Archive for the tag 'Hexham'

This Gatehouse guarded the Hall of the Archbishops of York. The were Lords of the Manor of Hexham for nearly 500 years until 1545. These were troubled times on the Scottish borders. This late mediaeval  tower was heavily fortified with three sets of doors, overhanging parapets and murder holes. In the first-floor courtroom the Archbishop’s [...]

4 Comments CherryPie on Nov 28th 2015

The church of Hexham Abbey as we see it today was built over the ruins of Wilfrid’s church in the 12th century. It was part of a priory surrounded by a high stone wall. People gathered outside the stone wall to their goods and local produce. Markets have been held in the place ever since.
The [...]

2 Comments CherryPie on Nov 27th 2015

All that remains of the lavatorium in the west walk of the cloister are these decorative arches. The monks would have washed their hands here before entering the refectory to eat.

2 Comments CherryPie on Nov 26th 2015

This rare edition of the Geneva Bible was translated from the Hebrew and Greek by exiles in Geneva. It was imported because, for the first time, the bible had text divided into numbered verses, which was extremely useful for preachers and readers alike.
It was popularly called the Breeches Bible because, wheras the Authorised Version says [...]

4 Comments CherryPie on Nov 25th 2015

In the centre of the nave a steep stone stair descends into the original 7th-century crypt.

This was discovered only in 1725 when the tower was being reinforced, but would have been the first part of the Saxon church to be built, delved out of the earth before the walls of the main church were erected [...]

10 Comments CherryPie on Nov 24th 2015

THE CROSS WHICH STOOD AT THE HEAD OF THE GRAVE OF ACCA BISHOP OF HEXHAM AD 709-732 WHO DIED AD 740
…So says the modern inscription on the plinth in the south transept of Hexham Abbey. On it is all that remains of a tall, intricately carved cross. It is worn and weathered, its inscription no [...]

6 Comments CherryPie on Nov 23rd 2015

The FONT, the place of baptism, or christening, stands on a plinth at the west end of the nave. It is a composite creation which tellingly symbolises the long history of Wirlfrid’s church. The large circular bowl is believed to be Roman, possibly an inverted pillar-base; it is set on a medieval carved stone base [...]

11 Comments CherryPie on Nov 21st 2015

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