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Holme Coultram Abbey, Abbey Town
Holme Coultram Abbey
St Mary's Church
Holme Abbey
locality:-   Abbey Town
civil parish:-   Holme Abbey (formerly Cumberland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   abbey (site) 
locality type:-   religious house
locality type:-   church
coordinates:-   NY17705081
1Km square:-   NY1750
10Km square:-   NY15
references:-   : 2005: Diocese of Carlisle, Directory 2004/5

photograph
BNV91.jpg (taken 20.6.2007)  
photograph
CFG45.jpg (taken 29.7.2016)  
evidence:-   map:- 
source data:-   : 1954: Monastic Britain: Ordnance Survey
evidence:-   old map:- Gough 1350s-60s
placename:-  Holme Coltram
source data:-   Map, colour photozincograph copy, reduced size facsimile, Gough Map of Britain, scale about 28.5 miles to 1 inch, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, 1875.
image  click to enlarge
Ggh1Cm.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 33
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Gough 1350s-60s
placename:-  Holme Coltram
source data:-   Map, lithograph facsimile, Gough Map of Britain, 20 miles to 1 inch? published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, 1935.
image  click to enlarge
Ggh2Cm.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 34
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Jansson 1646
placename:-  Holme
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, Cumbria and Westmoria, ie Cumberland and Westmorland, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Jansson, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1646.
image
JAN3NY14.jpg
"Holme"
Buildings and tower. 
item:-  JandMN : 88
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Morden 1695 (Cmd) 
placename:-  Holm Cultrum
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Cumberland, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Robert Morden, 1695, published by Abel Swale, the Unicorn, St Paul's Churchyard, Awnsham, and John Churchill, the Black Swan, Paternoster Row, London, 1695-1715.
image
MD12NY14.jpg
"Holm Cultrum"
Circle, buildings, towers, with a cross; the first word upright, the second italic. 
item:-  JandMN : 90
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Buck 1739
placename:-  Holme Cultram Abby
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, The South East View of Holme Cultram Abby, in the County of Cumberland, Abbey Town, Holme Abbey, Cumberland, drawn and engraved by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck, published 1739.
image  click to enlarge
BU0208.jpg
printed, top  "THE SOUTH-EAST VIEW OF HOLME-CULTRAM ABBY, IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND."
printed, bottom  "THIS Abby of Cistercians was founded according to Dugdale by K. Hen. II. A.D.1150, but according to Speed and others by Henry Earl of Carlisle and Huntingdon, Son of David K. of Scots, who gave to it all the Lands of Holme Cultram. It was Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. K. Hen. III. K. Rich. I. and K. John, with divers other Nobles and Gentlemen, were Benefactors. - John Gournon and Margaret his Wife founded and endow'd a Chantry in this Abby Church for four Chaplains Monks of this House and Two Secular Chaplains. - It is now a Parochial Church. The Impropriator is the University of Oxford, by the Grant of Q. Mary. An. Val. ~427: 19: 3 obq. Dugdale ~535: 3: 7 obq. Speed / Saml. &Nathl. Buck delin: et Sculp. Publish'd according to Act of Parliamt. March 26. 1739."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1959.67.8
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag
placename:-  Holm Abbey
source data:-   Magazine, The Gentleman's Magazine or Monthly Intelligencer or Historical Chronicle, published by Edward Cave under the pseudonym Sylvanus Urban, and by other publishers, London, monthly from 1731 to 1922.
image G7480291, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1748 p.291 
image  click to enlarge
G748E04.jpg
"... On the south side of the bay [Moricambe] lies Holm-abbey, eminent for the residence of the princes of Scotland; ..."
evidence:-   old text:- Camden 1789
placename:-  Holme Abbey
placename:-  Holme Cultrain Abbey
source data:-   Book, Britannia, or A Chorographical Description of the Flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by William Camden, 1586, translated from the 1607 Latin edition by Richard Gough, published London, 1789.
image CAM2P172, button  goto source
Page 172:-  "..."
