The Pembridge helm

This helm (an archaic term for an armoured helmet) is now in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. It is one of only a few of its type in existence today. In fact it is probably the oldest and most important surviving piece of medieval armour associated with Herefordshire. (Another important helm, the Chandos helm in the Royal Armouries Collection, may also be associated with Herefordshire as it is thought to have been made for Sir Richard Pembridge's contemporary, Sir John Chandos of Snodhill Castle.)

The Pembridge helm is said to have belonged to Sir Richard Pembridge, an illustrious member of the Pembridge family associated with Clehonger and Pembridge Castle in Welsh Newton. Sir Richard fought alongside the Black Prince at Poitiers in France in 1356 and received many royal appointments and favours. He was also created Knight of the Garter. In 1371 he was made chamberlain of the royal household, but fell out of favour with Edward III when he refused to accept the office of Lieutenant/Deputy in Ireland. Many of his offices and lands were confiscated.

The 19th century antiquarian, the Rev Charles J. Robinson, stated that Sir Richard Pembridge had been buried in Blackfriars Monastery in Hereford, but when this building was demolished during the Dissolution, Richard's tomb was moved to Hereford Cathedral. The former cathedral librarian, Ms Joan Williams, however, has refuted this version, pointing out that Sir Richard Pembridge was buried in the Cathedral from the outset. There is documentary evidence that someone applied to the cathedral authorities to be buried in the cathedral next to the tomb of Sir Richard Pembridge, not long after Sir Richard's death.

Ms. Williams also informed me that the nickname of the effigy of Sir Richard is "the man with four legs". This came about because one of his legs was damaged during the Civil War. The damaged leg was replaced by a wooden one, which in turn was replaced by a marble one in the 19th century, hence four legs! I am told the wooden one still exists.

The helm, a tabard (a knight's sleeveless or short-sleeved coat) and shield were displayed with the tomb, but the helm was sold to Sir Samuel Meyrick, a great collector of armour and owner of Goodrich Court. The tabard and shield have long since disappeared, and are said to have been stolen. Other sources suggest that the shield was broken when the West Tower of the Cathedral collapsed in 1786. 
 
(I am grateful to Mr. Andrew Brown and Ms. Joan Williams for providing information for this article.)

[Original author: Toria Forsyth-Moser, 2003]