Cartmel Priory a 12th Century masterpiece

The beautiful historic Cartmel Priory is an amazing building with an amazing history. Despite everything the Priory has endured over the years, including the dissolutions of the monasteries as brought about by Henry the eighth. It has stood the test of time and is well worth the visit if you are ever in the area.
The priory was founded in 1190 by William Marshal, created 1st Earl of Pembroke, intended for a community of the Augustinian Canons regular and was dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Michael.
To support the new house, William granted it the whole fief of the district of Cartmel.It was first colonised by a prior and twelve canons sent from Bradenstoke Priory in Wiltshire.
14th century
Between 1327 and 1347 a chapel with four traceried windows was provided by John Harington, 1st Baron Harington in the south choir aisle; his tomb, also containing his second wife, is in the building. The stonework on the tomb contains the Harrington coat of arms with the Harrington knot as well as the Dacre coat of arms with the scallop shells. The gatehouse, which apart from the church itself is the only surviving structure of the medieval priory, was built between 1330 and 1340.
15th and 16th centuries
In the 15th century extensive work was undertaken, in part due to damage (believed to be from subsidence) in the southern part of the complex. The original cloister was demolished and a new one built to the north of the priory church. In the east end of the church, the early lancet windows were replaced by one huge window of stained glass, misericords were installed in the choir, and the tower was extended. Unusually, the extension to the tower sits at a 45-degree angle to the base on which it rests, a feature believed to be unique in England. Work on the building continued intermittently into the 16th century, when the choir screen was constructed.
The 25 misericords date from 1440, and are of an exceptional quality. They include representation of the Green man, which with its three heads sprouting foliage is said to symbolize the devil.
Dissolution
See also: List of monasteries dissolved by Henry VIII of England
The priory was surrendered by its then community of ten canons at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536. An effect of the Pilgrimage of Grace was that the community was reinstated, one of perhaps 16 such cases. The prior, Richard Preston, had not thrown in his lot with resistance, but had fled to the Crown forces under Edward Stanley, 3rd Earl of Derby. He was to secure a parochial living to supplement his Crown pension.Others had a different fate. With the failure of the rising, as in other similar cases there came a brutal end for some, the subprior and several of the canons being hanged, along with ten villagers who had supported them.
The priory's ancient responsibility for providing a Guide over Cartmel Sands was transferred to the Duchy of Lancaster. Thomas Hogeson was appointed by the Duchy as the first official guide to the sands on 29 January 1548.
Further restoration work on the Priory was completed in 1867.
17th century
Despite the villagers' being allowed to keep the church, the lead was stripped from the nave, and until 1618 when George Preston, a landowner at nearby Holker Hall, provided considerable finances to allow the roof to be reinstated, the villagers actually worshipped in the choir, rather than the nave of the church. In 1643 some Roundhead troops stayed in the village, stabling their horses in the church. Bullet holes from this time are still visible in the southwest door of the nave.
The nave was used after the Dissolution as a prison and later between 1624 and 1790 as a grammar school.
19th and 20th centuries
By 1830 the church was in need of repair again, and underwent a restoration, which has been described in the Edge Guide as "more enthusiastic than sympathetic". In 1850 a new panelled ceiling was inserted in the central part of the church, forming the belfry floor.
The old seats and galleries have been removed from the nave and transepts, which have been reseated with new benches of oak. The plaster and whitewash of succeeding centuries has been entirely taken off and cleaned from the walls, pillars, and arches of the church. The ancient massive open timbered roof of oak, which for centuries has been hid behind a plastered ceiling, has been uncovered and restored. The whole of the windows have been reglazed with Hartley’s cathedral glass. A new font, pulpit and reading-desk of stone have been added to the church. The font is square with moulded panels, carved and drapered work, and marble shaft. The pulpit is of octagonal design, supported by marble shafts, on three sides are moulded panels containing carved heads representing our Saviour, St. Peter, and St. Paul. A new organ has been erected in the town choir.
Ref: en.wikipedia.o...
#drone #history #dronephotography

[@Florian-Art]

Wonderful, I like the sombre colors and music!

[@LandmarkAerialDronePhotography]

Thank you for the lovely comments. I've been watching your videos too, very nice. Thanks for stopping by. Del. 👍

[@ladyintheskyuk]

Nicely captured 👌

[@LandmarkAerialDronePhotography]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. Del 👍

[@MM-uo5vz]

Nice aerial footage bro, great history too, well done 👏

[@LandmarkAerialDronePhotography]

Cheers bro, I had already done a quick video on this Priory. But wanted to do a slightly longer one, so people could see a bit more. 👍