Lancaster Castle Wall + Lancaster Priory + Self Portrait

Castle + Priory + Self Portrait, originally uploaded by Lancaster Today.

A self portrait, but which is me and what or who is beside me? And am I seeing double?

Lancaster Priory, full front view

Lancaster Priory, full front view, originally uploaded by Lancaster Today.

In this earlier post, I presented some partial images of Lancaster Priory, inside and outside. With a wide-angle lens, I'm able to show the full structure this time.

Lancaster Priory, back view, originally uploaded by Lancaster Today.

And here it is from the back, with the ramparts of Lancaster Castle just in view on the right hand side.

Eagles and virgins

Eagle lectern in Lancaster Priory, originally uploaded by Lancaster Today.

More photos from Lancaster Priory, this time focussing on two objects of art on the floor (see earlier Priory photos here and here).

The eagle's head is from the church lectern. You can see the full piece in this photo on the Priory's homepage, where you'll also read that the lectern was presented to the Priory by E.G. Paley in 1870. (Edward Pale was a Lancaster architect - you can see his Wiki profile here).

The photo below shows a partial view of a large modern statue of Mary situated at the back of the church. My guess is that it is the most recent artistic addition to the priory's collection, but will have to confirm this after the next visit the priory - a good excuse to take more photos.

Mary in Lancaster Priory, originally uploaded by Lancaster Today.

This historical time-line of Lancaster Priory is worth scanning. The first building on the site dates back nearly 2,000 years, and you can find details of various additions, donations and other church-related events as well as the historical context in which they happened. Unfortunately, no mention of that statue of Mary though!

House of Lancaster

Divine right?, originally uploaded by Lancaster Today.

Royal coat of arms on the balcony of Lancaster Priory, looking down on the congregation.

The House of Lancaster was a branch of the English royal family, ruling England for more than 60 years under Henry IV, Henry V and Henry VI. The Duchy of Lancaster still holds large estates in the city (including Lancaster Castle) which provide a primary source of income for the monarch. The current Duke of Lancaster is Queen Elizabeth II.

Translation of the insriptions (more info by clicking on the links):

DIEU ET MON DROIT = God and my right (motto of British monarch)

HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE = Shame on him who thinks evil of it (motto of the Order of the Garter)

Lancaster Priory

Lancaster Priory - partial view from below, originally uploaded by Lancaster Today.

A partial view of the Priory Church of St. Mary, founded in 1094 (earliest written record) and built upon a space where a church had existed from 630 AD. There is much of interest inside and around the Priory, physically and contextually. Expect more pictures and commentary in later posts as I get to know it better.

Lancaster Priory, originally uploaded by Lancaster Today.

By consulting the church window record, can you tell where this stained glass is located?

William Lindow

William Lindow's grave, originally uploaded by Lancaster Today.

William Lindow was buried in the Rawlinson family grave, pictured above, in the north-west corner of Lancaster Priory churchyard (next to Lancaster Castle). By marrying Abigail Rawlinson, William - a sea captain for the family - joined Lancaster's principal merchant dynasty in the late 18th/early 19th century. (Inscriptions on the grave detailed here - see entry 435 under Rawlinson, Henry).

The Rawlinson family ships were involved in the slave trade, departing from Lancaster to trade slaves between islands in the West Indies and transport the fruits of slave labour. The slave trade's contribution to the fortunes of families like the Lindows and the Rawlinsons is the subject of Melinda Elder's book The Slave Trade and the Economic Development of 18th Century Lancaster.

According to Global Links' notes on their Lancaster Slave Trade town Trail , William and Abigail had a black servant - probably a slave - called John Chance who worked at their home in Queen Square. The home that 'John' served now houses a doctor's surgery and can be seen in this photo.

In reference to yesterday's post, it seems likely that William Lindow once owned the land now occupied by that area where his name is prominent on street signs. If you view the street map here, you can see the proximity of Lindow Square / Street to their house on Queen Street. I will verify this when I can.

See a portrait here of Mr and Mrs William Lindow 1772 by George Romney.

THANKS TO: Eric Wilkinson, archivist at Lancaster Castle, for the useful pointers yesterday.