four lights very artificially made and the Picture of St. Catharine is set in Glass on the right side underneath the said Window in another glaz'd Window as she was set upon the Wheel to be tormented to death which Wheel did burst in pieces and caught the turners of it and with the pikes thereof rent them all to pieces St. Catharine being safe her self by the provision of Almighty God And in the said Window there was a frame of Iron wherein stood nine very fair Cressets of earthen metal fill'd with Tallow which were lighted every Night when Day was gone to give light to the Nine Altars and St. Cuthbert's Feretory in that part and over all the Church besides and they burned till break of Day next Morning In the South alley-Alley-end of the said Nine Altars there is a good glaz'd Window called St. Cuthbert's Window which hath in it all the whole story and Miracles of that Holy man St. Cuthbert from his Birth and Infancy unto his end and the discourse of his whole Life marvellously fair and curiously set forth in Picture in fine colour'd glass according as he went in his Habit to his dying day being a most godly and fine story to behold of that Holy man St. Cuthbert In the North Alley of the said Nine Altars there is another goodly fair great glaz'd Window called Joseph's Window having in it all the whole story of Joseph most artificially wrought in Pictures in fine colour'd glass as it is read and set forth in the Bible very goodly and godly to the beholders thereof In St. Cuthbert's Feretory Next to these Nine Altars was the goodly Monument of St. Cuthbert adjoyning to the Quire and the high Altar on the West and reaching towards the nine Altars on the East and towards the North and South containing the breadth of the Quire in quadrant form in the midst whereof his sacred Shrine was exalted with most curious workmanship of fine and costly green Marble all lined and gilt with gold having four seats or places convenient underneath the Shrine for the Pilgrims or lame men setting on their knees to lean and rest on in the time of their devout Offerings and fervent prayers to God and Holy St. Cuthbert for his miraculous relief and succour which being never wanting made the Shrine to be so richly invested that it was esteemed one of the most sumptuous Monuments in all England so great were the Offerings and Jewels bestow'd upon it and no less the miracles that were done by it even in these latter dayes as is more patent in the History of the Church at large At the West end of the Shrine of St. Cuthbert was a little Altar adjoyn'd to it for Mass to be said only on the great and Holy Feast of St. Cuthbert's day in Lent At which Solemnity the Prior and the Convent did keep open Houshold in the Frater-house and dined altogether on that day and no day else in the year And at this Feast and certain other Festival dayes in time of Divine Service they were accustomed to draw up the cover of St. Cuthbert's Shrine being of Wainscot whereunto was fasten'd unto every corner of the said cover to a loop of Iron a very strong cord which cords were all fasten'd together at the end over the midst of the cover and a strong Rope was fasten'd unto the loops or binding of the said cord which Rope did run up and down in a pulley under the Vault above St. Cuthbert's Feretory for the drawing up of the cover of St. Cuthbert's Shrine And the said Rope was fasten'd to a loop of Iron to the North Pillar of the Feretory having very fine sounding silver Bells fasten'd to the said Rope which at the drawing up of the cover made such a goodly sonnd that it stirr'd all the Peoples hearts within the Church to repair unto it and to make their prayers unto God and the Holy man St. Cuthbert And that the beholders might see the glory and ornaments thereof the said cover had at every corner two hoops of Iron made fast to every corner of the Cover which did run up and down on four round staves of Iron when it was drawing which were made fast in every corner of the Marble that St. Cuthbert's Coffin did lye upon which said cover on the out-side was all over very finely and artificially gilt and also on either side of the said cover were painted four lively Images curiously wrought and miraculous to all the beholders thereof And on the East end was painted the Picture of our Saviour sitting in the Rain-bow to give Judgment very artificially and lively to behold and on the West end of the said cover was the Picture of our Lady and the Picture of Christ on her knee and on the height of the said cover from end to end was a most fine brandishing of carved work cut throughout with Dragons and Fowls and Beasts most artificially wrought and set forth to the beholders thereof And the in-side of the said cover was all varnished and colour'd with a most fine sanguine colour that the Beholders might see all the glory and all the ornaments thereof and at every corner of the said cover there was a lock to lock it down from opening and drawing the same up Also within the said Feretory on both North and South side there were Ambries of fine Wainscot varnished and finely painted and gilt over with fine little Images very beautiful to behold for the Reliques belonging to St. Cuthbert to lye in And within the said Ambries did lye all the holy Reliques that were offered to that Holy man St. Cuthbert and when his Shrine was drawn the said Ambries were opened that every man that came thither at that time might see the holy Reliques therein So that the costly Reliques and Jewels that were in the said Ambries and all the other Reliques that hung about within the said Feretory upon the Iron there were accounted the most sumptuous and richest Jewels in all this Land with the bountifulness of the fine little Images which stood in the French Pierre within the Feretory For great were the gifts and godly Devotion of Kings Queens and other States at that time towards God and holy St. Cuthbert in the Church Within this Feretory of St. Cuthbert were many fine little Pictures of several Saints of Imagery work all being of Alabaster set in the French Pierre in their several places the Pictures being curiously wrought engraven and gilt and the Nevil's Cross and Bull 's Head set upon the height and on the other side of the two doors in the said French pierre and also in divers other places of the French pierre besides which Feretory and French pierre were made at the charges of John Lord Nevil as may appear at large in the History of the Church At the East end of St. Cuthbert's Feretory were wrought upon the height of the Irons towards the Nine Altars very fine Candlesticks of
