Martin M. Miles' photos

Repton Abbey was an Anglo-Saxon abbey founded in the 7th century. It was a double monastery, a community of both monks and nuns. The abbey was abandoned in 873, when Repton was overrun by the invading Great Heathen Army (aka Viking Great Army) . The Vikings established winter quarters here, before completing their conquest of Mercia in 874. The monks and nuns were left with no choice but to flee, taking the remains of Saint Wigstan with them. The army looted and destroyed the abbey, and built a fortified encampment in the grounds. The abbey church was partially restored approximately 40 to 50 years later, serving as a parish church. Little of the Saxon abbey church could be saved. In the 12th century the advowson of this church was given to the newly formed Repton Priory, which was established a short distance away. It was rebuilt and enlarged between the 13th and 15th centuries, with the 65 m high tower and spire added in the 15th century. The crypt was constructed in the early 8th century. It was built over a spring and is thought to have originally been a baptistery. The space was converted into a mausoleum for King Æthelbald of Mercia. King Wiglaf and his grandson Saint Wigstan were also buried in the crypt. It is thought that the royal bodies were first buried in the ground to decompose before their bones were interred in the crypt. The crypt is a square chamber with a roof of three rows of three domical vaults supported by two pilasters on each wall and four free-standing pillars at the four corners of the central vault.

Repton Abbey was an Anglo-Saxon abbey founded in the 7th century. It was a double monastery, a community of both monks and nuns. The abbey was abandoned in 873, when Repton was overrun by the invading Great Heathen Army (aka Viking Great Army) . The Vikings established winter quarters here, before completing their conquest of Mercia in 874. The monks and nuns were left with no choice but to flee, taking the remains of Saint Wigstan with them. The army looted and destroyed the abbey, and built a fortified encampment in the grounds. The abbey church was partially restored approximately 40 to 50 years later, serving as a parish church. Little of the Saxon abbey church could be saved. In the 12th century the advowson of this church was given to the newly formed Repton Priory, which was established a short distance away. It was rebuilt and enlarged between the 13th and 15th centuries, with the 65 m high tower and spire added in the 15th century.

Repton Abbey was an Anglo-Saxon abbey founded in the 7th century. It was a double monastery, a community of both monks and nuns. The abbey was abandoned in 873, when Repton was overrun by the invading Great Heathen Army (aka Viking Great Army) . The Vikings established winter quarters here, before completing their conquest of Mercia in 874. The monks and nuns were left with no choice but to flee, taking the remains of Saint Wigstan with them. The army looted and destroyed the abbey, and built a fortified encampment in the grounds. The abbey church was partially restored approximately 40 to 50 years later, serving as a parish church. Little of the Saxon abbey church could be saved. In the 12th century the advowson of this church was given to the newly formed Repton Priory, which was established a short distance away. It was rebuilt and enlarged between the 13th and 15th centuries, with the 65 m high tower and spire added in the 15th century.

Melbourne - St Michael with St Mary There was a church here when the Domesday Book was compiled in 1086. The current building dates from taround 1120. Who had the church built was is a matter of conjecture, and why so large and imposing a church was built in Melbourne is a mystery. One theory suggests the first Bishop of Carlisle built it. When King Henry I founded the diocese in 1133, he presented the church at Melbourne to Aethelwulf, its first bishop. Since Carlisle was not a safe place to be, it has been assumed that Aethelwulf sought safety here in his southern base when Carlisle was captured by the Scots in 1136, and that he built himself a church worthy of his status. The church does indeed have the feel of a 'miniature cathedral' about it. This theory has been questioned, as doubt has been cast on the assumption that Aethelwulf came south, since there is evidence that he simply remained in Carlisle acted as a Scottish bishop. The churches west end is massive, with its fine door moulding and two low towers. The east end of the church originally had a triple apse. This was a feature of early Norman churches, and traces of these can be seen both inside and outside. Daniel??

