The Church of St Laurence – Bradford-on-Avon ‘A Hidden Jewel’

Erected in the historic town of Bradford-on-Avon lies a ‘hidden jewel’ of the west country of England, its style of architecture is from a time that is mostly forgotten by the average citizen. Bradford’s ‘hidden jewel’ is a church dedicated to St Laurence; one of the seven deacons of Rome, and was martyred in the persecution of the Christians that the Roman Emperor Valerian ordered in 258 AD. However, St Laurence has become a happy surprise for an Anglo-Saxon enthusiast, as England is not blessed with an abundance of surviving Anglo-Saxon buildings, especial one in this good condition. Though this archaic building has had some restoration over the years, it is still remarkable how much has survived and this church dedicated to St Laurence is England’s most completed Anglo-Saxon building of its type. Bradford-on-Avon (also known as Bradford-upon-Avon) is 8 miles southeast of Bath in the county of Wiltshire. The centre of the town grew up around the ford across the river Avon, hence the origin of the town's name "Broad-Ford". The town is first mention in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle under the year 652 AD when Cenwalh, the West Saxon king of Wessex, is reported to have fought a battle at Bradanforda be Afne. However, the chronicle gives no detail about who he fought or what the outcome of the battle was. Historians speculate Cenwalh fought either the native Celtic Britons or the Angles of the kingdom of Mercia. Until England became unified, Bradford was right on the frontier between the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia. The lack of surviving Anglo-Saxon buildings was due to most of them being constructed with timber and thatched roofing. Perpetual internal warfare and the invasions from the Norsemen (Vikings) consequently led to many towns or cities being destroyed and burnt to the ground – despite the restoration of destroyed settlements, wood buildings in general do not survive from this period. The surviving Ecclesiastical buildings, however, are constructed out of stone and brick, except for one timber church, and in some cases show evidence of re-used Roman work. At least fifty churches are of Anglo-Saxon in origin with having major architectural features, although in some cases the Anglo-Saxon part is small and noticeably altered. After the conquering by the Anglo-Saxons you would expect them to live within the old Roman cities, but they were essentially agrarian people who preferred to build small towns near their centres of agriculture; fords across rivers and sea ports for trading and fishing.

St Laurence is a well-preserved example of an Anglo-Saxon church-building before the Norman conquest had stamped their style throughout England; it’s tall and narrow with small windows, these characteristics are unmistakably Anglo-Saxon. St Laurence has a nave, chancel and a porticus (porch-wing) on the northern side and a probable southern porticus, which seems to have had an underground room that was replaced at some time before the beginning of the 19th century. On the left side of the below photographs is the north porticus. The right side shows the outline of the south porticus.

Historian William of Malmesbury, who was the foremost historian of his time in the early 12th century, documents the church of St Laurence still standing in the 1120’s. Though he thought it dated back to the time of St Aldhelm (d. 709 AD) who was a relative of king Ine of Wessex and a renowned scholar of his time. In 675 AD, Aldhelm was appointed the first Abbot of Malmesbury and around 705 AD, was also appointed to the bishop of Sherborne. His elevated reputation enticed scholars from far and wide, and they travelled great distances to learn from him at his school in the abbey of Malmesbury. Furthermore, Aldhelm founded two other monasteries as centres of learning at Frome, Somerset and Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. St Laurence is regarded as his and may have been part of the location of his monastery at Bradford, which was located parallel to St Laurence, but is replaced by today’s Holy Trinity parish church from the 12th century. Aldhelm’s reputation even graced the court of Pope Sergius I, where he graciously accepted an invitation to travel to the centre of western Christendom at Rome. A charter from king Æthelred the Unready (Æthelred II) granted Bradford to the nuns of Shaftesbury Abbey in 1001 AD, and it is believed St Laurence was designed to house relics of king Æthelred’s half-brother, king Edward the Martyr, who was originally housed with the nuns at Shaftesbury Abbey - the custodians of his body. Æthelred’s charter would suggest that St Laurence coincided with the above dates of its architectural style, rather than William of Malmesbury’s reported original date (around 700 AD). This might help explain why such a small grand building was erected. Although the existing church seems all or almost all Anglo-Saxon, some of its restorations included removing of stairs inside and filling in some windows.  

 

Some time later St Laurence was lost amidst other buildings including a school master house and only came to notice again in the nineteenth century, when it was rediscovered in 1856 and restored in 1870 to 1880. After some restorations, the church once again became used as a place of worship and was designated a grade I listed building in 1952. Today, St Laurence is used as part of the congregation of Holy Trinity church and hosts a couple sermons a week; other Christian groups use its premises as well. Apart from the Church of St Laurence, Bradford-on-Avon has numerous buildings of historical significance to offer, and I encourage you to make the journey to this little town, where I know you’ll find great solace in stumbling across the ‘Hidden Jewel’ of the west. Though tucked away in Bradford’s town centre, St Laurence’s shadow casts a big reminder to us all that we still have a profound connection to our Anglo-Saxon ancestors.. Author/ Photos:  Jimmer of Wessex Opening times:

Winter (Oct - March)	Summer (Apr - Sept)
Opening: 10am	Opening: 10am
Closing: 4pm	Closing: 6pm

The Coronation Stone

[caption id="attachment_142" align="alignnone" width="800"] By Hellodavey1902 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94084918[/caption]

