The Pulpit

A Little History

Following the English Reformation in 1547, Edward VI ordered every parish to provide "a comely and honest pulpit". Elizabeth I reinforced this command in her injunction of 1559. The post reformation period precipitated many physical changes within the Church in England. The focus for forms of worship moved away from the Sanctuary and Altar at the east end of the church, to the people in the Nave. It moved away from an emphasis on the Mass, to preaching and reading of the Word from the Bible and Prayer Book.

Accordingly many churches constructed pulpits in the body of the church. Some were 'two decker', incorporating a lower level reading desk and an upper level pulpit. In Lancaster Priory a 'three decker' pulpit was erected. The third component incorporated a Parish Clerks' pew at the lowest level. [The Parish Clerk was a layman who assisted the Parish Priest during Services, such as leading singing, reading the Epistle or Gospel and making congregational responses.]

The First Recorded Pulpit

We know that the first recorded pulpit was located by the third pier [pillar] on the north side of the Nave and was in position in 1619. It incorporated a canopy [also known as a sounding board or tester], intended to amplify and direct a preachers' voice for the benefit of the congregation. It was surmounted by a crown symbolising the new links between church and monarch. The incorporation of a Bible [symbolising the Word of God] between the crown and canopy is a rare device not seen in many churches. The original three decker incorporated a back panel linking the canopy and pulpit box.

An engraving dating from 1816 clearly shows the Jacobean style 'three decker', complete with canopy, crown, bible, back panelling, book cushion and gold tassels. The engraving also shows other features of the day including a flat Nave and Sanctuary floor, and galleries full length of both sides of the Priory. Apparently, the galleries were filled three times each Sunday.

Change in the 19th Century

We know that about 125 years ago, and certainly by 1871, this elaborate structure had been dismantled and the pulpit alone moved one bay eastwards to the Chancel Arch - where the brass Lectern now stands.

This, was a response to the stylistic influences associated with 'Commissioners' Church Instructions' and the 'Oxford Movement'. The latter aimed at restoring High Church principles. The new pulpit position ensured that the congregation faced east and that the pulpit did not obscure the Altar which was then sited against the east wall of the Priory.

[Recent investigative work by the Vicar, Fr. Peter Cavanagh, suggests that redundant material from the 1619 construction was incorporated into the Font cover and the Vicar's Stall in the late 19th century.]

The move was, however, short lived. Substantial changes, largely brought about as a result of the construction of the Kings' Own Regimental Memorial Chapel at the beginning of the 20th century, caused the pulpit to be moved to its current location. The last move was carried out by the Architects Paley and Austin.

The 1999 Reinstatement

Following the discovery of the original Crown in the Bellringing Chamber, by Head Verger, Mr. James Glen MBE a number of years ago, it has been a long held wish to restore the pulpit so as to reinstate as much of its original architectural form as possible.

The visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Lancaster, together with His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, on 23rd July 1999, has provided the necessary catalyst. The occasion of the visit is the celebration of 600 years union between the Crown and the Duchy of Lancaster.

The design has been prepared by Stephen Gardner M.B.I.A.T. in collaboration with the Priory Architect and it received enthusiastic support, both from the Chancellor and Advisory Committee of the Diocese, and the Council for the Care of Churches. The Woodcarver, Dick Read of York, in association with Messrs Houghtons, Ecclesiastical Woodworkers, also of York, have carried out the work.

I hope that members of the Congregation and the many visitors to the Priory will enjoy the 'completion' of the Pulpit for years to come. May it act as a stimulus to those whose privilege it is to preach from it !

Click here to see some of the intricate carving on the original Jacobean Pulpit.

Click here to go back to the pulpit picture on the Priory Home Page.

Notes

1. A framed colour copy of the engraving dating from 1816, showing the Jacobean 'three decker' Pulpit, is available in the Lancaster Priory Bookshop at £15-00. [The size of the engraving is slightly larger than A3 and the right hand side, showing the Galleries, has been omitted from the scanned image below.]
Back to text

Lancaster Priory - an engraving dating from 1816
Pictures are copyright © Lancaster Priory.

This page is Bobby approved - it meets the 5th May 1999 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

The Lancaster Priory Web-Site is registered as being suitable for family viewing with the Internet Content Rating Association - formerly the Recreational Software Advisory Council.

Thankyou for being interested in Lancaster Priory.

Back to:-

This page is geographically tagged for Geographic Discovery