ST CUTHBERTS CHAPEL

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Mediaeval monastic settlement of the monks of Durham, Farne Islands. C12/C13 chapel rebuilt in the 14th century and extensively restored 1840-50. Older masonry in squared stone. Elsewhere random whinstone rubble with sandstone dressings. Single-cell building of 4 bays. South-East of the chapel are the remains of a second chapel, now incorporated in the National Trust building, a stone coffin, and a C15th font.

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Cell of Benedictine Monks. (1)

Farne Island. Cell of Benedictine (Black) Monks founded c. 1255,
dissolved c.1538. Net income in 1535 was #12. Dependent on Durham.
Scheduled as an Ancient Monument.
Several monks lived on the island as hermits including St Bartholomew
of Farne who died c. 1193, but it did not become a regular cell of
Durham till c.1255, when it was establised for two monks, one being
master. (2)

From the time of Cuthbert, Farne become a place of resort to monks of
Lindisfarne and was used by a succession of hermits. Soon after the
death of Bartholomew the Convent of Durham determined that Farne be
inhabited by two monks of their body.[List of Masters 1255-1536].(3)

The first master of Farne was appointed in 1255 and the house was
dissolved in 1536 (27th Henry VIII).
The number of monks varied; there were usually the master and the
associate, but occasionally there were as many as six, in addition to
the servants, living on the island.
Ample and varied endowments were soon granted but some had ceased to
be of value long before the 16th century. In addition to caring for
the pilgrims the monks cultivated the soil and kept livestock.
After the Dissolution the Farne Islands were granted to the Dean and
Chapter of Durham. Following the establishment of the first
lighthouse in 1673 the 'islands were leased to Francis Liddle and from then until the early 19th century there were a succession of tenants.
The Venerable Charles Thorp (Archdeacon of Durham 1831-62) became the
tenant of the island and in 1848 carried out extensive restoration
work. In 1861 the islands were sold to Archdeacon Thorp.
In 1927-8 further restoration was made, the islands by then having
been vested in the National Trust. (4)

[Brief description]. (5)

At the Dissolution there were two religious on Farne Islands. (6)

Centred NU 21803598. (7)

Chapel of St Cuthbert. Grade II*. Chapel. C12 or C13 masonry in lower
part of north wall. Rebuilt C14, extensively restored 1840-50. Single
cell building of 4 bays. Left bay has blocked original 2-light
Decorated window.

Stone coffin, c.10 yards south of Chapel of St Cuthbert. Grade II.
Stone coffin. Medieval. Sandstone.

Font c. 10 yards south-west of Chapel of St Cuthbert. Grade II.
Probably late C15. Sandstone. Original base and octagonal bowl with
slightly concave sides.

Remains of chapel to south-east of Chapel of St Cuthbert. Grade II.
Remains of walls, now incorporated into C20 National Trust
information centre. Medieval. Random rubble and squared stone. Of
features only the jambs of a blocked doorway remain. Included for
group value. (8)

NU 218 359. Monastic settlement on Farne Island. Scheduled No ND/104.
(9)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Archaeologia Aeliana : or miscellaneous tracts relating to antiquity

(R.N. Hadcock) Medieval Map of Northumberland and Durham 16, 1939 Page(s)171

( 2) by David Knowles and R Neville Hadcock 1971 Medieval religious houses in England and Wales

Page(s)65

( 3) General reference

'History of North Durham' 1852 pp 339-362, map, illust (J. RAINE M.A)

( 4) General reference

'The Farne Islands' 1951, pp 23-443 plan (no scale), illust (GRACE WATT)

( 5) General reference

H. Berwick N.C. 3, 1850-6, pp 224-7. (GRO. TATE)

( 6) Archaeologia Aeliana : or miscellaneous tracts relating to antiquity

(DENYS HAY) 15, 1938 Page(s)73

( 7) Field Investigators Comments

First OS archaeology field investigator EG 14-MAY-57

(8) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

DOE (HHR) Boro of Berwick upon Tweed, Northumbs 26-Aug-1987 99-100

(9) Scheduled Monument Notification

English Heritage SAM List Northumbs March 1994 27

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