and John with an Altar for a Monk to say daily Mass being in ancient times inhabited by an Anchorite whereunto the Priors were wont much to frequent both for the excellency of the place to hear the high Mass standing so conveniently unto the high Altar and withal so near a Neighbour to the Sacred Shrine of St. Cuthbert whereunto the Priors were most devoutly addicted The entrance to this Porch or Anchoridge was up a fair pair of stairs adjoyning to the North door of St. Cuthbert's Feretory under which stairs the Paschal did lye and in time of Lent the Children of the Ambrie were enjoyned to come thither daily to dress trim and make it bright against the Paschal Feast In this North-Alley of the Quire betwixt two Pillars on the South side before St. Blaise's Altar afterwards called Skirlaw's Altar lyeth buried Walter Skirlaw Bishop of Durham under a fair Marble stone very sumptuously beset with many brazen Images having his own Image most artificially pourtray'd in Brass in the midst thereof with this saying engraven upon his Breast Credo quoâ— Redemptor meus vivit et in die novissimo 〈◊〉 terrâ surrecturus sum et in carne meâ videbo Deum Salvatorem meum Right over the entrance of this North Alley going to the Song-School which was heretofore the Segefetons Exchequer there was a Porch adjoyning to the Quire oâ— the South and St. Benedict's Altar on thâ— North the Porch having in it an Altar aâ—â— the Rood Picture of our Saviour which Altar and Rood were much frequented in Devotion by Dr. Swallwell sometimes Monk of Duresme the said Rood having mighty sumptuous Furniture for Festival dayes belonging to it The South Alley of the Quire At the East end of the South Alley of the Quire adjoyning to the Pillar next St. Cuthbert's Feretory next the Quire door on the South side opposite to the aforesaid Porch in the said North Alley there was a most fair Rood or Picture of our Saviour called the black Rood of Scotland with the Pictures of Mary and John being brought out of Holy Rood-House in Scotland by King David Bruce and was won at the Battel of Durham with the Picture of our Lady on the one side of our Saviour and the Picture of St. John on the other side Which Rood and Pictures were all three very richly wrought in silver the which were all smoaked black over being large Pictures of a yard or five quarters long and on every one of their heads a Crown of pure beaten Gold of Goldsmith's work with a device or wrest to take them off and to put them on And on the back-side of the said Rood Picture there was a piece of work that they were fasten'd unto all adorn'd with fine Wainscot-work and curious Painting well befitting such costly Pictures from the midst of the Pillar up to the height of the Vault which Wainscot was all red varnished over very finely and all set forth with Stars of Lead every Star finely gilt over with gold And also the said Rood and Pictures had every one of them an Iron stuck fast in the back-part of the said Images that had a hole in the said Irons that went through the wainscot to put in a pin of Iron to make them fast to the Wainscot Thomas Hatfeald Bishop of Durham lyeth buried over against the Revestry-door in the South Alley of the Quire betwixt two Pillars under the Bishop's seat which he did make before he dyed his Tomb being all of Alabaster whereunto was adjoyned a little Altar which he prepared for a Monk to say Mass for his Soul after his Death the Altaring environed with an Iron grate Within this South Alley of the Quire was the Revestry where the Bishop or his Suffragane had a peculiar Altar where they did use to say Mass only at such time as they were to consecrate Priests or to give any holy Orders The Cross-Alley of the Lantern before the Quire Door going North and South In the former part of the Quire on either side the West door or chief entrance thereof without the Quire door in the Lantern were placed in their several Rooms one above another the most excellent Pictures all gilt very beautifull to behold of all the Kings and Queens as well of Scotland as England who were devout and godly Founders and Benefactors of this famous Church and Sacred Monuments of St. Cuthbert to invite and provoke their Posterities to the like Religious endeavours in their several Successions and Kingdoms whose names here after follow Edgarus Rex Scotorum Katharina Regina Angliae Davia Broys Rex Scotorum Richardus Secundus Rex Angliae Alexander Rex Scotorum Henricus Quartus Rex Angliae Richardus Primus Rex Angliae Alexander Rex Scotorum Matilda Regina Angliae David Rex Scotorum Edwardus Tortius Rex Angliae Henricus Secundus Rex Angliae Edwardus Primus Rex Angliae Henricus Quintus Rex Angliae Alexander Rex Scotorum Sibylla Regina Scotorum Gulielmus Rufus Rex Angliae Richardus Tertius Rex Angliae Gulielmus Conquestor Rex Angliae Haraldus Rex Angliae Johannes Rex Angliae Edwardus Secundus Rex Angliae Ethelstanus Rex Angliae Stephanus Rex Angliae Matilda Regina Angliae Knutus Rex Angliae Malcolmus Rex Scotorum Duncanus Rex Scotorum Henricus Tertius Rex Angliae Elianora Regina Angliae Henricus Primus Rex Angliae Elianora Regina Angliae Malcolmus Rex Scotorum Gulielmus Rex Scotorum In the Lantern called the New Work were hanging three very fine Bells which Bells were rung ever at Mid-night at twelve of the Clock for the Monks went evermore to Mattins at that hour of the Night There were four men appointed to ring the said Bells at Mid-night and at such other times of the day as the Monks went to serve God two of the said men appertaining to the Revestry who alwayes kept the Copes with the Vestments and five pair of silver Censers with all such goodly Ornaments pertaining to the high Altar Which two men did lye every night in a Chamber over the West end of the said Revestry And the other two men did lye every Night within the said Church in a Chamber in the North alley over against the Sextons Exchequer These two men did alwayes sweep and keep the Church cleanly and did fill the Holy-water-stone every Sunday in the Morning with clean water before it came to be hallowed and did lock in the Church doors every Night Also there is standing in the South Pillat of the Quire-door of the Lantern in a corner of the said Pillar a four-square stone which hath been finely wrought in every square a fair large Image whereon did stand a four-square stone about it which had twelve Cressets wrought in that stone which were fill'd with Tallow and every night one of them was lighted when the day was gone and did burn to give light to the Monks at Mid-night when they came to Mattins The North Alley of
the Lantern John washington Prior of Durham lies buried under a fair Marble stone with his Verses engraven in Brass upon it before the Porch over the entrance of the North Alley as you go to the Song-School adjoyning to St. Benedict's Altar Robert Berrington of Walworth Prior of Durham first obtained the use of the Mitre with the Staff He lyeth buried under a fair Marble stone being Pictur'd from the waste up in Brass on the North-side of Prior Washington in the North-plage over against St. Benedict's Altar being the first of the three Altars in the North-plage Next to St. Benedict's Altar on the North is St. Gregory's Altar being the second Altar An Ancient Memorial Collected forth of the best Antiquaries concerning the Battel of Durham in John Fosser's time In the Night before the Battel of Durham strucken and begun the seventeenth day of October Anno Dom. 1346. There did appear to John Fosser then Prior of the Abbey at Durham a Vision commanding him to take the Holy Corporax-cloath which was within the Corporax where with St. Cuthbert did cover the Chalice when he used to say Mass and to put the same holy Relique like unto a Banner-cloath upon a Spear point and on the Morning after to go and repair to a place on the West part of the City of Durham called the Red-Hills and there to remain and abide till the end of the said Battel To which Vision the Prior obeying and taking the same for a Revelation of Gods grace and mercy by the Mediation of Holy St. Cuthbert did accordingly early the next Morning together with the Monks of the said Abbey repair to the said place called Red-Hills there most devoutly humbling and prostrating themselves in Prayer for the Victory in the said Battel a great number and multitude of Scots running and passing by them with intention to have spoiled them yet they had no power