Two summers ago, after a week in Leeds, I visited Durham, staying there
for a week. During the week I wanted to visit Finchale priory, where the
famed university monk Uthred of Boldon had been prior, and to see what
kind of location monks would choose for their vacation house. To my
dismay, the site of the priory (with the exception of the actual
buildings themselves) had been turned into a vacation spot for
day-trippers and other people caravaning. Lots of people sunbathing,
reading novels, etc. My chagrin turned to amusement when I realized how
appropriate all the sunbathers were at Finchale priory; they were
continuing the practices of their monastic forbears who found the site
peaceful and relaxing, with the river running by.
Thomas Sullivan, OSB
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [log in to unmask] [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Sunday, May 23, 1999 4:37 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: FEAST 21 May
>
> 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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