Robert de Mortham founded his chantry dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the south transept in 1339. In the north corner of the east wall, outside, may be seen the remains of the priest’s doorway into the chantry.

Another chantry was added about 1380 when the North transept was built and another four were known to be established, the founders of which are unknown. The dedications of these are thought to be St. Catharine, St. Helen and St. Margaret (these last two were located in the castle); and to the Twelve Apostles, and to the Guild or Fraternity of the Trinity.

By the time of the Reformation and the dissolution of chantries, there were three still operating: the Chantry of Our Lady instituted by Robert Mortham; the Perpetual Salary of Our Lady Priest; and the Guild of the Trinity (which also provided a free grammar school and song school for all the children of the town).

The two castle chantries were also still operating at this time, though the chantry dedicated to St. Helen had mysteriously changed into the Twelve Apostles!

The side chapel in St. Mary’s, once the site of the organ, is now dedicated to St. Margaret of Scotland.

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