THE work of a little-known 15th century Yorkshire gentleman will be celebrated in a pilgrimage on Friday, July 19.

Robert Thornton was a prolific copyist and literary compiler who lived at East Newton, near Oswaldkirk. Local vicar, Dr Catherine Reid, who is working with the Centre of Medieval Studies at the University of York, is planning to celebrate Thornton’s life and raise his profile through a pilgrimage.

Stonegrave’s Summer Pilgrimage will walk in Thornton’s footsteps, starting from Stonegrave Minster, his parish church, at 1.30pm, to his home. From there the pilgrims will walk to St Oswald’s in Oswaldkirk, where his friend Sir Richard Pickering is buried.

During the pilgrimage there will be pauses to listen to short readings from some of the works in Thornton’s collections. It will end with refreshments at St Oswald’s. People can either walk back to Stonegrave or take advantage of a shuttle service back to the starting point.

Those taking part are advised to wear appropriate footwear and long trousers

Donations received will go towards the Thornton Appeal to install a new memorial to Robert Thornton in Stonegrave Minster.