Gravestone with Masonic symbols (detail). Church of St. Mary Holme Cultram. Abbeytown, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom, Europe.
Holme Cultram Abbey was founded in 1150 by Cistercian monks from Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders. Prince Henry, son of King David of Scotland, granted the foundation charter as at this time the Solway area belonged to Scotland. The Abbey is the daughter of Melrose Abbey and the grand daughter of Rievaulx Abbey. The new Abbey flourished. After draining the nearby marsh it amassed vast amounts of land, used for the farming of sheep and pigs and the planting of orchards. The monks also had their own salt pans and fishing. By the time this area was part of England and because of its proximity to 'the borders' it was in constant danger from the Border Reivers. In 1538 with the Dissolution of the Monasteries the land passed to the Crown, and the monks were dispersed. The centre of the Abbey has survived as the Parish Church, with the rest of the Abbey falling into disrepair. In the church as seen today, six of the nine bays of the nave of the original Abbey are the result of restoration begun in 1703, with further work being done in 1883 and 1913. Following an arson attack in 2006, the Abbey has undergone a major re-building programme which still continues.
Size: 5100px × 3454px
Location: Church of St. Mary Holme Cultram. Abbeytown, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom, Europe.
Photo credit: © Stan Pritchard / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: detail, gravestone, masonic, symbols
