As another mini field trip for Christine's History 135 class we went to Hulne Priory and Alnwick Abbey. To get here we took a short drive to the outskirts of Alnwick. We arrived to a walled in area known as Hulne Park, and upon opening of the gate, it took my breath away. It was so beautiful with all the ruins.
Hulne Priory was a monastery which was established in the 13th century by monks. In the 15th century a tower known as a pele tower was added to protect the monks from the Scots. Pele towers, or fortified keeps were created to act as a watch tower to warn those of upcoming danger and are predominately seen along the English and Scottish borders.
Today the Hulne Priory and pele tower are used as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Northumberland and small groups. The building was remodeled in the Robert Adams style. Robert Adams style is known for being very symmetrical and has been known to have "stucco" decoration and have a movement in architecture. Currently in the hunting lodge there are animals that cover the walls that have been killed and mounted by the past and present Duke(s). I have to be honest I was a little disturbed by all the animals that were throughout the rooms.
From the now modernized hunting lodge we went to the ruins of the former Alnwick Abbey. This Abbey housed around 30 canons until it was dissolved by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries when spiritual vandalism took place.
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| An angel sculpture that was broken during the dissolution of the monasteries in the rule of Henry VIII |
What remains now are the ruins of the building and they are extremely breathtaking. Christine toured us around this area, and even made sure to point out the piscinas that were still intact--which are little water receptacles that were used to clean communion glasses.
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| A piscina |
Christine even made sure to read us a poem at one point as we all stood around the ruins. It was a great poem and completely set the mood. We all stood in silence and took in the beautiful remains around us. It was then that our tour of Hulne Park came to an end. As we were walking toward the door I took a glance behind me and realized how peaceful and beautiful Hulne Park was. Although I was very cold it was definitely a great place to go and have a moment to reflect on yourself. As I came through the door of the park I was once again reminded of how beautiful Alnwick is and how lucky I am to be here.
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| The view of the landscape as I walked out the door of Hulne Park...beautiful and peaceful |
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