The coronation stone was used in ceremonies for the royal consecration of Kings from the Kingdom of Wessex during the 10th century, in Kingston-upon-Thames - a royal demesne manor. According to tradition the ceremony of coronation was performed on a large stone block, where statues of several monarchs were long preserved near the spot in the Chapel of St. Mary. The Stone block is attributed to the coronations of seven Wessex Kings; Edward the Elder in 900 AD, Æthelstan in 925 AD, Edmund I in 939 AD, Eadred in 946 AD, Eadwig in c. 955 AD, Edward the Martyr in 975 AD, and Æthelred the Unready in 978 AD. Although there is only some evidence that Edward the Eder, Edumd I, Eadwig and Edward the Martyr being consecrated at Kingston, one could speculate that other coronations could have taken place, but their documented account has been unfortunately lost to the memory hole of history. These seven kings are from the royal dynasty of the House of Wessex and were historically styled as the Kings of Wessex. King Edward the Elder, or Eadweard cyning in Old English, was styled ‘Kings of the Anglo-Saxons’ (Anglorum Saxonum rex) in which he continuing the title that his father, Alfred the Great, created after Æthelred, Lord of Mercia, accepted West Saxon lordship. This new title represented a new polity of all the English people (Anglo-Saxons) who were not under Viking rule. In the next succession to the throne, Edward the Elder’s son, King Æthelstan, conquered Viking York in 927 AD and hence forth adopted the title ‘King of the English’ (rex anglorum), in recognition of his rule over England. Therefore, the Coronation Stone is regarded as the coronation of the ‘Kings of the English’. By the late 17th century, visitor to the chapel of St Mary had recorded the interior containing paintings of the Saxon kings who were consecrated, according to the website of the chapel’s current ecclesiastical building, All Saints Church; whereas Samuel Lewis’ A Topographical Dictionary of England (1831) states they were statues. All Saints Church was built next to the chapel in 1120 and outside the south door are some outlines marked by stone, which are the remains of the Saxon church. The Chapel of St. Mary collapsed in 1730 but the Coronation Stone was recovered from the ruins  and placed outside the Town Hall (the Market House today in the Market Place) where it was used as a mounting block until 1850. It was move to its current location situated next to the Guildhall in Kingston-Upon-Thames, the south west of Greater London. It has been preserved as a registered Grade I Listed Building since 1983. This king-making stone is a natural sandstone block known as a sarsen stone, which is found in southern England, especially on Salisbury Plain and the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire, and in the county of Kent. This ancient sarsen stone block stands 3  feet high and is set on a granite base with the inscribed names of the kings traditionally crowned upon it and encircled by cast iron railings and balustrade. According to Leland, the town was built by the Saxons and appears to have derived its name from Kyningestun. In Old English, tūn is the masculine noun meaning ‘enclosure round house, yard, garden; manor, estate, farm’. es~tūn means ‘living on a manor; village; town or dwelling’; and cyning (kyning) means ‘king’. The excepted translation of Kyningestun (Cyningestun) is ‘King’s manor or estate’. Thankfully the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames have payed homage to their royal roots, as the balustrade monument of the Coronation Stone is a reflection of a tradition which has long passed, and although some passers-by may think this old rock is insignificant, the rich history of Kingston will assure those passers-by that the monument has particular relevance in English history. Source: Samuel Lewis’ A Topographical Dictionary of England (1831): https://archive.org/details/topographicaldic00lewi2/page/682/mode/2up St Mary’s chapel: https://www.allsaintskingston.co.uk/heritage/st-marys-chapel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_Stone,_Kingston_upon_Thames https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1080066  

Irton Cross - St Paul’s Church

Made from one piece of red sandstone, Irton Cross can be found in St Paul’s Church Graveyard. St Paul’s Church is in the Parish of Eskdale, Cumbria and is an active church. This Anglo-Saxon cross dates back to the 9th century and remarkably is still in one solid peice of rock. Not only withstanding time and the elements, Irton Cross also survived the invasions from the vikings whilst many religious monuments would have been desecrated. The reason for the erection of the cross in St Paul’s Church is still unknown and is rare in it’s design having no markings, scripture or links to any king. [caption id="attachment_155" align="alignnone" width="800"] Dougsim, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] What can be seen is very weather worn decoration which has historians baffled as to who placed it. Some suggest Danish invaders but the patterns resemble more of the Celtic style of inscription. Even when the original church was destroyed back in 1865, this 10 foot high unmarked cross was left untouched and to remain in situ. Gosforth Cross and Bewcastle Cross are similar with the Irton Cross holding likewise craftsmanship from the Anglo-Roman Bewcastle Cross. Found at the top of the Irton Cross is the main cross-head which bosses carved from the centre raised.

Irton Cross Markings

Most of the original markings on the Irton have been weathered away although some are still visable. It is possible that the Saxons have added markings over the original ones as some of the design matches what you would find from their era. Dotted petted work can be found on the cross and overlapping circles which points to the Saxon era. What can be described as ‘beasts’, almost monster-like animals can be seen on the cross which is also a possible link to Saxon carvings. Various other patterns can be seen on the cross at St Paul’s Church including diamonds, spiral shapes, moldings and scrollwork. The parish at Irton, Eskdale, has laid claim that the cross is of Celtic origin and is most likely correct. Possibly a meeting place for raiding parties, these theories are the strongest and most likely due to the size and dominance of the cross. With Irton being within easy reach for the Celts this would be the strongest theory but as of today is still not a concluded fact.

Visiting Irton Cross

For those planning a visit to the Irton Cross you will find not just St Paul’s Church but Irton itself to be a quaint town. Set in stunning grounds the church is surrounded by greenery and makes a nice destination to ike to and you get to see the Irton Cross in all its splendor. Cumbria has many sights and attractions to visit and a strong Saxon background. Many are free to visit and those like Irton Cross at St Paul’s Church are open to visit all year round. St Paul’s Church is a grade one listed building and you are welcome to attend the Sunday service which can be combined with your trip to the Irton Cross.

Waltham Abbey - Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross

Waltham Abbey, known today as the Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross is located in the quaint market town of the same name just 14 miles from the City of London. The town itself was named after the Abbey which was thought to be constructed around 1030 but the Saxon roots go back as far as 610AD. Evidence has been found to support the East Saxons settlement and construction here which was most likely a small worshipping site built from wood. Historical artifacts found at the abbey including flints and a Christian clasp linking Bishop Mellitus of the Saxons at the site conclude that King Sabert was in power at the time. [caption id="attachment_179" align="alignnone" width="800"] Photo Courtesy of Waltham Abbey[/caption]

Waltham Abbey History

It is believed that King Harold was eventually laid to rest here after the battle of Hastings, although the king was said to be buried on the battle ground and later moved 3 times, this is hard to prove but there is a slab laid at Waltham Abbey in his honour. King Offa, in or around 790 increased the size of the Abbey in Waltham whilst the Mercians controlled the East Saxons. The third rebuild came with the Viking-Saxons around 1050 with the Abbey being used mainly as a college for the church. 1090 saw more work done to the abbey with stone and materials matching the periods of this age. It would take another 150 years for the towers to be complete and you can still see evidence of the arches built in a Norman style to this day. Power came to Waltham Abbey in 1184 as it was transformed to a ‘mitred abbey’ giving it status the same as a Bishop held. Although exempt from direct dealings with any Bishop the Abbey could now reach out to the king directly making it the highest placed church in England. Henry VIII had planned to replace the church with a cathedral but instead knocked down the majority of the buildings. Only part of the church from the Norman era was left in place but if you look at the grounds from above you can still see the original outlines from the Saxon era. [caption id="attachment_181" align="alignnone" width="800"] Photo Courtesy of Waltham Abbey[/caption]

Existing Historic Artifacts

You can not help but admire the various historical artifacts around this stunning site, a timeline from the present to the Saxon era. The Denny Tomb is found in the North Chapel and is where you will see the table tomb of Robert Smith. Carvings of cannons, ships and maritime memorabilia decorate the Denny Tomb in honour of the sea captain who perished in 1637. What is known as the Children’s Window has a great backstory. Funds for the window were made up of donations from the parish children and then William Burges commissioned the famous Henry Holiday to design a stained glass piece for an empty window hole. Around the Abbey you will also see various ponds, waterways, chained book marks, Romanesque pillars and outbuildings from various eras. The gatehouse and bridge are also worth visiting and are home to two shields, although these are heavily weather decayed they are believed to be from English and French royalty.   More info on Abbey Church Homepage; http://www.walthamabbeychurch.co.uk/ or their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WalthamAbbeyChurch/      

