Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Monday, 3 July 2023

A thirteenth century chasuble


The Liturgical Arts Journal has an illustrated article today about a thirteenth century chasuble in the treasury of St Aldegonde in the Low Countries. The conicle chasuble is made of a gold and red silk fabric decorated with parrots which had originated in China. The orpheries, now faded, are patterned with an alternating design of crosses. As the article points out the vestment shows the rich textiles that were available for vestment makers at the time and the splendour of what could be produced.



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