A silver-gilt flagon for communion wine from St. Mary's Church, Acton, London hallmarks for 1639-40

A very large flagon. The barrel and lid are covered with repousse work, representing strap and conventional scrolls and foliage and fruit. On each side of the barrel are panels containing representations in relief of a dolphin plunging in waves and of a sea monster or dragon. The rims of the lid and foot are decorated with an elaboration of the egg and tongue pattern.

Lent by St. Mary's Acton

Given by Lady Dudley (died 1679) wife of Sir Robert Dudley (son of Elizabeth I's favourite, the Earl of Leicester) to the parish of St. Mary Acton with a communion cup and cover and ciborium. This is the largest flagon recorded in the Diocese of London. It is almost an exact copy of the one made in 1619 for St. Mary Abbots, Kensington.

Historical significance: The set is an important illustration of the liturgical reforms put in place by Archbishop Laud and Bishop Lancelot Andrewes during the 1620s and 1630s.

The Anglican Church
In 1633 William Laud became Archbishop of Canterbury. Like his contemporary Bishop Lancelot Andrewes, he regarded the Anglican church as a purified form of traditional Catholicism. Together they set out to restore the ceremonial that had been abolished with the Reformation of the previous century, including the high altar and the use of candles and incense.

Laud's intentions, however, were seen by Parliament as an attempt to overthrow the Protestant religion and in 1645 he was beheaded. It was not until the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 that churches could again use a Gothic chalice and celebrate the Eucharist with an elaborately chased and decorated communion set.

Maker's mark TB or TD between two pellets with two mullets and a bird below in a plain shield

This silvergilt flagon was part of an altar service, given to St Mary’s in 1639 by Lady Dudley, a major church benefactor. It reflects the style recommended by William Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Laud regarded the Anglican church as a purified form of traditional Catholicism and he set out to restore the ceremonial that had been abolished with the Reformation of the previous century, including the high altar and the use of candles and incense. Parliament saw this as an attempt to overthrow the Protestant religion and in 1645 Laud was beheaded.

LOAN:ST MARY'S ACTON.1-2004