It’s a cold, rainy day, and I just discovered your channel. Talk about a serendipitous surprise! Although I’m American I LOVE old English churches and other kinds of buildings. ”Old” in the US is 400 years old, whereas in the UK it can be 1000 years old. My interests definitely lie in older buildings, especially ones that have been lovingly preserved and/or restored. Thanks so much!👏 PS. The Pre-Raphaelite artwork in the Lady Chapel is exquisite. Some of the patterned wall decor looks almost like the style of William Morris (a big favorite of mine!) blended with Medieval motifs. Stunning!
@@monicacall7532 Great! Well I've just been out filming today - very cold ,but sunnyish, with a date around c12th, and a battle around c15th - pretty amazing chapel, video will be out twixt Chrimbo & New Year!
@@monicacall7532 I used to work as a Deputy Custodian at Mount Grace Priory in Yorkshire, UK - where some of the interiors had the tattered remnants of William Morris wallpaper - I've ever since been a lifelong fan of his principals & practice, especially as our end of school General Studies 'A Level' exam, (pre university) at the age of 17, started with the question "Look at these images - who designed this wallpaper?" - and it was a load of wavy flowers, and I had never seen anything like that in my life before, never mind considered that people might actually be responsible for designing wallpaper! Anyways - William Morris - big love! I once visited Red House and it was so overwhelming, I did have a little cry.
@ I’m so jealous of you for being able to visit the Red House! When I first saw Morris’s work for the first time I instantly fell in love with it plus the whole Arts and Crafts movement. I also enjoy the works of the Pre Raphaelite Brotherhood. Seeing that style of art decorating that lovely church really spoke to my soul. Many thanks. 🙏
The History of this Saxon Church is truly remarkable, with the Lady Saints, very clear and well explained, with restoration,wall painting over the centuries, thank you.
Thanks Paul, it's a really breathtaking place - the scale of the masonry as you approach up the Yew-lined avenue, and then the murals inside take it to another level.
I just found your channel, and have subscribed. Wonderfully researched content, and beautifully presented in a calm, and may I say, reverential voice. Your love of these buildings is clearly evident. Our family left England for Connecticut in 1640, but we have retained a love for the 'Old Country" through the intervening centuries. Thanks, and warm wishes from the beautiful Hudson Valley!
Thanks for your kind words - just starting out, so it's good to hear that I'm striking the correct tone. Hope to explore some Hudson Valley churches one day!
Nice to hear of possibly one of my ancestors being given a mention as I have always wondered where the family fortune went to. I enjoyed this very much,. Peel Castle must be very nearby that also I believe, had a connection to the Hamerton family and had the three hammers as a family crest.
Wow amazing, thanks for sharing! Hellifield Peel is about 40miles west on the A65 - about half way between Skipton & Settle. I think there was a Grand Designs programme on it!
Worked around this place for years and never realised how ancient the church was. I always thought that Kirkdale Minster was the oldest church around.. Thanks for the great description
Brill video, very well presented and edited. I wasn't aware of Kirk Hammerton having an Anglo Saxon Church. There is one just up the road at Kirby Hill (Boroughbridge) which I used for photos, when I wrote a book on Dark Ages England, but St. John's looks a more complete example.
Thanks Johnnie - yes All Saints at Kirby Hill has some monumental-looking stones in the fabric of the Nave - I drive past every week tour guiding, but never been in yet! It's on my list - I read there's some interesting artefacts inside.
A very enjoyable and informative video! I briefly visited the church last summer on my way to the nearby civil war battlefield at Marston Moor. I wonder what activity the church witnessed on that fateful day in July 1644?
Thanks! Apparently there are mass burials in the graveyard from the battle in the churchyard - not sure if they're locals or general combatants. The first video that I made back in July is on the church at Bilton in Aintsy and its connection to Marston Moor.
nice video . my family were farmers from a bit further north . a kind of malton/helmsley/easingwold triangle . i am of anglosaxon descent . we could have easily worshipped in churches like this one ...maybe stonegrave minster which was saxon too but rebuilt by the normans :)
There's a farmhouse called Hammerton Hall near Slaidburn in Lancashire. Slaidburn church and the local landowners were very much involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace, being proximate to Clitheroe and Whalley. I wonder if it was a branch of the same family? Thanks, l've watched a number of your videos, and agree with the comments. They're really good
Maybe there was a substantial Roman building somewhere nearby. It doesn't have to come from as far away as York. There may have been a villa, mansio, or temple in the area. The mound on which it stands maybe significant, perhaps there was a pre-Christian significance, of a ritual sort here. I don't think that 'Hammer' has the straight forward interpretation to do with a smithy as you suggest. I don't think it works like that, & suspect that hammer has nothing to do with it. The Hammerton family is named from the place, not the other way round. I think Hammer is more likely a topographical reference to the river in some way. I think I have seen an interpretation somewhere that relates it to British words, possibly rationalized by later English speakers.
True, I read differing accounts either that the mound is a glacial deposit, or was a site of some significance. Would make sense if there was a temple there - the mound certainly has the same feel and proportions of the one that All Hallows church in Goodmanham stands upon, once a temple to Woden. I'm intrigued by the dedication to martyrs - I wonder if there were some early Christian converts martyred in the area.
