Kendal Parish Church in Cumbria dates from the early thirteenth century although there is evidence to suggest that it occupies the site of a much earlier Church.
Kendal Parish Church
It is Cumbria’s largest parish church, and one of the largest in England boasting five aisles, two each side of the nave, a western tower, and a peel of ten bells.
The Church is home to the Parr Chapel built by the Parr family of Kendal Castle in the fourteenth century. A chantry priest was engaged to offer daily prayers and masses for the safe keeping of the souls of the family. By 1546, it was one of six chantries in the building.
Of particular interest is that it is believed to be the final resting place of Sir William Parr, grandfather of Queen Katherine Parr, sixth and final wife of Henry VIII.
Believed to be the tomb of Sir William Parr, Kendal Parish Church
The family coat of arms can be seen on the ceiling and a maiden’s head is carved above each window, an emblem of the Parr family. (Click here for a picture:)
This emblem was incorporated into the badge that Katherine used during her time as queen consort.
A big thank you to the lovely Nora for sharing her photos with me. I always look forward to hearing about her travels.
Sources
http://www.visitcumbria.com/sl/kendal-parish-church.htmhttp://www.kendalparishchurch.co.uk/kpc/history.htm
Beautiful blog! Apparently, Katherine chose her emblem based on a painting of her patron saint, St. Catherine of Alexandria [who was also Katherine of Aragon’s saint]. Would it be possible to save one of the pictures and post it on our page? Full credit will be given to you of course.
One of my lovely readers emailed me these photos but I am sure she won’t mind me sharing. I would of course appreciate a link back to On the Tudor Trail. Thank you for asking permission before using the images – much appreciated!
I argued with the council over this tomb as no marker or plate is left after damage to the Parr chapel by Scottish Jacobites who camped out there smashed both Strickland and Parr chapels with sword sharpening on the marble stones of tombs. Now it is recorded as such thankfully. The castle we gave to the town public with acres of land connected. The council claimed that they are the public spokesman and claimed it away as theirs. A vast ruin they say is famous as Queen Kateryn Parr was born there only she was not .Kate Parr was born in Blackfrairs London in September 1512. Her father Sir Thomas had permission to build his house in the abbey grounds in 1508 so his children all born there.