Warkworth Hermitage

Today we took Son#2 and his partner back up the coast and visited Warkworth, Alnmouth and Alnwick (the last of these for a pilgrimage to Barter Books – and yes, we did succumb to the temptation to buy some!).
 
The highlight of the trip was the Hermitage at Warkworth, and this blip was taken inside it. It was so dark that one could barely make out the details with the naked eye, but the camera could “see” much better when using a long exposure (hand-held, HDR - the Olympus image stabilisation is great).
 
The hermitage was carved out of the bedrock of the cliff beside the river; the rib vaulting, columns & altar were carved so as to look like “normal” stonework in a church.This photo shows the chapel, but it also had a sacristy and living quarters. These rooms date from the 14th Century when the hermitage was founded and maintained by the lords of nearby Warkworth Castle. The hermit’s prime duties were to offer prayers to God for the well-being of his patrons & their followers.
 
By one of the small windows is a carved crib scene: the extra shows a recumbent Mary with the Baby Jesus lying across her. Joseph watches over her but isn’t shown in this photo.
 
To get to the hermitage one has to be rowed across the river by an attendant from English Heritage. He was great fun and full of information.
 
(Many thanks indeed to all those who gave stars & hearts for my Puffin-with-Sand-Eels blip yesterday, propelling it well up Page 1 on Popular – I’m most flattered!)