The Golden Castle 

Wanlip resident Richard Doughty recently noticed something unusual as he was recently visiting the village church. The ancient stained glass had an image of a golden castle with a portcullis. After some initial research he decided to do an academic paper on the subject which led him to some fascinating  conclusions. 

His paper advances a central historical argument: that a 1393 stained-glass depiction in Wanlip Church of a golden castle containing a portcullis within the arms of John of Gaunt is the earliest known surviving example of this combination in England and may substantially alter accepted understanding of the origin of the heraldic portcullis symbol. 

Key Claims

• The stained-glass image at Wanlip Church dates from the rebuilding of the church by Sir Thomas Walsh in 1392–93 and forms part of a coat of arms attributed to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
• Richard argues that the portcullis symbol was being used in connection with John of Gaunt before its later association with the Beaufort family, challenging the traditional view that its heraldic significance originated with John Beaufort.
• The paper contends that the Wanlip example predates other known artistic depictions of the portcullis and therefore strengthens the case for a Lancastrian origin of the symbol. 
• Richard links the portcullis ultimately to the symbol now used by the UK Parliament and suggests Wanlip holds national historical significance because of this connection.   

Historical Context

The second part of then paper provides broader background on:

• Sir Thomas Walsh of Wanlip, a prominent local landowner, MP, steward of the Duchy of Lancaster and Constable of Leicester Castle. 
• His long association with John of Gaunt and the Lancastrian affinity.
• The history of Wanlip Church, its memorial brass, stained glass, and medieval heritage. 
• The later history of Wanlip Hall, the Palmer and Hudson-Palmer families, and the village’s development. 
• Concerns regarding conservation and protection of surviving historic features within Wanlip.

Main Conclusion

Richard concludes that the Wanlip stained-glass castle and portcullis can be attributed to the era of John of Gaunt and that the evidence supports recognising him and the House of Lancaster as the true originators of the iconic heraldic portcullis symbol.

For further information and to read the full paper including further illustrations please click on the link: