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St Mary, Lancaster
St Mary's Church
Lancaster Church
locality:-   Lancaster
county:-   Lancashire
locality type:-   church
locality type:-   runic inscription
coordinates:-   SD474619
1Km square:-   SD4761
10Km square:-   SD46
evidence:-   old map:- Ogilby 1675 (plate 38) 
source data:-   Road strip map, hand coloured engraving, continuation of the Road from London to Carlisle, scale about 1 inch to 1 mile, by John Ogilby, London, 1675.
image
OG38m232.jpg
In mile 233, Lancashire. 
The church in Lancaster, near the castle. 
item:-  JandMN : 21
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   descriptive text:- West 1778 (11th edn 1821) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Guide to the Lakes, by Thomas West, published by William Pennington, Kendal, Cumbria once Westmorland, and in London, 1778 to 1821.
image WS21P024, button  goto source
Page 24:-  "... The church is a handsome Gothic structure; but the inside view of the beautiful east window is obstructed by a toll screen behind the altar, and the rest of the church is further hurt by a multiplicity of pews. The only remains it has of ancient furniture are a few turn-up seats, carved in the style of the times when it belonged to the priory of St. Martin of Sayes, in France. Some of the carvings are fine, but the figures are either gross or grotesque. This building stands on the crown of an eminence, below the castle from which it is only separated by the moat. The views from the church-yard are extensive and pleasant, particularly the grand and much admired prospects of the northern mountains. The chapel is a neat and convenient place of worship. ..."
image WS21P216, button  goto source
Addendum; Mr Gray's Journal, 1769 
Page 216:-  "..."
"In a fine afternoon I ascended the castle-hill; ... Near it [the castle], and but a little lower, stands the church, a large and plain gothic fabric, the high square tower at the west end has been re-built of late years, but nearly in the same style; there are no ornaments or arms, &c. any were (sic) to be seen; within it is lightsome and spacious, but not one monument of antiquity, or piece of painted glass is left. From the church-yard there is an extensive sea-view, ..."
evidence:-   old map:- West 1784 map
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, A Map of the Lakes in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, engraved by Paas, 53 Holborn, London, about 1784.
image
Ws02SD45.jpg
Shown by a drawing of a church. 
item:-  Armitt Library : A1221.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (8th edn 1849) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Concise Description of the English Lakes, the mountains in their vicinity, and the roads by which they may be visited, with remarks on the mineralogy and geology of the district, by Jonathan Otley, published by the author, Keswick, Cumberland now Cumbria, by J Richardson, London, and by Arthur Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, 1823; published 1823-49, latterly as the Descriptive Guide to the English Lakes.
image OT80P170, button  goto source
Page 170:-  "The Church is an edifice chiefly erected in the 12th century. It is 143 feet in length, 58 feet in breadth, and 40 feet in height. It combines well with the Castle, of which, when viewed from a distance, it almost seems a part. The most valuable relics, the Stalls, have, says Whittaker, 'been probably removed from some more stately building.' The seats are carved underneath with grotesque figures more creditable to the artistic talent than to the delicacy of the age: they are now properly protected."
hearsay:-  
 An incomplete stone cross was found in the churchyard, 1807; now in the British Museum, not accessible locally. In a panel below the cross head is an inscription in runes, translated:-
"pray for Cynibalth Cuthber[ ]"
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