is undoubtedly space at the bottom of the tomb, or even in the panels above her. Perhaps they have disappeared with the passage of time.

What makes this interesting is how she is portrayed and to understand that, we should look at anther tomb in the same church, which was built in 1400. These figures are laid out very conventionally, their heads and feet resting on objects, their hands posing in prayer.

Their faces are very peaceful, I think, trusting in the Resurrection. Now let’s return to Blanche.

See the difference? She is not stiffly posed, but lying as if asleep. Her rosary rests under her left hand, she is not in the praying pose but simply slumbering, while her dress slips off to the side.

Her feet rest on a puppy which has unfortunately lost its head, but see the folds of the textile here, which looks to have been coloured a deep red or orange originally.

She was the daughter of Roger Mortimer, who overthrew King Edward II and ruled England for three years in the 14th century. some years ago the tomb underwent a full restoration, being dismantled and rebuilt. To their surprise, the conservators found a lead lined coffin inside.

(from the BBC news website)

They didn’t open it but did investigate gently through a few holes and are certain these are the remains of Blanche Mortimer. She was replaced in her resting place.

It’s a beautiful and unconventional memorial for its time, and makes you wonder who decided on this design and why.

Requiem aeternam dona ea Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ea.

Requiescat in pace.

If you don’t want to sign up to a paid subscription, do consider buying me a coffee by leaving a contribution in my tip jar!

Have you seen my publication - my translation of Shepherd’s Prayer by St Aelred of Rievaulx? Available now via Amazon around the world, the isbn is: 979-8344184814.