Landscapes of Pilgrimage in Medieval Britain

Martin Locker

• Publisher: Archaeopress
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781784910761
• eBook ISBN: 9781784910778
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Archaeology
• Index: Social Sciences

This book seeks to address the journeying context of pilgrimage within the landscapes of Medieval Britain. Using four case studies, an interdisciplinary methodology developed by the author is applied to four different geographical and cultural areas of Britain (Norfolk, Wiltshire/Hampshire, Flintshire/Denbighshire and Cornwall), to investigate the practicalities of travel along the Medieval road network including the routes themselves, accommodation, the built environments and natural topographies encountered. An introduction, assessment of current theory and scholarship is provided, followed by an explanation of the methodology used. The four case studies are then presented (Ely to Walsingham, Salisbury to Winchester, St Asaph to Holywell, and Camelford to Bodmin). Within each case study, both the selected starting point for the pilgrimage (typically either a locale confirmed in the historical record as linked to the pilgrim destination, or a settlement of some significance within the local area and thus well connected to the route network), and the site of the saint cult itself are analysed for their growth, reaction and accommodation to the pilgrim phenomenon. Also addressed are the route networks of the county as a whole, relationships to economic centres and their impact on travel possibilities, the topography, the distribution patterns for saint dedications in parish churches within the area, material culture and the ecclesiastical built environment (for example pilgrim badges, monasteries), and the physical landscapes through which the pilgrim travels. Here, the interaction between the pilgrim and the environments through which they move is addressed. Considerations include fatigue, exertion, panoramas and way-finding, route visibility, sight lines to monuments, folklore within the landscape, and the potential echoing of Christian scriptural motifs within certain landscape types/features (e.g. wilderness and sanctuary).

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1
• The Purpose and the Pilgrim
• Figure 1. Map displaying some of the key pilgrimage sites in Medieval Christendom by the 14th century.
• Figure 2. Pilgrims represented in stained glass at Canterbury Cathedral. ‘Canterbuy Cathedral, Canterbury Pilgrims’, photograph by Taylor, 2005. Creative Commons License 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.
• Figure 3. Map of the principal fairs and trade routes in western Medieval Europe. Drawn by the author.
• Figure 4. The Mapped Itinerary of Edward I, showing the Road Network Used. Hindle, 1976, 214.
• Chapter 2
• The Pilgrim’s Presence in Scholarship
• Figure 5. Top to Bottom: Ampulla showing double V motif and a circle of flowers (PAS Number LANCUM-452F70); Pilgrim badge showing image of Thomas Becket (PAS Number LON-027F55); Pilgrim badge showing wheel of St Catherine (LON-6FABC6). Images courtesy of
• Figure 6. St Swithun’s memorial shrine at Winchester Cathedral with Fedorev’s iconostasis on the retroquire behind.
• Figure 7. Map displaying the case study sites in relation to the major towns/cities of Medieval England and Wales.
• Chapter 3
• Ely to Walsingham
• Figure 8. Map of the basic landscape character of Norfolk, with the extent of the Medieval fenland (circle), the coastal sands, uplands (square) and the lowlands (darker grey).
• Figure 9. The distribution of the various religious houses and hospitals in Medieval Norfolk.
• Figure 10. The distribution of the eleven hospitals in Medieval Norfolk founded to care for poor travellers and pilgrims.
• Figure 11. A map of the routes used progressing from Ely to Walsingham (comprising of the Hereward Way, Palmer’s Way, and Pilgrim Walk).
• Figure 12. Ground Plan of Walsingham Priory. Dickinson, 1956, 144.
• Figure 13. Map of Walsingham.
• Figure 14. Clockwise: Remains of the Friary, Slipper Chapel and Priory at Walsingham.
• Figure 15. Distribution Map for Ampullae Connected to Walsingham Cult by Iconography.