or sufferance to commit any violence and force to such Holy Persons so occupied in Prayers being protected and defended by the mighty providence of Almighty God and by the Mediation of Holy St. Cuthbert and the presence of the said Holy Relique And after many conflicts and warlike exploits there had and done betwixt the English men and the King of Scots and his Company the said Battel ended and the Victory was obtained to the great overthrow and confusion of the Scots their Enemies And when the said Prior and Monks accompany'd with Ralph Lord Nevil and John Nevil his Son the Lord Percy and many other Nobles of England returned home and went to the Abbey-Church there joyning in hearty prayer and thanksgiving to God and holy St. Cuthbert for the Conquest and Victory atchieved that day a Holy Cross which had been taken out of the Holy-Rood-House in Scotland by King David Bruce was won and taken upon the said King of Scots at the said Battel Which Cross by most Ancient and credible Writers is Recorded to have come to the said King most miraculously and to have happened and chanced into his hand being Hunting the Wild Hart in a Forrest nigh Edinborough upon Holy-Rood-day commonly called The Exaltation of the Holy Cross the said King separated and parted from his Nobles and Company suddenly there appeared unto him as it seemed a most fair Hart running towards him in a full and speedy Course which so affrighted the King's Horse that he violently coursed away whom the Hart so fiercely and swiftly follow'd that he bare forcibly both the King and his Horse to the ground He being much dismay'd thereat did cast back his hands betwixt the tynes of the said Hart to stay himself and then and there the said Cross most strangely and most wondrously slipped into the King's Hands at the view whereof the Hart immediately vanished away and was never seen after no man knowing certainly what metal or wood the said Cross was made of In the place where that Miracle was so wrought doth now spring a Fountain called the Rood-Well And the next night after that the said Cross so bechanced unto him the said King was charged and warned in his sleep by a Vision to build an Abbey in the same place which he most diligently observed as a true Message from Almighty God and so did send for Work-men into France and Flanders who at their coming were retained and did erect and build the said Abbey accordingly which the King caused to be Furnished with Canons Regular and Dedicated the same in honour of the Cross and placed the said Cross most sumptuously and richly in the said Abbey there to remain as a most renowned Monument And it so there remained till the said King the night before he addressed him forward to the said Battel was in a Dream admonished that in any wise he should not attempt to spoil or violate the Church Goods of St. Cuthbert or any thing that appertained unto that Holy Saint which for that he most contemptuously and presumptuously did disdain and contemn violating and destroying so much as he could the said Goods and Lands belonging to St. Cuthbert he was not only punished by God Almighty by his own Captivity being taken at the same Battel in the Field and therein sore wounded having first valiantly fought but there were also taken with him four Earls two Lords the Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews one other Bishop one Knight with many others and in the same Battel were slain seven Earls of Scotland besides many Lords and Scoth-men to the number of one and other fifteen thousand as also by the loss of the said Cross which was taken upon him and many other most excellent Jewels and Monuments which were brought from Scotland as his own Banner and other Noble-mens Ancients all which were offer'd up at the Shrine of St. Cuthbert for the beautifying and adorning thereof together with the Black Rood of Scotland so termed with Mary and John made of silver being as it were smoaked all over which was placed and set up most exactly in the Pillar next St. Cuthbert's Shrine in the South Alley of the said Abbey And shortly after that the said Prior caused a goodly and sumptuous Banner to be made with pipes of silver to be put on a staff being five yards long with a device to take off and on the said Pipes at pleasure and to be kept in a Chest in the Feretory when they were taken down which Banner was shew'd and carried in the said Abbey on Festival and principal dayes On the height of the over-most Pipes was a fair pretty Cross of silver and a wand of silver having a fine wrought knob of silver at either end that went underneath the Banner-cloath whereunto the Banner-cloath was fastened and tyed which wand was of the thickness of a man's finger and at either end of the said wand there was a fine silver Bell. The wand was fasten'd by the middle to the Banner-staff hard under the Cross the Banner-cloath was a yard broad and five quarters
at the foot of the said Cross in perpetual praise and memory for the said Victory and recovery of the said Battel till it was now of late within these thirty five years suddenly defaced and thrown down by some lewd and ill disposed persons who despised Antiquities and Worthiness of Monuments after the suppression of the Abbey And the Collection of this Memorial Antiquity was in the year of our Lord God 1593. John Fosser was the first Prior that ever attempted to be buried within the Abbey-Church out of the Centry-Garth He was buried in the North-plage before the Altar of St. Nicholas and St. Giles being the last of the three Altars in the North-plage towards the North over whom was laid a curious and sumptuous Marble stone which he prepared in his Life time with his own Image and other Imagery work engraven in Brass upon it with the Pictures of the twelve Apostles in Brass divided and bordered on either side of him with three other Pictures in Brass The South-Alley of the Lantern * Circa Annum Domini 1082. villa de Hemmingbrough data fuit Monachis Dunelm John Hemmingbrough Prior of Durham lieth buried in the South-plage on the right-hand as you go to the Revestry under a fair Marble stone with his Picture curiously engraven upon it having the twelve Apostles pictur'd on either side of him six South six North in Brass with other Imagery work all about his Head before the Altar of our Lady alias Howghells or Hoâ—gwells Altar being the first of the three Altars in the South-plage William Ebchester Prior of Durham lyeth buried in the South-Alley-plage on the right hand under a fair Marble stone before the Lady of Boltons Altar with his Verses or Epitaph engraven upon the said stone in Brass which stone was taken up there and removed and lyeth now before the Quire door the aforesaid Altar being the second of the three Altars in that plage Over which Altar there was a marvellous lively and beautiful Image of the Picture of our Lady so called the Lady of Bolton which Picture was made to open with gimmes from her Breast downward and within the said Image was wrought and Pictur'd the Image of our Saviour marvellous finely gilt holding up his hands and holding betwixt his hands a large fair Crucifix of Christ all of gold the which Crucifix was to be taken forth every Good-Fryday and every man did creep unto it that was in the Church at that time and afterwards it was hung up again within the said Image and every principal day the said Image was opened that every man might see pictur'd within her The Father the Son and the Holy Ghost most curiously and finely gilt and both the