A VISIT TO THE BEAUCHAMP CHAPEL in WARWICK

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[@thelazychefuk4410]

Oh how beautiful are these monuments! Thank you Allan, another outstanding history lesson!

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@crichtonbruce4329]

Re: Stained Glass.... I'm Canadian, but I had the good fortune to live in England for a year. While there I visited many castles, churches and cathedrals, most of the last two had suffered the destruction of their original stained glass during the reformation or the civil war. One cloudy day I went to visit Lincoln Cathedral (which still has much of it's original medieval stained glass) and just as I walked in the sun came out literally filling the building with the most amazing, heart stopping display of light and color imaginable (fireworks displays notwithstanding). That was 40 years ago, but the memory of that remains a highlight (no pun intended) of my life.

[@OkieJammer2736]

Wowww. What an experience! Thanks for sharing this, as the visual you described is delightful.

[@finch45lear]

Breathtaking . Thank you professor.

[@allanbarton]

You are very welcome

[@pattycoe7435]

When I was in college I met a girl with the name of Beauchamp and I wondered why she pronounced her name the way she did. She was proud to tell me that her family were distantly related to the British family.

[@allanbarton]

Interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@1234j]

🎉 excellent, thank you. So lovely to see undamaged graves instead of chipped noses and defaced, er, faces inflicted in later times

[@annettewillis2797]

Quite a jewel of a chapel. Ornate yet delicate in its tracery and decoration. It truly is miraculous that it has survived the rigors of time largely intact. I have visited Warwick a few times but sadly never the Beauchamp chapel!

[@Sketchbook_sazzle]

Brilliant. I used to live in Warwick.I couldn't over the amazing details. All the years I lived there I didn't visit the church. Thank you Alan for a very interesting insight.

[@prarieborn6458]

Everything is so beautifuly preserved How did this Church and Chapel escape the attention of the destroyers in the deformation?

[@alecblunden8615]

16:42 The Puritans destroyed blasphemous effigies as breaching the Decalogue, not secular memorials.

[@jackmorrison7379]

Did you actually listen to the video? The Dudley family were favorites of Elizabeth the First. Some of the tombs are of Anglicans. Try learning facts and not sounding like a tiresome troll who gets upvoted by the troll army. The channel master goes to great lengths to get all the facts, to his credit. It pays to listen, and not refight the Reformation and to what end?

[@AmynAL]

I loved this video. The building, the stonework, the windows, and of course the tombs of the Warwick’s and all are beautiful. Quite a heritage site. Thank you Allan.

[@kingjonny394]

As a resident of Warwick I'm glad you visited, it really is marvellous isn't it?

[@Sharon_Mc]

🇬🇧 Yes, I live 1 mile away. Excellent video. Thank you.

[@tc2334]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I add a stop to my list of places to see in England…I think I may need to make several trips at this point

[@debrawhite751]

This chapel is stunning! I wish I had seen it when I visited Warwick Castle several years ago. I don't know if I'll ever make it back to England. My sister has traced our genealogy and said we are related to Sir John Grey of Groby, who was the great grandfather of Lady Jane Grey and the first husband of Elizabeth Woodville, who later became Queen consort to Edward IV. Sir John Grey died in the battle of St. Albans and is buried in St. Albans Cathedral. Do you think you would ever have an interest in doing an episode about St. Albans? I would love to see where he is buried. Thank you so much for doing these videos. I just love them.

[@jackpayne4658]

Seeing the richness and intricate beauty of this chapel, I was somehow reminded of William Butterfield's elaborate and very expensive All Saints church in Margaret Street, London. I'm a great admirer of Butterfield, but his architecture has a restless, combative air to it - Butterfield shaking his fist in the face of Victorian materialism and religious dissent. The Beauchamp chapel seems very serene and self-confident by comparison, reflecting an aesthetic and religious consensus which became quite alien by Butterfield's time.

[@allanbarton]

I know what you mean, I think that has a lot to do with the Beauchamp chapel being part of an organically developing architectural tradition and Margaret Street (which I must say I adore), being a rather self-conscious revival.

[@MelG-ut3hs]

Excellent video. Definitely a place worth visiting.

[@markgoddard2560]

Your dulcet tones weave a calming, silken story of interest and wonder in the cool morning breeze of education. Wonderful.

[@melaniehylok5670]

Magnificent! I wish I could spend an entire day there

[@dennisthompson2350]

As always informative and well worth watching.

[@allanbarton]

Thank you!

[@chargingrhino5636]

Mr Barton - your video is wonderful, as always, and what a spectacular monument Beauchamp Chapel is! It is going straight to the top of my "To See" list the next time I am in the UK. Thanks for the introduction!

[@CrowSkeleton]

A lovely space! The colours and graceful stonework are enchanting, and those armour details, ooo...plus feather-footed angels, I am always a fan of fluffy angel bantams, the moreso when they glow with intense pigment like that. That the whole place has a tasteful aspect after that much addition and spending is remarkable, really. Also, THANK YOU for taking the time to tell those weird Modern Puritan types that mediaeval to early modern Christians fully expected their mortal remains to be dug up and seen by later people, and that imposing modern views on them is massively disrespectful...you've never treated anyone without human dignity in any video I've seen, which is more than many on this site.

[@SirSidley]

Fantastic! Another place to visit on my bucket list ❤

[@allanbarton]

There's a lot to see in Warwick, a fascinating town.

[@Bard_Land]

It's funny, growing up locally I always thought the Beauchamp Chapel was a remarkably beautiful space but it was only later I understood how unusually fine it is and how central to English history the tombs contained within it are.

[@ChrisHunt4497]

What a beautiful chapel. I love the drawings at the beginning of your video. Warwick is a lovely place. Thanks for sharing. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@chrishall62]

Fascinating chapel - visited it about 15 years ago

[@davisd_ambly4067]

A superb video. As a young undergraduate I made my first adult visit to England. My list included numerous cathedrals, of course, as well as the Beauchamp Chapel. It’s still a vivid memory. Thank you, Allan.

[@ODDwayne1]

I appreciate your narration and quality of slow moving photography. Makes a perfect online tour. I love the history but also marvel at the incredible craftsmanship and masonry skills of the period. Those people had skills. 💪

[@philiplettley]

I remember that you can look into the modern vault, which is next to the bricked up older vault. Another great and informative video. Keep up the good work

[@allanbarton]

You can, that is fascinating - all the Grevilles stacked up in pigeon holes.

[@Dukeandbishop]

Very beautiful chapel, and such a wonderful effigy of Richard.

[@christinesuccop1812]

This chapel is magnificent ❤

[@JayArgonauts]

Been many times. It was interesting to see the memorials dedicated to the Dudley family. It seems strange being related to them. Great video👌👌👌

[@hugolandheer7008]

I so much love your slow and steady movements! It gives us time to look at the details we think most interesting. You are the best I know in youtube. Love from the Netherlands!

[@JaRule6]

Thank you so much for this amazing video! I love your videos. I am in the US but I read a lot of history. Especially about the Plantagenets and the tudoyrs. I've read so much about the house of Warwick that it was really cool to get to see the chapel where they are all buried. By the way if Robert Dudley's effigy is somewhat true to life than he was a pretty good-looking dude 😂

[@josephhuang7292]

I've just visited Warwick and St. Mary's. I can't believe I missed this chapel!

[@carolescutt2257]

Thank you Dr Barton. Wonderfully put together as is your standard. A greatful supporter x

[@trenoweth]

Thanks!

[@suegreene1]

One of our multiple ancestors......

[@anthonyanderson2880]

Just went through my photos of a trip to Warwick Castle and you can see the tower of the church from one of the castle towers. Had no idea that the Earl of Leicester was buried there. I think I need to move to the UK to see all of its history. I absolutely hang out for your videos Allan, thanks for all your hard work and sharing them with us.

[@annemariegrieb5640]

What a lovely tomb of Earl Thomas Beauchamp and his wife in front of the altar...i visited this beautiful church seven years ago and was deeply impressed

[@stepps511]

My heavens, this chapel and it's monuments is indeed breathtaking. Thank you, Allan, for this marvelous video and the history of this chapel.

[@EllenCFarmGirl]

Stunningly beautiful ❤

[@StevenJeNova]

Woah! Impressive. And that it all survived. Thank you.

