Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T16:34:35.888Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Cracking the Code: the Warden Abbey Morses, Luxury Metalwork and Patronage at a Cistercian Abbey in the Late Middle Ages

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2011

Michael Carter*
Affiliation:
Michael Carter, Flat B, 14 Stukeley St, London WC2B 5LQ, UK. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

The three copper-gilt and enamel plaques from Warden Abbey are the most important examples of late medieval metalwork from an English Cistercian abbey. They are currently exhibited at the British Museum and dated to the mid-fifteenth century. A reinterpretation of the monograms decorating the plaques allows their patron to be identified as Abbot Walter Clifton (c 1377–97). An analysis of the plaques’ style and iconography also suggests a late fourteenth-century date. Clifton's personal devotions and an unusual aspect of the plaques’ iconography can be explained by reference to the spirituality of the Cistercian Order. The plaques’ closest parallel is a roundel decorated with the badge of Richard ii. Evidence from inventories and comparison with Continental material suggests that the Warden plaques were, in all probability, morses, used to fasten a cope.

Résumé

Les trois plaques en cuivre doré et émail de l'abbaye de Warden sont les plus importants exemples de travail du métal de la fin de l’époque médiévale provenant d'une abbaye cistercienne anglaise. A l'heure actuelle, elles sont exposées au British Museum et datées au milieu du quinzième siècle. Une nouvelle interprétation des monogrammes qui ornent les plaques permet d'identifier l'abbé Walter Clifton (environ 1365–97) comme leur patron. Une analyse du style et de l'iconographie des plaques suggère aussi une date de la fin du quatorzième siècle. Le parallèle le plus proche des plaques est un insigne rond décoré du signe de Richard ii. Les indices provenant d'inventaires et la comparaison avec le matériel provenant d'Europe continentale suggèrent que les plaques de Warden étaient probablement des morses, et étaient utilisées pour attacher une chape.

