

For her who we loved dearly in life, I beg your prayers in death
On 4 January 1291, with Parliament assembling near the priory at Ashridge founded by his cousin Edmund of Cornwall, where he had sought...


The final step - Eleanor's heart burial at Blackfriars
It was on 19 December that Eleanor’s heart was buried at the Dominicans’ priory in London – the site now known as Blackfriars. The...


A day of reflection: Monday 18 December
After the exertions of the funeral procession, and the overwhelming main funeral at the Abbey, 18 December was a day of peace for...


The Westminster funeral and tomb
17 December saw the burial of Eleanor’s body at Westminster Abbey. The chroniclers agree that this was a splendid occasion. The...


Chere Reine or Charing?
On 16 December it was St Pauls’ turn to celebrate mass, followed by the Dominicans at Blackfriars, and then the body was carried to...


The Cross that was called the Antichrist
Some accounts suggest taht Eleanor's heart burial at the Dominicans was on 15 December, but the Flores Historiarum records that on 15 of...


The arrival in London: 14 December 1290
One might fondly imagine that with the entry to London the story of the crosses would become clear. But this is far from being the case....


Waltham - the last survivor
Having proceeded this far along Watling Street, it might seem obvious that the cortege should continue into London on this same course. ...


The second eyewitness account: St Albans
A similar state of affairs pertains at the next stop, St Albans, home to one of England’s premier abbeys, and one with close links to the...


Eyewitness testimony - Dunstable Priory
With Dunstable we come to a new thrill in the procession – actual eyewitness testimony! Because while the cross itself is numbered...