There's some pretty MASSIVE blocks there, which might argue for York itself, and some pretty major public buildings. Then again, Aldwark isn't far off either - where eald weorc refers to an Old Work, or big old Roman structure, of which there doesn't seem to be much surviving - maybe the Kirkja at Hamortun is responsible for this!
Would recommend a visit to the church in Lastingham. Wonderful Crypt, resting place of Cedd(if i remember rightly).. Feels like walking back in time.. Great videos..
Aye, I should really say Anglo Saxon as per the video title, slip of the tongue, a lot of the published literature refers to it as Saxon, including the church’s own! I keep meaning to mention Bede’s anecdote of Pope Gregory’s “Not Angles but angels” statement in one of my videos of the period, as everything is strictly speaking Angle in the area. Interestingly, subsequent to the Vikings taking York from the Angles in 867, Æthelstan had managed to annex Northumbrian York in 927 and had been victorious at Brunanburh - but by the time Edmund and Eadred inherited the throne it had reverted back to the Vikings - around the time that the tower was built at Kirk Hammerton - it would be interesting to find out the context of the tower being added, and under which Thegn or Jarl. I tried researching what was going on at the time, but it was a bit unclear. Anyway, thanks again, will try and be mindful of this kind of thing in future!
Another great video, much enjoyd waching it👍. Keep up the great content. 🕌 edit: I had to say that is an absolutly beautyful saxon church. And btw you dutch is very good 👍🏻🇳🇱
Absolutely stunning. Thank you
@@debsbennett5632 Thank you!
Now THIS is what TH-cam should be all about! I'll definitely be watching more of your work.
@@celteuskara hey, thanks, I'll deffoes keep producing more!
It’s a cold, rainy day, and I just discovered your channel. Talk about a serendipitous surprise! Although I’m American I LOVE old English churches and other kinds of buildings. ”Old” in the US is 400 years old, whereas in the UK it can be 1000 years old. My interests definitely lie in older buildings, especially ones that have been lovingly preserved and/or restored. Thanks so much!👏
PS. The Pre-Raphaelite artwork in the Lady Chapel is exquisite. Some of the patterned wall decor looks almost like the style of William Morris (a big favorite of mine!) blended with Medieval motifs. Stunning!
@@monicacall7532 Great! Well I've just been out filming today - very cold ,but sunnyish, with a date around c12th, and a battle around c15th - pretty amazing chapel, video will be out twixt Chrimbo & New Year!
@@monicacall7532 I used to work as a Deputy Custodian at Mount Grace Priory in Yorkshire, UK - where some of the interiors had the tattered remnants of William Morris wallpaper - I've ever since been a lifelong fan of his principals & practice, especially as our end of school General Studies 'A Level' exam, (pre university) at the age of 17, started with the question "Look at these images - who designed this wallpaper?" - and it was a load of wavy flowers, and I had never seen anything like that in my life before, never mind considered that people might actually be responsible for designing wallpaper! Anyways - William Morris - big love! I once visited Red House and it was so overwhelming, I did have a little cry.
@ I’m so jealous of you for being able to visit the Red House! When I first saw Morris’s work for the first time I instantly fell in love with it plus the whole Arts and Crafts movement. I also enjoy the works of the Pre Raphaelite Brotherhood. Seeing that style of art decorating that lovely church really spoke to my soul. Many thanks. 🙏
Hello Church Searcher. That was an amazing vlog; please keep them coming. Pete Glyde
Thanks Pete! Much appreciated! There might be fewer vids over the Christmas holiday period, put I've got a long list of places to visit in 2025!
The History of this Saxon Church is truly remarkable, with the Lady Saints, very clear and well explained, with restoration,wall painting over the centuries, thank you.
Thanks Paul, it's a really breathtaking place - the scale of the masonry as you approach up the Yew-lined avenue, and then the murals inside take it to another level.
truly beautiful, Thank you!
Thanks, yes - stunning church
I just found your channel, and have subscribed. Wonderfully researched content, and beautifully presented in a calm, and may I say, reverential voice. Your love of these buildings is clearly evident. Our family left England for Connecticut in 1640, but we have retained a love for the 'Old Country" through the intervening centuries. Thanks, and warm wishes from the beautiful Hudson Valley!
Thanks for your kind words - just starting out, so it's good to hear that I'm striking the correct tone. Hope to explore some Hudson Valley churches one day!
Marvellous - Thank You. i have just subscribed
Thank you!
Very informative and well researched and presented. Thanks
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Nice to hear of possibly one of my ancestors being given a mention as I have always wondered where the family fortune went to. I enjoyed this very much,. Peel Castle must be very nearby that also I believe, had a connection to the Hamerton family and had the three hammers as a family crest.
Wow amazing, thanks for sharing! Hellifield Peel is about 40miles west on the A65 - about half way between Skipton & Settle. I think there was a Grand Designs programme on it!
I really enjoy your work.