Wat's Dyke

Wat’s Dyke

[caption id="attachment_198" align="aligncenter" width="615"] by Peter Craine CC BY-SA 2.0 Wat's Dyke near Northop https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wat%27s_Dyke_near_Northop_-_geograph.org.uk_-_202714.jpg[/caption]   Wat’s Dyke is a scheduled monument (SAM) of 19 protected sections of a linear earthwork that stretches intermittently for approximately 40 miles (64km). Situated in the northern region of the Welsh Marches, the once north-western frontier of the Kingdom of Mercia. The Welsh Marches contains a series of dykes that appear to have been built as defensive borders against the Britons. The most notable of them all is Offa’s Dyke. Typically, a dyke consists of a bank and a ditch – with regards to the arrangement of Wat’s Dyke, the bank is situated on the eastern side, whereas the ditch is situated on the western side. This tells us that the design of the dyke is facing towards Wales and therefore was built to defend the Anglo-Saxon lands to the east. However, there has been a long-standing confusion in academia about the separate identity of Offa and Wat’s Dyke, due to the number of placenames denoting ‘Offa’ which can be found along the route of Wat’s Dyke, including Bryn Offa in Wrexham and Clawdd Offa in Sychdyn, Fintshire.  Some archaeological evidence concerning other dyke’s have shown a palisade or wall being added as fortified additions, a prime example can be found on a section of Offa’s Dyke; whereas a published section from Sychdyn, Flintshire, seems to show remnants of a timber palisade between the bank and ditch of Wat’s Dyke. This feature suggests a resemblance of a Roman turf-and-timber fort rampart, otherwise there is no indication of a palisade or wall being added to the fortifications of Wat’s Dyke. During the late or sub-Roman period, a number of hillforts, for example, Old Oswestry in Shropshire, were reoccupied and incorporated to strengthen the dyke’s defensives. They also used the natural features of knolls and ridges to give the defenders a clear view of the west. These features appear as if it allowed its defenders to have a clear viewpoint of the uplands while also restricting movement across the lowlands from anyone approaching from the west. [caption id="attachment_199" align="aligncenter" width="600"] by Oswestry Borderland Tourism CC BY-SA 2.0 Old Oswestry Hillfort https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Oswestry_Hillfort_(aerial).jpg[/caption] The monument of Wat’s Dyke runs from Basingwerk Abbey by the Dee Estuary in Flintshire to the River Morda at Maesbury in Shropshire – an important Mercian estate of Meresbyrig. The earthwork passes Wrexham, Ruabon, Gobowen, Yr Hên Dinas (Old Oswestry hillfort) and Oswestry; situated mostly parallel to the east of Offa where the two earthworks are less than 0.621* miles (1km) apart at the village Ruabon. Sir Cyril Fox’s survey, where the southern end of the Dyke meets the River Morda, provides evidence that the river had been artificially straightened at this point by a distance of approximately 2.485* miles (4 km). This perhaps is the earliest post-Roman example of hydraulic engineering in Britain, which coincides with examples of contemporary continental defensive canals such as the Viking Kanhave canal in Denmark. The dating of Wat’s Dyke Frustratingly, the dating of Wat’s Dyke has been met with controversy despite the work that has been carried out from historical study, artefactual assessment, or scientific dating methods; some experts from their respective fields have vehemently denounced opposing hypotheses, thus the earthwork itself has unfortunately remained inconclusively dated. That being said, it was previously thought Wat’s Dyke was constructed and completed somewhen in the early 8th century, of the reign of King Æthelbold of Mercia (AD 716 to 757), who was considered the greatest Anglo-Saxon king of the early 8th century. Although some scholars may attribute Wat’s Dyke to the reign of King Offa (AD 757 to 796), the locality of Wat’s Dyke is situated more easterly compared to Offa’s Dyke, suggesting Wat’s Dyke was built by an earlier Mercian King before the territory of the Mercians slightly expanded further westwards, hence the reign of King Æthelbold is credited to be the patron of the dyke’s construction. Another possible date has been suggested in the reign of the Emperor Septimius Severus in AD 197 to 211 by Steve Blake and Scott Lloyd, although this date is generally dismissed. In 1997, excavations were conducted at Maes-y-Clawdd, Oswestry, where Hugh Hannaford obtained a single radiocarbon date from a hearth or cooking fire; which resulted in the calibrated date ranges of AD 411 to 561 (1 sigma) and AD 268 to 630 (2 sigma). However, a single radiocarbon sample is considered insufficient and does not hold up to scientific scrutiny, given the huge margin of error that is implicit in both the recovery of the sample and the dating method itself. Thus, opponents of radiocarbon dating argue that extrapolating the radiocarbon determination is an unreliable process resulting in a statistical approximation to the age of a sample. Furthermore, it must be pointed out that Hannaford’s sample itself was recovered beneath the bank and therefore would predate the construction of the dyke. A broken annular loom-weight from the middle Anglo-Saxon period (AD 650 to 800) was found at an excavation site at Mynydd Isa, Flintshire by W J Varley in 1957. Recovered from on top of a patch of burnt clay, interpreted by the excavator as the base of a hearth, which in turn laid above a 50 mm thick primary fill of the ditch, suggested by the excavator to be “three decades of less” older than the construction of the dyke itself. Unfortunately, thermoluminescent and thermoremanent magnetic dating techniques had not been developed at the time of the excavation, otherwise this technique would have enabled a direct dating of the hearth from W J Varley excavation. Consequently, due to a lack of an absolute date from artefactual assessment or scientific dating methods, David Hill suggests exploring the potential political history between individual Kingdoms on both sides of the dyke rather than the relationship between the Angles and Britons. As previously stated Wat’s Dyke is a defensive border for the Kingdom of Mercia (western side), which protected their lands against the Britons in the northeast of Wales, comprising of two Kingdom; the Kingdom of Powys from the southeast of the border and the Kingdom of Gwynedd from the northeast of the border. From the Sub-Roman period territorial boundaries fluctuated between the two kingdoms until the Kingdom of Gwynedd dominated the northeast of Wales. There is no evidence of Wat’s Dyke ever existing during the Reign of King Cœnred of Mercia (AD 704 to 709) however we do know Mercia was subjected to raids from the Britons according to a documentary source of Felix’s Vita Sancti Guthlaci, although he does not mention which kingdom of the Britons inflicted raids upon the Mercians. Before King Cœnred’s reign, Mercia established themselves as the dominant kingdom among the Anglo-Saxons during the reign of two brothers, King Penda and King Eowa (c. 626 to 655). During this period Mercia was allied with the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Therefore, there was no strategical value of Wat’s Dyke during this period as Mercia was fighting for Dominance over the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms. However, during this period Shropshire and Cheshire was the territory of the Wreocensætna people, where according to Nick Higham, who argued persuasively, were a Briton Sub-Kingdom within Mercia. Effectively operating as a Briton buffer-zone which protected the core Mercian territories of the Trent Valley.  The date when Wreocensætna became completely subsumed within Mercia is not known. But is generally assumed to have occurred after the Battle of the Winwaed (AD 655), most likely somewhen in the late 7th century. So, the northwest of Mercia was secured until the death of King Penda at the Battle of the Winwaed. Consequently, leaving Mercia in a period of turmoil as the victor, King Oswiu of Northumbria, annexed Penda’s kingdom. The dominance of Mercia was restored when King Penda’s son Wulfhere (AD 658 to 675) returned his royal lineage to the throne of Mercia. Though it seems King Wulfhere did not return to his father’s alliance with the Kingdom of Gwynedd. During King Wulfhere’s reign, it appears that Cheshire became part of Mercia’s territory between the mid to the late 7th century. Lastly, although the date of Wat’s Dyke is credited to the reign of King Æthelbald, it is also plausible and possible preferable that Wat’s Dyke was constructed between the reigns of King Wulfhere and King Æthelred I (AD 657 to 704) as the likelihood of Wat’s Dyke being intended to protect Cheshire. *calculation to 3 decimal places Source: The Date and Nature of Wat’s Dyke: A reassessment in the light of investigation at Gobowen, Shropshire by Tim Malim and Laurence Hays.  http://www.wansdyke21.org.uk/wansdyke/wanart/matthews1.htm#_ednref32  

