St Bega's Priory St Bees Cumbria - a photo on Flickriver

St. Bees is named after St. Bega, said to be an Irish princess who landed here, about 900 AD after sailing across the Irish Sea to avoid an enforced marriage to a Viking chieftan. On the site of an earlier church now stands the splendid 12th Century Priory Church of St Mary and St. Bega. The church was a Benedictine Priory until its dissolution by Henry VIII in 1539.

The architect William Butterfield was reponsible for the restoration, which included a new roof (1855), reconstructed aisles and chancel (1867-99), and the iron screen (1886). 'Father' Henry Willis built the organ in 1899, his last major commission, and one of the best examples of the work of the famous Victorian organ-builder.

In the North Transept are some sculptures by Josefina de Vasconcellos of the figures of St Bega and St Mary (1955).

There are many stained glass windows, all except one by William Wailes of Newcastle.

In 1981 archaeologists discovered on the site of a ruined chapel, one of the best preserved medieval bodies in England. The 'History Area' in the church tells the story of that discovery and displays the shroud of the 'St. Bees Man'.

The church is a cruciform structure, surmounted by a magnificent central tower, and its outstanding feature is a superb Norman west entrance, comprising five semicircular arches decreasing in size as they approach the door. They are decorated with beak heads of men and serpents, whilst the dripstone above the outer arch is embellished with a trefoil, designed to represent the Trinity.

Information from Visit Cumbria website.
www.visitcumbria.com/wc/st-bees-priory.htm

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / St. Bees (show map)

Taken on: September 9, 2011

Tags:

Bega's

Bees

Cumbria

door

entrance

bishop

stone

red

sandstone

town

Lake

District

england

british

britain

english

woodytyke

lakes

lakeland

visitor

tourism

north

west

touring

great

united

kingdom

cumberland

photo

photography

county

isles

wall

arch

mary

man

Henry

VIII

dissolution

coast

wainwright

walk

tower

norman

school

medieval

nun

church

century

sea

religion

Josefina

Vasconcellos

architect

William

Butterfield

restoration

worship

head

carving

vault

burial

body

coffinn

preserved

hood

mold

mould

prayer

stephen

woodcock « less

Sets appears in: • Lake District and Cumbria • Abbeys, Priorys and Monasteries more » • Churches • Cumbrian Churches • Church Doors • Buildings « less

Groups appears in: • England • Architecture more » • Buildings/Architecture • Cumbria, England • Churches - Please read the rules before posting • Historical places • Europe in Pictures • Churches of Europe (Max. 3 pictures per day) • Architecture and Buildings • Churches, Chapels, Domes, Mosques, Temples, Shrines and Monaster • Nice pictures • Doors, Windows Portals, Gates & Entryways • History is All Around Us • Famous Architecture • CHURCHES & HOUSES OF WORSHIP • Medieval architecture and art • Englishness • Doors Around The World • Great Britain • Architecture / 建築 • Beautiful Britain • Building with Stone • Historic Buildings (Great Britain & Ireland) • Cool Britannia - The Best of British on Flickr • Historic UK and Ireland • Türen/Tore/Doors/Portals • Architecture in Europe • Character of Churches • Architecture Travellers • A Picture of Britain • Cool Britain • Historical Buildings and Landmarks (No Limits) • Historic Church Buildings • England's Heritage • Architecture of Days Gone By • Cumbria • Beautiful Capture • Castles and Churches • A Shot a Day ... Or So • Churches and Cathedrals of the British Isles • History Directory • Architecture Directory • Britain's Buildings in Pictures • Church Photography • * This Old House, Barn, Building! • Doors only • Churches and Cemeteries • I LOOOOOOOVE THIS SHOT!!vote!!!best WINTER PHOTO!! • Historical and architectural gems • Lake District Now • Architecture Around the Globe • European Architecture • Arches in Architecture • Days out and about • Architectural Beauty ! • Flickr Overflow • Mix PICTURE FOR EVERYONE • as beautiful as you want • doors of the world • Love UK • Geo-Tagged • MY BEAUTIFUL TRAVEL PICTURES REVEALED! « less

Camera: Nokia N95 8GB, f/2.8, 1/34 sec, 5.6mm, ISO 125 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nokia N95 8GB
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.029 sec (1/34)
Focal Length:	5.6mm
ISO:	125
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Mode:	Auto
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Show full info

Stats: 3,992 views / 11 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: