Arch
Category
Architecture / Features & Decoration
Date
1521 - 1536
Materials
Stone
Collection
Mottisfont, Hampshire
NT 1954681
Summary
Stone archway. Formed of a four-centred arch with a panelled soffit, decorated with eight carved shields. Originally part of Mottisfont Priory church's pulpitum. 1521-1536.
Full description
This archway now provides access from the historic ktichen space to the backstairs and dumbwaiter at Mottisfont Abbey. However, when it was first built, it formed part of the pulpitum in the church at Mottisfont Priory. Pulpitums can still be seen in many medieval cathedral and survivng monastic buildings in Britain, normally as large decorated stone screens which mark the division between the nave and the quire and chancel. The quire and chancel are areas of the building reserved during worship for the use of the clergy. In smaller churches, a rood screen performs a similar role. In the original church building at Mottisfont moving through this archway to the west would have led to the crossing, directly beneath the tower, and the likely position of the quire and the stalls for the monks. Further still to the east, would have been the chancel and high altar. The surviving archway of Mottisfont's pulpitum is highly decorated with eight shields, six of which have designs carved on them. On the south side (reading east to west) 1. Arms of William de Briwere (founder of Mottisfont Priory) 2. Arms of the Dukes of Lancaster (former patrons of Mottisfont Priory) 3. A cross of St George 4. Blank On the north side (reading east to west) 5. Arms of Patrick de Cadurcis (former patron of Mottisfont Priory) 6. Arms of the Huttoft family of Southampton 7. Arms of a sheriff - probably Henry Huttoft 8. Blank The arms therefore seem to show the progress of the Priory's major benefactors and patrons from its foundation. The inclusion of the Huttoft arms allows the surviving work to be dated to the period 1521-1536. Henry Huttoft (fl.1506-1540) was one of the wealthiest merchants in the nearby city of Southampton who served as Sheriff in 1521, mayor in 1525 and 1534 and was appointed Collector of Customs in 1534. By including his arms when sheriff, it seems likely that he paid for this work at some point between his appointment as Sheriff in 1521 and the Priory's dissolution in 1536. Indeed, such was his interest in the site, Huttoft wrote to Thomas Cromwell expressing his hope that he might be gifted the site after its suppression, although it ultimately went to the far more influential figure of the Lord Chamberlain, William Sandys.
Provenance
Probably commissioned by Henry Huttoft of Southampton for Mottisfont Priory, 1521-1536. Transferred to the National Trust with Mottisfont Abbey and Estate by Maud Russell under her Memorandum of Wishes, 1957.