sides within her very finely varnished with green varnish and flowers of gold which was a goodly sight for all the beholders thereof And upon the stone which she did stand on underneath was drawn a fair Cross upon a Scutcheon called the Nevell's Cross signifying that the Nevells had born the charges of it Robert Ebchester Prior of Durham lyeth buried under a fair Marble stone with his Picture and Verses from the waste up in Brass before the said Lady of Bolton's Altar Next to the Lady of Bolton's Altar on the South was St. Fides's Altar and St. Thomas the Apostle being the third Altar in the South-plage There is a Library in the South-angle of the Lantern which is now above the Clock standing betwixt the Chapter-house and the Te-Deum-Window being well replenished with old written Doctors and other Histories and Ecclesiastical Writers In the North end of the Alley of the Lantern there is a goodly fair large and lightsome Glass-window having in it twelve long pleasant and beautiful Lights being made and built of fine stone which in the old time was gone to decay and the Prior at that time renewed and re-built it and called it the Window of the four Doctors of the Church which hath six long fair lights of glass in the upper part of the said Window and therein is Pictur'd our B. Lady with the Picture of our Saviour Christ in her Arms and the Picture of holy St. Cuthbert on the West side of her both which Pictures standing in the midst of the said Window in most fine colour'd glass and on the East side of our Lady are two Doctors of the Church pictur'd and the other two Doctors pictur'd on the West side of St. Cuthbert all being very large Pictures and very curiously set forth in fine colour'd glass And the Picture of Prior Casteil who bore the whole Charge in building the said Window both of stone and glass as is aforesaid is setting on his knees in fine blew glass in his habit and holding up his hands to our Lady under the feet of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose Image stands above his head one saying Virgo Mater Dei Miserere mei And there are other six fair Lights in the aforesaid Window under our Lady St. Cuthbert and the aforesaid Doctors that is beneath them being very finely glaz'd with all the Instruments of Christ's death set in round glass and wrought in fine colours in the said Window being all but one glass Window Also in the South end of the Lantern above the Clock there is a fair glass Window called the Te-Deum-Window very fairly glaz'd according as every Verse of Te-Deum is sung or said so is it pictur'd in the Window very finely and curiously wrought in fine colour'd glass with all the Orders of Angels viz. Thrones Dominations Cherubims c. with the Picture of Christ as he was upon the Cross Crucified and the B. Virgin Mary with Christ in her Arms as he was born These Monuments following were placed from the Lantern in the midst of the Church in their several places till you come to the West end of the Church adjoyning upon the Gallely In the Body of the Church betwixt two of the highest Pillars supporting and holding up the West side of the Lantern over against the Quire door there was an Altar called Jesus-Altar where Jesus-Mass was sung every Friday throughout the whose year And on the back-side of that said Altar there was a fair high stone Wall and at either end of the Wall there was a door which was lock'd every night called the two Rood-doors for the Procession to go and come in at and betwixt those two doors was Jesus-Altar placed as is aforesaid and at either end of the Altar was closed up with fiâ—e Wainscot like unto a Porch adjoyning unto either Rood-door very finely varnished with fine red varnish And in the Wainscot at the South end of the Altar there were four fair Ambries for to lock the Chalices and silver Crewets with two others for their Suits of Vestments and other Ornaments belonging to the said Altars for the holy-holy-dayes and principal dayes And at the North end of the Altar in the Wainscot there was a door to come into the said Porch and
in her Father's house Her belly swelling and the King perceiving it diligently examined her who was the Author of that fact Upon examination she made this answer That solitary young man who dwelleth hereby is he who hath overcome me and with whose beauty I am thus deceived Whereupon the King furiously enraged presently repaired with his defloured Daughter accompani'd by divers Knights unto the solitary place where he presently spake to the Servant of God in this manner What art thou he who under the colour of Religion prophanest the Temple and Sanctuary of God Art thou he who under the title and profession of a solitary Life exercisest all filthiness of the World in Incest Behold here is my Daughter whom thou by thy deceits hast corrupted not fearing to make her dishonest Therefore now at last openly confess this thy fault and plainly declare here before this company in what sort thou hast seduced her The King's Daughter marking the fierce speeches of her Father more impudently stepped forth and boldly affirmed that it was he who had done that wicked fact At which thing the young man greatly amazed perceiving that this forgery proceeded from the instigation of the Devil thereupon though brought into great perplexity applied his whole Heart unto Almighty God and said as followeth My Lord my God who only knowest all things and art the searcher of all secrets make manifest also this work of iniquity and indignity and by some example approve-the same which though it cannot be done by Humane policy make it manifest by some divine Oracle When as the young man with great lamentations and tears incredible to be reported had spoken these words even suddenly in the self-same place where the King's Daughter stood the Earth making a hissing noise presently opened and swallow'd her up in the presence of all the beholders This place is called Coâ—wen where she for her corruption was convey'd and carried into Hell As soon as the King perceived this marvellous chance to happen in the presence of all his Company he began to be greatly tormented in his mind fearing lest he himself should incurr the like punishment Whereupon he with all his Company humbly craved pardon of Almighty God with further desire and petition to that good man St. Cuthbert that by his prayers he would crave at God's hands to have his Daughter again Which petition the said holy Father granted upon condition that no Woman after that time should have resort unto him Whence it came that the King did not suffer any Woman to enter into any Church dedicated to that Saint which to this day is duely observed in all the Churches of the Picts which were Dedicated in the honour of that Holy man The North-Alley of the Body of the Church In the North-Alley from the North-Church-door to the Cross-Alley in the midst of the Church called the Lantern-Alley where the Lantern standeth in the entrance of the end of the said North-Alley into the said Lantern-Alley from pillar to pillar there was a Trellasaome which did open and close with two Leaves like unto a fall-down Door and above the said Door it was likewise Trellised almost to the height of the Vault above and on the height of the said Trellis or Trellasdome it was stricken full of Iron pricks of a quarter of a yard long to the intent that none should climb over it and was evermore lock'd and never open'd but upon Holy-days or on such Days as there was any Procession And likewise the North-Rood-door