Wareham Town

  [caption id="attachment_241" align="aligncenter" width="532"] by Michael Day, Wareham Town's coat of arms situated on the old Toll House, North Street, via Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/13706945@N00/23610579790/in/faves-190297306@N08/[/caption] Wareham is a market town in the county of Dorset and is a civil parish under the name Wareham Town. The settlement of Wareham was built on a strategic dry point between the mouths of the River Frome and the River Piddle, which converges into Wareham Channel of Poole Harbour. Historically, the town is an important settlement of great note; existing as Durngueis in the time of the Britons and a small Roman settlement was discovered by archaeological excavations including Roman coins being discovered in the vicinity. The current town was founded by the Saxons and was known to them as Væpham, Vepham, Veapham, and Thornsæta; and in some ancient records it is designated Werham, and Varama, a compound of Var-Ham, which is interpreted as “a habitation on a fishing shore” in Samuel Lewis’ A topographical Dictionary of England (1848). Wareham is referred to as Werham in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle entry date of A.D 784. The Old English for ‘Wer’ is the masculine noun for ‘weir, dam; fish-trap’; whereas ‘Hām’ is the masculine noun for ‘home; house, dwelling; residence, estate’; or the adverb for ‘Home(wards)’. Under the Dominion of Wessex [caption id="attachment_237" align="aligncenter" width="212"] The Making of England (1885) by J. R. Green, private collection[/caption] J. R. Green’s The Making of England (1885) demonstrates Wareham as being in the proximity of the south western frontier of the kingdom of Wessex in AD 580. This was during the reign of King Ceawlin, a Bretwalda and grandson of King Cerdic, who was the founder of the Kingdom of Wessex. The town eventually became comfortably under the dominion of Wessex during the reign of King Cynegils (circa AD 611 to circa 643). Wareham is noted for being the burial place of two Kings from technically the Cerdicingas Dynasty, but are more notably known as the House of Wessex – King Beorhtric in A.D 802 and temporarily King Edward the Martyr, who was interred here in A.D 978, and later translated to Shaftsbury Abbey. After the death of King Beorhtric the Danes massacred Wareham’s inhabitants and reduced the town to its ruins. By A.D 876, Wareham had succumbed to Danish rule until the town was liberated by the besiegement of King Alfred the Great. As the king’s army layed siege to Wareham, the Danes were forced to make peace with King Alfred. Both belligerent leaders agreed upon an accord where King Alfred paid a Danegeld and the Danes swore an oath to leave the Kingdom of Wessex, hostages were exchanged to uphold this accord. An extract from the translated version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle by James Ingram details this interaction: ‘…. And they gave him as hostages those who were worthiest in the army; and swore with oaths on the holy bracelet, which they would not before to any nation, that they would readily go out of his kingdom…’ However, this accord was broken by the Danes who quickly fled under the cover of darkness to Exeter but were pursued by King Alfred and his army. Alfred the Great’s Burghal System King Alfred the Great had to contend with the constant shadow of Danish raids or invasions just like his predecessors or contemporaries . He devised a network of defensive military positions spaced approximately 19 miles (30km) apart. Chosen for their strategic value and locality and furthermore strengthen and protected his kingdom more efficiently. This enabled King Alfred’s military to confront any hostile force throughout his kingdom within a day. These defensive positions were fortified towns known as burhs (referred later as boroughs) and included Wareham being incorporated into Alfred’s network of burhs, or Burghal System. To this day we are still reminded of Wareham being established as a burh; remnants of its ancient fortifications, or ‘earth ramparts’, are the town's oldest features. They encircle the town on three sides with the River Frome protecting the southside of the burh. [caption id="attachment_213" align="aligncenter" width="640"] by John Lamper, Wareham fortification wall (earth rampart), CC BY-SA 2.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SaxonWallsWarehamDorset.jpg[/caption] These defensive walls are designated as a Schedule Monument, which fall into eight protected sections, forming part of the defences of the Anglo-Saxon fortifications at Wareham and part of the motte and bailey castle with shell keep. However, the base of the stone shell keep has been dated to the 12^th century, including a large uncovering of 12^th century pottery being discovered within the moat. The early history of the castle is unclear because of the distinction between Wareham Castle and Corfe Castle; documentary sources have been met with great confusion, and therefore Wareham Castle is believed to have been established shortly after the Norman Conquest. Wareham is included in the list of the Burghal Hidage, a document that was drawn up during King Edward the Elder’s reign (A.D 899 to 924). The Burghal Hidage represents a document of fortified burghs established by King Alfred and implies that it was compiled as part of the preparation for King Edwards campaign against the Danes in A.D 917. In the Burghal Hidage, 1600 hides were allocated to maintain the defences of Wareham, meaning it was the third largest burh in the Kingdom of Wessex. The burh of Wareham underwent partial rebuilding during the 10^th and 11^th centuries, with the ditch being re-cut during the 12^th century. Ecclesiastical sites Wareham is regarded as establishing the oldest religious foundation in Dorset with two ecclesiastical sites and one former ecclesiastical site which date back to the Anglo-Saxon period:

• A priory of a Benedictine nunnery was first established in Wareham (possibly AD 672)
• Lady St. Mary church was attached to the priory and was once referred to as the priory of Lady St. Mary
• St. Martin's-on-the-walls church
• The former Saxon chapel of St. Andrew’s

