Tomb of John De Pitchford

The carved oak tomb of Sir John de Pitchford (d. 1285)

The Tomb of John De Pitchford is a 13th-century carved effigy and tomb chest in St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Pitchford, Shropshire, England.[1]

Although little record survives of John De Pitchford's life apart from that he died in 1285. He is assumed to have been either a knight or sheriff.[2][3] His monument is positioned in the chancel of the church,[3] and is made from solid oak, making it one of only three extant 13th-century English tombs retaining their original wooden elements.[4][5]

Description

De Pitchford's head rests on a flat and shallow cushion, and is dressed in garments that include a knee length surcoat.[6] He holds a sword but his shield is now missing (the remnants of its holding strap can be seen on his left side).[7] The animal at his feet may be either a lion or a dog. The effigy rests on an oblong chest whose sides are lined with niches containing three-foiled arches, within which are heraldry shields seemingly hanging on hooks from the arches.[4]

As traces of paint have been found on it, the wood may have originally been painted with bright colours.[8]

References

  1. ^ Fryer (1921), p. 14
  2. ^ Tummers (1980), p. 21
  3. ^ a b Fryer (1921), p. 54
  4. ^ a b Tummers (1980), p. 30
  5. ^ The other two are in Westminster Abbey and Salisbury Cathedral. See Tummers (1980), p. 30
  6. ^ Tummers (1980), pp. 70—71
  7. ^ Tummers (1980), p. 76
  8. ^ Tummers (1980), p. 17

Sources

  • Fryer, Alfred Cooper. Wooden Monumental Effigies In England And Wales. London: Archaeologia or Miscellaneous Tracts relating to Antiquity, 1909, republished 1924
  • Tummers, H.A. Early Secular Effigies in England: The Thirteenth Century. Leiden: Brill Archive, 1980. ISBN 978-9-0040-6255-9

52°38′03″N 2°41′58″W / 52.6343°N 2.6994°W / 52.6343; -2.6994