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IF you visit the Civil War Story displays at The Commandery museum and wander through to the Royalists Room, you will see this impressive pewter flagon.
Dated to the 17th century, it is currently on loan to The Commandery from St Mary’s Church in Ripple, Gloucestershire and its origins have been a source of mystery for researchers.
The flagon was discovered in a large chest in the south transept of St Mary’s, which has been used as the vestry since the mid-19th century.
When opened, the chest found to be crammed full of bibles, music, old records, and many other things including a 13th-century censer (used to burn incense) which is now in Worcester Cathedral.
No one at the time seemed to know anything about the flagon, nor how it had come to be in Ripple Church, until research was done in the archives.
The Victoria County History – the documented history of every county in England, started in Queen Victoria’s name in 1899 – features an entry for Ripple and the storage of the flagon. It also appears in a Worcester Herald article in 1923, written by A. Stroller.
Robina Rand, who is researching the history of Ripple Church, says “One possibility is that it was given by Rector Fleetwood (1676-1705).
“His father was given the Bishopric of Worcester by King Charles II in 1675 for services rendered over many years. Bishop Fleetwood rebuilt Hartlebury Castle, so another possibility is that Ripple needed a flagon in/after 1676 and there was a spare at Hartlebury.”
If this is the case, Museums Worcestershire’s links with this flagon are even stronger as Worcestershire County Museum is housed within a wing of Hartlebury Castle.
Large flagons like this were often used in churches to hold the communion wine which was consecrated in the flagon.
It was then used to fill the chalice to share wine with the congregation. The National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies produced a report of the contents of Ripple church in 1997 in which the flagon was described in detail: “Flat circular stepped lid with twin-lobed thumbpiece and pear-shaped decoration on mounting.
“Four marks are recorded on top of the lid, which is very worn. Tall cylindrical body with boldly cast lip. Hollow, tapering scroll handle with simple shield-shaped finial.”
See this beautiful flagon currently on display at The Commandery in the Civil War Story exhibition – an interactive experience that takes visitors back over 350 years into a murky, conflicted 17th-century Worcester where you can experience life as a soldier, test your skills at battle strategy and come face-to-face with Oliver Cromwell.
The Commandery also has a beautiful garden with a new Nature Play Area for children to explore, and delicious treats available from Commandery Coffee.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm and Sundays 11am-3pm. For more information, visit museumsworcestershire.org.uk.
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