Swavesey and District History Society
At our May 2026 meeting, David Oates from Impington spoke on High Treason and a Mediaeval Royal Insult in Orwell Church Chancel Roof. A teacher for most of his life, David has been interested in heraldry since his schooldays. There are 39 coats of arms on the chancel ceiling which are a remarkable and unique survival from the fourteenth century, commemorating the rise and fall of Sir Simon Birley, an important figure during the troubled reign of the young King Richard II. The purpose of these coats of arms was to emphasise the importance of the Birley family. They also include many of the local gentry and national figures of the nobility and David has identified all but two.
Birley’s father fought with the Black Prince at the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Simon was born around 1336 and was brought up in court alongside descendants of the Black Prince. Birley, originally a chosen tutor to the teenage King Richard II, became his Vice-Chamberlain and close friend. His relative, Sir John Birley inherited Orwell by marriage from 1375.
As vice-chamberlain, Birley had great influence over Richard. He was accused by some of being the power behind the throne and he controlled access to the King so his was a position encouraging antagonism. Richard granted Birley several manors, from which he immediately ejected the resident canons and took possession. He also received a small income from Swavesey Priory. By 1386 there had grown two clear political factions: the court party and what was to become known as the Appellant party, controlled by Richard’s uncle Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, and a jealous man. In due course Woodstock brought about the beheading of Birley for high treason. Surprisingly, among the arms in Orwell of Birley’s supporters are included those of Woodstock but in his case, they were subtly drawn upside down as a personal insult and sign of dishonour.
The best way to view the Orwell church ceiling is to lay on your back inside with a pair of binoculars.
Our Next meeting is on 16 June, Houghton Watermill on the Great Ouse with speaker Selwyn Richardson.
