Special delivery – historic effigies return home
Two intricately carved Stuart effigies, believed to be of John and Christabel Michell, have been installed in St Mary’s Aisle, Truro Cathedral, 400 years after their deaths.
John and Christabel Michell lived in King Street, Truro, at the start of the 17th century. Tin mining was expanding rapidly and the town was busy and thriving: one of four Cornish Stannary towns (where tin was assayed and duty collected on it).
John Michell came from an old Cornish family and was a ship owner. Christabel was a member of the Robartes family, who later went on to own Lanhydrock House. Their effigies were made only a few years after the well-known 1614 memorial to John and Phillipa Robartes in the North transept.
When John and Christabel died (in 1620 and 1622 respectively), colourful alabaster effigies of the pair were sculpted and placed in their parish church - St Mary’s. They show them almost life-sized, kneeling to pray. Both wear ruffs round their necks, he in his armour and she in her best dress. And there they remained for centuries, even when the new cathedral was built in 1880.
After the second World War, the effigies were stored in the cathedral crypt and then sent on long-term loan to the Royal Cornwall Museum. This week, in the 400th anniversary year of Christabel Michell’s death, they have been restored as the centrepiece of St Mary’s Aisle – back in their own parish church once more.
Did you know that 80% of the cathedral’s income comes from donations, grants, and gifts in Wills? Please support the St Mary’s Aisle Appeal and help preserve the Aisle and its heritage for future generations.