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THE HERMITAGE.
WARKWORTH CASTLE, in Northumberland, stands very boldly on a neck of land near the sea-shore, almost surrounded by the river Coquet (called by our old Latin historians Coqueda) which runs with a clear and rapid stream, but when swollen with rains becomes violent and dangerous.
About a mile from the Castle, in a deep romantic valley, are the remains of a Hermitage; of which the Chapel is still entire. This is hollowed with great elegance, in a cliff near the river; as are also two adjoining apartments, which probably served for the Sacristy and Vestry, or were appropriated to other sacred uses; for the former of these, which runs parallel with the Chapel, appears to have had an altar in it, for occasionally celebrating the mass.
Each of the apartments is extremely small; for the principal Chapel, in length, exceeds not 18 feet - and the breadth and height not more than 7 feet and a half. It is, however, very beautifully designed, and executed in the solid rock, and has all the decorations of a complete Gothic Cathedral in miniature.
But what principally distinguishes the Chapel, is a small tomb or monument on the south side of the altar; on the top of which lies a female figure, extended in the manner that effigies are usually exhibited praying on ancient tombs. The figure, which is very delicately designed, some have supposed to be the image of the Virgin Mary; but it has not the least resemblance to the manner in which she is represented in the Romish Churches, where she is usually erect, as the object of adoration, and never in a prostrate recumbent posture. Indeed, the real image of the blessed Virgin probably stood in a small niche, still visible, behind the alter; whereas the figure of a Bull’s Head, which is rudely carved at the Lady’s feet, the usual place for the Crest in old monuments, plainly proves her to have been a very different personage.—About the tomb are several other figures cut in the natural rock, like those before mentioned. What slight traditions are scattered through the country, concerning the origin and foundalion of the Hermitage, tomb, &c. are delivered to the reader in the following rhymes.
It is universally agreed, that the founder was one of the Bertram family, which had once considerable possessions in Northumberland, and were anciently Lords of Bothal Castle, which is 10 miles from Warkworth. He has been thought to be the same Bertram that endowed Brinkburn Priory, and built Brinkshaugh Chapel, which both stand in the same winding valley, higher up the river; bus Brinkburn Priory was founded in the reign of King Henry I. The style of the architecture of the Chapel of the Hermitage prevailed at a later period, about the reign of King Edward III.
FINIS.
