Dennington (Suffolk) Church of St. Mary, south aisle, Chapel
of St. Margaret (Bardolph tomb)
The screening off of private spaces was common in parish churches as
well as great cathedrals. Most often this screening prevented bodily
intrusion, but allowed visual and auditory access. Generally, the
lower portions of a parclose were solid, built of wood paneling and the
screens above were elaborate open canopies. Screens occasionally
supported lofts to accommodate musicians, singers, or liturgical performances.
The Bardolph parclose loft has a parapet with pierced tracery four-foot
high and the internal width of the loft is two foot seven inches.
Although the chapel’s dedication, basically an altar honoring St. Margaret
in the south aisle of the church, is earlier, the screens date from the
internment of Lord Bardolph and his Lady about 1450.
DE1 Dennington (Suffolk) Church of St. Mary, south aisle, Chapel of St. Margaret
DE2 Dennington, detail of loft for parclose of chapel of St. Margaret
The chapel of St. Margaret, on the south aisle of the church,
contains a splendid tomb erected about 1450 for Lord Bardolph, one of the
heroes of the battle of Agincourt and his wife, Joan. Both sculptures,
in painted alabaster, are in a good state of preservation with original
polychrome (undoubtedly partially renewed at some later date). Lord
Bardolph, dressed in full armor, is distinguished by the IHS (monogram
of the name of Jesus) on his forehead, the SS collar, given by the Lancanstrian
kings in recognition of great personal service, and the Order of the Garter
on his calf (a band with the inscription Honi soit qui mal y pense).
(See also the commoner, John Baret with SS collar on his tomb at St. Mary’s
Church, Bury St. Edmunds.) Joan is richly dressed, her elaborately coifed
hair on a cushion supported by angels. She has a salamander (able
to withstand fire) at her feet, a symbol of chastity. They are buried with
their feet towards the altar. When called on judment day, they will
“rise” facing the east (the altar), with Lord Bardolf on the heraldic right
(the dexter side) and Joan on the left (the sinister side), a traditional
gendered placement distinguish male and female. Left and right is
determined by the “altar’s” right and left, not that of the spectator.
DE3 Dennington (Suffolk), Church of St. Mary. Tomb
of Lord and Lady Bardolph, Dennington, painted alabaster
DE4 Dennington (Suffolk), Church of St. Mary. Tomb of Lord and Lady Bardolph, Dennington, detail of upper bodies from side
DE5 Dennington (Suffolk), Church of St. Mary. Tomb of Lord and Lady Bardolph, Dennington, detail of upper body of Joan
DE6 Dennington (Suffolk), Church of St. Mary. Tomb of Lord and Lady Bardolph, Dennington, detail of salamander under feet of Joan
DE7 Dennington (Suffolk), Church of St. Mary. Tomb of Lord and Lady Bardolph, Dennington, detail of the head of Lord Bardolph
DE8 Dennington (Suffolk), Church of St. Mary. Tomb of Lord Bardolph,
Dennington, detail of Lord Bardolph’s
leg with Order of the Garter
The baptismal font is of the early 15th century and shows shields,
now stripped of their identifying painted armorials, on the bowl.
Its low pyramidal cover dates to the 16th century.
DE9 Dennington (Suffolk), Church of St. Mary. Baptismal font, early 15th century, shields, now stripped of their identifying painted armorials, on the bowl. The low pyramidal cover is 16th century.
Pews: This important church has a fine wooded ceiling and parcloses for side chapels. The solid backs of the pews are adorned with impressive folded leaf ornament and foliate designs similar to those in secular furniture and building decoration.
DE10 Dennington (Suffolk), Church of St. Mary. Pew
backs, folded leaf ornament and foliate designs.