[@lesames3743]

Wonderful story. I live in near Beauchamp Court and madresfield which part of the Beauchamp estate. Really interesting history

[@rezalrahim5258]

Superb video. I was pleasantly surprised to know that THE Robert Dudley was also buried there !

[@alanaitcheson9403]

Another first class video from Alan Barton.

[@paulhammond4381]

Thank you! Fascinating and beautifully illustrated as usual, as the magazine is too.

[@TyrSkyFatherOfTheGods]

I could spend a pleasant afternoon in there! Thanks, Allan.

[@robertmorrisonantiquesmalta]

Fabulous , I was born at 14 High St. Warwick , just around the corner. I consider Richard Beauchamp's gilded effigy amongst the best Medieval artefacts in England ; comparable to some of the Crown jewels for example . The effigy's armour reminds me of Vader in terms of absolute confident assured power and what was then overwhelming cutting edge technology.

[@Werejammin2353]

Visited this weekend! A fantastic medieval monument! Many thanks for your work!

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@educanassa100]

Amazing video

[@JOHNOGRADY-un2ft]

Excellent post.thanks so much Allan.

[@katescrimgeour3884]

So very interesting. The chapel is now on my list of many many places to visit.

[@lanegoodspeed5103]

Wow! What a wonderful video! I'm going to have to watch this several times just to absorb all the information you've shared with us. how beautiful a chapel' I wish I could meet all those people resting there. Thank you Dr. Barton!

[@davidd6171]

Thank you for this Allan! Brilliant as usual!

[@melaniehylok5670]

Beautifully done Allan

[@eelsemaj99]

Generally I don’t really care for the later middle ages. I find so much beauty in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. But this really takes my breath away

[@donnapolizzia8553]

what a remarkable survival, beautiful video

[@English_Dawn]

Useful and well researched. 🤗 Richard Beauchamp undertook the trial of Saint Joan of Arc.

[@historyatstmaryswarwick4407]

Yes and no. She was actually tried by an ecclesiastical court comprised of Burgundian judges. Richard was captain of Rouen at the time of course had nothing to do with the sentencing of Joan of Arc (ha ha!).

[@susanschroeder3006]

Hat's off to you for a terrific episode. Well done❤

[@elainethomson7146]

Another wonderful video, these offerings only get better. Thank you.

[@paulaandersen6426]

It is a stunning chantry chapel. When studying with the OU I wrote my final essay on 'Renaissance Art Reconsidered' about this stunning chantry chapel. Likewise I used the pieces from the Pageant, especially Beauchamp's death scene. Additionally I used some of the original contracts for more information. Heraldry was another aspect to unearth details of Beauchamp's family and lucrative positions. Sadly I've now forgotten more than I remember! I was astounded when I uploaded some of my photos as it revealed traces of the paint on statues surrounding the east window. Whilst researching the layout I came across information that there was normally a side area for non-clergy to sit and watch the chantry priests saying their prayers for the incumbant, I can oly assume that the small side chapel that overlooks the main chantry chapel could possibly be one of these side areas. I also wonder if the Dudley and Knollys magnificent tomb was built into another previous side chapel. Talking of which there is another tomb very similar to Dudley's at a small church in Easton Neston (just outside Towcester) which is well worth a visit.

[@sorceress1963]

Dear Allan, as always...a marvel to listen to your stories. I do not share the inhibitions (?) of some of your viewers and maybe I have an idea what would be interesting for all of us (as your are working supranational). The burial site of the French Kings and Queens @ St. Denis. I know this has been desecrecated during the French Revolution. However, there was an effort to have bodies identified and reburied during the 1820s. How did they manage? How was this done? Any reports on this undertaking? Where are all the princes and princesesses buried who were royal but not in direct line of succession? There must be reports on that. Where? BTW: Did you know that Pippin the short was married to Berthe who very obviously had remarkably big feet (the one with the big feet)? If you cld point me to the sources I would try & find out myself and share athough my French is horrible & I am just an amateur. Thanks in advance.

[@PaulFellows3430]

Fantastic video. Thanks Allan. I've been to St. Mary's Church in Warwick several times over the years but I can always see things in a new light when you've explained them in detail.

