ELIZABETH BELLINGHAM

d.1544 engr.1863

Kendal, Westmorland

Rubbing size: 3'4"X 1'2 1/4"

Colour: Gold on Black

Price: $45(US)

Brasses were laid to commemorate Roger Bellingham and his wife Elizabeth, however the original brasses were lost and the present brasses are replacements filling the old indents. Except for the copy of his will in his Inquisition post mortem, not wholly legible now, which reveals that he was survived by his wife and had a son and heir, Henry, aged 30 years and that Roger died on 6th October, 1544, we know nothing about him.

The two replacement effigies were made by a local engraver, William Garside, in 1863. Although conforming to the shape of the original indents, neither armour nor dress is correctly rendered. Despite these inaccuracies the effigies have great detail and the foliage adds richness above Lady Bellingham's head.

The dress of Elizabeth combines sixteenth century elements in the wide-sleeved gown and belt with long pendent tag, together with features of about c.1400 in the mantle and veil, spread over hair plaited at the sides.