The dramatic ruins of the medieval Tynemouth Priory and Castle dominate the rocky headland at the northern mouth of the River Tyne. The entire area has a complex history with a human presence from prehistoric to modern times. It was, for centuries, the site of a monastery, but also a fortified site – one of
Wharram Percy is one of Britain’s most famous, fascinating and intensively researched deserted medieval villages. A great deal is known about Wharram Percy. The site was probably in use occupied from the Iron Age before being abandoned in the 16th century, a period of some 5,000 years. The village existed in the Saxon period, but
Lindisfarne’s parish church of St Mary’s is thought to stand on the site of the wooden church built by St Aidan in 635 AD. The oldest part, the wall leading into the chancel, is Saxon work – so St Mary’s can lay claim to being the oldest human structure on the island. Mostly, the church
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The Alfred Memorial was erected in 1801 on what was Althelney Island to commemorate the site of King Alfred’s historic refuge from the Danes in 878/9 AD and the abbey Alfred he built on it in thanks c893 AD. The abbey was dedicated to St Peter, St Paul, and St Egelwine, was dissolved in 1540
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A visit to Whitby is not complete without seeing the dramatic and iconic medieval ruins of Whitby Abbey. They stand on a headland overlooking the harbour. The original Saxon buildings have long vanished. The more recent church building was constructed between the 12th and 15th centuries, and was dedicated to St Peter and St Hild,
There has been a church in Halton since Saxon times, when it was an important Manor. It is possible the dedication to St Wilfred commemorates a visit he made in the 7th century. The present church is mainly Victorian, except the tower, which dates from Norman times. The tower houses the remains of Saxon crosses
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The Cerne Abbas Giant is one of Britain’s best known hill figures, cut into the hillside near the pretty Dorset village of Cerne Abbas. It is formed of a cut trench about 1 foot deep and across, stands 180 feet (55 metres) high and depicts a nude male wielding a large club. Possibly its most
Coventry’s Lady Godiva statue is situated in the City’s central square, Broadgate, which was redeveloped following the bombing of World War Two. Godiva, or Godgifu, was a pious 11th century noblewoman, the wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia. According to a legend that dates back to at least the 13th century, she rode naked –
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Though obviously much restored and refurbished, it is claimed that All Saints, Brixworth, is the largest surviving Anglo-Saxon building – let alone church – in Britain. It has been a place of Christian worship for something like 1300 years. It is also known that a monastery was founded on the site toward the end of
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Ely Cathedral has a fascinating history. It was founded as a monastic community by Queen Etheldreda in the 7th century on the site of an earlier church. Sacked by the Danes, it was refounded by Benedictine monks in the 10th century and became a centre of learning. There was a monastic school on the site
Bosham is a gem on Chichester harbour and reputedly the oldest Christian site in Sussex. The Venerable Bede mentions that “an Irish (ie Celtic) monk named Dicul had a very small monastery in the place which is called Bosanham”, sometime in the 7th century. Bosham was probably settled long before that – the Romans were
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The Battle of Stamford Bridge, near York, was a significant battle on 25 September 1066, between King Harold’s English army and an invading force of Norsemen under Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson, Harold’s brother. The Norsemen, camped on the east bank of the River Derwent, where the current village is, were attacked from the west
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