A silver-gilt communion flagon given to Sts Peter and Paul, Easton Maudit by Sir Henry Yelverton in 1673

Of jug shape. The body is of great capacity, the upper and lower portions being covered with foliage in repousse work, and on the front, back and sides are cherubim. The lid is covered by foliage with a knob at the top, and the purchase is shaped like a pineapple. The handle is large. The foot is also ornamented with foliage

Lent by East Maudit Church, Northamptonshire

This flagon resembles a secular ewer. It was given to the church of Sts Peter and Paul, Easton Maudit, Northamptonshire by Sir Henry Yelverton Bart, the son of Sir Christopher Yelverton of Easton Maudit who married Susan, Baroness Grey de Ruthyn. Sir Henry died in 1676.

Historical significance: 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.

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.

The donor of this flagon to Easton Maudit, Sir Henry Yelverton, was described by Thomas Percy, Rector of Easton Maudit, as 'that true son & great ornament of the Church of England'. Sir Henry provided accommodation in his own home to Bishop Thomas Morton, the former chaplain to King James I, who was successively Dean of Gloucester and Winchester and then Bishop of Chester, Lichfield and Coventry and Durham. Bishop Morton was disgraced by Parliament and turned out of the Bishop's Palace in Durham. Bishop Morton died at Easton Maudit in 1659 'having given his Chalice with a Patin for the Cover (both double gilt) to the Noble Baronet in whose family he died for the use of his Chappel lately built'.

In the Cromwellian period Protestant services were conducted with little ritual and only a few pieces of simple silverware. 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.

This flagon, richly embossed with cherubs, fruit swags and acanthus foliage, resembles a secular ewer. It was the gift of the Yelverton family, the local landowners, and is engraved around the base ‘For the Church and Chapel of Easton Maudit’. Its purpose was to hold the communion wine.

LOAN:EASTON MAUDIT.2