12^th century historian William of Malmesbury details St Aldhelm for founding a church ‘close’ to Wareham – Lady St. Mary church is considered the most likely candidate because Lady St. Mary was attached to the priory of a Benedictine nunnery at Wareham, and St. Aldhelm is notable for introducing Benedictine rule during his Abbotship of Malmesbury (AD 675). Although later scholars have dated the ancient minster of Lady St. Mary as being founded circa AD 800. The priory was destroyed during the Danish raid of AD 876 but is reported to have been rebuilt by princess Ælfthryth (Alfrida), circa AD 900, the daughter of King Alfred the Great and the countess of Flanders. [caption id="attachment_227" align="aligncenter" width="591"] by Charlesdrakew, Lady St. Mary Church, public domain https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wareham_Lady_St_Mary_Church_2.JPG[/caption] Unfortunately, later substantially modifications resemble most of the present Lady St. Mary – Brittonic inscriptions dating from the 7^th to the 9^th century were also discovered on five stones and the English Heritage have designated the church as a Grade I listed building. A second Benedictine Priory was established on the site of the old priory as a dependency of Lyre Abbey during the 12^th century, by a powerful Norman nobleman – Robert de Beaumont, 1^st Earl of Leicester and Count of Meulan. The priory suppressed in 1414 as an alien priory and was granted to Henry V’s newly founded Carthusian Priory of Sheen but was eventually seized by the crown in 1539. The present building is from the early 16^th century and is designated as a Grade II listed building – many alterations throughout the centuries have been implemented but the main features of the 16^th century layout can still be traced. Nowadays, the priory is a functioning hotel and is fittingly called ‘The Priory Hotel’. [caption id="attachment_211" align="aligncenter" width="2272"] by Wulfrunian1, St. Martin's-on-the-walls, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wareham,_St._Martin%27s.jpg[/caption] The equally ancient St. Martin's-on-the-walls was founded in the 7^th century, however, the current building was rebuilt in AD 1030, after the original was destroyed by King Cnut the Great. Centuries later the church fell into disuse but was restored in the 20^th century and is the most complete example of an Anglo-Saxon church in Dorset. St. Martin is also designated as a Grade I listed building. The 14^th century building of the former Holy Trinity Church stands on the site of the Saxon chapel St. Andrew’s; designated as a Grade I listed building under ‘Holy Trinity Gallery [former Church of Holy Trinity]. Nowadays the church has been converted into the premises of ‘Not Just Sundaes Community Café’, located on South Street. The Royal Mint To finance the upkeep of the burh fortifications and inhabitants, many burhs established themselves as being important roles of commercial and administrative centres of the realm. Their fortifications were used to protect various royal mints and during King Æthelstan’s reign (AD 924 to 939), Wareham housed two royal mints. It is traditionally reputed that Gold Court House on St. John’s hill is the site of a Saxon royal mint. The current building was rebuilt after the fire of 1762, on the foundations of a 13^th century goldsmith’s house, and the premises of the Georgian town house are currently operating as a bed & breakfast. Wareham Town Museum [caption id="attachment_225" align="aligncenter" width="720"] by Chris Charles, Wareham Town Museum, public domain https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wareham_museum_ext.jpg[/caption] Wareham Town Museum has a Saxon exhibit displaying some Saxon artifacts, including coins and a late 10^th century Saxon sword. The sword was discovered during the construction of the South Bridge in 1927, and is owned by the Dorset County Museum in Dorchester and is fortunately on loan to Wareham Town Museum. The sword is made of iron with a decorative pommel; the grip bears an Old English inscription translated as "Æþe... owns me". The name Æthel indicates the sword belongs to a member of the Saxon Royal Family. Unfortunately, only half of the sword was discovered, however, a full-size replica sword is also on display at the Saxon exhibit. The museum is based in Wareham Town Hall and includes other local historical exhibits and notable people who lived there. The museum is open between 10.00 am to 04.00 pm and is closed on a Sunday.   Author: Jimmer of Wessex   Sources: Two of the Saxon chronicles parallel, with supplementary extracts from the others; : Anglo-Saxon chronicle : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive PARISH CHURCH OF LADY ST MARY, Wareham Town - 1120029 | Historic England Part of the defences of the Anglo-Saxon fortified centre of Wareham and part of the motte and bailey castle with shell keep, Wareham Town - 1003574 | Historic England Ware - Warlingham | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) Wareham Lady St. Mary | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) Alien houses: The priory of Wareham | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) Religious houses: Introduction | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) Grade I listed buildings in Dorset - Wikipedia Grade II* listed buildings in Purbeck (district) - Wikipedia Saxon Wareham - Visit Wareham Saxon Sword display (greenacre.info) The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle translated by James Ingram (1823) The Making of England by John Richard Green (1885) The Students Dictionary of Anglo-Saxon by Henry Sweet  (1897)

Lady St Mary Church, Wareham

[caption id="attachment_255" align="aligncenter" width="866"]  by Charlesdrakew, Lady St Mary Church, Wareham, Dorset, public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wareham_Lady_St_Mary_Church_2.JPG[/caption] The Grade I listed building of Lady St. Mary Church is a parish church situated to the south east of the market town of Wareham, Dorset; parallel to the Priory Hotel and a stone throw away from Wareham’s Quay and the River Frome. Originally the church was attached to a priory of a Benedictine Nunnery that was possibly established in AD 672. But Lady St. Mary itself, has two possible dates regarding its inception. Firstly, according to 12^th century historian William of Malmesbury, St. Aldhelm had founded a church that was ‘close’ to Wareham Town. However, Lady St. Mary is mainly accepted to be the most likely site for St. Aldhelm’s church. The pious Aldhelm is notable for introducing Benedictine rule during his Abbotship at Malmesbury Abbey, appointed in AD 675. This fact coincides with Wareham already having a site of a Benedictine Nunnery. Therefore, if William of Malmesbury is correct, Lady St. Mary would have been built during St. Aldhelm’s Abbotship (AD 675 to 709), but realistically this would have been during the years of his prime. And secondly, more recent scholars have dated the ancient minister of Lady St. Mary as being founded in circa AD 800. Dr Richard Gem details this in the journal of the British Archaeological Association volume 146. The priory was destroyed during the Danish raid of Wareham in AD 876. Princess Ælfthryth (Alfrida) is reported to have rebuilt the priory in circa AD 900; she is the daughter of King Alfred the Great, and married the Margrave of Flanders, Baldwin II, changing her status as Princess Ælfthryth of Wessex to countess of Flanders.  

