Our Lady of Walsingham and the English Martyrs - a film on DVD from Mary's Dowry Productions

OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM

The English Martyrs, Richeldis de Faverches and an ancient Marian Shrine in England

Statue of Our Lady of Walsingham in the restored Slipper Chapel
© 2011 Mary's Dowry Productions

In 2011 we decided to produce a film about 'Our Lady of Walsingham' with a biography of Richeldis de Faverches and why this important Marian shrine of England is linked to the English Martyrs. We decided to present the film from the Shrine of Saint Philip Howard in Arundel Cathedral because it is believed that Saint Philip Howard, who was the Earl of Arundel and cousin of Queen Elizabeth I, wrote the 'Walsingham Lament' when he visited the destroyed shrine and abbey with the Queen before his conversion to the Catholic Faith.

The Shrine of English Martyr Saint Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel
© 2011 Mary's Dowry Productions

When arrangements were made and a filming day organised we were amazed to find this statue of Our Lady of Walsingham in the Cathedral! We were able to present important sections of our film from before the Shrine of Saint Philip Howard and this beautiful visiting statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, explaining the significance of parts of the statue such as the 7 rings on the sides of the chair etc...and able to point to each part. It was a wonderful element for our film - more information on our website.

Statue of Our Lady of Walsingham in Arundel Cathedral
© 2011 Mary's Dowry Productions

Statue of Our Lady of Walsingham in Arundel Cathedral
© 2011 Mary's Dowry Productions

We also asked our resident artist to provide a pen and ink sketch of the Saxon statue of Our Lady of Walsingham being dragged to Chelsea by order of Thomas Cromwell and King Henry VIII to be burned. A tragic part of Walsingham's history.

Artist's impression of the Saxon statue of Our Lady of Walsingham dragged to Chelsea
© 2011 Mary's Dowry Productions

Richeldis de Faverches and Our Lady of Walsingham: 

Presented on location at the Shrine of English Martyr Saint Philip Howard, the Earl of Arundel, who, as he deliberated over his conversion to the outlawed Catholic Church in the 16th century, travelled to Walsingham in Norfolk with Queen Elizabeth I, his cousin, and, upon seeing the destroyed remains of the Holy House and the ancient Saxon Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham due to the Protestant Reformation, is believed to have penned the famous ‘Walsingham Lament’.

Screenshot from 'Our Lady of Walsingham' DVD
© 2011 Mary's Dowry Productions

Covering almost 1000 years of Catholic history and heritage in England, we look at the life of Richeldis de Faverches who was chosen by Our Lady to build an exact replica of the Holy House in Nazareth in Walsingham. It was there that a Saxon statue of Our Lady of Walsingham was housed in a shrine visited by pilgrims from all over Christendom until its destruction, and the burning of the Holy House, by order of King Henry VIII during the Protestant Reformation.

Richeldis de Faverches
© 2011 Mary's Dowry Productions

 We look at the Crusades due to their link with Richeldis de Faverches, the history of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, the significance of the Saxon Statue, the importance of the English Martyrs and Walsingham especially today, the effects of the Protestant Reformation in England’s Catholic culture and heritage and Our Lady of Walsingham as it was an is now, in a film that has been praised for not only presenting facts, information and details but a prayerful and spiritual film experience.

Screenshot from Our Lady of Walsingham DVD
© 2011 Mary's Dowry Productions

Screenshot from Our Lady of Walsingham DVD
© 2011 Mary's Dowry Productions

  Length and Format:
 The film runs for 40 minutes and is available worldwide on Region Free DVD Format.

Available on DVD from
www.marysdowryproductions.org