Our Lady of Caversham

One of medieval England's most important Marian shrines, destroyed in 1538 on Henry VIII's orders, revived in the late 19th century.

The origins of the shrine are lost. By the Norman Conquest, a chapel beside the Thames held a statue of the Virgin that drew pilgrims. In 1106, Duke Robert of Normandy presented a relic of Christ's Passion that he had brought from the first Crusade, lending the shrine additional prestige. In 1162, the care of the shrine was entrusted to the Augustinian Canons of Nutley Abbey, one of whom always served as Warden. Through the medieval centuries, pilgrims traveled along the Thames—kings and commoners alike—to pray before the image. By the 15th century, the statue was plated in silver and dressed in clothes. In 1439, Isabella Beauchamp, Countess of Warwick, left 20 pounds of gold to make a crown for the image. The last royal pilgrim was Catherine of Aragon, who came on July 17, 1532, seeking the Virgin's help as Henry VIII pressured her to accept annulment. Six years later, the shrine was destroyed. Dr John London, acting on royal orders, arrived on September 14, 1538 and in a single day stripped the chapel, sent the statue to be burned, and ended the pilgrimage. So complete was the destruction that the site was eventually forgotten. Revival came slowly. In 1896, the parish of Our Lady and St Anne was founded in Caversham. In 1897, devotion to Our Lady of Caversham was formally revived. In 1954, a stone chapel was built and a statue acquired. In 1996, the statue was crowned with a crown blessed by Pope John Paul II. The shrine continues to receive pilgrims.