Remembrance, Liturgy and Status in a Late Medieval English Cistercian Abbey: The Mourning Vestment of Abbot Robert Thornton of Jervaulx (1510–33)
Michael Carter
Exhibited in the newly opened Medieval and Renaissance Galleries of Victoria Albert Museum, London, is a sixteenth-century English black mourning vestment. It decorated with rebus Robert Thornton, who was twenty-second abbot Cistercian monastery Jervaulx, Yorkshire, between 1510–33. Although many ways it typical example late medieval ecclesiastical embroidery, vestment unusual number respects. This article discusses insights provides into Order's evolving attitudes towards use rich fabrics embroidery their vestments. In addition, only surviving which images taken from contemporary depictions Last Judgement. Lengthy texts liturgy appear on vestment, suggesting that Thornton used garment to assert his identity. The abbot's rebus, includes mitre, prominent rear orphrey, display Thornton's exalted social status but also visual prompt for prayers Jervaulx community assembled Requiem Mass. survived because continued be Catholic worship after Reformation its shape altered accord changing fashions liturgical dress.
Textile History