There was a church here when the Domesday Book was compiled in 1086. The current building dates from taround 1120. Who had the church built was is a matter of conjecture, and why so large and imposing a church was built in Melbourne is a mystery. One theory suggests the first Bishop of Carlisle built it. When King Henry I founded the diocese in 1133, he presented the church at Melbourne to Aethelwulf, its first bishop. Since Carlisle was not a safe place to be, it has been assumed that Aethelwulf sought safety here in his southern base when Carlisle was captured by the Scots in 1136, and that he built himself a church worthy of his status. The church does indeed have the feel of a 'miniature cathedral' about it. This theory has been questioned, as doubt has been cast on the assumption that Aethelwulf came south, since there is evidence that he simply remained in Carlisle acted as a Scottish bishop. The churches west end is massive, with its fine door moulding and two low towers. The east end of the church originally had a triple apse. This was a feature of early Norman churches, and traces of these can be seen both inside and outside. Holding a dog by its tail

There was a church here when the Domesday Book was compiled in 1086. The current building dates from taround 1120. Who had the church built was is a matter of conjecture, and why so large and imposing a church was built in Melbourne is a mystery. One theory suggests the first Bishop of Carlisle built it. When King Henry I founded the diocese in 1133, he presented the church at Melbourne to Aethelwulf, its first bishop. Since Carlisle was not a safe place to be, it has been assumed that Aethelwulf sought safety here in his southern base when Carlisle was captured by the Scots in 1136, and that he built himself a church worthy of his status. The church does indeed have the feel of a 'miniature cathedral' about it. This theory has been questioned, as doubt has been cast on the assumption that Aethelwulf came south, since there is evidence that he simply remained in Carlisle acted as a Scottish bishop. The churches west end is massive, with its fine door moulding and two low towers. The east end of the church originally had a triple apse. This was a feature of early Norman churches, and traces of these can be seen both inside and outside. A lion tangled up in the vines?

There was a church here when the Domesday Book was compiled in 1086. The current building dates from taround 1120. Who had the church built was is a matter of conjecture, and why so large and imposing a church was built in Melbourne is a mystery. One theory suggests the first Bishop of Carlisle built it. When King Henry I founded the diocese in 1133, he presented the church at Melbourne to Aethelwulf, its first bishop. Since Carlisle was not a safe place to be, it has been assumed that Aethelwulf sought safety here in his southern base when Carlisle was captured by the Scots in 1136, and that he built himself a church worthy of his status. The church does indeed have the feel of a 'miniature cathedral' about it. This theory has been questioned, as doubt has been cast on the assumption that Aethelwulf came south, since there is evidence that he simply remained in Carlisle acted as a Scottish bishop. The churches west end is massive, with its fine door moulding and two low towers. The east end of the church originally had a triple apse. This was a feature of early Norman churches, and traces of these can be seen both inside and outside.

There was a church here when the Domesday Book was compiled in 1086. The current building dates from taround 1120. Who had the church built was is a matter of conjecture, and why so large and imposing a church was built in Melbourne is a mystery. One theory suggests the first Bishop of Carlisle built it. When King Henry I founded the diocese in 1133, he presented the church at Melbourne to Aethelwulf, its first bishop. Since Carlisle was not a safe place to be, it has been assumed that Aethelwulf sought safety here in his southern base when Carlisle was captured by the Scots in 1136, and that he built himself a church worthy of his status. The church does indeed have the feel of a 'miniature cathedral' about it. This theory has been questioned, as doubt has been cast on the assumption that Aethelwulf came south, since there is evidence that he simply remained in Carlisle acted as a Scottish bishop. The churches west end is massive, with its fine door moulding and two low towers. The east end of the church originally had a triple apse. This was a feature of early Norman churches, and traces of these can be seen both inside and outside.

There was a church here when the Domesday Book was compiled in 1086. The current building dates from taround 1120. Who had the church built was is a matter of conjecture, and why so large and imposing a church was built in Melbourne is a mystery. One theory suggests the first Bishop of Carlisle built it. When King Henry I founded the diocese in 1133, he presented the church at Melbourne to Aethelwulf, its first bishop. Since Carlisle was not a safe place to be, it has been assumed that Aethelwulf sought safety here in his southern base when Carlisle was captured by the Scots in 1136, and that he built himself a church worthy of his status. The church does indeed have the feel of a 'miniature cathedral' about it. This theory has been questioned, as doubt has been cast on the assumption that Aethelwulf came south, since there is evidence that he simply remained in Carlisle acted as a Scottish bishop. The churches west end is massive, with its fine door moulding and two low towers. The east end of the church originally had a triple apse. This was a feature of early Norman churches, and traces of these can be seen both inside and outside.

