Vaughan[14] , inherited the Parry estates in 1583, and Elizabeth and her husband, Rowland Vaughan, moved into Newcourt. Although his wife died c.1588, Rowland Vaughan continued to live there until c.1610 and retained possession. Blanche had already sent two pictures, one of herself and one of the Queen[15] , and chairs to Newcourt presumably in preparation for her projected retirement. Therefore, it is reasonable that any further possessions would also be sent to Newcourt. I would tentatively suggest that the Blanche Parry Embroidery was conveyed to Newcourt and then to Bacton Church under the auspices of Katherine Knollys. She probably acted in conjunction with Frances Lady Burgh, who was perhaps the embroiderer of the later additional motifs[16] . It is likely that only a lady of her status would have felt comfortable working extra motifs, all of which are individual not grouped, onto such a valuable fabric. Frances was Blanche's chief mourner and she was one 'of our Maydens of honour' in 1578 when the Queen's tailor, Walter Fyshe, made her a new gown[17] .

The embroidery arrived in Bacton Church to be used as a covering for an altar. None of the beautiful motifs is ecclesiastical in desi gn[18] , which clearly shows that it was a clothspecial to Blanche and was chosen only to commemorate her. Taken from sections of a dress its dimensions are a central panel, measuring length 105 cms. (c. 41 inches) by width 53 cms (c. 21 inches) that would have lain on the flat top of the altar. The back 'flap' is length 105 cms by depth 11 cms (c. 4 inches). The front panel is length 105 cms by depth 52 cms (c. 20 inches). Each of the side panels is 53 cms by depth 52 cms[19] . The depth is exactly the same on the three sides that would be visible to the congregation. This depth does not allow the altar to stand on the ground where it would be far too low for ease of use unless the table legs were long. So the conclusion from these dimensions is that the embroidery was cut to cover a free- standing altar that stood on a table and was against a wall or, more probably, a reredos.

The embroidery joined Blanche's Parry's monument in Bacton Church and the vicar (probably Revd. Nicholas Corne)[20] and parishioners were evidently proud to own it and use it for it was carefully looked after. When not in use it must have been kept in the dark, probably in a box, or the colours would have faded far more. Also in Bacton Church's possession was a rare pre-Reformation chalice and paten that may have been donated by Blanche in her lifetime or obtained through the auspices of her brother[21] . The parishioners had kept these safe even in the reign of Queen Elizabeth when all communicants received the consecrated wine and a larger cup was used. Safety was not a real issue until the years of the Commonwealth. Then the communion table, not now recognised as an altar, was only allowed to be covered by a decent white cloth. Around the same time, as often happened, the Revd. Nicholas Corne, may have been deprived of his living for royalist sympathies. However, by 1665 the Revd. William Peyton had been appointed to Bacton and the pre- Reformation chalice was specifically noted as being in Bacton Church.

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[14] Richardson 2007, especially pages 149-150, Richardson, Ruth E. in The Golden Valley Study Group, The Man who Drowned the Meadows, Rowland Vaughan, 1558-1627, Logaston Press, 2016, pages 18-20.

[15] For this new picture of Queen Elizabeth see here.

[16] Frances was buried near her father and Blanche on 19th July 1647 in St, Margaret's Church, Westminster.

[17] Arnold, Janet, Queen Elizabeth's Wardrobe Unlock'd', Maney, 1993, reprinted 1996, 1999, 2001, 2008, and 2014, page 100. This is an invaluable account of the Queen's wardrobe and Blanche is mentioned several times.

[18] The Blanche Parry Embroidery is being studied and conserved at Hampton Court by Eleri Lynn, her team and the Historic Royal Palaces Conservation Department. It will focus in an Exhibition in due course.

[19] Measurements taken by Jackie Barns-Graham when the cloth was removed from Bacton Church.

[20] Revd. Nicholas Corne (or Cowper) was vicar 21st March 1605 to 1639 or later. In 1610 Rowland Vaughan claimed the Church was ruinous so if true, it is possible the embroidery was given into the personal care of Revd. Corne.

[21] Made of silver-gilt, dated c.1490 to 1500, used by the priest for Mass. Medieval parishioners received the consecrated bread at Mass and usually only at Easter. The priest would elevate the chalice for the people to see and then he alone would sip the consecrated wine. As a result chalices were small. Bacton’s has JOHN and CAPUTT (or CAPULL) inscribed on the engraved hexagonal foot below a knop with leopards’, or lions’, heads. The paten has the engraved face of Christ in the centre. Both are unmarked. Lent to Hereford Cathedral. Further details in the Guide Notes to Bacton Church by Ruth E. Richardson.