The Westminster Vestment

The Westminster Vestment c. 1460–90

Current location: Ushaw College

Chasuble, stole and maniple

A gift to Ushaw College in 1867 by Fr R. Gibson, this chasuble is an intriguing composite of multiple vestments. Its provenance can be traced back to the 18th century when it was bequeathed by Bishop William Walton, Vicar Apostolic of the northern district and Titular Bishop of Trachonitus, to his nephew, also a William Walton in 1780. There was an oral tradition in the Walton family that the vestment (or some aspect of it) was used at Westminster Abbey before the reformation but there is no archival evidence to corroborate this. Nevertheless, the catalogue of the Richard III Centenary Exhibition in 1973 suggests that the chasuble belonged to the royal wardrobe of Richard III.

The shape of the vestment suggests that it was cut down during the seventeenth century and it is probable that the two different velvets were combined at this period. The velvet forming the back dates to the third quarter of the fifteenth century. By contrast, the velvet forming the front panel, and the 23 scraps which were made into a matching maniple and stole, dates to the early sixteenth century. The embroidered border around the cross dates to the seventeenth century which again indicates that the vestment was probably cut down at that time.

The embroidery on the back is a portrayal of the crucifixion. Below stands the centurion Longinus holding a scroll inscribed with the words from St Mark’s Gospel, Vere lius Dei erat iste (Truly that [man] was the Son of God). The pillar orphrey on the front is embroidered in matching style with three saints, each of whom is named in an inscription positioned below. At the top, a crowned saint holds a ship in his right hand and a sword in his left. The name has been read as ‘Tulius’ but it may be an abbreviation for St Nicholas, the patron saint of merchants and sailors. Next is St Catherine of Alexandria standing on a wheel. At the bottom is St Pancras, whose name is now concealed by the lining.

Image: copyright of The Treasures of Ushaw College: Durham's Hidden Gem (Scala: 2015)

Artefact Information: copyright The Trustees of Ushaw College

References: 'A Royal Link' by Frances Pritchard in The Treasures of Ushaw College: Durham's Hidden Gem (Scala: 2015)

R.J.S., Pamela Tudor-Craig: Richard III. A Catalogue., Shakespeare Quarterly, Volume 24, Issue 4, Autumn 1973, Page 484, https://doi.org/10.2307/2868634