WIMBORNE MINSTER

The Beaufort Tomb

The chancel contains the tomb of John and Margaret de Beaufort, grandparents of King Henry VII.  He was the Duke of Somerset and grandson of John of Gaunt. Margaret had a great interest in education and founded the first grammar school in Wimborne, which celebrated 500^th anniversary some years ago.

The effigies on the tomb are unusual in that they show John de Beaufort holding his wife’s hand.  Such figures are usually shown with hands crossed on the chest or in a prayerful position.