The hermitage was acquired by the monks of Durham, and in the 14th
century became a holiday home for the Durham monks.
"Statutes drawn up in 1408 give precise details of the arrangement. The
number of residents at Finchale was fixed at five - a prior and five monks,
and, in addition, four monks from Durham, on leave. These last stayed for
three weeks, and were then replaced by another four, and so on in
succession. On each day two of the four kept the usual round of services,
while the other two, except for attendances at Mass and Vespers, had leave
to walk 'religiously and honestly' in the fields. The practice continued
down to the Suppression . . ."
The Supple Doctor
I seem to recall that Durham monks went to Finchale particularly for
their "seynies" which, as far as I can make out, was the regular
blood-letting whose purpose was to subdue the over-excited passions
of medieval monks. Does anyone know anything more on this peculiar
subject?
Cheers,
Jim Bugslag
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