Jarrow Priory |
| Hob Uid: 26515 | |
Location :
South Tyneside
Non Civil Parish
|
| Grid Ref : NZ3380065100 |
| Summary : The remains of an Anglo-Saxon and Medieval monastery, founded in 681 AD by St Benedict Biscop and King Egfrid of Northumbria. The great chronicler of the early church in England, the Venerable Bede, died there in 735. It was raided by the Vikings in 794 (1579441) and in about 870 it was abandoned after being destroyed by fire. Bede's remains were transported to Durham in 1022. Jarrow was burnt by William I in 1069. The monastery was restored as a Benedictine Priory in 1072 and became a "cell" of Durham Priory in 1083. It was dissolved in 1536. During the late 18th century part of the remains were demolished. St Paul's Church with 19th century nave overlying foundations of the main Anglo-Saxon monastery church demolished in 1782. The present chancel of St Paul's Church is the early 8th century eastern chapel, originally quite separate from the main church, (see record 955160). To the south are the considerable 11th century monastic remains. At least 33 pre-Conquest carved and inscribed stones have been found on the site, dating from the late 7th century to the 11th century. These include cross fragments, grave markers and slabs, baluster friezes, and possibly fragments of church furniture. Excavations have located part of the 7th century cemetery and a boundary ditch, possibly the precinct boundary. There is also evidence of a secular settlement surrounding the monastery, (see record 26575). A number of 12th-15th century buildings associated with the monastery were also discovered. The site is in the care of English Heritage. |
More information : NZ 33876518. St Paul's Monastery (NR) (remains of) (NAT)
NZ 33826522 St Paul's Church (NAT) (1)
The monastery of St. Paul, Jarrow, founded 681 AD and associated with the Venerable Bede, was ravaged and burnt several times during the 8th to 11th centuries. In 1074, Aldwin restored the monastery as a Benedictine priory and in 1083 it become a cell of Durham. Dissolved 1536. (2)
St. Paul's Church with 19th century nave overlying foundations of the main Anglo-Saxon monastery church demolished in 1782. The present chancel is the early 8th century eastern chapel, originally quite separate from the main church. To the south are the considerable 11th century monastic remains. Many pre-Conquest carved and inscribed stones have been found on the site. (3)
Excavations in 1963-67 and later (4-5)
History of the site: Built in 682/3 (Bede died here in 735). It was raided by Vikings in 794 and about 870 was abandoned after destruction by fire. In 1072 Aldwin (Prior of Winchcombe Gloucestershire) began to rebuild and restore the site and about 1083 it became a dependent cell of Durham and was dissolved in 1537. It seems an incumbent lived on the site until 1715. In the late 18th century the east and part of the south range of the Medieval monastery were demolished and subsequently schools (now destroyed) built inside and outside the old monastic enclosure (see attached 1/1250).
Saxon remains are incorporated in the present St. Paul's Church (which is still in use and as described by authority 3) and there is also part of the north wall of a building 'D', the base of which had been revetted with heavy blocks possibly of reused Roman stone. The D of E have also marked (by tiles at ground level) the outline of two Saxon buildings 'A' and 'B' proved by previous excavations. Remains (though not "considerable" as suggested) of 11th century walling and buildings also exist, and a later Medieval oven has been partly preserved.
Published Survey (1/1250) revised. (6)(7)
Ruins of Jarrow Monastery, Grade I. Scheduled ancient monument. Remains of monastery. Post-Norman west range; perhaps 13th century south range; post-Reformation addition to north-west of south range. Built as a Benedictine house. Sandstone blocks. Square plan, of which the church of St Paul forms the north range.
East range: only part of the undercroft of the reredorter survives.
South range: a wall having one round-headed opening.
West range: a high wall having 2 doors; 2 slabs form the triangular head of the southernmost, recessed free-standing columns support the recessed round-head of the other. Excavations have revealed the plans of earlier buildings and these are marked out on the ground. (8)
St. Paul's Monastery, revised at 1:2500 on MSD (see illustration card). (9)
At least 33 fragments of Saxon sculpted stonework have been found in and around the church. They include:
Ten cross-shaft and head fragments of 8th-11th century date;
Three gravestone fragments of 7th-8th century date;
Two pillar fragments of late 7th-early 8th century date;
An 8th century building stone;
A architectural panel of late 7th-8th century date;
A slab of late 7th-8th century date;
Twenty-five baluster shafts of the 7th and 8th centuries;
A socket/church furnishing and impost of undefined Anglian date. (10)
Additional reference (13)
Updated monographs on the Wearmouth and Jarrow monastic sites published in 2005-6. The first of the volumes covers the full interpretation of the archaeological sequences from excavations carried out between 1959 and 1988 (also with reference to standing ruins); whilst the second deals with structural materials and finds. (14-15)
Brief accessible overview of the site included in a guide for visitors. (16)
For an account of the Raid on Jarrow, please see associated record 1579441. (17) |