HILAIRE BELLOC

The Norbertine ministry of hospitality in Storrington is long-standing and was noted by the poet Hilaire Belloc in his piece 'On Courtesy', written on 17 May 1908 after a visit to Our Lady of England Priory - 'On Monks I did in Storrington fall, they took me straight into their Hall ...'

To see a copy of the original manuscript dedicated to 'The Prior of Storrington', please click here

The Visitation by Mariotto Albertinelli

The above painting is in the public domain, its copyright having expired. However, due to current copyright conditions we are unable to reproduce the other two paintings that inspired Hilaire Belloc to write 'On Courtesy'.

Please click on the external website links below to see them - they are both on display in the National Gallery, London.

The Annunciation by Fra Filippo Lippi

ON COURTESY

Of Courtesy, it is much less
Than Courage of Heart or Holiness,
Yet in my Walks it seems to me
That the Grace of God is in Courtesy.

On Monks I did in Storrington fall,
They took me straight into their Hall;
I saw Three Pictures on a wall,
And Courtesy was in them all.

The first the Annunciation;
The second the Visitation;
The third the Consolation,
Of God that was Our Lady's Son.

The first was of St. Gabriel;
On Wings a-flame from Heaven he fell;
And as he went upon one knee
He shone with Heavenly Courtesy.

Our Lady out of Nazareth rode -
It was Her month of heavy load;
Yet was her face both great and kind,
For Courtesy was in Her Mind.

The third it was our Little Lord,
Whom all the Kings in arms adored;
He was so small you could not see
His large intent of Courtesy.

Our Lord, that was Our Lady's Son,
Go bless you, People, one by one;
My Rhyme is written, my work is done.