Monastic cell and medieval tower on Coquet Island (Hauxley)
[Name centred NU 29380455] Benedictine Monastery (remains of). (1)
Benedictine monks. Existed until AD1500. (2)
A cell of the Benedictine monks on Coquet Island originally founded c.684AD with a later refoundation of different order pre-1125AD. Dissolved AD1539. Dependent on Tynemouth Priory. Coquet Island was famous for its monks as early as AD684. (a)
It was granted to Tynemouth by Robert Mowbray who died in 1125. St Henry died here in 1127, one Tynemouth monk being present with him. The tower appears in the lists of fortalices, 1415, as belonging to the prior of Tynemouth. In 1442 there was a grant conditional upon two monks of Tynemouth on orders serving the chapel here. Remains still exist. (3)
St Henry landed at Tynemouth in 12th century and obtained the prior's consent to build a small cell on Coquet Island, which was in charge of one of the monks. A century later another hermit by name of Martin erected a windmill on the island and this was destroyed by Robert fitz Roger (died 1214). (c)
The remains of the tower and cell are incorporated in modern cottages - total length of buildings east-west is 95ft. A vaulted chamber 43ft long by 14ft 3ins wide with walls 3ft 3ins thick occupies the western half. Some ancient walling exists in north side and east end of eastern half of the buildings - a window opening is in east end. A projection 8ft square is on north side, it is not now accessible. It is possible that east window and gable are those of a chapel and northern projection may be a priest's cell.
The lighthouse tower appears to be of ancient masonry to a height of 30ft with the jambs of two windows visible. Mr Dand of Hauxley remembered a roofless tower here previous to 1828. This may be the tower mentioned in list of fortalices in 1415. A grave cover and a stone, which is apparently a squint, lie near the buildings. '...the remains of houses and a tower are on Coquet Island'. (e)
A ring found in 1860 bearing the inscription 'OWI' in Old English runes and a circular bronze buckle of a metal ornament (these latter two objects were found in the keeper's garden) are ascribed to the 9th century. (f)
They are now in Alnwick Castle Museum, case H no 286. (4)
As described by previous authorities. See photographs. (5)
Coquet Island, tower of monastic cell. Remains of range of buildings with vaulted basement of a tower. (6)
Monastic cell and Medieval tower on Coquet island; scheduled. (7)
Remains of a sandstone flag surface were observed during a watching brief of excavations for a service trench in 2006. The feature was located immediately beside the entrance to the lighthouse courtyard and are believed to represent part of a stone floor of medieval or post-medieval date. (8)
A programme of historic building recording, historical research and analysis was undertaken by Peter Ryder on the monastic cell on Coquet Island. The recording programme was prompted by the need to carry out essential repairs after the remains of the medieval Benedictine cell were put on the Monuments at Risk register. The external elevations of the main range, chapel, turret and tower and the internal elevations of the north and south walls of the main range and various architectural fragments were drawn as part of the survey. (9)
Lighthouse and attached buildings. Benedictine monastic cell, 14th or 15th century; early 19th century lighthouse-keepers cottage built into chapel ruins, other parts incorporated in 1841 Trinity House lighthouse complex.
Plan: The cell consisted of an east-west 2-storey domestic range with an attached chapel to the east, with a north-west sacristy turret. Tower, perhaps originally detached, to south of west end of domestic range. In 1841 a new dwelling block was built incorporating the undercroft of the domestic range, with a lobby linking it to the tower, the upper part of the tower was rebuilt to carry the lighthouse lantern. Grade II*. (10a)
NU 293 045. Coquet Island tower. Scheduled No ND/246. (10b)
Monastic cell and Medieval tower on Coquet island; scheduled. (10c)
Remains of the Medieval priory are also visible as earthwork on air photographs mapped as part of the North East Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey. Part of the monument appears to be still extant on the latest 2002 NMRC oblique photography. (10d)
Not investigated in the field - adverse tidal conditions. (10e)
General association with NRHE UID 1162261 (Tynemouth Priory) (10)
Benedictine monks. Existed until AD1500. (2)
A cell of the Benedictine monks on Coquet Island originally founded c.684AD with a later refoundation of different order pre-1125AD. Dissolved AD1539. Dependent on Tynemouth Priory. Coquet Island was famous for its monks as early as AD684. (a)
It was granted to Tynemouth by Robert Mowbray who died in 1125. St Henry died here in 1127, one Tynemouth monk being present with him. The tower appears in the lists of fortalices, 1415, as belonging to the prior of Tynemouth. In 1442 there was a grant conditional upon two monks of Tynemouth on orders serving the chapel here. Remains still exist. (3)
St Henry landed at Tynemouth in 12th century and obtained the prior's consent to build a small cell on Coquet Island, which was in charge of one of the monks. A century later another hermit by name of Martin erected a windmill on the island and this was destroyed by Robert fitz Roger (died 1214). (c)
The remains of the tower and cell are incorporated in modern cottages - total length of buildings east-west is 95ft. A vaulted chamber 43ft long by 14ft 3ins wide with walls 3ft 3ins thick occupies the western half. Some ancient walling exists in north side and east end of eastern half of the buildings - a window opening is in east end. A projection 8ft square is on north side, it is not now accessible. It is possible that east window and gable are those of a chapel and northern projection may be a priest's cell.