"... David I. king of Scotland founded Holme, or as it is commonly called Holme Cultrain abbey; and Vulstey castle was built by the abbots in the neighbourhood to secure their treasure, books, and records, from the sudden inroads of the Scots. ..."
evidence:-   old text:- Camden 1789 (Gough Additions) 
placename:-  Holme Cultrayne Abbay
source data:-   Book, Britannia, or A Chorographical Description of the Flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by William Camden, 1586, translated from the 1607 Latin edition by Richard Gough, published London, 1789.
image CAM2P185, button  goto source
Page 185:-  "..."
""Holme Cultrayne abbay of white monkes," or Cistercians, founded by David, king of Scots, or his son Henry, valued at £.427." Though not a"
image CAM2P186, button  goto source
Page 186:-  "mitred abbey the abbot had summons to parliament in the reigns of Edward I. and II. The steeple fell down Jan. 1. 1600, and beat down great part of the chancel, which was rebuilt 1603, and afterwards burnt down with the church except the vaulted south aisle. The chancel was rebuilt by the vicar Edward Mandeville, and the church repaired by the parishioners. The west porch was built by Robert Chambers, abbot t. Henry VII. and VIII. his rebus being on it, and his gravestone robbed of its brasses is shewn in the ruined choir. Only the nave now remains. ..."
"Michael Scot was a Durham man, who applied himself to the abstruse Aristotelian philosophy, which he pretended to translate from Avicenna, and dedicated to Frederic II. emperor of Germany, whose astrologer he was. Some of his philological and astrological works have been printed, and Dempster says some remained in his time in Scotland, which his countrymen would not dare to open for fear of the devilish pranks that might be played by them."
evidence:-   old text:- Capper 1808
source data:-   Gazetteer, A Topographical Dictionary of the United Kingdom, compiled by Benjamin Pitts Capper, published by Richard Phillips, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, 1808; published 1808-29.
image CAP101, button  goto source
"..."
"ABBEY-HOLM, or HOLM-CULTRAM, ... had a stately abbey, founded by David I. king of Scotland, who resided chiefly in Cumberland. The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and is a vicarage, value, 6l. 13s. 4d. Patron, the University of Oxford. ..."
"..."
evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag
source data:-   Magazine, The Gentleman's Magazine or Monthly Intelligencer or Historical Chronicle, published by Edward Cave under the pseudonym Sylvanus Urban, and by other publishers, London, monthly from 1731 to 1922.
image G819A405, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1819 part 1 p.405 
From the Compendium of County History:-  "1216. Holme Cultram abbey pillaged, and Carlisle, Aug. 8, taken by Alexander King of Scotland."
"..."
"1300. At Holme Cultram abbey, in October, Edward I. released the Bp. of Glasgow from his imprisonment, and received his allegiance with great solemnity."
evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag 1819
source data:-   image G819A505, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1819 part 1 p.505  "1322. ... and Holme Cultram abbey, where his father was buried, destroyed by Robert Bruce King of Scotland, who devastated the Western side of this county to Duddon sands."
"..."
"1383. Holm Cultram abbey saved from burning by the Abbot paying the sum of 200l. to the Earl of Douglas, commander of the Scots."
evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag 1819
source data:-   image G816B601, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1816 part 2 p.601 
Biographical note from the Compendium of County History:-  "'The wizard Michael Scot' was a monk of Holme Cultram about 1290. ..."
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of Scenery in the Lake District, by Rev William Ford, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, by W Edwards, 12 Ave Maria Lane, Charles Tilt, Fleet Street, William Smith, 113 Fleet Street, London, by Currie and Bowman, Newcastle, by Bancks and Co, Manchester, by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, and by Sinclair, Dumfries, 1839.
image FD01Pr10, button  goto source
"... Even the religious enthusiasm of monachism scarcely advanced within the shadow of the mountains, much less penetrated into their secluded dales. Furness, Calder, St. Bees, and Holme Cultram abbeys, are all in the open country. For a long period, indeed, the population must either have been extremely small, or their religious interests neglect-"
image FD01Pr11, button  goto source
Page xi:-  "[neglect]ed; perhaps both might be the case. ..."
evidence:-   old map:- Nurse 1918
placename:-  St Mary's Church
source data:-   Map, The Diocese of Carlisle, Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire North of the Sands, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Rev Euston J Nurse, published by Charles Thurnam and Sons, 11 English Street, Carlisle, Cumberland, 2nd edn 1939.
