Holm Cultram Abbey

It was a cold but sunny day today, so after breakfast at the Hotel, we set off South-East towards Silloth, Maryport and Whitehaven.

A few miles before Silloth, we saw a signpost marked Abbeytown, and we could see a fairly impressive church building.

So we came off the main road and drove towards it.

The board in the Church grounds announced, The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Grand Daughter House of Rievaulx Abbey.

The Church was closed, but there was an Abbey Shop, so we went in. A coffee morning for the locals was in progress and we were immediately invited to joinj them for coffee and buns!

We were made very welcome, and one of the ladies explained a little about the church and the recent arson attack which destroyed much of the building. But they have plans to repair the damage and renew the inside of the Church.

The Abbey was founded in 1150 by Cicerstains from Melrose Abbey. It was built of red sandstone.

The buildings were extensive covering 10 acres, the grant of which was confirmed by Prince Henry of Scotland, who was also the Earl of Cumberland.

( see my blog about Kelso Abbey )

The Solway Region was held by the Scottish Crown from 1136 till 1157, after which it became part of the English Kingdom.

Benefactors on both sides of the Solway conferred gifts on the Abbey.

In 1216, the Scots raided the Abbey, carrying off books, vestments and altar vessels.

King Edward I stayed here with his army on his way to invade Scotland, and caame a second time in 1307.

But after his death at Burgh-by-Sands, Scottish riads became more frequent and intense.

The worst attack came in 1319, when the Scots, led by Robert the Bruce, devastated the abbey, even though Bruce's father was buried at the Abbey.

After that, the Abbey struggled to survive, and in the 14th Century avoided another devastation by paying £200 to the earl of Douglas.

The Abbey was now in a dreadful state of repair. The pope granted indulgences to penitents who visited the Abbey and gave alms for repairs.

In 1536, the Abbot Thomas Carter took part in The Rebellion of the North, a protest against the suppression of the smaller monasteries.

In 1538, the larger monasteries were targeted for suppression, and the abbot at that time, Gawain Borrowdale, surrendered the Abbey with all its possessions and rights to the Layton and Leigh, the so called "Visitors."

The people of the area petitioned Cromwell that the Church be kept as not only weas it their parish church, but it offered refuge against the Scots. The Scots card won the day.

The abbey was one of only 4 Cistercian Abbeys to survive the Reformation.

Borrowdale was given a pension of £100 a year, the Abbot's house and and stables, and was appointed Rector of the parish.

The Living was given to Oxford University in 1557, and is still held by them.

In the intervening years, the building became more and more dillapidated. Attempts were made to halt the erosion. Sir Walter Scott paid for a new oak ceiling and a stained glass window.

If you are ever in the area, go and see it. Wednesday morning is a good time. Coffee morning, where the locals will tell you all about their Parish Church.

I am indebted to the writer of the Church History Pamphlet for my information!