Alabaster panel depicting St Ursula. English, 15th century.

The crowned saint, wearing a gown and cloak over her shoulders, holds a closed book in her left hand; in her right hand, pointing downwards, is her emblem, an arrow. On her left kneels a group of five women who probably represent her ten ladies-in-waiting. On the saint's right kneels a group of five men which includes a king, a cardinal and a Pope. At the top left is an angel with hands raised in prayer.

The carving of the panel is weathered. The top right and the bottom left corners are missing. The shaft of the saints' arrow is missing. There are two holes drilled in the saint's chest which do not appear to be original. No paint remains apart from a slight trace of red on the Pope's tiara. The panel has been mounted on slate. The bottom of the panel at the back has been cut away.

Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA

On loan from Dr W.L. Hildburgh since 1928. Given by Dr Hildburgh in 1946.

Historical significance: Only three other representations of the saint in English alabaster are recorded.

St Ursula, crowned and wearing a gown and a cloak over her shoulders is shown holding a closed book in her left hand. In her right hand she points downwards to her symbol, an arrow. On her left kneels a group of five women who probably represent her ten ladies in waiting each of whom, according to legend, had a thousand companions who were martyred in Cologne. On the saint's right kneels a group of five men which includes a king, a cardinal and a Pope.

Saints are the heroes and heroines of Christian faith. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they were a popular subject for alabaster carvings. Religious themes penetrated private life, so devotional images of saints were sculpted not only for church interiors, but also for individuals to contemplate within the privacy of their homes.

A.158-1946