An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded in about 675 on the site of an Iron Age hill fort known as the Bulwarks. Consent was given by King Æthelred of Mercia. The land was given by the princeps Frithuric with the stipulation that Hædda would be made the abbot. Medieval manuscripts record four saints buried in Breedon on the Hill, one of them was Frithuric. Danish raiders who sailed up the river Trent destroyed the monastery at the end of the 9th century. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 most of these lands were no longer held by the monastery and the manors surrounding Breedon had been given by William the Conqueror to the de Ferrers family, who later became the Earls of Derby. Breedon priory was founded as an Augustinian house in around 1120. The priory was a cell of Nostell Priory in Yorkshire. Gervase, a prior of Breedon, attempted to gain independence for the priory from Nostell, but failed and subsequently resigned in 1244. In 1441 a visiting bishop found the monastery to be dilapidated and in debt. By 1535 there was no resident community at the priory, which was now occupied only by the prior. The priory was surrendered for dissolution in 1539. The church contains important relief sculptures, some of which may be among the earliest surviving in England. These carvings come from the original Saxon abbey church. Most of the carvings are dated to the 9th century.

An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded in about 675 on the site of an Iron Age hill fort known as the Bulwarks. Consent was given by King Æthelred of Mercia. The land was given by the princeps Frithuric with the stipulation that Hædda would be made the abbot. Medieval manuscripts record four saints buried in Breedon on the Hill, one of them was Frithuric. Danish raiders who sailed up the river Trent destroyed the monastery at the end of the 9th century. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 most of these lands were no longer held by the monastery and the manors surrounding Breedon had been given by William the Conqueror to the de Ferrers family, who later became the Earls of Derby. Breedon priory was founded as an Augustinian house in around 1120. The priory was a cell of Nostell Priory in Yorkshire. Gervase, a prior of Breedon, attempted to gain independence for the priory from Nostell, but failed and subsequently resigned in 1244. In 1441 a visiting bishop found the monastery to be dilapidated and in debt. By 1535 there was no resident community at the priory, which was now occupied only by the prior. The priory was surrendered for dissolution in 1539. The church contains important relief sculptures, some of which may be among the earliest surviving in England. These carvings come from the original Saxon abbey church. Most of the carvings are dated to the 9th century. There must have been a long frieze in the preexisting church. Some parts are here now.

An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded in about 675 on the site of an Iron Age hill fort known as the Bulwarks. Consent was given by King Æthelred of Mercia. The land was given by the princeps Frithuric with the stipulation that Hædda would be made the abbot. Medieval manuscripts record four saints buried in Breedon on the Hill, one of them was Frithuric. Danish raiders who sailed up the river Trent destroyed the monastery at the end of the 9th century. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 most of these lands were no longer held by the monastery and the manors surrounding Breedon had been given by William the Conqueror to the de Ferrers family, who later became the Earls of Derby. Breedon priory was founded as an Augustinian house in around 1120. The priory was a cell of Nostell Priory in Yorkshire. Gervase, a prior of Breedon, attempted to gain independence for the priory from Nostell, but failed and subsequently resigned in 1244. In 1441 a visiting bishop found the monastery to be dilapidated and in debt. By 1535 there was no resident community at the priory, which was now occupied only by the prior. The priory was surrendered for dissolution in 1539. The church contains important relief sculptures, some of which may be among the earliest surviving in England. These carvings come from the original Saxon abbey church. Most of the carvings are dated to the 9th century. There must have been a long frieze in the preexisting church. Some parts are here now.

An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded in about 675 on the site of an Iron Age hill fort known as the Bulwarks. Consent was given by King Æthelred of Mercia. The land was given by the princeps Frithuric with the stipulation that Hædda would be made the abbot. Medieval manuscripts record four saints buried in Breedon on the Hill, one of them was Frithuric. Danish raiders who sailed up the river Trent destroyed the monastery at the end of the 9th century. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 most of these lands were no longer held by the monastery and the manors surrounding Breedon had been given by William the Conqueror to the de Ferrers family, who later became the Earls of Derby. Breedon priory was founded as an Augustinian house in around 1120. The priory was a cell of Nostell Priory in Yorkshire. Gervase, a prior of Breedon, attempted to gain independence for the priory from Nostell, but failed and subsequently resigned in 1244. In 1441 a visiting bishop found the monastery to be dilapidated and in debt. By 1535 there was no resident community at the priory, which was now occupied only by the prior. The priory was surrendered for dissolution in 1539. The church contains important relief sculptures, some of which may be among the earliest surviving in England. These carvings come from the original Saxon abbey church. Most of the carvings are dated to the 9th century. If they hold palm fronds in their hands, here are two martyrs