Architecture

  The size of the old Anglo-Saxon building was very much the size of the present Lady St. Mary and survived, in large, until the mid-19^th century where unfortunately most of the Anglo-Saxon architecture (the nave) was demolished prior to the rebuilding in 1841 to 1842. Other sections of the church were built at different periods - St. Edward’s Chapel in the 12^th century; the chancel, including Becket Chapel and vice, are early 13^th century; the west tower is probably early 16^th century, for example. The style of the church is mainly of Norman/Gothic architecture. In 1864, two watercolour paintings were based upon sketches made before the churches partial demolition and gives us the general impression of the old building which shows the Anglo-Saxon nave, although this may not be reliable in matters of detail. During the demolition in 1840, five stone slabs with Brittonic inscriptions, including Latin elements, were found built into the old nave. Two of the inscriptions are dated to the 7^th century, one dated between the 7^th and 8^th century, another dated to the late 8^th century, and the last one dated between the 8^th and 9^th century. These five stone slabs are believed to be memorials originally erected in the cemetery of the Saxon Monastery, or from a Briton church that preceded it, presumably on the same site. -  images of the stone slabs: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/dorset/vol2/plate-165 The church is made of Purbeck limestone which consists both ashlar (the tower) and rubble. The roofs are covered with slate tiles, with the nave and tower having embattled parapets. The nave is a four-bay nave flanked by two aisles; the west walls of the aisles are considered Saxon. The tower was built in four stages divided by moulded stringcourses, with a moulded plinth and embattled parapet above the parapet string with grotesque gargoyles. The first three levels have diagonal buttressing. There is a north-west vestry which was built in the early 16^th century and has a moulded plinth and two-stage buttresses. The south-west porch is now the vestry, and has a small reset 14^th century cinque-foiled ogee head window on the west wall. The west entrance porch of the tower has diagonal buttresses, a mould plinth, and a parapet with four moulded square panels above a stringcourse on the west face. The impressive long chancel was enlarged circa 1325, the east wall has an exceptionally large stained-glass window with seven trefoiled and transomed lights with net tracery in a four-centred head and cusping below the transom. It was installed by Clayton & Bell between 1886 and 1890, including the window on the eastern wall of the tower. [caption id="attachment_277" align="aligncenter" width="640"] by Chris Downer, Lady St. Mary interior, Wareham Town, CC BY-SA 2.0  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wareham_parish_church,_interior_-_geograph.org.uk_-_531210.jpg[/caption] To the north of the Chancel is the organ chamber and was designed and built by Crickmay of Weymouth in 1893. It was funded by James Dugdale, the brother of Mrs. Rodgett, who dedicated the construction of a three-manual organ to the memory of her armature musician husband in 1883; although modern alteration has been added. The organ room has a reset 14^th century window on the north wall. To the south of the chancel is 'St. Edwards Chapel' and was built in circa 1100. Originally the chapel was a single storey which included a floor that was lowered three feet below the nave. 13^th century additions of the vaulting, vaulting shafts, and an upper floor were added to the original building of circa 1100. In the south east corner of the chancel is the small 'Becket Chapel', and was built during the same period of the chancel enlargement and vice, which is located at the north east corner of the chancel. (circa 1325). The chapel is 6ft 3in by 8ft 6in, and has a stone vaulted roof with moulded ribs and bosses. For more details about the interior and exterior, please go to the source links provided at the bottom.  

A Resting Place Fit For A King

  Lady St. Mary is believed to be the site where two kings from the notable House of Wessex are said to have been buried here. This royal house is uncommonly, but also known as the Cerdicingas Dynasty. King Beorhtic is purported to have been buried at Wareham (Lady St. Mary) in AD 802 and in the documentary source of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, details King Edward the Martyr as being buried at Wareham without any royal honours in AD 978. As detailed in the account of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, King Edward was murdered at Corfe Castle. Below is an extract from the translated version of James Ingram: ‘AD 978 ... this year was King Edward slain, at eventide, at Corfe-gate, on the fifteenth day before calends of April. And he was buried at Wareham without any royal honour. No worse deed than this was ever done by the English nation since they first sought the land of Britain…’ King Edward ‘s resting place at Wareham was however short lived. In AD 980, Alderman Ælfhere translated his remains from Wareham to Shaftsbury Abbey and was reburied in a lavish public ceremony. [caption id="attachment_292" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] by Orionsm, stained glass window of Edward the Martyr in the grounds of Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Gardens, via Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/orionsm/50206740393/in/photolist-2juAEK4[/caption] Unfortunately, only the west walls of the two aisles are considered Anglo-Saxon, and this is the only architecture of Lady St. Mary which has survived from this period of history. It is a great shame that the Victorians did not consider preserving the Anglo-Saxon nave, which would have been a great addition to the Anglo-Saxon town of Wareham. But Lady St. Mary remains rich with features that span across the centuries. To name a few are; the unique 12^th century hexagonal lead font, a 13^th century stone coffin, two military effigies, an oak pulpit (1882), and the grave and memorial tablet of county historian Rev. John Hutchins.       [caption id="attachment_272" align="aligncenter" width="349"] by Michael Day, 12th century hexagonal lead font, Lady St. Mary Church, Wareham Town, via  flickr  https://flic.kr/p/bVnQmX [/caption] Lady St. Mary’s Anglo-Saxon origins will always remain significant to Wareham Town, regardless of the evolution of the Norman-Gothic building we see today. Author: Jimmer of Wessex   Sources: A Topographical Dictionary of England: Comprising the Several Counties, Cities, Boroughs ... : Samuel Lewis : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive PARISH CHURCH OF LADY ST MARY, Wareham Town - 1120029 | Historic England Wareham Lady St. Mary | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) Plate 163: Wareham Lady St. Mary, St. Mary's Church, Before Rebuilding | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) Journal of the British Archaeological Association vol. 146 (1993) p. 29-66 - Richard Gem

