The Gloucester candlestick: origins & meaning

This candlestick, dating from 1104–13, originally belonged to the Church of St Peter in Gloucester (now Gloucester Cathedral) but ended up in the treasury of Le Mans Cathedral. As such metalwork was commonly melted down and reused, its survival is both remarkable and significant, showcasing techniques and craftsmanship in the Romanesque style which might otherwise have been lost. Even more exceptional are the three Latin inscriptions that reveal the candlestick’s history, meaning and provenance.

Origins

The inscription around the stem reads 'The devotion of Abbot Peter and his gentle flock gave me to the Church of St Peter of Gloucester'. Peter was abbot of the Benedictine abbey of St Peter in Gloucester between 1104 and 1113, and the candlestick can therefore be dated to this period. Abbot Peter continued the programme of building and expansion begun by Abbot Serlo in about 1072, progressing the building of St Peter’s Church. The donation of a rich gift such as this candlestick marked the wealth and success of the Benedictine community.

Meaning

The inscription around the outside of the drip pan reads 'Burden of light, work of virtue, brilliantly shining teaching preaches so that Man may not be darkened by sin.' This suggests the candlestick may have symbolised the light which illuminated virtue of Christian teaching and prevented the shadow of sin. In practical terms it may have been used on the altar or to light a shrine.

Provenance

The inscription around the inside of the drip pan reads 'Thomas Pociencis gave this to the Church of Le Mans when the sun renewed the year'. Little is known about Thomas of Poché (a parish in the Diocese of Le Mans), but we do know that the candlestick was in the treasury of Le Mans Cathedral until the 19th century. No historical documentation has been found as to how Thomas acquired it and when he presented it to the church, though certain historical events offer some suggestions.

On 8 March 1122 St Peter's Abbey was destroyed by fire. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states that only a few books and three vestments survived intact. Was the candlestick looted during this fire? Or perhaps it was not counted among the surviving objects because it had already left the Church of St Peter?  The Romanesque Church of Le Mans had been dedicated only two years earlier and the candlestick, a high quality example of Romanesque art, would have been a rich and fitting gift for the new church.

During the reign of Abbot Foliot (1139–48) a Welsh raid looted over 300 marks' worth of goods from the Abbey. Foliot's letters demonstrate that he intended to supplicate the Welsh princes in the hope of securing the return of some of these possessions. Was the Gloucester Candlestick one of the stolen items?

In 1194 and 1210 St Peter's Abbey was forced to sell plate, silver chalices and even horses to raise money for taxes. Was the candlestick amongst them? By the late 12th century this Romanesque object would have been out of style with the Gothic fashions of the day and might have been considered suitable for sale. The candlestick's symbolism, with its references to light and the virtue of holy doctrine, may explain why someone would want to buy it. A Gothic extension to the Church of Le Mans was finished in 1254, and the relics of St Julien brought there. The community processed through the building carrying torches and candles signifying the light of faith within their hearts. The donation of the candlestick to Le Mans at this time could have symbolised Thomas of Poché's part in the congregation and the celebration of light.

This subject was written by Stephanie Severs.