which was on the hither-side of the Pillar at the north-North-end of Jesus's Altar was never opened but when there was some Procession There were two fair Holy-water Stones belonging to the Abbey-Church of Durham of a very fair blew Marble The fairest of them stood within the North-Church-door over against the said Door being wrought in the Corner of the Pillar next adjoyning to our Lady of Pitty 's Altar on the left hand as you turn into the Galilee having a very fair shrine of Wainscot over head very finely painted with blew and little gilt Stars being kept very clean and always fresh water provided against every Sunday-morning by two of the Bell-ringers or servants of the Church wherein one of the Monks did Hallow the said Water very early in the Morning before Divine-service The other stood within the South Church-door not altogether so curious yet all of blew Marble very decently kept in the same manner with fresh water every Sunday-morning by the said Bell-ringers or Servants of the Church where in like sort one of the Monks did Hallow the water early in the morning before Divine-service One of these Holy-water-stones viz. That at the South-door served the Prior and all the Convent with the whole House the other at the North-door joyned into the Pillar served all those that came that way to hear Divine-service There was betwixt two Pillars on the left hand in the North-Alley as you turn into the Galilee from the North-Church-door our Lady of Pitty 's Altar being inclosed on either side with fine Wainscot with the Picture of our Lady carrying our Saviour on her Knee as he was taken from the Cross very lamentable to behold Then on the right hand of the said North-Alley as you go into the Galilee under the Bellfry called the Galilee-Steeple was St. Saviour's Altar the North-end of the said Altar-stone being wrought and inclosed into the pillar of the Wall from the first Foundation of the Church for Mass to be said at as appeared at the Defacing thereof and remaineth there to be known till this Day by a Corner of the said Altar-stone not to be pull'd forth but by breaking of the wall In the west-West-end of the Church in the North-Alley-end over the Galilee-door there in a Bellfry called the Galilee-steeple did hang four goodly great Bells which were never Rung but on principal Feasts or at such other times as the Bishop came to the Town Every Sunday in the year there was a Sermon preached in the Galilee in the After-noon from one of the Clock till three and at twelve of the Clock the great Bell of the Galilee was towl'd every Sunday three quarters of an hour and rung the fourth quarter till one of the Clock that all the people of the Town might have warning to come and hear the word of God preached There were certain Officers pertaining to the said House who were always charged whensoever the said Bells were Knelled to be ready for the Ringing of them viz. Two men of the Kitchin were charged with the Ringing of one Bell and four men of the Church that did lye always in the Church were charged with the third Bell and six others were charged with the Ringing of the great Bell viz. Two of the Bake-house two of the Brew-house and two of the Kiln And in the latter days of King Henry the eighth the House was suppressed and after that time the said Bells were never Rung Then
Dean whittingham perceiving them not to be Occupied nor Rung a great while before his time was purposed to have taken them down and broken them for other uses Then Thomas Spark the Bishop-Suffragan Iying at Durham and keeping House there at the same time having intelligence what the Dean's purpose was did send into York-shire with all speed for a Work-man and caused the said Bells to be taken down The fourth Bell remains there still and was never Rung since that was suspected and he caused those other three to be hung upon a new Work called the Lantern and made a goodly Chime to be set on the said Bells which cost him thirty or forty pounds which Chime endureth to this Day or else the said Bells had been spoiled and defaced The South-Angle of the Body of the Church Robert Nevel Bishop of Durham lyeth buried in his Ancestors porch in the South-Angle near to the Cloister-door on the South and Jesus Altar on the North of the Porch containing three Pillars and so much of the Angle having in it an Altar with a fair Alabaster-Table above it where Mass was daily Celebrated for their Souls and therein a Seat or Pew where the Prior was accustomed to sit to hear Jesus-Mass The East-end of the Porch where the Altar stood was clos'd up with a little Stone-wall somewhat higher then the Altar and Wainscotted above the Wall and the West-end with a little Stone-wall and an Iron grate on the top of the wall and all the North-side towards the Body of the Church inviron'd with Iron And also on the back-side behind the Nevels Altar from the Nevels Altar to the midst of the pillar behind the Church-door in compass from pillar to pillar there was a Chamber where one that kept the Church and rung the Bells at midnight did lodge Also over the Church-door the compass of four pillars two on either side when one enter'd within the Church-door was all cover'd over head with Wainscot very finely painted and varnished Azure and set out with stars of Gold And in the fore-part of the Wainscot from pillar to pillar within the Church over the Holy-water-stone there was a brandishing on the fore-part of the Wainscot or Roof very finely and curiously wrought and gilt with Gold as finely as the Angel and in the midst of the said brandishing there was a Star of a great compass like unto the Sun very artificially and most curiously wrought with Gold and enamell'd very richly to the beholders thereof so that there could not fall any dust or filth into the Holy-water-stone it was so close above and so close within the Church-door In the West-end of this South-Alley betwixt the two nethermost Pillars opposite to our Lady of Pitty 's Altar there was an Altar with a Rood representing the Passion of Christ having his hands bound with a Crown of Thorns on his head being commonly called the Bound-Rood inclosed on each side with Wainscot as was the said Altar of our Lady of Pitty 's Near unto the said Altar on the South-side adjoyning to the Galilee-door was the Grate wherein the Sanctuary-Country-men were wont to lye when they fled thither for resuge In the old time long before the house of Durham was suppress'd the Abbey-Church and all the Church-yard and all the circuits thereof was Sanctuary for all manner of men that had done or committed any great offence as in killing any man in his own defence or any person that had broken out of Prison and fled to the said Church-door and knocking and rapping at it to have it opened there were certain men that did lye alwayes in two Chambers over the said North-door for the same purpose that when any such offenders did come and knock strait way they were let in at any hour and then they did run strait-way to the Galilee-Bell and did tole it to the intent that any man that heard it might know that some man had taken Sanctuary And when the Prior had Intelligence thereof he sent word and commanded them to keep themselves within the Sanctuary that is to say within the Church and Church-yard and every one of them to have a Gown of black cloath made with a Cross of yellow called St. Cuthbert's Cross set on the shoulder of his left Arm to the intent that every one might see that there was such a priviledge granted by God unto