A Short History Church Interior Church Outside The Hermitage The School Coquet Island The Vicarage The Vicars

The South Isle - You are standing in the middle of the spacious south isle built by the Percys in the fifteenth century. Above you are the beams of the original lead roof. The floor beneath you is of Caithness stone, recently laid. The colonnade of pillars on your left is built on the foundations of the original Norman wall. You will find masons' marks here and elsewhere in the building. In the east window in front of you are some of the few pieces of old glass which have been preserved in Northumberland from the raids. Nore, on the left, the figure of St.Hilda of Whitby, with the crozier in her hand. On the right was a corrosponding figure of St.Mildred, but only the medieval lettering has survived; an angel, a young man with folded wings, has taken her place.

The Lady Chapel - Below the window on the right are two piscinae (sinks for washing the communion vessels) indicating the position of former altars, perhaps of Percy Chapels.

The Pulpit - This contains some beautiful pannels, the work of a modern artist, Mr.Alfred Southwick.
1. St.Lawrence, the Patron Saint of the Church, blessing the poor.
2. St.Cuthbert setting out for Coquet Island to meet the Abbess of Whitby.
3. Ceowulf, the King Founder entering Lindisfarne.
4. Benedict Bishop at Wearmouth.

There is a cherub at the end with a seraphic smile which nobody should miss.

The Chancel - Stand now in the middle of the Chancel arch. You are on the side of the altar of the original Saxon church. On your left is a built-up stairway to the rood loft. There was a chantry altar by the doorway for offering prayers for the departed. Notice the beautiful Norman stone vaulting the chancel roof as you move forward. The modern tiling covers ancient grave stones of vicars and clerks of the past which once formed the floor; the initials 'J.C.' denote the name of the benfactor. The three lancet windows in front of your are modern and replace a large casement window which was inserted in some earlier century. Extensive restoration took place in 1860 when the church was reseated, the box pews being removed, and re-roofed with the loss of some interesting clerestory windows. The plaster was also removed from the walls then.

The Altar Rails - Which are of beautiful design, are no doubt the work of a local craftsman. The initials 'M.W.' represent Matthew White, who at one time drew the revenue of Church lands. The arms are his; the arms of Blagdon which he built.

Ancient Crosses - On the window-sill above you is an interesting cross head. It has no shaft and one arm is broken, but the circle in the centre represents the sun which our pagan forefathers worshipped and, because of its cruel associations with human sacrifice, it was set in the middle of the Cross and then marked over again with the cross. This Cross, representing the sun, will be noticed on many Celtic crosses. Also on the sill is the oldest stone in the church, a cross of Celtic chainwork dating back to the original foundation.

The Vestry - The door is on your left. Notice the slender hounds in the monument aboce and how in keeping they are with the surrounding stonework. The vestry belongs to the fifteenth century and may have been an anchorite's dwelling. There was an upper and a lower compartment, the lower one an oratory. The lancet slits cut in a single stone contain nine emblems of the Passion; notice particularly the bag of the betrayal money and the lantern of the High Priest's servantsin the garden of Gethsemane.

The Nave - Walk down the nave towards the tower. It is an exceptionally long nave, 90 feet, the longest Norman nave in Northumberland. The original Norman church had no belfry door, just three window slits high up on a level with the others. The tower and spire were built on in subsequent centuries. A Norman nave was a refuge in itself; it needed no tower.

The Baptistry - Returning towards the door, step down into the baptistry. Under the windows are foundation stones of the old Norman wall, which ran along where the arches now stand. They are used today for making the Easter garden. In the corner is the gravestone of William Baker, emissary of Queen Margaret of Anjou and on it are the words, 'cujus animae propicietur Deus' - God have mercy on his soul.

The Knight's Tomb - Sir Hugh was no doubt a knight connected with the castle. He lies on an altar table holding his heart between the palms of his hands as his final offering to God. The inscription is late and of doubtful accuracy and the style of his armour suggests a later date than the Crusades. His identity is uncertain, but the effigy has unusually fine features. The lion at his feet has the same significance as the dragon beneath St.George's feet. Once painted and lifelike, traces of paint can still be seen. The shield bears the arms of the de Aublyn family of Durham.

The Royal Arms - The Arms by the Font are those of James II and bear the date 1685. The siginificance of the Lion and Unicorn may be learned from Psalm 22. King David says, 'Save me from the lion's mouth, Thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorn.' The coats of arms on the south wall are those of the Grey family. At one time there were thirteen texts hanging around the walls. The surviving ones are Matthew Ch.24 v.27; 'As the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth unto the west, so shall also the Coming of the Son of Man be,' and Matthew Ch.28 v.19; 'Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.'