• Figure 16. Clockwise: Walsingham Badge of Our Lady (replica from ©Pewter Replicas), Walsingham Badge of the Holy House (replica from ©Pewter Replicas), Ampulla Bearing the Crowned ‘W’ Motif of Walsingham and Scallop Shell Relief on the Reverse (PAS number
• Figure 17. Distribution Map for Pilgrim Badges Connected to Walsingham Cult by Iconography.
• Figure 18. Plan of Ely showing relevant sites.
• Figure 19. Clockwise: Ely Cathedral, Pilgrim Cross at Hockwold cum Wilton (with St James Church behind), St Mary’s Church at Cranwich, Castle Acre Priory ruins.
• Figure 20. The ruins of Castle Acre Priory.
• Figure 21. Table for Saint Dedication Frequencies for Surviving Norfolk Pre-Reformation Churches.
• Figure 22. Chart Comparing Frequency of Saint Dedications in Surviving Norfolk Pre-Reformation Churches.
• Figure 23. Map Displaying the Scatter of Surviving St Mary and St James pre-Reformation Church Dedications Across Norfolk.
• Figure 24. Map of Ely showing Hereward Way (leading out north east) and radius of transition between the Isle and the fenland (white circle).
• Figure 25. Map of Blackdyke, showing route along earthwork (white solid), radius of elevation (black solid), and sight line o St James’ Church in Hockwold cum Wilton (white broken).
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• Figure 26. The approach to Castle Acre (white solid), showing the initial line of sight (white broken) to the Priory (grey outline) and the River Nar (black) creating a natural boundary between the ‘wilderness’ and ‘sanctuary’.
• Figure 27. The Holy Mile of Walsingham (inside white circle), showing the route coming down from Houghton St Giles to the Slipper Chapel leading to the town, including the sight line to the Friary (broken white).
• Figure 28. Map showing the proposed sightline (broken white) to the site of the Priory (black outline) upon entering Walsingham , and the sacred area of the Priory grounds which housed the shrine to Our Lady.
• Chapter 4
• Salisbury to Winchester
• Figure 29. Map showing key landscape characters of Hampshire and Wiltshire; Salisbury Plain (mid left), Hampshire Downs (centre right), New Forest (lower centre), Hampshire Basin (bottom) and the Test Valley (centre).
• Figure 30. Map displaying the primary sites of the Medieval Wiltshire textile industry and Hampshire ceramic production as referenced below in the text.
• Figure 31. The Distribution of Medieval Religious Houses throughout Wiltshire and Hampshire
• Figure 32. Map of route taken between Salisbury and Winchester along the Roman Road.
• Figure 33. Map of central Winchester with relevent sites located.
• Figure 34. Plan showing locations of the Old Minster, New Minster and the Norman Winchester Cathedral.
• Figure 35. Conjectural plan of the monastic complex of St Swithun’s Priory.
• Figure 36. Table of the curative records for St Swithun
• Figure 37. Map of the known distribution of St Swithun’s relics outside of Winchester.
• Figure 38. The upper skull of St Swithun, relic of Evreux Cathedral.
• Figure 39. Map of central Salisbury with relevent sites located.
• Figure 40. Late 19th century postcard displaying the Old George Hotel (left), detail of surviving 15th century interior fabric (right).
• Figure 41. All Saints Church, West Winterslow.
• Figure 42. Mottisfont Priory, now a National Trust Estate.
• Figure 43. Churches dedicated to St Swithun across England.
• Figure 44. Surviving Pre-Reformation Church Dedications in Wiltshire
• Figure 45. Surviving Pre-Reformation Church Dedications in Hampshire
• Figure 46. ‘Salisbury Cathedral’ by William Turner.
• Figure 48. Radius (interior white circle) from which the cathedral building (black) is clearly visible from the east and the Roman road (grey) from Old Sarum to Winchester.
• Figure 49. The path of the Roman road accessed on the outskirts of Salisbury.
