Salisbury Chantry, Christchurch Priory, Dorset

The beautiful and ancient building of Christchurch Priory in Christchurch, Dorset, contains an elaborate 16th century chantry, created for Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (1473-1541), in about 1529. However, due to a tragic turn of events, it was never used.

Margaret was the daughter of George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence and a niece of Edward IV and Richard III. She was born in Farleigh Hungerford Castle in Somerset and aged 18 years she married Sir Richard Pole (d. 1504). The match was arranged by Sir Richard's cousin, Henry VII, no doubt encouraged by his mother, Margaret Beaufort (1443-1509).

Margaret Pole's connection to the St.John's of Lydiard Park came about through this marriage. Sir Richard's mother Edith St.John was the daughter of Margaret Beauchamp and Oliver St.John of Lydiard Tregoze and a half sister to the King's mother, Margaret Beaufort.

Trouble came in the next royal reign. Margaret's younger son Reginald opposed Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries and the family's perceived leanings towards papal Rome sealed their fate. Henry decided to take revenge, and Margaret was executed on his orders at the Tower of London on 27th May 1541.

Instead of a dignified burial at Christchurch Priory, Margaret was laid to rest in the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London. The recess which would have housed her monument in Christchurch lies empty and the chapel above, where Henry's men had defaced her coats of arms, became a shrine for pilgrims who considered her to be a holy martyr.

Christchurch Priory is open to the public throughout the year and there are knowledgeable guides on hand to talk about its 900 year history . The Salisbury Chantry is one of the many highlights in this stupendous building.