Tomb of John De Pitchford
The Tomb of John De Pitchford is a 13th-century carved effigy and tomb chest of John De Pitchford (d. 1285), located at St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Pitchford, Shropshire, England.[1]
Although little record survives of John De Pitchford's life, 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[edit]
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[edit]
Sources[edit]
- 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