Battle Abbey

Battle Abbey, East Sussex 

1066 is renowned for being one of the most famous years in English history. It is a historical narrative etched into our brains since school. On 5th January, the English king named Edward the Confessor died without a direct heir. The following day, Harold Godwinson, the popular and resolute Earl of Wessex, was elected to sit on the vacant throne. William, Duke of Normandy (later known as William the Conqueror, also known as William the Bastard), and Harald Hardrada, King of Norway—were two ruthless leaders who yearned for conquest and claimed legitimacy to wear the English crown. Harald Hardrada would be the first to strike England with King Harold's exiled brother, Tostig Godwinson. After the Norwegian invasion force had landed, the two moved on to York and defeated Edwin, Earl of Mercia, and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria. On 25th September, Harold would march his army north to best them at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Within days, Duke William would make his move and arrive with his fleet at Pevensey (or other nearby landing sites) in East Sussex. King Harold's army would swiftly endure a march of 270 miles to face-off with William’s forces at a location near Hastings, East Sussex; this location would later be known as Battle. On 14th October, the Battle of Hastings famously ended in Harold's death and defeat, with William succeeding the crown in victory and the eventual conquest over England.   [caption id="attachment_369" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] by Vittorio Vida, Bayeux Tapestry (close up), via https://www.flickr.com/photos/vittoriovida/7354397384/[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_370" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] by Andre, Bayeux Tapestry, via Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/andreroseta/6248779469/[/caption]   William had layered reasons to endorse the abbey's construction. Tradition states before the battle, William pledged to build in commemoration an abbey free from episcopal control if he were to be victorious. Freedom from episcopal governance meant that the community had certain privileges protecting it against intervention from church authorities, such as regional bishops. These precursory mandates made Battle a propriety abbey, also known in Germanic Christian culture as an 'eigenkirche' and an 'ecclesia propria' in Latin. Only Canterbury had the same measure of status. In addition to the battle, William would dedicate the establishment of the abbey to the Holy Trinity, Virgin Mary and St Martin of Tours—a favoured saint among Norman society. William's motivation to push for the abbey's creation could have been born from either self-merit, guilt or spiritual penance, or a mixture of all three. A good indicator of William's character and consideration is that the chosen site was unpopular with both monks and builders. The ground area had a soft clay surface compounded with an undrained swamp. The nearby battlefield would have been uneven heathland partly enclosed by the dense forest of the Weald (a large forest that once covered most of South East England). Nonetheless, despite the extra building costs and lack of a suitable water supply, William fiercely commanded the project to proceed with the high altar of its church marking the spot where Harold ostensibly fell in battle after receiving the famous arrow to the eye.   [caption id="attachment_345" align="aligncenter" width="916"] by Pauline Galna, Wooden Sculpture of a Norman Archer in front of Battle Abbey, via https://www.flickr.com/photos/144988921@N07/45239681212/[/caption] Thousands died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, but many more perished in England as William consolidated his throne with an iron fist. A ruthless example of William's attempt to quell any rebellions against his rule was during the campaigns of 1069-70 in Northern England, known as the Harrying of the North. An Anglo-Danish uprising would engender William to march his forces North to commit the mass slaughter and starvation of its people, the destruction and pillaging of its communities and farmsteads, and the displacement of its regional Anglo-Saxon nobility and population. William did a scorched earth tactic to break the North's will while sending a message to the rest of England that he was here to stay. However, this unsurprisingly came at a cost to his image and conscience. Thus, Battle Abbey's existence was likely also born from moral atonements demanded by Pope Alexander II and the Bishops of Normandy for the ruthless invasion and subjugation of the English. According to a contemporary Benedictine monk named Orderic Vitalis, William the Conqueror was quoted to have confessed his transgressions on his deathbed: 'I've persecuted the natives of England beyond all reason, whether gentle or simple. I have cruelly oppressed them and unjustly disinherited them, killed innumerable multitudes by famine or the sword and become the barbarous murderer of many thousands both young and old of that fine race of people.'   [caption id="attachment_348" align="aligncenter" width="306"] Statue of William the Conqueror, Falaise, France, Man vyi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Aside from the Bayeux Tapestry and accounts made by a contemporary historian named William of Poitiers,the exact location of the Battle of Hastings is shrouded in mystery. The longstanding concept is that the battle took place on abbey grounds. Although, some sources debate whether the bulk of the fighting near the Hastings area instead happened at Crowhurst (a village 3 miles south of modern-day Battle) or Caldbec Hill (1 mile north of the abbey). However, from William's unyielding drive and detail to construct the abbey against opposing requests, we can surmise from its ongoing special status that its location held substantial value both historically and politically. The first holy residents of the abbey would be monks imported from Marmoutier, France. Though founded in 1067, the completion of the abbey and its church would happen between 1070-1094. William the Conqueror would never see the project finished, but his son, William (also known as Rufus, meaning 'the Red' in Latin), would see it completed. At the time of completion, it was one of the wealthiest religious establishments in the whole of England.   [caption id="attachment_352" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] by Emma, Vaulted Novices' Chamber, via https://www.flickr.com/photos/24771208@N05/2735696497/[/caption] During its heyday, the abbey would have consisted of a great gatehouse (as the entrance), a courthouse, a chapter house, an inner parlour, a precinct wall, the abbey church (which included the alter positioned in the legendary spot where Harold died during the battle), a terrace and guest range (used by the Cellarer for offices and additional storage), a common room, a cloister, an infirmary and a dairy and icehouse. In addition, the dining hall, kitchen and frater were located in the south-range; the west-range housed storage and accommodation; and lastly, sited at the east-range was the dorter, latrines and novices' chamber. Historical significance alone would bestow wealth and advantages upon Battle Abbey. Being free from episcopal polity left it spared from clerical examination by the local Bishop of Chichester. Nonetheless, the Archbishop of Canterbury still had the sole right to interfere with the abbey's domestic affairs.

'He who labours as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands.'

