Chapter Six - The Marian Shrines For reasons which have become clear in the earlier chapter on Glastonbury, England in the Middle Ages became known as Mary‟s Dowry, and all over the country there were many pilgrimages undertaken in honour of the mother of Christ. In 1875 the Reverend T.E.Bridgett compiled his classic book on the subject Our Lady‟s Dowry; or how England gained and lost that Title (Burns and Oates, London), and in 1957 H.M.Gillett published Shrines of Our Lady in England and Wales (Samuel Walker Ltd). Both drew down on a tradition which is woven through centuries of Christian devotion in these islands. Drawing on these same sources we can construct some of the paths which pilgrims took. In compiling this chapter I was struck by the sheer volume of places which were held sacred. In the space available I have chosen to list as many as possible but clearly can say very little about most. Why Christians Honour Mary In 1399 Thomas Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote that “the contemplation of the great mystery of the Incarnation has drawn all Christian nations to venerate her from whom came the first beginnings of our redemption. But we English being the servants of her special inheritance and her own dowry, as we are commonly called, ought to surpass others in the fervour of our praises and devotions.” Chaucer‟s prioress, one of the pilgrims on her way to Arundel‟s Canterbury Cathedral, had these words to say about the Virgin:
O Mother Maid! O Maid and Mother fresh! O bush unburnt, burning in Moses‟ sight! That down didst ravish from the Deity, Through humbleness, the spirit that did alight Upon thy heart, whence, through that glory‟s might, Conceived was the Father‟s sapience, Help me to tell it in thy reverence!
Lady, thy goodness, thy magnificence, Thy virtue, and thy great humility, Surpass all science and all utterance; For sometimes, Lady, ere men pray to thee, Thou go‟st before in thy benignity, The light to us vouchsafing of thy prayer, To be our guide unto thy Son so dear.