John Morton (1420 - 1500)

Cardinal and Archbishop of Canterbury

and Lord Chancellor of England

There is strong evidence of a link between the high status medieval stained glass at Lanteglos Church and John Morton - Archbishop of Canterbury 500 years ago! We plan to research this further.

1. The whole of the church roof was restored and the south aisle roof built with timbers dating from the end of the 15th century, according to Dendrochronology carried out by English Heritage 3 years ago. A massive expense.

2. Lanteglos church is relatively isolated with no great wealth in the area. Funding must have come from outside.

3. The south aisle with mullioned windows and the porch were also added in the late 15th century

4. The south aisle stained glass is 15th century in style and regarded as very high quality

5. There were 2 Lanteglos Rectors with the surname Morton 1466 and 1489.

6. There was another Rector Thomas Maddys 1487 who was known to be close to John Morton. Richard III locked Morton in the Tower of London as a Lancastrian supporter, but he escaped to Flanders. Thomas Maddys was one of the people sent to Flanders with a pardon from Richard III for John Morton - but Morton decided not to risk it!

7. There is a Morton coat of arms in the north chancel window. With very expensive with gold rays surrounding it.

8. John Morton was known as “The Building Bishop” because built or enhanced many ecclesiastic buildings

9. He was born in the south west, had links with the Archbishop of Exeter and was Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall

10. The letter m on some clothes and elsewhere in the stained glass. Not unusual for Morton to be recognised in this way