Zusammenfassung

Bei den drei verkupferten und emaillierten Plaketten der Warden Abtei handelt es sich um die wichtigsten Beispiele spätmittelalterlicher Metallarbeit aus einer englischen Zisterzienserabtei. Sie sind zur Zeit im Britischen Museum ausgestellt und datieren auf die Mitte des fünfzehnten Jahrhunderts. Eine Neuinterpretation der Monogramme, die diese Plaketten schmücken, deutet darauf hin, daß der Abt Walter Clifton (c 1365–97) deren Patron gewesen sein muß. Eine Analyse des Stils und der Ikonographie der Plaketten deutet ebenfalls auf das späte vierzehnte Jahrhundert. Deren engste Parallele ist ein Rundfenster, das mit einem Abzeichen von Richard ii dekoriert ist. Vergleiche von kontinentaleuropäischen Fundstücken deuten darauf hin, daß es sich bei diesen Plaketten wahrscheinlich um Morse handelte, die als Agraffe für einen Chormantel dienten.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alexander, J Binski, P (eds) 1987. Age of Chivalry: art in Plantagenet England, 1200–1400, exh cat, London: Weidenfeld & NicolsonGoogle Scholar
Anon 1846. ‘Proceedings of the Central Committee of the British Archaeological Society’, Archaeol J, 2, 7192Google Scholar
Anon 1854. Post Office Directory of Berkshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire, with Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Huntingdonshire, London: Pigot & CoGoogle Scholar
Anon 1886. ‘St Paul's Church, Bedford, Heraldry’, Bedfordshire Notes Queries, 1, 251Google Scholar
Backaert, M 1950. ‘L’évolution du calendrier cistercien’, Collectanea Ordinis Cisterciensium Reformatorum, 12, 8194, 302–16Google Scholar
Backaert, M 1951. ‘L’évolution du calendrier cistercien’, Collectanea Ordinis Cisterciensium Reformatorum, 13, 107127Google Scholar
Backhouse, J 1999. The Sherborne Missal, London: British LibraryGoogle Scholar
Baker, E 1993. ‘The Warden Abbey pavements: fine art on a floor’, in Studies in Cistercian Art and Architecture, iv (ed M P Lillich), 5977, Kalamazoo: Cistercian PublicationsGoogle Scholar
Barnes, C F 2009. The Portfolio of Villard de Honnecourt (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS Fr 19093): a new critical edition and colour facsimile, Farnham: AshgateGoogle Scholar
Barnes, G D 1984. Kirkstall Abbey, 1147–1539: an historical survey, Publ Thoresby Soc, 58, Leeds: Thoresby SocietyGoogle Scholar
Bond, E A (ed) 1868. Chronica Monasterii de Melsa, iii, Rolls Ser, 43, London: LongmansGoogle Scholar
Brown, J E 1913. ‘Clerical subsidies of the Archdeaconry of Bedford, 1390–92, 1400–1’, Bedfordshire Hist Rec Soc, 1, 2761Google Scholar
Campbell, M 1987. ‘Badge of Richard II’, in Alexander and Binski (eds) 1987, 524Google Scholar
Campbell, M 1997. ‘ “White harts and coronets”: the jewellery and plate of Richard II’, in Gordon, Monnas and Elam (eds) 1997, 95–114Google Scholar
Carter, M 2009. ‘The breviary of Abbot Marmaduke Huby of Fountains: Renaissance design and religious change in early sixteenth-century Yorkshire’, Bodl Lib Rec, 22, 1734Google Scholar
CCR 1369–74. Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward III, xiii, 1369–74, London: HMSOGoogle Scholar
CCR 1374–7. Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward III, xiv, 1374–7, London: HMSOGoogle Scholar
CCR 1381–5. Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II, ii, 1381–5, London: HMSOGoogle Scholar
Chadd, D F L 1986. ‘Liturgy and liturgical music’, in Norton and Park (eds) 1986, 299–314Google Scholar
Chamot, M 1930. English Mediaeval Enamels, London: Ernest BennGoogle Scholar
Cherry, J 2008. ‘King John's cup’, in King's Lynn and the Fens: medieval art, architecture and archaeology (ed J McNeill), Brit Archaeol Ass Conference Trans, 31, 116, Leeds: Maney PublishingGoogle Scholar
Clark, E K (ed) 1895. ‘The foundation of Kirkstall Abbey’, in Miscellanea, Publ Thoresby Soc, 4, 169208, Leeds: Thoresby SocietyGoogle Scholar
Coppack, G 2004. Fountains Abbey: the Cistercians in northern England, Stroud: TempusGoogle Scholar
Coulton, G G 1925. The Medieval Village, Cambridge: Cambridge University PressGoogle Scholar
CPL 1398–1404. Calendar of Papal Registers Relating to Great Britain and Ireland, v: 1398–1404 (eds W H Bliss and J A Twemlow), London: HMSOGoogle Scholar
CPL 1427 47. Calendar of Papal Registers Relating to Great Britain and Ireland, viii: 1427–47 (eds W H Bliss and J A Twemlow), London: HMSOGoogle Scholar
CPR 1370 4. Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward III, xv, A.D. 1370–4, London: HMSOGoogle Scholar
CPR 1381–5. Calendar of Patent Rolls, Richard II, ii, A.D. 1381–5, London: HMSOGoogle Scholar
CPR 1385–9. Calendar of Patent Rolls, Richard II, iii, A.D. 1385–9, London: HMSOGoogle Scholar
CPR 1396–9. Calendar of Patent Rolls: Richard II, vi, A.D. 1396–9, London: HMSOGoogle Scholar
Duffy, E 2005. The Stripping of the Altars: traditional religion in England, 1400–1580, 2nd edn, London: Yale University PressGoogle Scholar
Dugdale, W 1673. Monasticon Anglicanum, iii, LondonGoogle Scholar
Dugdale, W 1830. Monasticon Anglicanum, vi (iii) (ed J Caley), LondonGoogle Scholar
Dunning, G C 1965. ‘Heraldic and decorated metalwork and other finds from Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire’, Antiq J, 45, 5363CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dyer, C 1989. ‘Jardins et vergers en Angleterre au moyen âge’, in Jardins et vergers en Europe occidental, Centre Culturel de l'Abbaye de Flaran, 9e journées internationales de histoire, 145–64CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, R H 1986. Catalogue of Seals in the Public Records Office. Monastic Seals, i, London: HMSOGoogle Scholar
Fowler, G H (ed) 1930. ‘Cartulary of the Abbey of Old Warden’, Bedfordshire Hist Rec Soc, 13Google Scholar
Franks, A W 1854. ‘The additions to the collections of national antiquities in the British Museum’, Archaeol J, 11, 2332CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Geddes, J 1986. ‘Cistercian metalwork in England’, in Norton and Park (eds) 1986, 256–65Google Scholar
