Returning to the midlands the Pilgrimage now pauses at a Marian shrine of which I nothing until today although I was aware of it as a Catholic shrine. It is the bridge chapel of St Mary at one end of the bridge, also known as St Mary’s, which crosses the Derwent in Derby.
Probably first built in the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century it was apparently extended and rebuilt in the fifteenth century with provision for an anchores, as well as the chantry priest. By this time it was under the jurisdiction of the collegiate church of All Saints, which was itself under the authority of the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral. Like the bridge All Saints was, save for its great west tower, rebuilt in the eighteenth century and since 1927 has served as the cathedral of the Anglican diocese of Derby. Today it once more has the bridge chapel as part of its responsibilies.
St Mary’s Chapel
Image: Wikipedia
Apparently by the late fifteenth century the chapel on the bridge housed a statue of the Virgin and Child which was black. It attracted more offerings than any other church in the town apart from the shrine of St Alkmund in the church dedicated to him.
After the suppression of the chantries the building had many uses and not a few alterations, until it was rescued and restored in the twentieth century.
The interior
Image: Discover Derby
Wikipedia has an illustrated account of the chapel at St_Mary's_Bridge_Chapel, and the cathedral website has one at The Bridge Chapel,
The south side of the chapel and the bridge
Image: Wikipedia
Today the chapel is still a place of pilgrimage, nowadays commemorating three Catholic priests who were martyred nearby in July 1588. They were Nicholas_Garlick, Robert_Ludlam and Richard_Simpson. After their execution their heads and quarters were displayed at St Mary's chapel, which by then was serving as a prison before being set up around the town.
John Speed’s map of Derby of 1611
St Mary’s chapel and bridge are at the top right
Image: The Old Map Company
May Our Lady of Derby intercede for us and our intentions
Jesu mercy, Mary pray
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