Guisborough in Redcar and Cleveland, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The de Brus Cenotaph

in St Nicholas Church

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 22, 2025

1. The de Brus Cenotaph Marker

Inscription. This unique Renaissance artefact which dates from about 1520 is thought to have been given by Queen Margaret of Scotland who was the widow of King James IVth of Scotland and sister of King Henry VIIIth of England as a gesture of reconciliation between the warring kingdoms after the Battle of Flodden. Her infant son became King James V of Scotland and for a time was an heir to the English throne.

Placed in a prominent position in the Priory, the Cenotaph would have been brightly coloured with the English de Brus Lords of Skelton carved in the North side decorated with blue and silver while the Scottish Lords of Annandale branch of the de Brus/Bruce Dynasty, carved into the South side, would have been in red and gold. Other carvings depicted the Virgin and Child, the four Evangelists and Fathers of the Church.

The Cenotaph was brought into the Church for safekeeping at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It remains one of the best of its kind in the country, a unique Renaissance gem.

The missing end piece is thought to have been removed and used to adorn architectural ruins, but a description in 'Dugdale's

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Monasticum' describes a carving of a King, possibly King Robert the BRUCE of Scotland whose grandfather Robert de Brus V was the last de Brus to be buried in the Priory.

The stained glass window contains rare medieval glass and the de Brus Shield. Tiles from the Priory are laid under the window.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1520.

Location. 54° 32.187′ N, 1° 2.944′ W. Marker is in Guisborough, England, in Redcar and Cleveland. It is on Church Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 47A Church Street, Guisborough, England TS14 6HG, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North East England.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 21

St Nicholas Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 22, 2025

2. St Nicholas Church

kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The War Memorial - Guisborough (a few steps from this marker); Redcar Pier (approx. 9.1 kilometers away); The Birger (approx. 9.1 kilometers away); A Trophy from Sebastopol (approx. 19.6 kilometers away); The Bombardment of the Hartlepools (approx. 19.6 kilometers away); a different marker also named Bombardment of the Hartlepools (approx. 19.6 kilometers away); a different marker also named Bombardment of the Hartlepools (approx. 19.6 kilometers away); First Soldier Killed (approx. 19.6 kilometers away).

Also see . . . History of Gisborough Priory (English Heritage). A history of the priory. Includes a picture of the cenotaph. (Submitted on July 3, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. photo of the cenotaph; photo of the marker within its surroundings • Can you help?