Medieval History
An archaeological investigation at Furness Abbey in northwest England has uncovered the grave of an abbot, which includes an extremely rare medieval silver-gilt crozier and bejewelled ring.
The grave, which could date back to the 12th century, was uncovered by Oxford Archaeology North, as they were investigated ways to repair the sinking foundations of the ruined abbey. An initial examination of his skeleton, which is currently in the care of Oxford Archaeology North, indicated that he was probably between 40 and 50 years old when he died. Like many monastic burials of middle-aged and older men, he had a pathological condition of the spine often considered to be associated with obesity and mature-onset (Type II) diabetes. Tests will soon be carried out to determine a more exact date of when the abbot died.
The grave was situated in the presbytery, the most prestigious position in the church and generally reserved for the richest benefactors. Most Cistercian abbots were buried in the chapter house.
Click here to read this article from Medievalists.net
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The retrochoir of the Cistercian abbey church at Abbey Dore in Herefordshire is filled with architectural fragments gleaned from the ruins of the monastic buildings adjoining. The fragments include these two roof bosses. They date from the fourteenth...
Medieval History
Medieval treasures discovered in English abbey
An archaeological investigation at Furness Abbey in northwest England has uncovered the grave of an abbot, which includes an extremely rare medieval silver-gilt crozier and bejewelled ring.
The grave, which could date back to the 12th century, was uncovered by Oxford Archaeology North, as they were investigated ways to repair the sinking foundations of the ruined abbey. An initial examination of his skeleton, which is currently in the care of Oxford Archaeology North, indicated that he was probably between 40 and 50 years old when he died. Like many monastic burials of middle-aged and older men, he had a pathological condition of the spine often considered to be associated with obesity and mature-onset (Type II) diabetes. Tests will soon be carried out to determine a more exact date of when the abbot died.
The grave was situated in the presbytery, the most prestigious position in the church and generally reserved for the richest benefactors. Most Cistercian abbots were buried in the chapter house.
Click here to read this article from Medievalists.net
- Anglo-saxon Treasures Uncovered At Polesworth Abbey Dig
Anglo-Saxon treasures which date back as far as 700AD have been unearthed during a major archaelogical dig at a historic North Warwickshire site. Dating back almost 1,200 years, Polesworth Abbey, near Tamworth, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, is steeped...
- Hexham Abbey Receives £1.8m To Restore Medieval Buildings
Hexham Abbey in northeast England has been granted £1.8m from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a restoration of the Abbey?s medieval monastery buildings. The restoration project includes the creation of a state-of-the-art visitor centre and community...
- £200,000 Goes To Monastic Sites In Eastern England
The Heritage Lottery Fund is spending almost £200,000 on two projects for medieval monasteries in eastern England ? the first two discover excavate the site of Ramsey Abbey and the second to promote Wymondham Abbey. Students at Abbey College will receive...
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A 12th Century abbey in Lincolnshire is being re-excavated almost 100 years after it was first uncovered. A grant of £48,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund is helping towards the costs at Bardney Abbey near Lincoln. The work to uncover part of the...
- Abbey Dore Bosses
The retrochoir of the Cistercian abbey church at Abbey Dore in Herefordshire is filled with architectural fragments gleaned from the ruins of the monastic buildings adjoining. The fragments include these two roof bosses. They date from the fourteenth...