It is an impressive building in the high part of the town. Typically English in style, it has a square tower and harmonious proportions. Inside, one can admire, under the high nave beautifully sculptured wooden stalls. The wooden ceiling with its ornate beams is also typically English.
Its building began in the 7th century, and its present foundations date back to these ancient times. The Middle-Ages, in this part of England were an extremely troubled period : Pict invasions succeeded to Viking attacks, then the country was devastated by William Wallace as he began his conquest of the north of England. Therefore, a new abbey had to be rebuilt on the ruins of the former one in the 12th century in a primitive gothic style.It is thus comparable to the cathedral of Noyon built at the same period. Both churches have the same purity in structure and the same majesty.
What you can see in the abbey :
The crypt : rediscovered in 1725, it is the most famous of the six Saxon crypts known in England. It contained in the 7th century St Andrew's relics.The wooden ceiling
The 18th century stalls
The sanctuary panel covered with beautiful medieval paintings.
The stained glass
And many other beautiful things.
Flavinus's tombstone*
The Nave
The night stair*
The triforiumFlavinus's Tombstone : Flavinus was a standard-bearer in the Roman army circa 60-70 AD. In fact he belonged to a batallion from Gaul, which is shown by the torque he is wearing around his neck, a sort of necklace worn by men of some importance in Gaul.
He was also of some importance in the army as he was responsible for the money the centurions put aside for their funeral expenses. It was a sort of life insurance. It explains the impressive character and size (2.64m) of this tombstone.
He died at the age of 25 after 7 years of military service.
We can see that he is bringing down an enemy and we can suppose that the top of his bearer showed the Roman Eagle.
The tombstone was first laid down in the Roman cemetery of Corbridge, then, six centuries later it was used as a building stone for St Wilfried's church. Finally it was discovered in 1881 during archeological excavations.*The Night Stair
In the 13th century, the abbey was flanked by many other buildings containing the monk's dormitories. Then the Night Stair was more than useful as the monks could arrive in the abbey for the first mass of the day (around 5 o'clock in the morning) directly from their cells.
Today it is used by choir boys.
