I "ran away" yesterday morning. I couldn't cope with the grief of Theo's passing and needed to just get out of the house. Unfortunately, I was half way to Abbey Dore before it occurred to me that I hadn't taken my asthma inhalers. I am on a very high dose, so really cannot manage without them for any length of time. My breathing seemed OK, and I had my blue Ventolin inhaler for emergencies, so carried on. I was fine at Abbey Dore (more of that in another post), so headed back to nearby Bacton Church, where there is a memorial, and I believe, the heart of, Blanche Parry, Gentlewoman of Queen Elizabeth I's bedchamber, and keeper of her jewels. Her corporeal remains are buried at Westminster Abbey. The Queen paid for her funeral. She had been a good and faithful servant of the Queen for her entire life.
HERE are the details about the church.
A more unusual shape of memorial in the churchyard.
Inside the Porch. Blanche Parry's generosity to the parish is recorded here.
The font is simple and could well date back to the 13th Century when the church was established (although probably there was an earlier church - a Yew Tree in the churchyard is about 1300 years old.)
Memorial to Alexander Stanton Esq and his wife Rachel Hopton, dated 1663.
Remember the American tv programme from the 80s? - The Partridge family? Here are members of the REAL Partridge family. I believe one of them bred successful racehorses.
More beautiful glass which has a Pre-Raphaelite look about it.
Here is the most AMAZING piece of the past you are likely to see in many a long year - this Altar Cloth was made from a court dress of Queen Elizabeth I, and she wore it in The Rainbow painting of her. Made from cloth of silver (and including gold threads too), it is exquisitely and painstakingly embroidered. Just SUCH a connection with our country's history.
Butterflies, a snail?, birds, and wee beasties are to be found.
Beasties!
Isn't it just wonderful? Thank heavens it survived and is still treasured.
Details HERE about the cloth and lots more about Blanche Parry.
Lovely Arts & Crafts style pulpit, and above it, probably the old doorway for the rood screen and loft.
The Altar and below, close up of the Last Supper carving.
Above and below: Beautiful stained glass behind the altar.
So that my time I thus did pass away
A maid in court and never no man's wife
Sworn of Queen Elizabeth head Chamber always
With maiden queen a maid did end my life
In other words, I died a virgin, as did our Queen!
Look up and see angels . . .
Please do check out the links. They give so much more information than I have time to include here.