St. Cuthbert's Shrine for all such Offenders to flye unto sor succour and safeguard of their Lives untill such time as they might obtain their Prince's pardon and that they should lye within the Church or Sanctuary within a Grate which Grate is remaining and standing to this day being made only for the same purpose adjoyning to the Galilee-door on the South-side And likewise they had Meat Drink Bedding and other necessaries for thirty seven dayes at the charge of the House such as were meet and necessary for such Offenders till such time as the Prior and the Convent could get them convey'd out of the Diocess And this Freedom was confirmed not only by King Guthrid but also by King Alured In the west-West-end of the said Church over the Galilee there is a most fine large Window of Glass being the whole story of the Root of Jesse in most fine colour'd glass very finely and artificially pictur'd and wrought in colours very goodly and pleasant to behold with Mary and Christ in her Arms at the top of the said Window in most fine colour'd glass also The Galilee and when the Chappel dedicated to the honour of St. Mary came to be called the Galilee And for the comfort of all Women and solace of their Souls there was an Ancient Church in the â—ern-Island where the Church of that Town now standeth which was appointed for Women to repair unto for hearing of Mass making their Prayers and receiving the Sacraments For which cause there was Chappel made and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary now called the Galilee upon the naming whereof it is to be noted as you may read in the Book intituled The Acts of the Bishops Chap. 26. Hugo Pusillar Bishop of Durham who was consecrated the 21. of December in the year of our Lord God 1154. at Rome by Pope Athanasius upon the Feast-day of St. Thomas the Apostle considering the diligence of his Predecessors in building the Cathedral Church which was finished but a few years before his time no Chappel being then erected to the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary whereunto it should be lawfull for Women to have access began to erect a new piece of work at the East-Angle of the said Cathedral-Church for which work there were divers Pillars of Marble-stone brought from beyond the Seas But this work being brought to a small height began through great clifts appearing in the same to fall down whereupon it manifestly appeared that it was not acceptable to God and Holy St. Cuthbert especially by reason of the Access which Women were to have so near his
Feretory In consideration whereof the work was left off and a new one begun and finished at the West-Angle of the said Church into which it was lawful for Women to enter having no holy place before where they might have lawfull access for their comfort and consolation It is called the Galilee by reason as some think of the Translation of the same being once begun and afterwards removed whereupon it took the name of Galilee to which place such as repaired had granted unto them sundry pardons as plainly may appear in a Table there set up containing the said pardons Within the Galilee in the Chantry being all of most excellent blew Marble stood our Lady's Altar a very sumptuous Monument finely adorned with curious Wainscot-work above-head at the back and at either end of the Altar the Wainscot being devised and furnished with most Heavenly Pictures so lively in colours and gilt that they greatly adorned the said Altar where our Lady's Mass was sung daily by the Master of the Song-School with certain Deacons and Quiristers the Master of the Song-School playing upon a pair of very fair and fine Organs in time of our Lady's Mass wherein the first Founder of the said Chantry Bishop Langley his Soul was most devoutly pray'd for both in the beginning and ending thereof There was also belonging to the said Altar very sumptuous and glorious Furniture not only for principal dayes but for ordinary Service and for the preserving and safe-keeping of those goodly Suits of Vestments and Ornaments appertaining to the said Altar there was at either end thereof behind the Portal two very fine close Ambries all of Wainscot wherein after the celebrating of our Lady's Mass they were safely inclosed Thomas Langley Bishop of Durham lyeth buried under a fair Marble Tomb within the said Chantry before our Lady's Altar He founded upon the Palace-Green a Grammar-School and a Song-School with yearly stipends whereof two Priests were Masters who did daily say Mass and also daily pray'd for his Soul On the North-side of the said Galilee was an Altar called the Lady of Pitty 's Altar with her Picture carrying our Saviour on her knee as he was taken from the Cross a very dolorous aspect The said Altar was ordained for a Chauntry-Priest to say Mass every Holy day having above the Altar on the Wall the one part of our Saviour's Passion in great Pictures the other part being above St. Bede's Altar on the South-side There was on the South-side betwixt two Pillars a goodly Monument all of blew Marble the height of a yard from the ground supported by five Pillars at every corner one and under the midst one and above the said Through of Marble Pillars stood a second Shrine of St. Cuthbert's wherein the Bones of the holy man St. Bede were enshrined being accustomed to be taken down every Festival day when there was any solemn Procession and carried by four Monks in time of Procession and Divine Service Which being ended they convey'd it into the Galilee and set it upon the said Tomb again having a fair cover of Wainscot very curiously gilt and appointed to draw up and down over the Shrine when they pleas'd to shew the sumptuousness thereof And for further verity in this enarration of St. Bede's Shrine I have set down the Verses which are in the Ancient History declaring both the time of his Translation from St. Cuthbert's Tomb and withall the Maker and Founder of the Shrine in the Galilee Hugo Pulissar Bishop of Durham after he had finished the Chappel called the Galilee caus'd a Feretory of Gold and Silver to be made wherein the Bones of Venerabâ—â— Bede Priest and Doctor Translated and removed from St. Cuthbert's Shrine were laid In the first work whereof the lower parts thereof these Verses under-written were engraven in Latine now Translated into English as followeth In cujus Feretri prima fabricatura in parte inferiori isti versus sunt insculpti Continet haec theca Bedae venerabilis ossa Sensum Factori Christus dedit atque Datori Petrus opus fecit proesul dedit hoc Hugo donum Sic in utroque suum veneratus utrumque patronum In English This Coffin doth contain the Bones of venerable Bede Christ to the Maker sence did give and to the Giver Gold One Peter fram'd the work the cost Bishop Hugo made So Peter and Hugo Patrons both St. Bede inclos'd in mould Anno Milleno ter Centum septuageno Postquam Salvatorâ— arnem de Virgine sumpsit Tra stulit hoc Peretrum Cuthberti de prope tumba Istius Ecclesiae prior hic poscente Richardo De Castro dicti Bernardi cujus et ossa Non procul hinc lapide sub marmoreo requiescunt In the year of our Lord God One thousand three hundred and seventy Richard of Bernard-Castle did most earnestly procure that the Bones of St. Bede lying nigh St. Cuthbert's Shrine should be Translated into the Galilee there to remain This Richard upon his decease for the love he bore to St. Bede caused his own Bones to be laid neer him under a Marble-stone It appeareth in the Description of the State of the Church of Durham