Are we going to find out more about one of the north of England’s first great writers, the Venerable Bede who recorded the history of Anglo-Saxon England?
Although never actually canonised, he has always been seen as a potential patron for journalists, because he is said to have written his mighty work The Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation without ever leaving his monastery in Jarrow.
Like pretty much everything else about him, however, that allegation is unproven and unprovable. But this might just change. A survey by ground-penetrating radar has revealed what may be an underground chamber below St Paul’s church in the Tyneside town, where the monastery stood.
The discovery came during research to bolster a joint application for World Heritage Site status by Jarrow and Wearmouth which was also a famous Anglo Saxon monastic centre. Any suggestion of archaeological riches would give this a major helping hand, although locals are being warned not to get too excited.
Dr Sam Turner, senior lecturer in archaeology at Newcastle University, tells the Shields Gazette:
"It could be a 19th-century burial vault, which is probably more likely, and the level of resolution in a 7th-century church chancel means we cannot be certain at this point. But the cavity may be earlier, which potentially could make it very important."
Mysterious chamber under church could hold clues to the Venerable Bede
Mysterious chamber under church could hold clues to the Venerable Bede
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Saturday, September 24, 2011 | News
Powered by Guardian.co.ukThis article titled “Mysterious chamber under church could hold clues to the Venerable Bede” was written by Martin Wainwright, for guardian.co.uk on Friday 23rd September 2011 07.00 UTC
Are we going to find out more about one of the north of England’s first great writers, the Venerable Bede who recorded the history of Anglo-Saxon England?
Although never actually canonised, he has always been seen as a potential patron for journalists, because he is said to have written his mighty work The Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation without ever leaving his monastery in Jarrow.
Like pretty much everything else about him, however, that allegation is unproven and unprovable. But this might just change. A survey by ground-penetrating radar has revealed what may be an underground chamber below St Paul’s church in the Tyneside town, where the monastery stood.
The discovery came during research to bolster a joint application for World Heritage Site status by Jarrow and Wearmouth which was also a famous Anglo Saxon monastic centre. Any suggestion of archaeological riches would give this a major helping hand, although locals are being warned not to get too excited.
Dr Sam Turner, senior lecturer in archaeology at Newcastle University, tells the Shields Gazette:
It could be a 19th-century burial vault, which is probably more likely, and the level of resolution in a 7th-century church chancel means we cannot be certain at this point. But the cavity may be earlier, which potentially could make it very important.
On the optimistic side, the size and placing of the void is reminiscent of know crypts such as those below nearby Hexham abbey, Lastingham’s beautiful church in the North York Moors and Ripon cathedral. St Paul’s is a magnificent church which incorporates much Anglo Saxon stonework, as do the ruined walls of the Norman monastery which stand alongside.
Historians have also speculated about the possibility of a timber-framed crypt, whose remains could be found if money was raised for a careful excavation. In the meantime, the World Heritage Site project is hoping for further illumination via fibre-optic examination.
Lastingham is famous for another religious reason btw. One of its vicars was had upo by the church authorities in the 18th century for also running the local pub. He was exonerated because his stipend was so small and parishioners gave evidence that his fiddle-playing in the bar was both innocent and uplifting.
This article titled “Mysterious chamber under church could hold clues to the Venerable Bede” was written by Martin Wainwright, for guardian.co.uk on Friday 23rd September 2011 07.00 UTC
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References:
Past Horizons. 2011. "Mysterious Chamber under church could hold clues to the Venerable Bede". Past Horizons. Posted: September 23, 2011. Available online: http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/09/2011/mysterious-chamber-under-church-could-hold-clues-to-the-venerable-bede
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