image
NUR1NY15.jpg
"HOLM CULTRAM ST. MARY"
item:-  JandMN : 27
Image © see bottom of page
 notes about bells
 stained glass
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
placename:-  Church of St Mary
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"CHURCH OF ST MARY / / / HOLME ABBEY / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / I / 71961 / NY1771650814"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Cistercian Abbey now Parish Church. Founded 1150 with early C16 addition and alterations dated 1730; 1884-5 vestry and 1913 restoration; 1973 ambulatory. Large blocks of red sandstone (brought across the Solway from Scotland). Graduated greenslate roof, Welsh slate on patch and vestry. West porch and ambulatory extension; 6-bay nave/chancel, formerly the nave of the Abbey Church (originally of 9 bays) with aisles removed; west twin bellcote and north vestry/organ chamber. 2-storey porch has round arch with Latin inscription to Robert Chambers, Abbot 1507 and his coat of arms. Upper floor rebuilt to form vestry, dated 1730 with Latin inscription. 2-light lancet windows flank inscription. Flanking statue recesses of 1507 appearance; the right one has door giving access to small chamber. Ambulatory to right, linking with adjoining library and shop, has lead-paned windows in chamfered surrounds. Side walls of nave of 1730 have round-headed casement windows with glazing bars on 2 levels. West wall projects at either side and has been stepped to give the appearance of buttresses. Perpendicular east window c1604, moved to its present location in 1730, flanked by former nave aisle columns. Interior of porch and ambulatory have graveslabs to various abbots and members of the Chambers family of Raby Cote. Heavily moulded west portal with 4 orders of shaft columns and enriched waterleaf capitals. Interior: arcades have piers of clustered columns, with waterleaf capitals, and pointed arches now blocked to form north and south walls. Pre-reformation open timber roof moved to a lower level in c1604. Restoration dated MCMXIII on corbel. Norman gallery at west end now gives access to former vestry. Royal Arms of Queen Victoria. Free-standing bust of Joseph Saul by Joshua Anderson. Jacobean carved oak chair and 2 C15 or early C16 oak muniment chests. C20 furnishings and fittings. Late C19 and early C20 stained glass. After the Dissolution the Abbey was granted to Oxford University. See G.E. Gilbanks, Some Records of A Cistercian Abbey/Holme Cultram, Cumberlands, 1899; F. Grainger and W.G. Collingwood, The Register & Records of Holme Cultram, 1929; Transactions Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian &Archaenlogical Society, old series, i, p263; new series, vii, pp262-268; xiii, pp244-251."
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"CHURCHYARD WALL SOUTH OF CHURCH OF ST MARY / / / HOLME ABBEY / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / II / 71962 / NY1772150807"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Churchyard wall. C20 on medieval plinth. Squared blocks of red sandstone. Low wall, unfinished, built on the site of the south aisle wall of the former Abbey of Holme Cultram, incorporating the excavated foundations of the cloister entrance. West end incorporates plinth of south-west angle of nave."
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"ABBEY SHOP / / / HOLME ABBEY / ALLERDALE / CUMBRIA / II / 71963 / NY1769250799"
evidence:-   old painting:- 
placename:-  Holm Cultram Abbey
source data:-   Painting, watercolour, Holm Cultram Abbey; West Door, Abbey Town, Holme Abbey, Cumberland, by William Henry Nutter, 1830s-40s.
image  click to enlarge
PR1088.jpg
View into the abbey interior through the double west door, the doorway of which is framed by a substantial round headed arch supported by eight columns. 
signed at bottom left:-  "W.H. Nutter"
annotated at bottom centre:-  "Holm Cultram Abbey - West door"
item:-  Tullie House Museum : 1970.80.15
Image © Tullie House Museum
evidence:-   old print:- Buck 1739/1837 (edn 1877) 
placename:-  Holme Cultram Abby
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, The South East View of Holme-Cultram Abby, in the County of Cumberland, drawn and engraved by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck, 1739, reprinted by Hudson Scott and Sons, Carlisle, Cumberland, 1877.
image  click to enlarge
BU0117.jpg
With descriptive text of 1837. 
