Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

St Constantines Cells
Hob Uid: 11512
Location : Cumbria Carlisle Wetheral
Grid Ref : NY4666153528
Summary : A series of rock cut chambers with a masonry front wall, which features 3 small windows. The 3 cells were formerly a hermitage and not a cell of Wetherall Priory. Access would originally have been by ladder, but there is now a stone-cut path. It was apparently used by the Priory of Wetheral as a place of safety during border raids, hence the alternative name "Safe Guards". It has been suggested that the origin of these features can be attributed to the Roman quarrying which occurred in the vicinity. A Roman inscription can be found a short distance away (see NY 45 SE 8).
More information : (NY 46685353) St Constantine's Cells (NR) (1) Three rock-cut chambers, connected by a 14th c (a) gallery which was formerly roofed, called "St Constantine's Cell", and by the country people "Wetheral Safeguard". They are generally considered to have been a place of concealment or safety, particularly during the Scottish incursions. Hodgson suggests that the three chambers may be as old as the time of the Romans, who quarried here; the caves may have been improved by the monks. (2-3) Correctly described and in good condition. Each chamber is rectangular and measures approximately 6m by 3m. (4) St Constantine's Cells, Safe Guards, Grade 1. (5) (NY 46685353) St Constantine's Cells (NR) (6) 9/197 St Constantine's Cells 1.4.57 I Cave dwellings. Early medieval, known to have been in use in the C14, probably for the Priory of Wetheral, but popularly considered to have been used by St Constantine when a hermit. 3 chambers cut high in the cliff face above the River Eden. Masonry front wall with 3 small windows and fireplace. Access would have originally been by ladder, but now has a stone cut path. Used by the Priory of Wetheral as a place of refuge during border raids and hence the name Safe Guards. (25 metres south of the caves is a Roman inscription, referring to the 20 legion Valeria Victrix, which was mentioned in the former listing). (7) St Constantine's Cells, and rock-cut Roman inscription (see NY 45 SE 8) scheduled. (8) The cutting for these rock chambers can be seen on lidar imagery at NY4665 5352. (10)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1957
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Milborne, W
Page(s) : 95-7
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Vol(s) : 1, 1749

Source Number : 10
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Source details : LIDAR NY4653 Environment Agency DTM XX-XXX-XXXX
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Hodgson, TH
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Vol(s) : 15, 1899

Source Number : 3a
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Source details : Inf St J Hope, Assistant Secretary, Society of Antiquaries
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : F1 RWE 14-APR-66
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : MOW (Prov List) Border RD Cumberland Jan 1948 p48
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : OS 1:2500 1967
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : DOE Listed Buildings City of Carlisle Cumb Sept 1983 p61
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : DOE(IAM) Anc Mons England 1 1978 p17
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Source Number : 9
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Page(s) : 75
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Roman
Display Date : Roman
Monument End Date : 410
Monument Start Date : 43
Monument Type : Quarry
Evidence : Subterranean Feature

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Rock Cut Dwelling, Hermitage (Religious)
Evidence : Conjectural Evidence, Subterranean Feature

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : CU 291a
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : CU 291b
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Cumbria)
External Cross Reference Number : 411
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NY 45 SE 7
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : Is referred to by

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1966-04-14
End Date : 1966-04-14

Historic England Research Records

St Constantines Cells