William of Windsor & Blanche

Two children of Edward III, William of Windsor and Blanche of the Tower, have a small altar tomb in the chapel of St Edmund at Westminster Abbey. Their surnames denote their places of birth - Blanche was born in the Tower of London. William was born and died in 1348 and Blanche was born and died in 1342. The tomb with miniature alabaster effigies (20 inches in length) showing them in civilian dress had already lost its inscription by 1600 and also the small figures which adorned the side panels of the tomb. The features are rather worn and the animal at William's feet has been cut away. John Orchard, stone mason of London, made the tomb in 1376.

Edward III and his queen Philippa of Hainault are buried nearby in the chapel of St Edward the Confessor. Their brother Thomas of Woodstock was also buried in this chapel.

Location

Chapel of St Edmund

Memorial Type

Tomb

Material Type

Alabaster

William of Windsor & Blanche
William of Windsor and Blanche of the Tower tomb effigies

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library

Image © 2024 Dean and Chapter of Westminster