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Fragments of Faith: Unpicking Archbishop John Morton's Vestments

Brooks, Mary M.; O’Connor, Sonia; Caple, Christopher; Graves, C. Pamela; Quye, Anita

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Authors

Sonia O’Connor

Christopher Caple

C. Pamela Graves

Anita Quye



Abstract

This paper uses evidence from a previously unresearched ecclesiastical textile associated with Archbishop John Morton (c 1420−1500) to generate new insights into the material culture of the Roman Catholic faith before, during and after the penal period in England (c 1558−1829). This composite textile was initially thought to be made up of fragments of a late 1400s cope bearing Morton’s rebus, reconfigured as an altar frontal, which had survived in the house of an important Roman Catholic family. The embroidered motifs include a unique Lily Crucifix. The textile’s complex biography is ‘unpicked’ using physical and textual evidence to understand its changing forms, roles and significance. Analysis of the material and construction, combined with evidence gained through X-radiography, showed the frontal to be composed of parts of a cope and at least one other vestment, with a now missing image of the Annunciation. Mapping the stages of fragmentation, removal and re-modelling demonstrates the transformation of significant mainstream vestments into other forms. The paper illuminates aspects of Morton’s faith and provides new insights into the practices of recusant Roman Catholics.

Citation

Brooks, M. M., O’Connor, S., Caple, C., Graves, C. P., & Quye, A. (2020). Fragments of Faith: Unpicking Archbishop John Morton's Vestments. Antiquaries Journal, 100, 274-303. https://doi.org/10.1017/s000358152000027x

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 8, 2020
Online Publication Date Jun 19, 2020
Publication Date 2020-09
Deposit Date Jun 20, 2020
Publicly Available Date Jun 23, 2020
Journal Antiquaries Journal
Print ISSN 0003-5815
Electronic ISSN 1758-5309
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 100
Pages 274-303
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/s000358152000027x
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1262362

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