[caption id="attachment_385" align="aligncenter" width="348"] Saint Benedict of Nursia, NN, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] These are the words and Rule of St Benedict that the monks at Battle lived by daily. A mixture of prayer, liturgy and work structured life at the abbey. As the abbey flourished, so did the town of Battle on its doorstep. Local merchants, traders, farmers and artisans profited greatly through providing services and commodities to the monastic community. The town's contribution did not go unnoticed; in 1115, St Marys Church (which still stands today) was established by Abbot Ralph and his monks for the community. [caption id="attachment_355" align="aligncenter" width="683"] by Paul Jackson, St Mary's Church, Battle, East Sussex, via https://www.flickr.com/photos/92943860@N00/299346047/[/caption] From 1139, Abbot Walter de Luci became a prominent protector and innovator for Battle Abbey. Unfortunately for de Luci, the abbey's existence did not sit well with opposing jurisdictions at Canterbury and Chichester. Theobald of Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, did not want a rival establishment of equal power; moreover, Bishop Hilary of Chichester did not want to omit a valuable asset within his diocese. So, in 1157, a case was put together and presented to Henry II that challenged the abbey's charter. To Canterbury and Chichester, the story of William's pre-battle vow of episcopal control was seen as being a convenient and far-fetched safeguard for Walter. And they both had a right to be dubious—for, in 1154, the aforementioned vow initially emerged in a forged charter which the monks at Battle had produced. Nonetheless, due to personal affinities from the king and his court, the forgery was still enough to preserve the abbey's special status. During the thirteenth century, the abbots put most of their finances towards revamping the abbey's church and the buildings near the cloister. In 1211, to keep Battle's old episcopal freedoms, the monks had to pay King John 1500 marks, which was a considerable amount of money for the time. Battle earned more power and privileges during Hamo of Offyngton's tenure as abbot from 1364–83. Though the mitre (an ornate hat worn for special ceremonies) is exclusively bespoken for bishops, consent was granted by the papacy for the abbots of Battle to wear one thenceforth. In addition, it became common for Battle abbots to contribute to matters of secular governance via a seat in parliament (the House of Lords). Alas, what also became common, were coastal incursions made by French forces during the Hundred Years War. The abbots would provide security and safety to the local towns and their inhabitants, to the extent that Abbot Hamo himself, at the head of a small army, successfully repelled a French force close to Winchelsea in 1377. The defences against French raids would amount to further costs. Eventually, in the fourteenth century, the Black Death would incur a substantial loss of life within the Battle community. These compounding factors massively drained the abbey's resources [caption id="attachment_357" align="aligncenter" width="671"] Edward II after the Battle of Crécy in 1346 during the Hundred Years War, Virgil Master (illuminator), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_372" align="aligncenter" width="640"] by N Chadwick, The Gatehouse, Battle Abbey, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]   The final blow came during the reign of Henry VIII after his split from the Catholic faith. From 1536-1541, King Henry would dissolve monasteries, abbeys, friaries, convents and priories across his kingdom. It would be a time known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and not even Battle Abbey could escape its penalties. Henry's decision to split from Rome to create the Church of England was very advantageous for him. Not only could he divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon, but he could confiscate many wealthy Catholic assets within England. For example, during the 16th century, Battle Abbey's income was valued at £880 per year, equivalent to £873,000 today. The contemporary abbot was John Hamond, and although Henry would remove Hamond and his monks from the abbey, the king would still grant them pensions and reparations. [caption id="attachment_360" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Henry VIII, After Hans Holbein the Younger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Henry would gift Battle and most of its estates, along with a nunnery, priory and two other abbeys, to Sir Anthony Browne. Anthony was the king's Master of the Horse, Standard Bearer, Knight of the Shire and closest confidant. Before turning the west-range (the abbot's residence) into a secular country house, Anthony demolished sections of the cloister while completely tearing down the church and chapter house. Additionally, he restructured the old guesthouse into lodgings for notable visitors. During the late 17th century, his great-grandson, Francis Browne (3rd Viscount of Montagu), had the old monastic kitchen razed. [caption id="attachment_362" align="aligncenter" width="405"] Sir Anthony Browne, Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Being best mates with the most powerful man in the country had its perks for Sir Anthony Browne. Anthony would pass these paternal privileges down to his son and successor, also named Anthony Browne. During the short reign of Mary I, she made Anthony Browne (Jr) the 1st Viscount of Montagu. Paradoxically, despite his father playing his part well in the Dissolution, he was devoted to Catholicism and created a national hub at Battle for contemporary Catholics.   The abbey's fate fell to another Anthony Browne—the 6th Viscount of Montagu—who sold the estate between 1715-1721 to politician Sir Thomas Webster, 1st Baronet. Under the Websters, they demolished the guest range renovated initially by the first Sir Anthony Browne, with the estate grounds and parks falling into poor condition. Yet, it would take the 5th Baronet, Sir Geoffrey Webster, to make beneficial investments in restoring and excavating the property during the early 19th century. More keen renovation investors came when the Duke and Duchess of Cleveland bought and resided in the abbey from 1857–1901. The two would employ the services of the architect Henry Clutton, who would build a new library in the west range alongside improving other derelict areas. [caption id="attachment_363" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Battle Abbey Ruins/Dorter, WyrdLight.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] The Duchess of Cleaveland would die in 1901, resulting in the Webster family repurchasing the estate. Even today, only the slight layout of the old abbey church remains. As a result, the famous high altar, which would have stood to mark the alleged area where Harold fell, would be replaced by a memorial plague in 1903. The plaque was erected as a symbolic monument to Harold donated by the people of Normandy. From 1922 to the present day, the abbot's lodgings in the west-range has been part of the Battle Abbey School. Unfortunately, parts of the estate were severely damaged during a fire in 1931. However, another architect by the name of Sir Harold Brakspear would create a further restoration project. Alongside architecture, Brakspear was also an avid archaeologist and would publish an illustrated historical sketchbook of Battle Abbey. During WW2, Canadian troops were predominately stationed at Battle Abbey, with one bomb being dropped by a low flying German aircraft that narrowly missed the main gatehouse. [caption id="attachment_364" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Harold Monument, WyrdLight.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_365" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Battle Abbey School/Dorter and Cloister Remains, WyrdLight.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] In the wake of 900 years of history, the lack of upkeep funds resulted in long periods of intermittent disuse and disrepair; in the end, the Webster descendants sold the abbey to the state in 1976. This purchase was only possible thanks to a donation given by a group of American citizens to celebrate the bicentenary of the United States. It is now under the care of English Heritage as a Grade I listed site with continuous structural conservation and archaeological excavations. Tourists flock from across the UK and worldwide to visit the abbey ruins, 13th-16th century buildings, museum, re-enactment events and assumed battlefield location (situated in front of the site to the south). [caption id="attachment_366" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Battle Abbey Entrance for Visitors. Photographer: Ann Collier. Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/2mrEpGV[/caption]   Author: Thomas Davies  

The Coronation Stone

The Coronation Stone

 

The coronation stone was used in ceremonies for the royal consecration of Kings from the Kingdom of Wessex during the 10^th century, in Kingston-upon-Thames - a royal demesne manor. According to tradition the ceremony of coronation was performed on a large stone block, where statues of several monarchs were long preserved near the spot in the Chapel of St. Mary.

 The Stone block is attributed to the coronations of seven Wessex Kings; Edward the Elder in 900 AD, Æthelstan in 925 AD, Edmund I in 939 AD, Eadred in 946 AD, Eadwig in c. 955 AD, Edward the Martyr in 975 AD, and Æthelred the Unready in 978 AD.

Although there is only some evidence that Edward the Eder, Edumd I, Eadwig and Edward the Martyr of being consecrated at Kingston, one could speculate that other coronations could have taken place, but their documented account has been unfortunately lost to the memory hole of history.

These seven kings are from the royal dynasty of the House of Wessex and were historically styled as the Kings of Wessex. King Edward the Elder, or Eadweard cyning in Old English, was styled ‘Kings of the Anglo-Saxons’ (Anglorum Saxonum rex) in which he continuing the title that his father, Alfred the Great, created after Æthelred, Lord of Mercia, accepted West Saxon lordship. This new title represented a new polity of all the English people (Anglo-Saxons) who were not under Viking rule. 

In the next succession to the throne, Edward the Elder’s son, King Æthelstan, conquered Viking York in 927 AD and hence forth adopted the title ‘King of the English’ (rex anglorum), in recognition of his rule over England. Therefore, the Coronation Stone is regarded as the coronation of the ‘Kings of the English’.

By the late 17^th century, visitor to the chapel of St Mary had recorded the interior containing paintings of the Saxon kings who were consecrated, according to the website of the chapel’s current ecclesiastical building, All Saints Church; whereas Samuel Lewis’ A Topographical Dictionary of England (1831) states they were statues. All Saints Church was built next to the chapel in 1120 and outside the south door are some outlines marked by stone, which are the remains of the Saxon church.

The Chapel of St. Mary collapsed in 1730 but the Coronation Stone was recovered from the ruins  and placed outside the Town Hall (the Market House today in the Market Place) where it was used as a mounting block until 1850. It was move to its current location situated next to the Guildhall in Kingston-Upon-Thames, the south west of Greater London. It has been preserved as a registered Grade I Listed Building since 1983.

This king-making stone is a natural sandstone block known as a sarsen stone, which are found in southern England, especially on Salisbury Plain and the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire, and in the county of Kent. This ancient sarsen stone block stands 3  feet high and is set on a granite base with the inscribed names of the kings traditionally crowned upon it and encircled by cast iron railings and balustrade.

According to Leland, the town was built by the Saxons and appears to have derived its name from Kyningestun. In Old English, tūn is the masculine noun meaning ‘enclosure round house, yard, garden; manor, estate, farm’. es~tūn means ‘living on a manor; village; town or dwelling’; and cyning (kyning) means ‘king’. The excepted translation of Kyningestun (Cyningestun) is ‘King’s manor or estate’.

Thankfully the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames have payed homage to their royal roots as the balustrade monument of the Coronation Stone is a reflection of a tradition which has long passed, and although some passer-by’s may think this old rock is insignificant, on the contrary the rich history of Kingston will assure those passer-by’s the monuments relevance in English history.