[@martonk]

I was expecting the name to be pronounced the french way, but apparently I still cannot anticipate how the english language works.

[@kaloarepo288]

There is "Beecham" as well -a very famous music conductor was called sir Thomas Beecham and his family were famous for "Beecham constipation pills." and from them a pharmaceuticals empire.

[@ericalbany]

English speakers commonly modified or mangled French names - from pronouncing Maurice as Morris to the transformation of Taliferro to Tolliver.

[@kaloarepo288]

@@ericalbany Pronunciation changed but the spelling didn't. This is a very marked feature of English as a language -this may reflect the absence of linguistic academies in the English speaking world whereas in France we had the Academie Francais that imposed linguistic judgements on the French language that were put into effect.

[@maryloumawson6006]

I'm American, and I'm not sure if it's the French way or not, but when confronted with this surname I always thought it must be pronounced 'BOW shemP'. However, since watching videos on British history, I've learned that Beechum is the way it is properly said by the English, which makes no sense at all to me.

[@kaloarepo288]

@@maryloumawson6006 One can never be sure on how British surnames and placenames are pronounced - I found at the other day that "Ruthven" a Scottish noble title is pronounced riven and that Chomondley is "chumli"

[@Jennifer-qo4kz]

It’s amazing. Another great video with great info. Thank you Dr Barton!

[@Ceba-pw8hk]

It's wonderful that this beautiful church survived Henry VIII reformation. So many others have been lost.

[@ByronAdams-j7t]

Absolutely marvelous: many thanks.

[@yat-soonyeo7318]

Great video as always… historically informative and visually alluring. Thank you for all the work you do in researching and presenting your topics. I am actually visiting Warwick and look forward to visiting the chapel later today! One small comment on pronunciation: at 13:50 you mention Lettice Knollys - in the generally accepted pronunciation of this ancient aristocratic surname the ‘y’ is silent. It is pronounced like the modern surname ‘Knowles’ (with which it shares etymological roots).

[@allanbarton]

Thanks for the tip, and I’m glad you are enjoying my videos! I hope you had a good trip to Warwick 😊.

[@crabtonia]

A grand piece on one of the most intriguing families of English History...only one cavil...the name 'Knollys' is pronounced as 'Knowles'...dgp/uk

[@allanbarton]

That does make sense, do you known in my five decades on earth I have never knowingly heard anyone say the name, nor known anyone with it!

[@anniec6420]

that was most interesting, thank you. excellent video

[@rhiannonpoole6019]

What a wonderful survival this is, all the more because nearby Coventry was so damaged in WWII. You could make an entire video on each separate element of this chapel! Shame about the floor, though, I found it very distracting and somehow jarring. Is this just me?

[@jillberry2802]

I think that you will find that the flooring is quiet traditional.

[@SaxonSuccess]

No, I found it out of place. Masonic?

[@historyatstmaryswarwick4407]

Blame the Georgians. The floor was originally Purbeck marble (a small part of it remains around Richard's tomb) but it failed in the 1720s and was replaced by the black and white chequerboard pattern we have now.

[@emmajulian8716]

Great video as always yes its a beautiful momentum but there is 1 even more spectacular its in Stamford its Lord burghleys

[@allanbarton]

That is an amazing monument, I must admit. The scale of it is extraordinary.

[@HighWealder]

Thanks, hope to visit it sometime.

[@nancytestani1470]

Wow

[@lianefehrle9921]

You are right. This is a fine example of a church. The windows are very pretty. The colors just pop out at you. He knew what he wanted to have done with his body.

[@nancytestani1470]

Gorgeous.

[@romo9122]

❤🇳🇱

[@jilltagmorris]

❤😊❤😊❤

[@nancyschaefer3851]

I think what you called his hands held in adoration once held something, possibly a book.

[@allanbarton]

No, there wasn’t anything between his hands and people don’t hold books between flat palms. This pose with hands parted is called the ‘orans’ position if we are being technical about it. It was a common pose of adoration in the Middle Ages, for example this is how people greeted the sacrament at the elevation of the host at mass too. He is here shown adoring the Virgin Mary.

