Holmcultram Abbey

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Holme Cultram Abbey
Holme abbey west end 2017.jpg
Holmcultram Abbey 2017
Monastery information
Full nameHolmcultram Abbey
Order Cistercian
Established1150
Disestablished1538
Diocese Carlisle
Site
Location Abbeytown, Cumbria
Visible remains Nave; now a parish church
Public accessYes

Holmcultram Abbey (alternatively Holm Cultram Abbey or Holme Cultram Abbey) was a Cistercian monastery in what is now the village of Abbeytown in Cumbria, United Kingdom.

Contents

Founded in 1150, the abbey was suppressed in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The former monastic church remains in use as a parish church (St Mary's Church, Abbeytown) and a place of worship.

Foundation and Scots connections

The abbey was founded in 1150 by Cistercian monks from Melrose Abbey on land given by Alan of Allerdale. [1] In territory formerly held by Scotland, the land was granted by Prince Henry and the building was made of stone from north of the Solway Firth. The area was later regained by Henry II of England who confirmed the grant of land in 1157. The abbey rented land in Galloway and held it for 200 years, disposing of it when it became no longer possible for Englishmen to hold land in Scotland. [2]

History

The abbey steadily became prosperous, acquiring lands in north Cumberland and undertaking reclamation work along the Solway. In 1301 it was granted a market at Skinburness, together with permission to build a church. Following violent storms which devastated Skinburness, both permissions were transferred to Newton Arlosh, where the abbey built a heavily fortified chapel of ease. [3] Experience had shown that the abbey's Scots origins did not protect it from attacks by Scots raiders, from whom it suffered repeatedly from 1216 onwards, with a particularly severe attack in 1319, by Robert the Bruce, despite his father being buried there.

The community established a daughter house at Grey Abbey in County Down in Northern Ireland in 1193.

Dissolution

This former Cumberland monastic community was dissolved in 1538, when the parish petitioned for, and obtained, the use of the church; the abbot became the first rector.

Buildings

The buildings are constructed of red sandstone from the other side of the Solway. Archaeological excavations from 2006 onwards have shown that the monastic buildings extended to the south of the church, and followed the usual Cistercian pattern. The church was along the north side of the cloister, with other buildings on the other three sides, the refectory being opposite the church and the chapter house to the west. [4] The former abbey church underwent a series of structural accidents (such as the collapse of the tower in 1600) and alterations as a result of which it gradually shrank to comprise the first six bays of the nave, without aisles. In addition the roof was lowered to the height of a single storey and there were two energetic restorations in 1883 and 1913. This nevertheless left a large enough building to continue to serve to the present day as the parish church of Abbeytown.

Fire and restoration

The church was severely damaged by arson on 9 June 2006, when original records of the monastery, including the cartulary, were destroyed. [5] It took over nine years to complete repair work to the abbey, but it was eventually fully restored and reopened to the public in September 2015. From the time of the arson attack until the reopening, parishioners worshipped in one of the side rooms which had been left undamaged. Also in September 2015, a further archaeological dig was being conducted in the grounds. [6]

Burials

Earl of Carrick stone, Holme Abbey Earl of carrick stone holme abbey.jpg
Earl of Carrick stone, Holme Abbey

See also

Sources

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References

  1. ↑ 'Records: The foundation and growth to 1200', in "Register and Records of Holme Cultram", ed. Francis Grainger and W G Collingwood (Kendal, 1929), pp. 117–126. British History Online
  2. ↑ Brooke, Daphne, "Wild Men and Holy Places". Canongate Books 1994
  3. ↑ Salmon, M., "A history of St John's Church, Newton Arlosh". Information leaflet 1991
  4. ↑ West Cumbria Archaeological Society, "Archaeological Investigations 2006–2010". Information leaflet 2011
  5. ↑ www.theguardian.com
  6. ↑ "Holme Cultram St Mary Abbey open nine years after arson attack". BBC News. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.

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