It must be over 50 years since I last visited Heysham and thought it high time for another visitation ! . We will ignore the nuclear power station and concentrate on the old part of the village and it's headland . A view through the door of St. Patrick's chapel built in the 8th century with Morecambe Bay beyond . Tradition has it that the saint landed here from Ireland .
Excavations have shown that there were burial within the chapel and the surrounding areas all dating from the 10th century
There are these six stone cut coffins with slots for crosses , they were probably used as ossuaries to hold the bones rather than bodies .
Another view of them with an impressive vista of the bay .
A not to successful panorama shot (clicking on it may improve it)
Just down the hill behind the chapel is the stump of a headless cross .
Just down the hill is the 'modern' St. Peter's church which was consecrated in 967 AD , there is evidence of an earlier wooden structure nearer the bay .
Heysham is mentioned in the Domesday Book but the first written record dates from 1658, the remains of a dated cross - 1696 ..
In the church is a Viking hogback tombstone .
Another view with Mrs K for scale, the carvings on it represent the stories of Sigurd the dragon slayer and Sigmund , but with some Christian symbols - scholars think it is part of transition from paganism to Christianity .and it is one of the most impressive found in the North of England.
A 13th century sepulchral slab with floriated cross and sword (not sure if the sword means the occupant had been on crusade ?) We rounded off the trip with cakes and teas at the cafe run by church volunteers - another 'Grand Day Out'
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Thank you for a wonderful tour Tony! What an amazing place, with breath-taking discoveries around each corner! And you were right, the vista picture was awesome once I clicked on it! Well done indeed!
ReplyDeleteGlad the vista photo worked.
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