@@ianmacgregor1463 thanks sir! Like, subscribe & share!
Getting in the car right now! ❤🎉
Worked around this place for years and never realised how ancient the church was. I always thought that Kirkdale Minster was the oldest church around.. Thanks for the great description
Thanks, I'll be getting out to explore more of Ryedale hopefully, we have some epic remains to share with the world!
Brill video, very well presented and edited.
I wasn't aware of Kirk Hammerton having an Anglo Saxon Church. There is one just up the road at Kirby Hill (Boroughbridge) which I used for photos, when I wrote a book on Dark Ages England, but St. John's looks a more complete example.
Thanks Johnnie - yes All Saints at Kirby Hill has some monumental-looking stones in the fabric of the Nave - I drive past every week tour guiding, but never been in yet! It's on my list - I read there's some interesting artefacts inside.
A very enjoyable and informative video! I briefly visited the church last summer on my way to the nearby civil war battlefield at Marston Moor. I wonder what activity the church witnessed on that fateful day in July 1644?
Thanks! Apparently there are mass burials in the graveyard from the battle in the churchyard - not sure if they're locals or general combatants. The first video that I made back in July is on the church at Bilton in Aintsy and its connection to Marston Moor.
@ Thanks, I'll check that one out too!
nice video . my family were farmers from a bit further north . a kind of malton/helmsley/easingwold triangle . i am of anglosaxon descent . we could have easily worshipped in churches like this one ...maybe stonegrave minster which was saxon too but rebuilt by the normans :)
Thanks! Plenty of beautiful historic churches around that area, I'll be getting to some around there in the New Year hopefully!
lovely looking church . them anglo saxons knew how to rob stones back in the day :)
It's a pretty arresting sight - the masonry is almost Cyclopodean in form
What is the large book you carry with you ?
It's the Penguin Classics edition of the Domesday Book!
There's a farmhouse called Hammerton Hall near Slaidburn in Lancashire. Slaidburn church and the local landowners were very much involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace, being proximate to Clitheroe and Whalley. I wonder if it was a branch of the same family? Thanks, l've watched a number of your videos, and agree with the comments. They're really good
Thanks for the kind words - I'll add Slaidburn to the research pile, many thanks!
I live down the road from here and do wish the whole world didn’t now know about this precious little church !🤦🏼♀️😱😱🤷🏼♀️🇬🇧🤨
There were a good number of visitors during the time I was there, which was surprising for a winter's day. Beautiful church, long been a favourite.
Maybe there was a substantial Roman building somewhere nearby. It doesn't have to come from as far away as York. There may have been a villa, mansio, or temple in the area. The mound on which it stands maybe significant, perhaps there was a pre-Christian significance, of a ritual sort here. I don't think that 'Hammer' has the straight forward interpretation to do with a smithy as you suggest. I don't think it works like that, & suspect that hammer has nothing to do with it.
The Hammerton family is named from the place, not the other way round. I think Hammer is more likely a topographical reference to the river in some way.
I think I have seen an interpretation somewhere that relates it to British words, possibly rationalized by later English speakers.
True, I read differing accounts either that the mound is a glacial deposit, or was a site of some significance. Would make sense if there was a temple there - the mound certainly has the same feel and proportions of the one that All Hallows church in Goodmanham stands upon, once a temple to Woden. I'm intrigued by the dedication to martyrs - I wonder if there were some early Christian converts martyred in the area.
There's some pretty MASSIVE blocks there, which might argue for York itself, and some pretty major public buildings.
Then again, Aldwark isn't far off either - where eald weorc refers to an Old Work, or big old Roman structure, of which there doesn't seem to be much surviving - maybe the Kirkja at Hamortun is responsible for this!
Would recommend a visit to the church in Lastingham. Wonderful Crypt, resting place of Cedd(if i remember rightly).. Feels like walking back in time.. Great videos..
@@celteuskaraI'm on it!
@@robhunt2287I love Lastingham, one of my fave places - will try and get a vid there in the new year, thanks!
No Saxons here in Northumbria thank you! Surely it is an Anglian church as the Saxon areas were 200 miles away.
Aye, I should really say Anglo Saxon as per the video title, slip of the tongue, a lot of the published literature refers to it as Saxon, including the church’s own! I keep meaning to mention Bede’s anecdote of Pope Gregory’s “Not Angles but angels” statement in one of my videos of the period, as everything is strictly speaking Angle in the area.
Interestingly, subsequent to the Vikings taking York from the Angles in 867, Æthelstan had managed to annex Northumbrian York in 927 and had been victorious at Brunanburh - but by the time Edmund and Eadred inherited the throne it had reverted back to the Vikings - around the time that the tower was built at Kirk Hammerton - it would be interesting to find out the context of the tower being added, and under which Thegn or Jarl. I tried researching what was going on at the time, but it was a bit unclear.
Anyway, thanks again, will try and be mindful of this kind of thing in future!
Another great video, much enjoyd waching it👍. Keep up the great content. 🕌 edit: I had to say that is an absolutly beautyful saxon church. And btw you dutch is very good 👍🏻🇳🇱
Cheers, much appreciated!