An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded in about 675 on the site of an Iron Age hill fort known as the Bulwarks. Consent was given by King Æthelred of Mercia. The land was given by the princeps Frithuric with the stipulation that Hædda would be made the abbot. Medieval manuscripts record four saints buried in Breedon on the Hill, one of them was Frithuric. Danish raiders who sailed up the river Trent destroyed the monastery at the end of the 9th century. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 most of these lands were no longer held by the monastery and the manors surrounding Breedon had been given by William the Conqueror to the de Ferrers family, who later became the Earls of Derby. Breedon priory was founded as an Augustinian house in around 1120. The priory was a cell of Nostell Priory in Yorkshire. Gervase, a prior of Breedon, attempted to gain independence for the priory from Nostell, but failed and subsequently resigned in 1244. In 1441 a visiting bishop found the monastery to be dilapidated and in debt. By 1535 there was no resident community at the priory, which was now occupied only by the prior. The priory was surrendered for dissolution in 1539. The church contains important relief sculptures, some of which may be among the earliest surviving in England. These carvings come from the original Saxon abbey church. Most of the carvings are dated to the 9th century. The sculpture in the center is named the "Virgin of Breedon"

An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded in about 675 on the site of an Iron Age hill fort known as the Bulwarks. Consent was given by King Æthelred of Mercia. The land was given by the princeps Frithuric with the stipulation that Hædda would be made the abbot. Medieval manuscripts record four saints buried in Breedon on the Hill, one of them was Frithuric. Danish raiders who sailed up the river Trent destroyed the monastery at the end of the 9th century. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 most of these lands were no longer held by the monastery and the manors surrounding Breedon had been given by William the Conqueror to the de Ferrers family, who later became the Earls of Derby. Breedon priory was founded as an Augustinian house in around 1120. The priory was a cell of Nostell Priory in Yorkshire. Gervase, a prior of Breedon, attempted to gain independence for the priory from Nostell, but failed and subsequently resigned in 1244. In 1441 a visiting bishop found the monastery to be dilapidated and in debt. By 1535 there was no resident community at the priory, which was now occupied only by the prior. The priory was surrendered for dissolution in 1539. The church contains important relief sculptures, some of which may be among the earliest surviving in England. These carvings come from the original Saxon abbey church. Most of the carvings are dated to the 9th century. This sculpture is named the "Breedon Angel".

An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded in about 675 on the site of an Iron Age hill fort known as the Bulwarks. Consent was given by King Æthelred of Mercia. The land was given by the princeps Frithuric with the stipulation that Hædda would be made the abbot. Medieval manuscripts record four saints buried in Breedon on the Hill, one of them was Frithuric. Danish raiders who sailed up the river Trent destroyed the monastery at the end of the 9th century. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 most of these lands were no longer held by the monastery and the manors surrounding Breedon had been given by William the Conqueror to the de Ferrers family, who later became the Earls of Derby. Breedon priory was founded as an Augustinian house in around 1120. The priory was a cell of Nostell Priory in Yorkshire. Gervase, a prior of Breedon, attempted to gain independence for the priory from Nostell, but failed and subsequently resigned in 1244. In 1441 a visiting bishop found the monastery to be dilapidated and in debt. By 1535 there was no resident community at the priory, which was now occupied only by the prior. The priory was surrendered for dissolution in 1539.

An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded in about 675 on the site of an Iron Age hill fort known as the Bulwarks. Consent was given by King Æthelred of Mercia. The land was given by the princeps Frithuric with the stipulation that Hædda would be made the abbot. Medieval manuscripts record four saints buried in Breedon on the Hill, one of them was Frithuric. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 most of these lands were no longer held by the monastery and the manors surrounding Breedon had been given by William the Conqueror to the de Ferrers family, who later became the Earls of Derby. Breedon priory was founded as an Augustinian house in around 1120. The priory was a cell of Nostell Priory in Yorkshire. Gervase, a prior of Breedon, attempted to gain independence for the priory from Nostell, but failed and subsequently resigned in 1244. In 1441 a visiting bishop found the monastery to be dilapidated and in debt. By 1535 there was no resident community at the priory, which was now occupied only by the prior. The priory was surrendered for dissolution in 1539.

The limestone quarries in Barnack were already used by the Romans and many of the stones used to build Ely Cathedral in Anglo-Saxon and Norman times came from here. St John the Baptist's Church is noted in particular for its Anglo-Saxon tower to which was added a spire of circa 1200, possibly one of the earliest spires in England. In the north aisle is a large Romanesque sculpture of a seated Christ in Majesty that was discovered under the floor in 1931. Triumphal Cross