The masons and building works of Durham priory, 1339-1539
The building activities of the Durham monks in the two centuries before the Dissolution are analysed using the evidence of the surviving remains, early depictions of works since destroyed, and the extensive contemporary archives. Besides the cathedral-priory itself, the buildings of the monastery's six northern cells (Coldingham, Holy Island, Fame Island, Finchale, Jarrow, and Monkwearmouth), and those of the thirty appropriated churches north of Humber still surviving, are also considered. The analysis examines the date, cost, and stylistic context of the building works, providing a comprehensive assessment of the prioryâs architectural output. The existence of long-term variations in the selectivity and quantity of information about building in the priory's financial documents is demonstrated; an understanding of these is deemed indispensable in assessing the evidential value of the documents in interpreting changes in the material record. The pattern of building activity is related to the economic background and other claims on the priory's resources. Particular attention is paid to the years c. 1350-75, the only period of across-the-board renewal, when the chronology of works and distribution of common
Cambridge, Eric
Monks; Masons; Religious; Cathedral; Church; Cell
The masons and building works of Durham priory, 1339-1539. The building activities of the Durham monks in the two centuries before the Dissolution are analysed using the evidence of the surviving remains, early depictions of works since destroyed, and the extensive contemporary archives. Besides the cathedral-priory itself, the buildings of the monastery's six northern cells (Coldingham, Holy Island, Fame Island, Finchale, Jarrow, and Monkwearmouth), and those of the thirty appropriated churches north of Humber still surviving, are also considered. The analysis examines the date, cost, and stylistic context of the building works, providing a comprehensive assessment of the prioryâs architectural output. The existence of long-term variations in the selectivity and quantity of information about building in the priory's financial documents is demonstrated; an understanding of these is deemed indispensable in assessing the evidential value of the documents in interpreting changes in the material record. The pattern of building activity is related to the economic background and other claims on the priory's resources. Particular attention is paid to the years c. 1350-75, the only period of across-the-board renewal, when the chronology of works and distribution of common
mason build work durham priory building_activity durham monk dissolution analyse_use evidence surviving remain early depiction work since destroy extensive contemporary archive besides cathedral priory building monastery northern cell holy island fame island thirty church north still survive also_consider analysis examines date cost stylistic context building work provide_comprehensive assessment priory architectural output existence long_term variation selectivity quantity information building priory financial document demonstrate deem indispensable assess evidential value document interpret change material_record pattern building_activity relate economic_background claim priory resource particular_attention_pay year_period across the board renewal chronology work distribution common