| Actual Image
Tynemouth Priory (14)
brian1949
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 26 W: 0 N: 41]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-s.gif) (196) | This picture is of the ruins of Tynemouth Priory on the headland at the mouth of the River Tyne in England.
On a steep, rocky outcrop at the mouth of the River Tyne the gaunt remains of Tynemouth Priory look out to the open sea, whilst being protected by the confines of the castle defences. This headland was the site of a much earlier Anglian monastery, destroyed by the Danish invasions of the 9th century, but when the Earl of Northumberland re-founded the religious house here in 1085 it was with a colony of Benedictine monks from the St Albans.
Building on the great Norman church began in 1090, and the whole monastery was substantially completed by the end of the 13th century. Having to maintain a priory, providing suitable accommodation and hospitality for many Royal parties, was always a costly business but at Tynemouth the priors were also responsible for the upkeep of the castle and the garrison. The wealth they accumulated from their coal industries was much needed. Perhaps the most notable feature of the buildings at Tynemouth Priory is the thickness of its walls, presumably because of its location and the fact that it was used as much as a fortress as a priory.
You can see some of the old gravestones in front of the priory.
I have used curves on this photograph but there are no other changes |
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