 Walsingham Priory
Legend has it that the Virgin Mary 'miraculously' appeared in Walsingham
in 1051 and from that day it became one of the most celebrated places
of pilgrimage in medieval England. A shrine was soon built to commemorate
the coming of 'Our Lady', and eventually a group of canons were charged
with looking after it. During the latter part of the 12th century,
the Augustinian priory was founded, and this became one of the wealthiest
and most important religious houses in East Anglia.
Nothing remains of the original
shrine, and very little has survived of the medieval monastery.
However, dominating the site, is the impressive, twin turreted 13th century
arch, that would have housed the great East Window of Walsingham Priory church.
Apart from its towering height, this structure has a very striking appearance
due to the wonderful knapped flintwork panels on the turrets.
As far as the claustral buildings
are concerned, there is a section of vaulted undercroft to the monks dormitory
in tact, the south wall of the dining room has survived to full height,
even retaining some of the tracery in the elegant windows, and a couple
of corner shafts to the Chapter House are still visible.
Walsingham Priory grounds are beautifully
maintained, and when we visited in the early Spring we were treated to a
riotous display of colour and fragrances. The woodland setting
was bursting with wild flowers, including bluebells, daffodils and
delicate narcissi and, along the banks of the river, large clumps of brilliant white
snowdrops were in full bloom.
Walking long the footpath
beside the River Stiffkey, a narrow stone bridge can be seen. This
was built during monastic times as an access road for the 'pack horses'
- hence it is known as 'Pack Horse Bridge'. Another unusual feature of
Walsingham Priory is the site of the wells. Passing through a re-erected
Norman doorway into a garden area, there are two 'healing wells' where
the sick were brought in medieval times.
After the Dissolution of
Walsingham Priory in 1538, although still regarded as a most holy place - in
fact, often referred to as England's Holy Land - Walsingham's popularity
as a place of pilgrimage declined until quite recently. In the 1930s
a new Anglican shrine surrounding a replica of the Holy House was erected,
and this now attracts thousands of visitors each year. The town
caters for every religious denomination, with its diversity of churches
and ecclesiastical gift shops, and has a strange air of holiness and
serenity surrounding it. |
