On Wednesday, we got up and headed off to Cartmel Priory and the Lake District. The weather was not great. I found out that the wealth of Manchester was founded on cotton. Also, the Midland Hotel, where we were staying for 2 nights (and a very nice hotel it is!) was built by the railroad and the old Manchester Central Station was just out the back door. Very convenient. Almost 100 year ago, a fairly historic meeting took place between Mr Rolls and Mr Royce, which was to have ramifications for the automobile :-) The automotive side is now owned by the Germans but Rolls-Royce still makes airplane engines.
Anyway, a few pictures from Cartmel Priory. I gave Lake Windemere a miss because it was raining--and my camera doesn't like to get wet. Cartmel was founded in the late 12th century by William Marshal on lands given to him by Henry II. For reasons known only to him, when he wrote the charter, he stipulated that the Priory Church would also be the village church--which is the reason it's still here today. When Henry VIII was dissolving the monasteries and taking the roofs off the churches (for the lead) the villagers were able to stop him because it was their church.
This is kind of a neat bicycle/ice cream delivery van, parked outside a shop by Cartmel Priory.
Cartmel Priory with its interesting double tower. The higher tower was a later addition to brace the lower tower and the nave, which had developed several very large cracks.
The bapitsmal font with its very heavy cover. Supposedly, there were a number of (suspected)witches in the Cartmel area and holy water is an ingredient in witch's potions. The heavy cover (it takes 4 men to left it) keeps them from stealing the holy water.
One of the misericords--or mercy seats--in the choir. This one shows a mermaid with a comb and a mirror and is a warning against vanity.
Banner celebrating Cartmel's founder, William Marshal.
Exterior shot of the Priory Church.
Another shot of the Cartmel Priory Church Tower.
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