A cope (cloak) is a processional garment used in the church.  It is semi-circular in shape and would have been folded “sides to middle” and laid flat in these chests.

The splendid iron strap work on the lids is similar to the Chapter House doors, dating the chests as original furniture of circa 1290.*

Cope  Chest

*Taken from information board on the cope chest.

6 Comments CherryPie on Mar 18th 2011

6 Responses to “Thirteenth Century Cope Chests”

  1. That is one impressive item Cherie

  2. Janice says:

    What a beautiful chest – I’ve never thought of how garments would have been protected in those days – interesting info.

  3. Beautiful piece, and interesting :)