Gee, L L 1979. ‘ “Ciborium” tombs in England 1290–1330’, J Brit Archaeol Ass, 122, 2941CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Glanville, P 1987. Silver in England, London: RoutledgeGoogle Scholar
Gordon, D, Monnas, L Elam, C (eds) 1997. The Regal Image of Richard II and the Wilton Diptych, London: Harvey MillerGoogle Scholar
Heale, M 2009. ‘Mitres and arms: aspects of the self-representation of the monastic superior in late medieval England’, in Self-Representation of Medieval Religious Communities: the British Isles in context (eds A Müller and K Stöber), 99–124, Berlin: Lit VerlagGoogle Scholar
Hourihane, C 2005. The Processional Cross in Late Medieval England: the ‘Dallye Cross’, London: Society of AntiquariesGoogle Scholar
Husband, T (ed) 2001. The Treasury of Basel Cathedral, exh cat, New York: Metropolitan Museum of ArtGoogle Scholar
Keck, D 1998. Angels and Angelology in the Middle Ages, Oxford: Oxford University PressCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leach, A F Rutherford, J 1915. Schools in Medieval England, London: Benjamin BlomGoogle Scholar
Le Neve, J 1963. Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae, 1300–1541, vi, Northern Province (York, Canterbury, Durham) (ed B Jones), London: Athlone PressGoogle Scholar
Lightbown, R W 1992. Mediaeval European Jewellery, with a Catalogue of the Collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London: V&AGoogle Scholar
Lindley, P G 1984. ‘The tomb of Bishop William de Luda: an architectural model at Ely Cathedral’, Proc Cambridge Antiq Soc, 73, 7587Google Scholar
Luxford, J M 2005. The Art and Architecture of English Benedictine Monasteries, 1300–1540: a patronage history, Woodbridge: BoydellGoogle Scholar
Mantz, P 1874. ‘Orfèvrerie Anglaise’, Gazette des Beaux-Arts, 9, 18Google Scholar
Marks, R 1986. ‘Cistercian window glass’, in Norton and Park (eds) 1986, 211–27Google Scholar
Marks, R 1993. Stained Glass in England during the Middle Ages, London: RoutledgeGoogle Scholar
Marks, R 1998. The Medieval Glass of Northamptonshire, Oxford: Oxford University PressGoogle Scholar
Marks, R 2004. Image and Devotion in Late Medieval England, Stroud: TempusGoogle Scholar
Marks, R Payne, A 1978. British Heraldry: from its origins to c 1800, exh cat, London: British Museum PublicationsGoogle Scholar
Mayo, J 1989. A History of Ecclesiastical Dress, London: BatsfordGoogle Scholar
Monnas, L 1994. Opus Anglicanum and Renaissance velvet: the Whalley Abbey vestments’, Textile History, 25, 327CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Newman, M G 1996. The Boundaries of Charity: Cistercian culture and ecclesiastical reform, 1098–1180, Stanford: Stanford University PressGoogle Scholar
Norton, C 1986. ‘Table of Cistercian legislation on art and architecture’, in Norton and Park (eds) 1986, 315–93Google Scholar
Norton, C Park, D (eds) 1986. Cistercian Art and Architecture in the British Isles, Cambridge: Cambridge University PressGoogle Scholar
O'Neill, J P (ed) 1995. The Enamels of Limoges, 1100–1350, exh cat, New York: Metropolitan Museum of ArtGoogle Scholar
Pevsner, N 1967. The Buildings of England: Yorkshire, the West Riding, Harmondsworth: PenguinGoogle Scholar
Pevsner, N 1968. The Buildings of England: Bedfordshire, Harmondsworth: PenguinGoogle Scholar
Pickford, C J 1991. ‘Bedfordshire clock and watchmakers 1352–1880: a biographical dictionary with selected documents’, Bedfordshire Hist Rec Soc, 70Google Scholar
Réau, L 1958. Iconographie de Part chrétian: iconographie des saints, iii (ii), Paris: Presses Universitaires de FranceGoogle Scholar
Robinson, D 1998. The Cistercian Abbeys of Britain: far from the concourse of man, London: BatsfordGoogle Scholar
Robinson, D 2006. The Cistercians in Wales: architecture and archaeology, 1130–1540, London: Society of AntiquariesGoogle Scholar
Rudd, G T West, B B 1962. ‘Excavations at Warden Abbey in 1960 and 1961: a preliminary report’, Bedford Archaeol J, 2, 5868Google Scholar
Sandler, L F 1986. Gothic Manuscripts, 1285–1385: a survey of medieval manuscripts illuminated in the British Isles, 2 vols, London: Harvey MillerGoogle Scholar
Smith, D M London, V C M (eds) 2001. The Heads of Religious Houses: England and Wales. Vol ii: 1216–1377, Cambridge: Cambridge University PressCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steyaert, J W 1994. Late Gothic Sculpture: the Burgundian Netherlands, exh cat, Ghent: Ludion PressGoogle Scholar
Taburet-Delahaye, E 1989. L'orfèvrerie gothique au Musée de Cluny, Paris: Éditions Réunion des Musée NationauxGoogle Scholar
Tracey, C 1987. English Gothic Choir-Stalls, 1200–1400, Woodbridge: BoydellGoogle Scholar
VCH 1904. The Victoria County History of the County of Bedfordshire, i, London: Archibald ConstableGoogle Scholar
VCH 1906. The Victoria County History of the County of Northampton, ii, London: Archibald ConstableGoogle Scholar
VCH 1908. The Victoria County History of the County of Bedfordshire, ii, London: Archibald ConstableGoogle Scholar
Voragine, J de 1995. The Golden Legend: readings on the saints, ii (trans W G Ryan), Princeton: Princeton University PressGoogle Scholar
Walbran, J R (ed) 1864. ‘Memorials of the Abbey of St Mary of Fountains, i, Surtees Soc, 82Google Scholar
Walcott-Mackenzie, E 1867. ‘Inventory of Whalley Abbey’, Trans Hist Soc Lancashire Cheshire, 19, 103110Google Scholar
Williamson, P 1988. Northern Gothic Sculpture, London: V&AGoogle Scholar
Wilson, C 1997. ‘Rulers, artificers and shoppers: Richard II's remodelling of Westminster Hall, 1393–99’, in Gordon, Monnas and Elam (eds) 1997, 33–60Google Scholar
Woolgar, C 2001. ‘Fast and feast: conspicuous consumption and the diet of the nobility in the fifteenth century’, in Revolution and Consumption in Late Medieval England (ed M Hicks), 725, Woodbridge: BoydellGoogle Scholar