The lighthouse tower appears to be of ancient masonry to a height of 30ft with the jambs of two windows visible. Mr Dand of Hauxley remembered a roofless tower here previous to 1828. This may be the tower mentioned in list of fortalices in 1415. A grave cover and a stone, which is apparently a squint, lie near the buildings. '...the remains of houses and a tower are on Coquet Island'. (e)
A ring found in 1860 bearing the inscription 'OWI' in Old English runes and a circular bronze buckle of a metal ornament (these latter two objects were found in the keeper's garden) are ascribed to the 9th century. (f)
They are now in Alnwick Castle Museum, case H no 286. (4)
As described by previous authorities. See photographs. (5)
Coquet Island, tower of monastic cell. Remains of range of buildings with vaulted basement of a tower. (6)
Monastic cell and Medieval tower on Coquet island; scheduled. (7)
Remains of a sandstone flag surface were observed during a watching brief of excavations for a service trench in 2006. The feature was located immediately beside the entrance to the lighthouse courtyard and are believed to represent part of a stone floor of medieval or post-medieval date. (8)
A programme of historic building recording, historical research and analysis was undertaken by Peter Ryder on the monastic cell on Coquet Island. The recording programme was prompted by the need to carry out essential repairs after the remains of the medieval Benedictine cell were put on the Monuments at Risk register. The external elevations of the main range, chapel, turret and tower and the internal elevations of the north and south walls of the main range and various architectural fragments were drawn as part of the survey. (9)
Lighthouse and attached buildings. Benedictine monastic cell, 14th or 15th century; early 19th century lighthouse-keepers cottage built into chapel ruins, other parts incorporated in 1841 Trinity House lighthouse complex.
Plan: The cell consisted of an east-west 2-storey domestic range with an attached chapel to the east, with a north-west sacristy turret. Tower, perhaps originally detached, to south of west end of domestic range. In 1841 a new dwelling block was built incorporating the undercroft of the domestic range, with a lobby linking it to the tower, the upper part of the tower was rebuilt to carry the lighthouse lantern. Grade II*. (10a)
NU 293 045. Coquet Island tower. Scheduled No ND/246. (10b)
Monastic cell and Medieval tower on Coquet island; scheduled. (10c)
Remains of the Medieval priory are also visible as earthwork on air photographs mapped as part of the North East Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey. Part of the monument appears to be still extant on the latest 2002 NMRC oblique photography. (10d)
Not investigated in the field - adverse tidal conditions. (10e)
General association with NRHE UID 1162261 (Tynemouth Priory) (10)
N5591
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; B H Pritchard
PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY, Coquet Island Lighhouse. Report of archaeological monitoring and building recording 2007; Bamburgh Research Project
WATCHING BRIEF, Coquet Island Lighthouse. Report of archaeological monitoring and building recording 2007; Bamburgh Research Project
BUILDING SURVEY, Coquet Island 2011
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, English Heritage: North East Coast NMP Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey ; Archaeological Research Services
PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY, Coquet Island Lighhouse. Report of archaeological monitoring and building recording 2007; Bamburgh Research Project
WATCHING BRIEF, Coquet Island Lighthouse. Report of archaeological monitoring and building recording 2007; Bamburgh Research Project
BUILDING SURVEY, Coquet Island 2011
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, English Heritage: North East Coast NMP Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey ; Archaeological Research Services
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