No.17 in The Castles, Abbeys, and Priories of the County of Cumberland, 1877. 
printed at top:-  "THE SOUTH-EAST VIEW OF HOLME-CULTRAM ABBY, IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND."
printed at lower left:-  "To Edawrd Stephenson Esqr: This Prospect is humbly Inscribed by his most Oblig'd Servants Saml: &Nathl: Buck."
printed at lower right:-  "THIS Abby of Cistercians was founded according to Dugdale by K. Hen. II. AD 1150, but according to Speed and others by Henry Earl of Carlisle and Huntingdon, Son of David K. of Scots, who gave it all the Lands of Holme Cultram. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. K. Hen. III K. Rich. I. and K. John, with divers other Nobles and Gentlemen, were Benefactors. John Gournon and Margaret his Wife founded and endow'd a Chantry in this Abby Church for four Chaplains Monks of this House and Two secular Chaplains. It is now a Parochial Church. The Impropriator is the University of Oxford, by the Grant of Q. Mary. An. Val. L427: 19s: 3d. Dugdale. L535: 3s: 7d. Speed. Saml. &Nathl. Buck delin: et sculp: Publish'd according to Act of Parliament March 26. 1739."
item:-  JandMN : 178.17
Image © see bottom of page
 cross slab grave covers
notes:-  
 Described in:-

Butler, Lawrence (ed): 2011: Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne for Cumbria, 1833-1872: CWAAS:: ISBN 978 1 873124 52 9
Extracted from the original notes made by Sir Stephen, now in Deiniol's Library, Hawarden, Flintshire, contact through Flintshire Record Office

photograph
BVI77.jpg  Chest (1)
(taken 20.6.2007)  
photograph
BVI78.jpg  Chest (1)
(taken 20.6.2007)  
photograph
BVI79.jpg  Chest (2)
(taken 20.6.2007)  
photograph
BVI81.jpg  Chest (2)
(taken 20.6.2007)  
photograph
BVI80.jpg  Chest (2)
(taken 20.6.2007)  
photograph
CFG57.jpg  Mothers Union banner.
(taken 29.7.2016)  
photograph
BNV92.jpg  West end door; rebuilt by Abbot Chamber, 1507.
(taken 20.6.2007)  
photograph
BNV93.jpg  Royal coat of arms, as used by Henry IV onwards; on porch door.
(taken 20.6.2007)  
photograph
CFG41.jpg  Carving on porch door.
(taken 29.7.2016)  
photograph
CFG42.jpg  Carving on porch door.
(taken 29.7.2016)  
photograph
CFG43.jpg  Carving on porch door.
(taken 29.7.2016)  
photograph
CFG44.jpg  West door of church.
(taken 29.7.2016)  
photograph
CFG40.jpg  Gate catch.
(taken 29.7.2016)  
notes:-  
 Cistercian abbey founded 1150 by monks from Melrose Abbey with a grant of land confirmed by Prince Henry of Scotland, Earl of Cumberland. The grant was confirmed by Henry II when Cumberland came under english rule. Frequently raided by the Scots.
Abbot Thomas Carter took part in the rebellion 1536, the Pilgrimage of Grace. At the Dissolution, 1538, a petition to retain the abbey church as the parish church, and a refuge against border raids, was upheld.
Having decayed over a century and a half, major repairs were made in the early 18th century, completed 1730. The overall size of the church was greatly reduced. Various repairs were made, particularly 1959-73. The church was badly damaged by arson, 9 June 2006, the restoration completed by about 2014.

:: church leaflet
hearsay:-  
 Michael Scot might have been born in Cumbria. He was a wizard, astrologer, philosopher, and spent his last years here. He had been educated at Oxford, Paris, Salamanca and Toledo; spoke Hebrew and Arabic; was an adept in medicine and chemistry. He lived in Florence and Padua; is mentioned by Boccacio and by Dante. He was astrologer to Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor; and was knighted by Alexander III King of Scotland.
notes:-  
 Possible moat.

Perriam, D R &Robinson, J: 1998: Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria: CWAAS:: ISBN 1 873124 23 6; illstration
personal
person:-    : Scot, Michael
place:-   burial place
date:-   1291
or it might be Melrose or Glenluce ...
dedication
person:-    : St Mary the Virgin
place:-   Holme Cultram / Carlisle Diocese
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