THE P RTAL
September 2013
Page 9
Brinkburn Priory
Visited for The Portal by Eliza Treblecock
England really is a remarkable country! There is so much to see; so much that is hidden. Nowhere is more hidden than Brinkburn Priory in Northumberland. Nestling among the Cheviots, it is so hidden that in the years when the Scots regularly raided English establishments along the border, they went past it without finding it! It was on their way back that they heard the bell tolling and so found it to plunder. A piece of art-work alluding to this legend is in the grounds.
poverty, chastity and obedience
By the time of the Norman conquest of England many were searching for a different expression of monastic life. The Cistercians were the most popular of the new orders. They followed a decidedly ascetic life, yet all the orders followed similar vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Priests in the monasteries were called “regulars”, whilst those outside in the world were known as “seculars”.
one of those brown signs
I stumbled upon it because I drove past one of those brown signs pointing to ancient monuments. The car park is some way from the Priory, but the walk is all downhill. Mind you, that means it is tough getting back to your vehicle!
Canons Regular
There were priests who served the cathedrals and minsters who were known as Canons. By the eleventh century these were beginning to live in community. They became known as Canons Regular. One group of these were the Augustinian Canons following the Rule of Saint Augustine of Hippo, who lived from 354 a bend in the River Coquet to 430. The Rule was more flexible than that followed Founded in 1130, Brinkworth stands in a bend in the by Benedictines, allowing the Canons to serve the River Coquet. It was an Augustinian house. Its original ordinary folk of the area. They became known as Black occupants would have been priests, or Canons as they Canons because they wore black cassocks or habits. were called, living under the Rule of Saint Augustine remote of Hippo. Following Harold’s defeat at Hastings, the new Solitude and community masters were the Normans. The new barons were By the Eleventh century the monastic life was well anxious to settle and assist the monastic revival. established in the church. Solitude and community Seeking quiet, the place for a new monastery was to be were the aims of this life, as well as prayer, of course,. as remote as possible. Nowhere was more remote than Saint Benedict’s Rule had been followed since the sixth Brinkburn! It was ideal. century.