The alabaster tomb of Sir John Cressy consists of a recumbent effigy in armour set upon a rectangular tomb chest. The sides of the chest are carved with angels holding heraldic shields, with standing mourners arranged in panels between them, a decorative scheme characteristic of mid-fifteenth-century English alabaster work.

A continuous inscription runs around the upper edge of the tomb chest, recording the offices held by Cressy during his service in France. This unusually explicit emphasis on overseas office underlines the importance of royal service to his identity and commemoration.

The effigy wears the Lancastrian Collar of Esses, and depicts Cressy with hands joined in prayer, his head resting on a helm, and his feet supported by a lion.

The carving shows the restrained naturalism typical of English alabaster sculpture of the period, with careful attention to armour and heraldic detail rather than expressive modelling.

Historical context

John Cressy inherited substantial estates in Bedfordshire and the Welsh Marches and pursued a career in royal service during the later stages of the Hundred Years’ War. From 1432 he is recorded as lieutenant at Rouen, and he later held offices in Normandy including the governorships of Lisieux, Orbec, and Pont-l’Évêque.

His final appointment was as part of an English diplomatic mission to Charles VII of France, including the escort of the fourteen-year-old Margaret of Anjou from Lorraine for her marriage to Henry VI of England. During the journey Cressy fell ill and was left behind at Toul when the English party departed on 2 March 1445. He died there the following day, on 3 March 1445.

The prominence given to his French offices on the tomb reflects a career defined by service abroad and situates his death firmly within the context of royal and diplomatic duty.

Alabaster tomb of Sir John Cressy (d1445) Dodford, Northamptonshire. The sides of the tomb chest have angels holding shields and mourners between them, the offices he held in France are listed around the top edge.

John Cressy inherited large Estates in Bedfordshire and the Welsh Marches, and became MP for Hertfordshire. He held offices in France including the governorship of Lisieux, Orbec and Pont l'Evêque, Normandy. His earliest position was that of lieutenant in Rouen in 1432. His last position was as part of the English mission to Charles VII of France, and to escort the fourteen year old Marguerite of Anjou back to Normandy, from Lorraine, for her marriage to Henry VI of England. However he became ill and was left behind when the English left Toul, on the 2nd of March, he died the following day on the 3rd of March 1445.