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Site Details

West Lilburn chapel and burial ground (Tillside)

(NU 02222417) Chapel (In Ruins). (1)

It is assumed that the history of West Lilburn Chapel begins with the erection of an early Norman building. The chancel was rebuilt in second half of the 12th century and a south chapel added c.1220; this was allowed to fall into ruin c.1793. The vicarage of West Lilburn is referred to in the 16th century and the church was still in use in 1650. In 1734 it was described as ruinous; c.1887 the walls were re-painted.
Excavations in 1933 by Mr E F Collingwood revealed the choir, c.19ft square externally with walls 2ft 9ins thick, of late 12th/early 13th century date, the 12th century nave measuring 38ft x 21ft externally with arch way and lower part of a Norman doorway in south wall and the south chapel measuring 21ft 3ins north-south and 18ft 9ins east-west externally with walls 2ft 3ins thick. The piscina is in situ in south wall and two tomb slabs were in north-west corner. Finds included part of a quern of igneous rock and part of an earthenware pot of 13th century pattern. Full architectural description. (2)(3)

Ruined chapel. 11th century. Massive blocks of dressed stone. Long, tall and narrow, still of Anglo-Saxon shape. Walls stand to c.9 feet on north side, 5 feet on south side, east and west ends stand to gable height. Small square recesses in chancel are possibly aumbry and piscina. Two elaborate medieval tomb slabs in south chapel and one in nave. (4)

Scheduled. (5)

NU 022 243; NU 022 242. Lilburn tower and chapel. Scheduled No ND/223. (6a)
N3481
Early Medieval (410 to 1066)
Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
Medieval (1066 to 1540)
Listed Building
Scheduled Ancient Monument
EXCAVATION, West Lilburn Chapel 1933


Source of Reference
Local History of Tillside
Local History of Tillside
Local History of Tillside

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