Holmcultram Abbey
Cistercian | |
Established | 1150 |
---|---|
Disestablished | 1538 |
Diocese | Carlisle |
Site | |
Location | Abbeytown, Cumbria |
Visible remains | Nave; now a parish church |
Public access | Yes |
Holmcultram Abbey (alternatively Holm Cultram Abbey or Holme Cultram Abbey) was a
.Founded in 1150, the abbey was suppressed in 1538 during the
Foundation and Scots connections
The abbey was founded in 1150 by Cistercian monks from
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
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]
-
Church after restoration looking east
-
Church looking west with restoration work ongoing
-
New window in restored north transept
-
East window
Burials
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Earl_of_carrick_stone_holme_abbey.jpg/220px-Earl_of_carrick_stone_holme_abbey.jpg)
See also
- List of Cistercian monasteries
- Listed buildings in Holme Abbey
- List of English abbeys, priories and friaries serving as parish churches
Sources
- New, Anthony, 1985: A Guide to the Abbeys of England and Wales. London: Constable ISBN 009463520X
- Robinson, David (ed.), 2002: The Cistercian Abbeys of Britain. London: B.T. Batsford ISBN 0713487275
References
- ^ '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
- ^ Brooke, Daphne, "Wild Men and Holy Places". Canongate Books 1994
- ^ Salmon, M., "A history of St John's Church, Newton Arlosh". Information leaflet 1991
- ^ West Cumbria Archaeological Society, "Archaeological Investigations 2006–2010". Information leaflet 2011
- ^ www.theguardian.com
- ^ "Holme Cultram St Mary Abbey open nine years after arson attack". BBC News. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.