Brandon Chapel (Ingram)
(NU 04361714) Chapel (Remains of). (1)
In 1432, an action is reported against Robert, vicar of Eglingham, for failing to maintain a priest in Brandon chapel, and to keep the chapel in repair.
Although Eglingham church was appropriated to Tynemouth Priory and afterwards transferred to St Albans, Brandon chapel is not mentioned among the possessions of either monastery.
In 1663 the chapel was 'totally ruined and destitute', and there are references to ruins there in the 18th century. The graveyard was used for burials up to at least 1811, but in 1887 Maberley Phillips found no remains of the chapel.
The north half of the graveyard became gardens for two cottages, and the west quarter a potato patch for Brandon farmhouse.
In 1903 the Proprietor, the Rev James Allgood handed over the whole site to the church wardens of Eglingham who excavated the ruined walls of the chapel, levelled them up and protected them with a coating of cement. They cleared out the churchyard, and repaired the wall round it. It was hoped the churchyard would again be used but there are no recent tombstones in it.
The chapel consisted of a nave, choir and sanctuary, with a chapel or vestry on the south side of the sanctuary.
The character of the font proves that a church existed here in the 12th century, but the existing remains appear to be of the 13th century. The walls stand to a maximum height of three feet above ground level. The opening into the chancel in the west wall, 6 feet 5 inches wide, was found on excavation to be reduced to a passage only 2 feet 5 inches wide in the centre. It seems too small to have been an entrance to even the most diminutive Norman apse. (2)
A step was found above the narrow opening below the threshold of the chancel arch, it is alleged. If so, the inner opening may have been the sanctuary arch of a Celtic chapel, the sole survivor of the period in Northumberland. If there was no step above, and if the inner opening is not below floor level, this is possibly the same terrace wall with a narrow opening in the centre as found at Chillingham and formerly at Alwinton. (3)
The remains are correctly described - the walls of rubble and roughly dressed stones are 0.7m thick and vary in height between 0.1m and 1m. Five grave stones are visible, the earliest decipherable date being 1743.
The present whereabouts of the font referred to could not be established, and local enquiries revealed no knowledge of the chapel's dedication. (4)
The rems of the chapel walls are now just visible at ground level. Published survey (25 inch) revised. (5)
Grade I listed building, Remains of Brandon Church.
Account and plan in NCH Vol 14. Only the lower parts of the wall remain, but the plan has some unusual and interesting features. Mostly 13th century but on earlier foundations. Font, early 12th century, is now at Eglingham Church. (6)
Additional bibliography. (7)
No longer listed. (8)
Brandon Chapel, scheduled monument Northum 580. The ruins of a 12th/13th century chapel excavated in 1903 when wall tops, mostly 1ft high were cemented. Fragments of masonry survive to 3ft and there are three 18th century tombstones, still upright. (9)
NU 043 171. Brandon Chapel. Scheduled No ND/580. (10a)
In 1432, an action is reported against Robert, vicar of Eglingham, for failing to maintain a priest in Brandon chapel, and to keep the chapel in repair.
Although Eglingham church was appropriated to Tynemouth Priory and afterwards transferred to St Albans, Brandon chapel is not mentioned among the possessions of either monastery.
In 1663 the chapel was 'totally ruined and destitute', and there are references to ruins there in the 18th century. The graveyard was used for burials up to at least 1811, but in 1887 Maberley Phillips found no remains of the chapel.
The north half of the graveyard became gardens for two cottages, and the west quarter a potato patch for Brandon farmhouse.
In 1903 the Proprietor, the Rev James Allgood handed over the whole site to the church wardens of Eglingham who excavated the ruined walls of the chapel, levelled them up and protected them with a coating of cement. They cleared out the churchyard, and repaired the wall round it. It was hoped the churchyard would again be used but there are no recent tombstones in it.
The chapel consisted of a nave, choir and sanctuary, with a chapel or vestry on the south side of the sanctuary.
The character of the font proves that a church existed here in the 12th century, but the existing remains appear to be of the 13th century. The walls stand to a maximum height of three feet above ground level. The opening into the chancel in the west wall, 6 feet 5 inches wide, was found on excavation to be reduced to a passage only 2 feet 5 inches wide in the centre. It seems too small to have been an entrance to even the most diminutive Norman apse. (2)
A step was found above the narrow opening below the threshold of the chancel arch, it is alleged. If so, the inner opening may have been the sanctuary arch of a Celtic chapel, the sole survivor of the period in Northumberland. If there was no step above, and if the inner opening is not below floor level, this is possibly the same terrace wall with a narrow opening in the centre as found at Chillingham and formerly at Alwinton. (3)
The remains are correctly described - the walls of rubble and roughly dressed stones are 0.7m thick and vary in height between 0.1m and 1m. Five grave stones are visible, the earliest decipherable date being 1743.
The present whereabouts of the font referred to could not be established, and local enquiries revealed no knowledge of the chapel's dedication. (4)
The rems of the chapel walls are now just visible at ground level. Published survey (25 inch) revised. (5)
Grade I listed building, Remains of Brandon Church.
Account and plan in NCH Vol 14. Only the lower parts of the wall remain, but the plan has some unusual and interesting features. Mostly 13th century but on earlier foundations. Font, early 12th century, is now at Eglingham Church. (6)
Additional bibliography. (7)
No longer listed. (8)
Brandon Chapel, scheduled monument Northum 580. The ruins of a 12th/13th century chapel excavated in 1903 when wall tops, mostly 1ft high were cemented. Fragments of masonry survive to 3ft and there are three 18th century tombstones, still upright. (9)
NU 043 171. Brandon Chapel. Scheduled No ND/580. (10a)
N3094
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; D A Davies
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; B H Pritchard
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; B H Pritchard
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