Monkwearmouth – Jarrow Abbey

St Peter founded in AD 675 (prev upload) became a double monastery with the foundation of St Paul a decade later. Jarrow soon became a unique centre for the production of manuscripts. Among other things, the oldest surviving complete Vulgate Bible (Codex Amiatinus) and other illuminated biblical, liturgical and theological manuscripts were produced. Beda Venerabilis wrote his English Ecclesiastical History here around 731

Both monasteries were sacked by Viking raiders and in the 9th century the abbey was abandoned. After the Norman Conquest of England there was a brief attempt to revive it. Early in the 14th century the two houses were refounded as cells of Durham Priory. In 1536 they were surrendered to the Crown and dissolved.

Since the dissolution the two abbey churches have survived as the parish churches of Monkwearmouth and Jarrow. The conventual buildings fell into ruin.