A Significant Friendship

Pam Kelloway

Abstract

The thirteenth century sanctuary pavement of Westminster Abbey is unmistakably derivative of Roman Cosmati marble work. Yet King Henry III, who commissioned it, never travelled to Italy. In this essay I draw attention to a good friend of King Henry, who could have provided the Italian connection. He is Cardinal Ottobono, nephew of Sinibaldo Fieschi, Pope Innocent IV. My article also focusses on the closeness of the ties between Innocent IV and the Savoyard uncles of Henry's queen, Eleanor, and also on the importance given by Henry to his own status as papal vassal. Ottobono's diplomatic skills and his wide-ranging cultural interests, including an association with Cosmati work are noted, as is the significance of this particular craft in Rome. In exploring the friendship between Henry and Ottobono which culminated in Ottobono's term as papal legate in England from 1265 to 1268, I suggest that the Westminster work, now ready for paving, may well have been a subject of conversation in their more relaxed moments.

Illustrations from Other Web Sites

1. The choir of Westminster Abbey looking east, from the official Westminster Abbey web site.

2. The pavement of Westminster Abbey, from the official Westminster Abbey web site.

3. General view of the chapter house interior of Westminster Abbey, from the official Westminster Abbey web site.

4. Detail of pulpit with Cosmati twisted column in S. Maria in Aracoeli, Rome, from the Mapping Margery Kempe web site.

5. Detail of the Cosmati marble floor in S. Maria in Aracoeli, from the Mapping Margery Kempe web site.

6. Cosmati pavement in S. Clemente, Rome, from the University of Paderborn.

7. Bishop's throne with Cosmati work in Anagni cathedral, from the web site Thais - 1200 anni di sculture italiana.

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