• Figure 50. Cobhill Barrow (small circle) in relation to the Roman road (grey) and the distance at which is visible from the western approach (larger circle). Today visibility from the barrow is impossible due to dense tree cover.
• Figure 51. Roman road running alongside Upper and Lower Noad’s Copse, including detail of cobbled surface
• Figure 52. The Roman Road in relation to the Test Valley, and the River Test/flood plain (shaded).
• Figure 53. The West Gate in Winchester.
• Figure 54. The two basic zones of urbanism presented to the pilgrim during the western approach to Winchester (grey): outer sprawl (larger white circle) and the city centre via West Gate (smaller white circle). The cathedral complex is outlined in black.
• Figure 55. Interior approach via the High Street to Winchester Cathedral, showing the outline of known St Swithun’s Priory buildings, St Swithun’s probable original burial shrine spot (circle near north transept), the Nunnaminster site, and St John’s Hosp
• Chapter 5
• St Asaph to Holywell
• Figure 56. Map of the Upland (dark grey) and Lowland (light grey) landscapes of Medieval Wales in the 14th century.
• Figure 57. Sight line (broken grey) for Moel Maenefa Hill-fort (black shaded circle) in relation to the Offa’s Dyke (shaded black lozenge) and Clwyd Valley.
• Figure 58. Map displaying locations of major Silver and Lead mines in Medieval Britain including Wales, redrawn from Blanchard, 1981, 73.
• Figure 59. Birds-eye view of Pont Dafydd and potential drover trail (grey shaded) near St Asaph.
• Figure 60. Route taken between St Asaph and Holywell.
• Figure 61. Map of central Holywell with relevant sites marked.
• Figure 62. Plan of St Winefride’s Well,
• Figure 63. The inner original basin at St Winefride’s Well.
• Figure 64. St Asaph Cathedral (east facing).
• Figure 65. Map of central St Asaph with relevant sites marked.
• Figure 66. The view of the cathedral approaching Pont Elwy (left), and Pont Dafydd (right).
• Figure 67. View from the remains of Offa’s Dyke abutting Mynydd y Cwm, facing west into the Clwyd Valley. St Asaph cathedral is just visible in the centre of the frame.
• Figure 68. The Maen Achwyfan Cross with the Garreg Tower visible (centre).
• Figure 69. Seal of St Asaph Cathedral showing St Winefride with crozier and reliquary
• Figure 70. Map displaying distribution of church, well and spring sites dedicated to St Winefride and her uncle St Beuno.
• Figure 71. Chart Showing Frequency of Universal Saint Dedications in Surviving Flintshire and Denbighshire pre-Reformation Churches.
• Figure 72. Chart Showing Frequency of Local Saint Dedications in Surviving Flintshire and Denbighshire pre-Reformation Churches.
• Figure 73: Map showing location of bridges in relation to St Asaph (black lines), the line of visibility (white broken) to S Asaph cathedral (black square) from the two bridges, and the distance one can see from the cathedral site (white circle).
• Figure 74. Radius of view from Offa’s Dyke (dark lozenge) into the Clwyd valley (white circle) with sight line to St Asaph cathedral (broken white).
• Figure 75. Map displaying visual interplay (broken white) between sites around and including the Maen Achwyfan Cross and the Grange (shaded black) near Whitford, Flintshire, and the panoramic expanse offered by the Beacon Tower (white circle). The route t
• Figure 76. Map showing sites at Holywell, and visual interaction (broken white) between sites (numbered) and the western app oach to the town (white solid).
• Camelford to Bodmin
• Chapter 6
• Figure 77. Map of Cornwall displaying the uplands (mid grey), anciently enclosed land (light grey) and recently enclosed land (dark grey), according to the Cornwall & Scilly Historic Environment Record.
• Figure 78. Map of early mining sites in Cornwall, according to data from the Cornwall & Scilly Historic Environment Record.
• Figure 79. Distribution of post 11th century Medieval religious houses in Cornwall.
