Dowry of Mary: What is it?

[Dempsey1919]

I have recently heard of the “Dowry of Mary” or “Mary’s Dowry” but I can’t find any satisfactory explanations on the Internet. Does anyone know what this is? I have read that it is connected with the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

 

[AJV]

I have recently heard of the “Dowry of Mary” or “Mary’s Dowry” but I can’t find any satisfactory explanations on the Internet. Does anyone know what this is? I have read that it is connected with the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

It is England.

For example, in the memorial of OL Ransom in England the Collect reads:

Lord, we have long been the dowry of Mary and subjects of Peter, prince of the apostles. Let us hold to the Catholic faith and remain devoted to the blessed Virgin and obedient to Peter. Through our Lord…

A book, now found online, which may be helpful is:
Our Lady’s dowry. How England gained and lost that title