Chapel (Thirston)
[Marginal] Chapel or hermitage at Helm. (1)
On March 8th 1551/2, the chapel or hermitage and parcel of land adjoining it in Causefelde and Helme, then in the occupation of William Atkynson and his wife, were, with other places, granted to Sir John Horsley, knight. (2)
NZ 18459619. Mr Percy Hogg of Helm indicated the site of this chapel or hermitage. The position, on the boundary of the farms of Helm and Causey Park, is in agreement with the information given by authority (2). Mr Hogg stated that stones and foundations have been encountered when ploughing in each of the three fields involved.
The only surface indication of the site is an irregular depression to the north west of the hedge junction. Many stones, one with a dressed face, are lying in the hedgerows in the immediate vicinity.
Nothing on aerial photographs (RAF 1946). (3)
It has been suggested that this site is the same as St Cuthbert's Chapel at Causey Park (HER 11403). (4)
The Bernicia Studies Group carried out an assessment of documentary sources and a magnetometry survey in order to locate evidence of a medieval chapel at Causey Park. The geophysical survey comprised 7 grids covering a total area of 700 square metres. The earliest documentary reference to the chapel dates back to 1221 when it was in the cartulary of Brinkburn Priory. There is no evidence from the 12th century sources that the chapel was used as a stopping point in 875 or 1069, either overnight or mid-day. The report referred to theories that existing Roman roads were used by the monks in the 9th and 11th centuries but stated that no evidence had yet been found to demonstrate that this section of the A1 had an origin in the Roman period or earlier. The magnetometry survey identified a jumble of stones over an east-west orientated area c.16m in length and c.5m in width. The presence of less stones in the central area appears to indicate that this is a structure rather than a pile of rocks. While the east-west alignment is not proof alone that this is a chapel, the dimensions are consistent with those of an early chapel. No evidence of dressed or carved stones were found on the surface during the survey. The survey did not identify the earlier alignment of the Great North Road but the report did refer to the potential for plough damage removing road metalling.
The Bernician Studies Group carried out an assessment of documentary sources and a magnetometry survey in order to locate evidence of a medieval chapel at Causey Park. The geophysical survey comprised 7 grids covering a total area of 700 square metres. The earliest documentary reference to the chapel dates back to 1221 when it was in the cartulary of Brinkburn Priory. There is no evidence from the 12th century sources that the chapel was used as a stopping point in 875 or 1069, either overnight or mid-day. The report referred to theories that existing Roman roads were used by the monks in the 9th or 11th centuries but stated that no evidence had yet been found to demonstrate that this section of the A1 had an origin in the Roman period or earlier. The magnetometry survey identified a jumble of stones over an east-west orientated area c.16m in length and c.5m in width. The presence of less stones in the central area appears to indicate that this is a structure rather than a pile of rocks. While the east-west alignment is not proof along that this is a chapel, the dimensions are consistent with those of an early chapel. No evidence of dressed or carved stones were found on the surface during the survey. The survey did not identify the earlier alignment of the Great North Road but the report did refer to the potential for plough damage removing road metalling. (5)
As noted by preceding authorities, numerous stones were noted in the bank forming the north-west to south-east aligned field boundary to the east of the given location. However, no obviously dressed stones were observed. The large depression north-west of the field corner was also observed. The field west of the boundary had been harrowed and sewn at the time of the site inspection in October 2016, and a number of sherds of what appeared to be medieval pottery were noted on the surface. (6)
On March 8th 1551/2, the chapel or hermitage and parcel of land adjoining it in Causefelde and Helme, then in the occupation of William Atkynson and his wife, were, with other places, granted to Sir John Horsley, knight. (2)
NZ 18459619. Mr Percy Hogg of Helm indicated the site of this chapel or hermitage. The position, on the boundary of the farms of Helm and Causey Park, is in agreement with the information given by authority (2). Mr Hogg stated that stones and foundations have been encountered when ploughing in each of the three fields involved.
The only surface indication of the site is an irregular depression to the north west of the hedge junction. Many stones, one with a dressed face, are lying in the hedgerows in the immediate vicinity.
Nothing on aerial photographs (RAF 1946). (3)
It has been suggested that this site is the same as St Cuthbert's Chapel at Causey Park (HER 11403). (4)
The Bernicia Studies Group carried out an assessment of documentary sources and a magnetometry survey in order to locate evidence of a medieval chapel at Causey Park. The geophysical survey comprised 7 grids covering a total area of 700 square metres. The earliest documentary reference to the chapel dates back to 1221 when it was in the cartulary of Brinkburn Priory. There is no evidence from the 12th century sources that the chapel was used as a stopping point in 875 or 1069, either overnight or mid-day. The report referred to theories that existing Roman roads were used by the monks in the 9th and 11th centuries but stated that no evidence had yet been found to demonstrate that this section of the A1 had an origin in the Roman period or earlier. The magnetometry survey identified a jumble of stones over an east-west orientated area c.16m in length and c.5m in width. The presence of less stones in the central area appears to indicate that this is a structure rather than a pile of rocks. While the east-west alignment is not proof alone that this is a chapel, the dimensions are consistent with those of an early chapel. No evidence of dressed or carved stones were found on the surface during the survey. The survey did not identify the earlier alignment of the Great North Road but the report did refer to the potential for plough damage removing road metalling.
The Bernician Studies Group carried out an assessment of documentary sources and a magnetometry survey in order to locate evidence of a medieval chapel at Causey Park. The geophysical survey comprised 7 grids covering a total area of 700 square metres. The earliest documentary reference to the chapel dates back to 1221 when it was in the cartulary of Brinkburn Priory. There is no evidence from the 12th century sources that the chapel was used as a stopping point in 875 or 1069, either overnight or mid-day. The report referred to theories that existing Roman roads were used by the monks in the 9th or 11th centuries but stated that no evidence had yet been found to demonstrate that this section of the A1 had an origin in the Roman period or earlier. The magnetometry survey identified a jumble of stones over an east-west orientated area c.16m in length and c.5m in width. The presence of less stones in the central area appears to indicate that this is a structure rather than a pile of rocks. While the east-west alignment is not proof along that this is a chapel, the dimensions are consistent with those of an early chapel. No evidence of dressed or carved stones were found on the surface during the survey. The survey did not identify the earlier alignment of the Great North Road but the report did refer to the potential for plough damage removing road metalling. (5)
As noted by preceding authorities, numerous stones were noted in the bank forming the north-west to south-east aligned field boundary to the east of the given location. However, no obviously dressed stones were observed. The large depression north-west of the field corner was also observed. The field west of the boundary had been harrowed and sewn at the time of the site inspection in October 2016, and a number of sherds of what appeared to be medieval pottery were noted on the surface. (6)
N11347
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; E Geary
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY, Magnetometry survey and assessment of documentary sources for a chapel at Causey Park 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, A1 in Northumberland 2017; Jacobs
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY, Magnetometry survey and assessment of documentary sources for a chapel at Causey Park 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, A1 in Northumberland 2017; Jacobs
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.