Illustrated Dictionary of British Churches - Chantry Definition

History and Architecture

Chantry

A Chantry, also known as a chantry chapel, is a memorial or even a complete building dedicated to the memory of a person or family. In the medieval period it was common for wealthy patrons of a church to give a grant of money to pay for a priest to say prayers for themselves and their family. The patron would erect a monument, and there the priest would say daily prayers for his or her soul. In large churches, chantries were entire side chapels accessed from the aisle, transepts, or ambulatory. Smaller chantries weee like glorified enclosed tombs, erected between the aisle and chancel or nave. Such chantries were often highly decorated and richly carved and painted, with finely vaulted ceilings in the later medieval period.

Related: Aisle   Ambulatory   Chancel   Chapel   Nave  




English Heritage

English Heritage membership

English Heritage membership

Free entry to English Heritage properties throughout England, plus discounted admission to Historic Scotland and Cadw properties in Scotland and Wales.

Membership details

About English Heritage


HISTORY CORNER
Name the mystery historic attraction
See larger image



Canute and his Danes defeated British forces under Edmund Ironside on 18 October, 1016



19 March, 1284

Statute of Rhuddlan

The statute set the standard for laws and administration in Wales, under English control

This monarch was the first Plantagenet king



Passionate about British Heritage!