Conspicuous piety

Royalty and piety: Richard III's endowments and gifts to York Minster were a demonstration of his religious devotion
© Carolyn Donahue

Associated people

• Anne Neville
• Edward IV
• Edward V
• Richard III

Associated places

• St Martin-cum-Gregory church, Micklegate
• Wilberfoss
• York
• York Minster

Associated institutions

• Corpus Christi Guild
• York Minster
• York Minster College

Other articles in this theme:

• York Minster College
• Middleham Jewel

Description

On arrival at York on 29 August 1483 Richard's procession through the city led him to the Minster, where a solemn service was held in his honour. This was the first time Richard had celebrated divine service in the Minster since he had become king, but he had already taken part in important ceremonies at the cathedral as duke. Following the death of Edward IV on 9 April 1483, Richard had attended a commemorative ceremony at York Minster. The occasion was not only an opportunity to worship and mourn with citizens but also saw Richard lead the nobility in publicly making an oath of allegiance to the new king, Edward V.

The association between Richard and the Minster was especially strong. On his visit to York in 1483 the high altar had been decorated with his gifts of silver and gilt figures of the twelve apostles alongside other relics. Such items not only showed Richard's favour for the church, but were a lasting reminder of his position and piety. A sixteenth-century inventory at the Minster showed that gifts made by Richard III of decorated copes and a large cross adorned with angel figures and jewels were still at the cathedral.

York Minster was also the planned recipient of a grand endowment for a college of priests in late summer 1484, one of three colleges he proposed to establish in the north, the others being at Middleham and Barnard Castle. While the Minster was the focus of great patronage by Richard III, it was not the only site to receive gifts, indeed it was expected that nobility and royalty would bestow items or money on the religious institutions they visited. Richard was a patron of St Martin-cum-Gregory church, Micklegate, for example, and granted money and land to the nunnery at Wilberfoss, nine miles east of York. In return prayers for the good health of the king and his family, and for their souls after death, were expected.

Further public expressions of piety were made through attendance at performances of religious plays and by becoming members of religious guilds. As a special honour to mark Richard III's visit to York in 1483 the Creed Play was staged on 7 September. The play included twelve biblical scenes including, pertinently to this new monarch, God and Christ enthroned as well as the nativity, crucifixion and resurrection. Citizens of York paid for the play, which was performed by the Corpus Christi guild. Richard and his wife, Anne Neville, had become members of this guild in 1477; his mother Cecily had been a member since 1455.

For Richard's patronage of Windsor and Westminster follow the link to St George's Chapel, Windsor here: http://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/archives/blog/?tag=henry-vi