Thomas Millyng

Abbot and Priest

Thomas Millyng, bishop of Hereford, and Abbot of Westminster from 1469-1474, was buried in the centre of St John the Baptist's chapel in Westminster Abbey in 1492.

His monument

A Purbeck marble coffin, by tradition said to be his, has a floriated cross carved on the top and was formerly displayed in the chapel after having been removed from its burial place due to later burials of nobility in this area. This coffin, which includes the remains of the occupant, was moved outside the chapel in 1955 to the north ambulatory. It is a re-used, possibly 13th century, coffin and the indent for a small brass plate (presumably the inscription) is below the head of the cross.

Part of a wax funeral taper, said to belong to this abbot's burial, is in the Abbey collection. A wooden crozier head, also thought to be from this coffin, is on display in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at the Abbey.

His life

He entered the Benedictine monastery in 1450 and held various offices before becoming Prior in 1466. He was Abbot when Queen Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV, took Sanctuary at Westminster for the first time on 1st October 1470 with her mother and three young daughters (Elizabeth, Mary and Cecily). Her son, the future Edward V, was born in Sanctuary and baptised in the Abbey and Thomas was one of his godfathers. He continued the building of the nave with money given by the king. Edward rewarded Millyng for his protection of the queen with the bishopric of Hereford and he was consecrated in the Lady Chapel in 1474. He was also made a Privy Councillor.