The six mortuary chests located on the Presbytery walls are made from oak. Four date from the sixteenth-century. Two were created in 1662 to replace chests which were destroyed during the English Civil War. Each chest is elaborately carved and painted. Inscriptions written in Latin on the sides of each chest suggest the names of early medieval royals and bishops believed to be in the chests.
Mortuary Chests
Image Gallery
Medieval Mortuary Chests
On display in the Cathedral’s Kings and Scribes exhibition are two medieval mortuary chests – these predate the chests visible today in the Presbytery. Crafted in the fifteenth century, the beautifully painted oak chests are among the most important surviving relics of early English Christianity.
One side of the first chest bears the inscription ‘Istic Kyngilsi simul ossa iacent et Ædulphi’ (In this very place lie together the bones of Cynegils/Kynegils and Adulphus/Æthelwulf). These names link Winchester to the Kingdom of Wessex. The inscription appears on on a white scroll on a red background. The other side bears another inscription: “Hic fundator sic chiltecombe datorum” (Here is an elaborately drawn dragon). The lid is apple-green, with swirling white tendrils and leaves.
The second medieval chest is decorated with a painted diagonal lattice in which appear heads, crowns and roses. A scroll superimposed onto the latticework reads: ‘Hic Rex Egbert pavsat cum Rege Kynvlpho‘ (Here rests King Egbert with King Kenulph).
Photographing the mortuary chests
Photography of the mortuary chests is permitted for personal use (i.e. non commercial photography).
We do allow for use of tripods/monopods alongside a valid annual pass, for non-commercial photography. We just ask that you avoid using the equipment on the medieval tiles, and to please be courteous to other visitors who will need to move around them. Please also be careful not to block entrances or disrupt services.
Please note, drones are not permitted inside Winchester Cathedral.
For all commercial photography requests you will need to seek permission prior to your visit via marketing@winchester-cathedral.org.uk.