• Figure 80. Distribution of Free and Villein (peasant or serf) Messuages in the Camelford Borough in the 14th Century.
• Figure 81. Route taken from Camelford to Bodmin including key sites, plotted on the 1885 Report of the Boundary Commissioners or England and Wales, 155.
• Figure 82. Map of central Bodmin with relevant sites marked.
• Figure 83. 1881 OS Map of central Bodmin, highlighted are the sites of the Priory church and cloisters (right) and St Petroc’s Church (left).
• Figure 84. Fragments of sculpted masonry from the Bodmin Priory.
• Figure 85. 12th century ivory casket which contained the relics of St Petroc, now in the Bodmin church of St Petroc.
• Figure 86. St Petroc’s Well (centre) in Priory Park.
• Figure 87. Remains of the Chapel of St Thomas Becket.
• Figure 88. St Gurons Wellhouse (top) and trough (bottom).
• Figure 89. Berry Tower (left) and its visibility from the northern approach to Bodmin (right, with tower circled).
• Figure 90. Distribution of reputed St Petroc relics in England (not concurrently) during the Medieval period.
• Figure 91. Map of Camelford with relevant sites marked.
• Figure 92. St Juliot’s Well, near Camelford and Lanteglos parish church.
• Figure 93. St Adwenna’s church in circular graveyard within field system.
• Figure 94. Free Standing Wheel Cross near Advent Church.
• Figure 95. Aerial image of Carwether DMV (top), and ground level appearance facing east towards Bodmin Moor (bottom).
• Figure 96. Holy Well at St Brewards.
• Figure 97. Map of Dedications to St Petroc in Cornwall.
• Figure 98. Map of the route (white) taken out of Camelford, following the Camel River (black). Circled is the view extent from when the first ascent is made. Original satellite image reproduced from © 2011 Google Earth.
• Figure 100. St Adwenna’s church in relation to the route, and the free standing cross.
• Figure 99. Camel River valley floor (dark grey), with route (white) and St Adwenna’s church.
• Figure 101. Map of Carwether and Upland section (top), and view from uplands east to Bodmin Moor.
• Figure 102. The southern approach to St Breward and the locations of the church and well sites.
• Figure 103. The journey through the woodlands, and the exiting ascent into the uplands of Helland Parish.
• Figure 104. The path through the woodlands in the Camel River valley floor during early February.
• Figure 105. The approach to Bodmin. The larger black circle is the radius of visibility for the Berry Tower.
• Chapter 7
• Responses, the Pilgrim Experience and Cultural Comparisons
• Figure 106. ‘Hunters in the Snow’ by Pieter Bruegel, 1565.
• Figure 107. Ely Cathedral rising out of the fenland mists.
• Figure 108. The July panel from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, 1489, showing the beginnings of the harvest.
• Figure 109. The Maen Achyfan Cross along the St Asaph to Holywell route, Flintshire.
• Figure 110. Examples of flowers which bear relations to saints in plantlore, and may have been used in the context of ‘found souvenirs’.
• Figure 111. Christian labyrinth motif, used within Chartres Cathedral.
• Bibliography
• Appendix A
• Shortlist of Data Recorded for Each Case Study
• Appendix B
• Detailed Maps of the Route Taken for Each Case Study
• Appendix C
• Digitised Data Sheets Recorded for Each Site
• Individual Surviving Pre-Reformation Church Dedications
• Appendix D
• Appendix E
• Religious houses in Norfolk, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Cornwall, as recorded by Knowles & Hadock in ‘Religious Houses of England & Wales’ (1953)
• Appendix F
• Catalogue of Ampullae from Portable Antiquities Scheme Database with Motifs Relating to Walsingham
• Appendix G
• Catalogue of Pilgrim Badges from Portable Antiquities Scheme Database with Motifs Definitely Relating to Walsingham (Excluding the London Waterfront Cluster)