[@jkknyc]

Thank you for another great lesson. At the beginning of the video, you explain that "St. Mary’s Warwick was established as a collegiate church with a community of secular priests." Did I hear you right? What are "secular priests" and where can I find out more about their place in the medieval church?

[@historyatstmaryswarwick4407]

Yes, the college was secular, which simply means non-monastic: similar to what Oxbridge colleges would be. The college of St Mary's was founded in 1123 and it was very rare to found a secular college at that time; they became more popular in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries eg St George's chapel Windsor.

[@chazhoosier2478]

Far from considering graves sacrosanct, unless you were very noble and rich, they would dig you up after a few decades to reuse your grave for someone else.

[@allanbarton]

Absolutely. A lot of country churchyards are still reused in that way.

[@ludovica8221]

Still do if the fee isnt renewed in a lot of places

[@Imperatrix-Matilda]

@@allanbarton 😨

[@Imperatrix-Matilda]

@@ludovica8221 What do they do with the remains though?

[@allanbarton]

@@Imperatrix-Matilda often there is very little left after a few hundred years depending on the soil type, everything found is gathered together and placed at the bottom of the newly dug grave.

[@ludovica8221]

My ancestors :)

[@benjamintrejo9307]

Your partner looks like she’s having a great time 😂

[@allanbarton]

That’s my youngest daughter, she’s fifteen and like most teenagers is good at looking bored. 😂

[@ericalbany]

18th c. builders tended to treat Gothic as an ornament you could slap on anything regardless of form.

[@robertrawley1115]

*REMARKABLE CHAPEL!!* Allan, Your introduction about a group of *secular priests' in Community to pray for his soul and those of his family in 1123, brought up a question I'd never considered when Henry VIII created the Church of England. Would this group of privately funded secular priests still be praying for the family at the time of Henry VIII? Would this type of Collegiate Community have been abolished or permitted to continue praying for the family? As an American I'd never really considered to ask whether there were a small percentage of Catholic Priests who might have been willing to become Anglican Priests, if allowed by Henry?

[@Imperatrix-Matilda]

Henry VIII, not VII. 😊

[@robertrawley1115]

New glasses typo!! Now corrected. Thanks for pointing it out. @@Imperatrix-Matilda

[@Imperatrix-Matilda]

@@robertrawley1115 I know, typos are annoying!

[@historyatstmaryswarwick4407]

The college at St Mary's was dissolved in 1546; chantry chapels became illegal at the time of the Reformation.

[@vinny142]

"In fact he ordered to be exhumed" He ordered that his remains be reburied in a fancier grave. That's less "I'm cool with you opening my grave" as it is "you have to move my remains to a more glamourous grave so god will like me better"

[@allanbarton]

Medieval people were generally happy with exhumation, it was a normative part of their culture. A culture where churchyards were reused and relics procured. It has nothing to do with God liking him better, and everything to do with piety, personal and dynastic prestige and ultimately intercession. Medieval Catholicism was fairly transactional.

[@Imperatrix-Matilda]

@@allanbarton what did they do with the remains in the graves when they wanted to reuse the grave? This still happens in some cemetaries in some places. The difference though is that the families and the dead are under the impression that it is a Final resting place unlike people in those times who would have known it was not final.

[@pggemmiti9385]

Is the church still RC or became Anglican? Colors or flags shown are of private persons or knights?

[@allanbarton]

All English medieval churches are Church of England.

[@ludovica8221]

I think most RC churches in England are 19th/20th century

[@allanbarton]

@@ludovica8221 yes they are - mostly 1850s onwards and after Catholic Emancipation.

[@historyatstmaryswarwick4407]

The flags are from the 1970s, though they do give an idea of how the chapel would have looked as they are mounted on surviving fittings.

[@finlayfraser9952]

Allan, your companion appears over whelmed by ennui!

[@allanbarton]

It was a case of teenage boredom: ‘Dad have you finished’. Poor love, I was there for two hours!

[@kidmohair8151]

i am always taken aback by the english pronunciation* of this french name. beecham, not bowchamp. edit* (my spelling was atrocious)

[@neilbuckley1613]

Here are the English pronunciation of some place names founded by the Normans : Beaulieu [ Bewlee ] , Belvoir [ Beever ], Beaudesert [Belzer ].

[@stefanwild326]