Home Introduction to effigies Places A–Z People A–Z Artists A–Z Heraldry Symbolism Materials Sepulchral Effigies of Leicestershire and Rutland only WWW

NAME TYPE MATERIAL DATE Thomas Hastings Recumbent pilgrim Alabaster 1480

At the east end of the north aisle, in a recess surmounted by a depressed ogee-shaped arch, crocketed on the exterior and cinque-foiled within, lies the effigy of a pilgrim; the only one of its type in England. The figure is believed to represent Thomas, whose eldest brother William, Lord Hastings, had St Helens rebuilt in 1474. Constructed in a part of the church that was restored between 1878 and 1880, the sepulchral arch recess may be faithful to the original design of the tomb. It is possible, however, as Nichols makes no mention of the Hastings arms (Argent, a maunch sable), which is inscribed inside the top of the arch, that this may be a Victorian innovation. The bare head, with long hair combed down and cut straight round in the fashion of the late fifteenth century, is resting on two tasselled cushions. Near the head is the pilgrim's broad-brimmed hat decorated with a cockleshell - denoting that the wearer had travelled to the Shrine of St James at Santiago de Compostello in northern Spain. Depicted in the conventional garb of the pilgrim, Thomas, if it be him, is wearing a sclavine that reaches down to the ankles with short loose open sleeves under which can be seen the full sleeves of the tunic that extend down to the wrists. In front of the left shoulder is a rosary and, suspended from a narrow belt crossing diagonally from the right shoulder, the scrip, which is also decorated with shells. In 1850, when the effigy was removed from its recess, the left side was found to be in a rough mutilated state. This may have been either because the carver knew that it would be out of sight and therefore not worth his time and effort, or it may have been because the figure had been made too big and had had to be cut away to fit the recess. At the same time it was still possible to discern some of the original colours of the figure. The sclavine was dark purple; the tunic, bright red; the strap suspending the scrip, green; the scrip, stockings, hat and collar, red; the boots, beads and pommel of the bourdon, dark blue; the top cushion, dark green with red tassels; the bottom cushion, green and yellow with red and green tassels; and the SS collar, gold on blue. On the left of the effigy is the bourdon, or pilgrim's staff. The hands, which are now lost, were raised in prayer, while the short pointed boots are resting on a dog. An interesting feature of the effigy is that it is depicted wearing the Lancastrian SS Collar – an unusual adornment for a member of a family that was once so fully committed to the House of York. That is unless the effigy is not meant to represent Thomas! Sepulchral Effigies of Leicestershire and Rutland Text copyright Max Matthews 2002. Selected text copyright Bob Trubshaw 2025–6. Images copyright Max Matthews 2002 or Bob Trubshaw 2002, 2025–6. No copying or reproduction without prior written permission. Published by Heart of Albion Press Back to top of this page This website does not gather or store any visitor information.