medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
A "sanctuary" may not be a sanctuary (as Professor Gray suggests) -
there is some evidence that in a small two-celled church of the date
the altar was at the east end of the "nave" - making the "sanctuary"
more like a sacristy/vestry.
--
John Briggs
On 28/08/2014, Anne Willis <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> In Wiltshire Notes & Queries, vol.1 pp 41 and 95 I found the following:
>
> p.41 ...when [Bradford] church was in the hands of the builders
> [1862-6] [Canon]Jones pointed out to a visitor 'the singular arrangement
> of
> the sanctuary which was some inches below the level of the church
> generally.,the marks of the steps down [being] clearly visible on the north
> wall [of the chancel].' Jones' theory was that it 'was a distinctive old
> English plan'.
>
> p.95 ...answer to above citing arrangement at Avebury, said to
> be of Saxon origin.
>
>
>
> The steps would only have been visible on the north wall because the south
> wall was re-built in 1707. There is also the possibility that the steps
> may
> have led to a vault under the High Altar, discovered during some recent
> test
> digs.
>
>
>
> But were sanctuaries below the level in Saxon times? Can anyone help here?
>
>
>
> Many thanks
>
>
>
> Anne
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