that the Bones of St. Bede were first laid in the Monastery of Jarrow and afterwards brought to Durham and placed in a golden Coffin on the right side with the Body of St. Cuthbert Egfridus a Priest Bishop of Lindisfarne in that time viz. in the year of Grace 1430. or according to others 1319. did affirm and certainly record that one Coffin did cover and contain both the Body of St. Cuthbert and the Bones of Venerable Doctor Bede On the South of the said Galilee was the Altar of St. Bede before which his Bones and Reliques lye Interred under the same place where before his Shrine was exalted Adjoyning to the lower part of the great Window in the West-end of the said Galilee was a fair Iron Pulpit with bars of Iron for one to hold them by going up the steps into the Pulpit where one of the Monks preached every Holy-day and Sunday at one in the Afternoon At the West-end of the South-Angle was a Font to Baptize Children when the Realm was interdicted by the Pope which Thomas Langley Bishop of Durham did only procure as a priviledge upon especial favour at the Pope's hands In the same West-end of the Galilee there be four fair colour'd and sumptuous glaz'd Windows In the first towards the South there are three fair Lights the middle having in it the Picture of Christ as he was Crucified on the Cross most curiously painted and wrought in glass with the Sun and Moon above the head thereof In the highest part of the said Light there is the Picture of the Star which appeared unto the three Wise men or Kings of Collen underneath depictur'd directing them to the East to search out the new-born Child Jesus the holy One born betwixt an Ox and an Ass to offer to him Oblations and Sacrifices of Gold Myrrh
of their Auncients being spoiled which were won at the said Battel at Branfield that there should be no remembrance of them in the Monastical Church of Durham And the said Saint Cuthbert's Banner was at many other places Besides it was thought to be one of the goodliest Reliques of any in England and it was born only upon principal dayes when there was a general Procession as on easter-Easter-day ascention-Ascention-day Whitsunday corpus-christi-Corpus-Christi-day and St. Cuthbert's day and some other Festival dayes It was st up at the east-East-end of the Shrine because it was so weighty Also whensoever it was born it was the Clerk's Office to wait upon it with his Surplice on with a fair red painted staff having a fork or cleft at the upper end of the staff which cleft was lined with silk and down under the silk to prevent the hurting or bruising of the pipes of the Banner which were of silver to take it down and raise it up again by reason of the weightiness thereof There was also a strong girdle of white Leather worn by him who carried St. Cuthbert's Banner when it was carried abroad and it was made fast to the said Girdle by two pieces of white leather and at either end of the two pieces of white leather a Socket of Horn was made fast to them that the end of the Banner-staff might be put into it For to ease him who carried the said Banner of St. Cuthbert because it was so heavy there were four men alwayes appointed to wait upon it besides the Clerk and the person who bore it The Vice-Prior had the keyes and keeping of St. Bede's Shrine which stood in the Galilee And whensoever there was any general Procession he commanded his Clerk giving him the keyes of St. Bede's Shrine to draw up the cover of it and to take it down and carry it into the Revestry Thence it was carried by four Monks in time of Procession every principal day and when the Procession was done it was brought back into the Galilee and the cover let down the keyes being return'd by the Clerk to the Master of the Feretory D. Richard Crosseby Master of the Novices There were alwayes six Novices who went daily to School within the House for the space of seven years together and one of the eldest Monks that was learned was appointed to be their Tutor The said Novices had no wages but meat and drink and cloathing for that space The Master or Tutor's Office was to see that they lacked nothing as Cowls Frocks Stamyne Bedding Boots Socks and when they did want any of these Necessaries the Master had charge to call upon one of the Chamberlains for such things for they never received wages nor handled any money in that space but went daily to their Books within the Cloister And if the Master found any of them apt to learn and that he apply'd himself to his Book and had a pregnant wit he gave notice thereof to thé Prior. And some time after he was sent to Oxford to School and there he did learn and study Divinity and the residue of the Novices were kept at their Books till they could understand their Service and the Scriptures Then at the seven years end they did sing their first Mass The House was no longer charged with finding them Apparel for then they entred into wages to find themselves Apparel which wages was twenty shillings in the year He had no more to find himself Apparel withal The eldest Monk in the House had no more except he had an Office His Chamber was in the Dorter D. John Porter alias John Smith called Master Segerston alias Sexton The Sexton's Exchequer was within the Church in the North-Alley over against Bishop Skirlaw's Altar on the Ieft hand as you go up to the Abbey to St. Cuthbert's Fereter His Office was to see that nothing were wanting within the Church as to provide Bread and Wine for the Church and Wax and Lights in Winter He had alwayes one Tun of Wine lying in the Exchequer aforesaid for the use of the said Church He had also Segerston-haugh in his keeping it was his charge and St. Mary's Cup-board was in his Office He was also to see all the glass Windows repaired and the Plummer's work of the Church as also the mending of the Bells and Bell-ropes and leathering and all other works that were necessary to be employ'd both within the Church and without and to see it kept clean All these things were to be call'd for at the Sexton's hands His Office was also every day to lock up all the keyes of every Altar in the Church every Altar having its peculiar Ambrie and some two and to lay them forth every morning betwixt seven and eight of the clock upon the height of the Ambrie being of Wainscot wherein they were lock'd standing within the North-Quire-door that every Monk might take the key and go to what Altar he was dispos'd to say Mass at They also went to the Chapter-house every day where all the Bishops in the old time were Buried betwixt eight and nine of the Clock and there pray'd for all their Benefactors and Founders who had bestowed any thing on that Church And at nine of the Clock there rung a Bell to Mass called the Chapter-Mass which was alwayes sung at the high Altar and he that sung the Mass had alwayes in his Memento all those that had given any thing to the Church One half of the Monks said Mass in the Chapter-Mass time and the other half that sung the Chapter-Mass said Mass in the high-Mass time There were at every Altar two Chalices and two silver Crewets appertaining to it with Albes and Vestments for the principal Feasts as also for all other dayes besides Every Altar had its double Furniture for adorning all parts of the Altar serving both for holy dayes and principal Feasts Their Founders and Benefactors were pray'd for every day and had in remembrance in the time of Mass The Sexton's Chamber was in the Dorter and he had his meat served from the great Kitchin to his Exchequer O. her Officers of the House of Durham D. Robert Bennet Bowcer of the House His Exchequer is a little stone-House adjoyning to the Coal-garth pertaining to the Great Kitchin a little distant from the Dean's Hall-stairs His Office was to receive the Rents of the House and all other Officers made their accompts to him and he discharged all the Servants wages and paid all the expences and sums of money that were laid forth about any work appertaining to the said Abbey His Chamber was in the Farmary and his meat was served from the great Kitchin to his Exchequer D. Roger Wreight Cellarer of the House His Exchequer was afterwards Dr. Tod's Chamber adjoyning to the west-West-end of the great Kitchin having a long Greese going up to it over the Solden-gates His Office was to see what expences were made in the Kitchin what Beefs and Muttons were spent in
