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.


Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Marian Pilgrimage - Our Lady of Thetford


The Pilgrimage now travels across East Anglia to west Norfolk and the shrine of Our Lady of Thetford. 

My post from last year has links to those from other years, including one based on the VCH Norfolk account which tells the story of the establishment of the shrine in remarkable detail. Such a contemporary source for these sites of  Marian devotion is an unusual survival. This can all be accessed from the post from last year which can be found at Marian Pilgrimage - Our Lady of Thetford



Aerial reconstruction drawing of Thetford Priory from the north-west, showing how it may have looked in 1540
The Lady Chapel is to the left of the central tower

Image:© English Heritage - painting by Richard Bond



Thetford Priory today
The foundations of the Lady Chapel can be seen to the north of the choir and presbytery of the monastic church

Image: English Heritage

The English Heritage website for the history and remains of the priory can be found at History of Thetford Priory  and at Description of Thetford Priory


May Our Lady of Thetford intercede for us and our intentions

Jesu mercy, Mary pray

 
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