The Baronial Halls, and Ancient Picturesque Edifices of England; Vol. 1 of 2Hall, S. C. (Samuel Carter)
History
The Baronial Halls, and Ancient Picturesque Edifices of England; Vol. 1 of 2
Hall, S. C. (Samuel Carter)
Historic buildings -- England
wall, is the ancient “ambrie,” or small cupboard cut in the solid wall,
in which were kept the vessels; some of these are still preserved, and
are of great curiosity--the pix, now very rarely to be met with; the
remonstrance, a small oblong box, either used as a reliquary, or, more
probably, to contain the cruet or phial of sacred oil. These are gilt
and finely enamelled, and are in a state of good preservation. The
chalice and paten (silver gilt) are of great antiquity, and are also
well preserved. The door of the ambrie is of black oak, curiously
carved; on the back is fixed a very singular gilt and enamelled
crucifixion, with a very remarkable representation of a glory above the
head of our Saviour: this cross is of the very earliest age, probably of
the sixth or eighth century. The sedilia, of black oak, still stands
upon the raised part of the floor, on the south side of the altar; and
the old drain, or piscina, is still to be seen. The oak carving,
especially some of the stall ends, and the screen, are very fine, but
have been extensively repaired. Some of the oak and stained glass, which
appear formerly to have belonged to the chapel, are now in the great
dining-hall; but what is left, still shews a richness and abundance of
carving rarely to be met with in so small a space. Service is performed
here whenever the family are resident, and generally by the Rector,
after his duty at the parish church is over.
The situation of the parish church is remarkable. It is placed on the
borders of a meadow, close to the river Eamont, at a point where there
is a ford, in a direct line from the Roman way to Carlisle, and nearer
than by Brovoniacum. It is above two miles from the nearest village,
called Woodside, and still further from the place where the town of
Brougham formerly stood: there is no trace of any habitations having
ever existed near it.
Stukeley, who visited this part of Westmorland about 1724, and wrote his
account of it in 1725, after describing the British circus or camp on
the banks of the Lowther, called King Arthur’s Round Table, directly
opposite to Brougham, says,--“This is the most delightful place that can
be imagined for recreation; the rapid river Louther runs all along the
side of it: the Eamont joins it a little way off in view. Beyond is a
charming view of a vast wood, and of Brougham; beyond that the ancient
Roman city, and the Roman road going along under the high hill, whereon
is the beacon.”--Vol. II. p. 43.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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