a week and all the Spices and other necessaries consum'd in the Kitchin as well for the Prior's Table as for the whole Convent and for all Strangers that came to it 'T was his Office also to see all things orderly served and in due time He lodg'd in the Dâ—â—ter D. Roger Watson Terrer of the House His Exchequer was as you go into the Guest-Hall on the left hand in the Entry as you go in or come into the great Hall His Office was to see all the Guests Chambers cleanly kept and all the Table-cloaths Napkins and all the Napery within the Chambers as Sheets and Pillows to be sweet and clean And he alwayes provided two Hogsheads of Wine to be ready against Strangers came and provided Provender for their Horses that nothing should be wanting for any Stranger what degree soever he was of And there were four Yeomen allow'd to wait upon the said Strangers His Chamber was in the Farmary D. William Foster Keeper of the Garners The Master of the Garners Exchequer was over Mr. Pilkington's Hall-doors All his House and Mr. Bunny's were Garners where all their Wheat and other Corn did lye His Office was to receive all the Wheat that came and all the Malt and to make accompt what Malt was spent in the week and what Malt-corn was delivered to the Kiln The Kiln was where Mr. Bennet's Lodging was hard beyond the Conduit which Lodging he built at his own charge The Master of the Garner's Chamber was in the Dorter D. Thomas Spark Chamberlain His Exchequer was where Mr. Swift hath his Lodgings nigh to the Abbey-gates His Office was to provide Stamine otherwise called Lindsey-woolsey for Sheets and for Shirts for the Novices and the Monks for they did not wear Linnen And he had a Taylor working daily making Socks of white woollen-cloath both whole Socks and half Socks and making Shirts and Sheets of Lindsey-woolsey in a Shop underneath the said Exchequer which Taylor was one of the Servants of the House His Chamber was in the Dorter D. Henry Brown Master of the Common-House His Exchequer was in the Common-House His Office was to provide all such spices against Lent as might be comfortable for the said Monks by reason of their great austerity of fasting and praying and to get a fire continually made in the Common-House-Hall for the Monks to warm them when they were disposed and to have alwayes a Hogshead of Wine for the Monks and for the keeping of his entertainment called O Sapientia and to provide Figgs and Wall-nuts against Lent His Chamber was in the Dorter D. William Watson the Prior's Chaplain His Exchequer was over the stairs as you go up to the Dean's Hall His Office was to receive at the Bowcer's hands what sums of money the Bowcer was to pay to the Lord Prior's use for the maintenance of himself and the expences of his whole Houshold and all his other necessaries It was also the said Chaplain's Office to provide the Lord Prior's Apparel and to see all things in good order in the Hall and his Furniture for his Table to be sweet and clean and that every man diligently apply'd himself to his Office as he ought to do and to see that no strife or debate were within the House He had the charge of all the Lord Prior's Plate and Treasure as well for the delivery of it out as the receiving of it again He was also to discharge and pay all Gentlemen Yeomen and all others the Servants and Officers of the Lord Prior's House their wages and to pay all other Reckonings of the House whatsoever His Chamber was adjoyning to the Prior's Chamber All these Monks before rehearsed were in these Offices when the House was suppress'd and the Monks and Novices were alwayes named after this sort as these Monks are named before the suppression of the House And the Prior of the house was alwayes called the Lord Prior even to the suppression of the house The Rite or Ancient Custome of Processions in the Abbey-Church of Durham upon certain Festival dayes And first the Procession of the Prior and Monks on St. Mark 's day Upon St. Mark 's day after Easter which was commonly fasted through all the Countrey and no flesh eaten upon it the Prior with the Monks had a solemn Procession and went to the Bow or Bough-Church with their Procession and did very solemn Service there and one of the Monks did make a Sermon to all the people of the Parish and of the Town that came thither The Procession on the three Cross-dayes by the Prior and Monks On Monday in the Cross-week they had another solemn Procession and went to St. Oswald's Church in Elvet and there did solemn service and had a Sermon Preached by one of the Monks The next day being Tuesday they had another solemn Procession to St. Margaret's Church in Cross-gate with solemn Service with a Sermon And the next day they had the like Procession to St. Nicholas Church in the Market-place with Service and Sermon before a great Audience of People The Procession on Holy-Thursday Whitsunday and Trinity Sunday The next day being Holy-Thursday they had a general Procession with two Crosses born before them one both Cross and Staff was all of gold the other of silver parcel-gilt both Cross and Staff with that Holy Relique St. Cuthbert's Banner which was born foremost in the Procession with all the rich Copes that were in the Church every Monk one and the Prior had a marvellous rich one of cloath of gold which he was not able to go upright with for the weightiness thereof but one held it up on every side He had his Crutch or Crosier-staff in his hand being of silver double-gilt with a rich Mitre on his head Also St. Bede's Shrine that holy Relique was carried in the said Procession by four Monks on their shoulders Other Monks carried about with them in the said Procession divers other holy Reliques as the Picture of St. Oswald of silver gilt and St. Margaret's Cross of silver double-gilt The Procession came out of the North-door of the Abbey-Church went through the Church-yard down Ly-gate by the Bow-Church-end and up the Souch-Baily and in at the Abbey-gates where stood a great number of people men and women and Children with great Reverence and Devotion a good sight to behold and so it went through the Abbey-garth with a number of men following it but no Women were suffer'd to go further then the Abbey-gates and so through the Cloister into the Church And upon Whitsunday there was the like general Procession with the same solemnities as had been observed on Holy-Thursday with St. Bede's Shrine St. Cuthbert's Banner and all the holy Reliques as the Image of St. Oswald and the Image of St. Aidan and the holy Relique of St. Margaret's Cross with divers others On Trinity Sunday also there was another general Procession as aforesaid with all the foresaid Reliques taking the same