Iron Age Settlement (Tritlington and West Chevington)
The Archaeological Practice excavating at Chevington chapel in 1997. Photo by Northumberland County Council.
(NZ 24089810) Burial Ground (Site of). (1)
The Chapel of Chevington, probably built by one of the Morwicks, lords of the fee of West Chevington, was originally dependent on Woodhorn church. Granted by the prior and convent of Tynemouth to the bishop of Carlisle at an unknown date. In the 16th century it was included in the rural deanery of Morpeth. It stood in a graveyard containing half an acre of land near to Bullock's Hall. Warburton in 1715 called it a 'ruined chapel of ease'. Tradition ascribes its final destruction to fire. The only stone remaining is a large through-stone (bond-stone) with bevelled edges. Examined 28.4.1896 and found to lie within the foundation walls of the chapel. The graveyard was used for burials up to beginning of 19th century. (2)
Chapel. (3)
A ruined chapel of ease at West Chevington. (4)
There are no visible remains of either chapel or graveyard to be seen. The site is now pasture. (5)
The destruction of the chapel is traditionally attributed to fire. In 1715 the chapel was described as ruined by Warburton, but a substantial structure was presumably still standing as the bell was stolen in 1717.
Nine trenches were excavated in an evaluation of the chapel site in 1992. The chapel remains stood one course high and measured 16.8m by 7m on an east-west axis. Three elements were evident: nave, chancel and porch. The east wall of the chancel has been robbed, as has a substantial part of the west wall, (although of a different construction - yellow sandstone of poorer workmanship). Plough damage is evident on most of the stones. A few fragments of rough sandstone flooring lie in situ in the nave.
Fourteen inhumations were found, all lay to the south of the chapel. A chancel arch can be reconstructed from worked stone recovered in the vicinity of the chapel - a late 12th century date is suggested. No evidence was found to support the tradition that the chapel was destroyed by fire. (6)
Excavation of the site commenced in 1997, by The Archaeological Practice. The graveyard was excavated and, in total, 60 skeletons have been removed, including several from within the chapel itself. Excavation of the chapel revealed evidence of the processes involved in its construction, including: a lime kiln for the production of mortar, a bronze smelting hearth, and a number of lead bowl hearths for window came and lead flashing. The porch of the chapel appeared to be a later addition and the west wall had been reconstructed at some stage. Within the nave a font was found buried beneath a stone plinth. The font was broken around its lip but had no carved decoration and is believed to be early in date. The chapel was enclosed on at least three sides by a ditch.
Beneath the chapel and graveyard four Iron Age round houses were discovered as well as a rectilinear ditch surrounding them. Animal bone recovered from the round house ditches showed the presence of cattle, pigs, horses and dogs. A quernstone was also recovered. All over the site was a scatter of flint pieces and at the western edge a portion of a stone hand axe was found. (7)
The Chapel of Chevington, probably built by one of the Morwicks, lords of the fee of West Chevington, was originally dependent on Woodhorn church. Granted by the prior and convent of Tynemouth to the bishop of Carlisle at an unknown date. In the 16th century it was included in the rural deanery of Morpeth. It stood in a graveyard containing half an acre of land near to Bullock's Hall. Warburton in 1715 called it a 'ruined chapel of ease'. Tradition ascribes its final destruction to fire. The only stone remaining is a large through-stone (bond-stone) with bevelled edges. Examined 28.4.1896 and found to lie within the foundation walls of the chapel. The graveyard was used for burials up to beginning of 19th century. (2)
Chapel. (3)
A ruined chapel of ease at West Chevington. (4)
There are no visible remains of either chapel or graveyard to be seen. The site is now pasture. (5)
The destruction of the chapel is traditionally attributed to fire. In 1715 the chapel was described as ruined by Warburton, but a substantial structure was presumably still standing as the bell was stolen in 1717.
Nine trenches were excavated in an evaluation of the chapel site in 1992. The chapel remains stood one course high and measured 16.8m by 7m on an east-west axis. Three elements were evident: nave, chancel and porch. The east wall of the chancel has been robbed, as has a substantial part of the west wall, (although of a different construction - yellow sandstone of poorer workmanship). Plough damage is evident on most of the stones. A few fragments of rough sandstone flooring lie in situ in the nave.
Fourteen inhumations were found, all lay to the south of the chapel. A chancel arch can be reconstructed from worked stone recovered in the vicinity of the chapel - a late 12th century date is suggested. No evidence was found to support the tradition that the chapel was destroyed by fire. (6)
Excavation of the site commenced in 1997, by The Archaeological Practice. The graveyard was excavated and, in total, 60 skeletons have been removed, including several from within the chapel itself. Excavation of the chapel revealed evidence of the processes involved in its construction, including: a lime kiln for the production of mortar, a bronze smelting hearth, and a number of lead bowl hearths for window came and lead flashing. The porch of the chapel appeared to be a later addition and the west wall had been reconstructed at some stage. Within the nave a font was found buried beneath a stone plinth. The font was broken around its lip but had no carved decoration and is believed to be early in date. The chapel was enclosed on at least three sides by a ditch.
Beneath the chapel and graveyard four Iron Age round houses were discovered as well as a rectilinear ditch surrounding them. Animal bone recovered from the round house ditches showed the presence of cattle, pigs, horses and dogs. A quernstone was also recovered. All over the site was a scatter of flint pieces and at the western edge a portion of a stone hand axe was found. (7)
N11859
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1954; E Geary
EXCAVATION, Chevington Chapel Site Investigation 1992; The Archaeological Practice
EXCAVATION, West Chevington, Northumberland: The Excavation of a Prehistoric Settlement and Medieval Chapel and Graveyard. Interim Report, January 1998 1999; The Archaeological Practice
EXCAVATION, Chevington Chapel Site Investigation 1992; The Archaeological Practice
EXCAVATION, West Chevington, Northumberland: The Excavation of a Prehistoric Settlement and Medieval Chapel and Graveyard. Interim Report, January 1998 1999; The Archaeological Practice
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