In memory of Dorothea, Monica and Penelope

Monica and Dorothea lived at Sandybrook Hall, an elegant 19th century mansion close to the market town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire. They were the two beautiful daughters of Mr and Mrs Peveril Turnbull. Monica, at the age of 22 was already recognised by the critics as an outstanding poet. On the morning of 4th March 1901 a fire caused by the upsetting of a heavy oil lamp set fire to Dorothea's dress. Monica rushed to save her, and was burned to death. Dorothea also died from her injuries six weeks later.

This beautiful window is by Christopher Whall a Pre-Raphaelite stained glass artist/designer and a leader of the Arts and Crafts Movement. It is a jewel in stained glass, showing Arts and Crafts at its most ethereal. The window depicts the three virgin martyrs: St. Barbara, St Cecilia and St Dorothy, but St. Barbara and St. Dorothy are actual portraits of Monica and Dorothea - the window was given to St. Oswald church in Ashbourne by the parents in memory of their daughters.

St. Cecilia is seen falling asleep to the sounds of celestial music - a symbol of death.

St. Dorothy whose symbol is flowers, represents Dorothea the younger sister whose dress caught fire.

St. Barbara carrying the sword of her martyrdom in her right hand - represents Monica, the poet, who rushed to save her sister.

Dorothea

Monica

The whole interior of the church is worthy of a visit, no corner is without interest, carved kings and queens, bell ropes, Green Men, and a lush chancel roof. The reredos, depicting the life of Christ, is set within a background showing two local landscapes, namely Dovedale and the Manifold Valley. My next treasure lies in the Cockayne Chapel within the east aisle of the north transept.

Penelope Boothby,  daughter of Sir Brooke Boothby, aged 4 by Joshua Reynolds

 

The Apotheosis of Penelope Boothby by Henry Fuseli

Penelope was the only child of Sir Brooke Boothby and Dame Susannah Boothby. She was born in 1785 and died when she was almost six years old. It is thought that she had a viral infection in her brain (possibly encephalitis), she was treated by Boothby's great friend, Dr. Erasmus Darwin, Grandfather of Charles Darwin. Boothby's life went into decline after his daughter's death. The sad event permanently affected him and he subsequently published a book of poetry - Sorrows Sacred to the Memory of Penelope. After her funeral, his wife returned to her parent's home in Hampshire. She then settled in Dover and her death was recorded under her maiden name.

Sir Brooke Boothby by Joseph Wright of Derby

The tomb that Boothby commissioned from Thomas Banks, RA is exquisite. It is described as being so life like that the child could be sleeping. Sculptured out of Carrara marble and showing the inscription "She was in form and intellect most exquisite. The unfortunate parents ventured their all on this frail bark. And the wreck was total."

Penelope