THE TOMB OF BLANCHE MORTIMER, LADY GRANDISON. ST BARTHOLOMEW CHURCH MUCH MARCLE

The graceful effigy of Blanche Mortimer atop her tomb her head resting on a tassled cushion.St Bartholomew Church,  Much Marcle, Herefordshire.  Photo with thanks to Bill Jewitt @ Flikr. 

In the chancel of the church of St Bartholomew,  Much Marcle, Herefordshire can be found one of the most beautiful tombs chests in England, that of Blanche Mortimer, lady Grandison.  I happened by chance on this lovely monument  some years ago.  I stood there entranced, unwilling to leave.  Blanche’s tomb has been described by Nikolaus Pevsner as follows “The head is strikingly beautiful, eyes closed and lips slightly parted.  Beautiful hands with long fingers..moreover the most surprising demonstration of realism in the way of her long skirt hangs down over the tomb chest“.   Simon Jenkins in his book “England’s Thousand Best Churches describes the monument as “An image as lovely as any bequeathed by a medieval church….the effigy might be the original for Sleeping Beauty‘.    English Heritage describe it as one of the finest of its date in England.

Close up of the attention to detail in the tightly buttoned sleeves of Blanche’s gown. Photo Pam Walker/Clothing Lexis Project

Note the little dog lying at the bottom of Blanche’s feet.  His face is missing but he has still kept hold of his collar adorned with bells and his long floppy ears.Photo thanks to richardiiiworcs.co.uk 

The tomb shown with its heraldic badges after renovation.  Photo Medieval Pembridge.

Blanche (c.1316-1347) was probably born at Wigmore Castle and was the daughter of Roger Mortimer, Ist  Earl of March (1287-1330)  and Joan de Geneville, Baroness Geneville (1286–1356).   Roger would go on to famously rebel against King Edward II.  He and Queen Isabella were lovers and it has been speculated they may have arranged the murder of Edward whose death to this day is ‘shrouded in mystery’(1).  Roger  was eventually overthrown by Edward’s son, Edward III and executed, but that is another story.    Blanche was married to Sir Peter Grandison (d.1358) when she was 14.   I was rather disappointed to find out he is not buried beside her but lies in Hereford Cathedral.  Little is known of their relationship but the meticulous care, craftsmanship and attention to detail lavished on the design  and building of the tomb would indicate that Peter Grandison loved and missed his wife. And there, atop her tomb, lies Blanche to this day.  Her face, serene and lovely, her long gown hanging down gracefully in folds over the front of the tomb chest and her hands, beautifully carved, hold her rosary, although alas her little dog is missing his head although he still retains his collar adorned with bells and his long floppy ears.

Heraldic shield above the tomb.  Note the little floppy earred dog – very similar to the little dog that lies at the bottom of Blanche’s feet.   Is it in fact a carving of the same dog – perhaps one of Blanche’s favourite pets?  Photo thanks to richardiiiworcs.co.uk

Blanche’s faithful dog, damaged but still wearing his collar bedecked with bells.     Photo thanks to Rex Harris @ Flikr.

Blanche’s husband,  Sir Peter Grandison’s  tomb in the Lady Chapel,  Hereford Cathedral, Hereford. Photo Church Monuments Society.

But that is not the end of the story for Blanche.  For while her monument was being restored, Blanche’s lead coffin was found resting within the tomb chest.   This was most unusual as it has been thought that tomb chest monuments were either built on top or nearby the burial which was usually in vault or on occasion beneath the church floor.    It is now known, through this discovery,  that some coffins were placed inside the tomb chest itself.  After the restoration was completed, led by sculpture conservator Michael Eastham, the coffin was returned to the tomb chest with new steel supports to provide future protection.  The lead coffin was briefly examined but the decision was made not to disturb it.

Blanche’s lead coffin.  Photo with thanks to English Heritage.

Blanche’s effigy prior to replacement on top of the tomb chest. Photo English Heritage.

St Bartholomew’s very own ‘Sleeping Beauty’.  Unknown photographer. 

Blanche’s effigy after renovation – her little dog, although damaged,  still lying at her feet..Photo with thanks to David Ross/Britain Express

And so we leave Blanche, serene and lovely,  with her little dog nestling in the folds of her gown for perpetuity –  St Bartholomew’s very own Sleeping Beauty.

1. Mortimer, Roger, first earl of March. (1287–1330). R R Davies ODNB January 2008.

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