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St Gregory's Minster, Kirkdale, North Yorkshire: Archaeological Investigations and Historical Context
St Gregory's Minster, Kirkdale, North Archaeological Investigations and Historical Context is the result of circa 20 years of work on and around the church of St Gregory's Minster, Kirkdale, North Yorkshire. It is primarily concerned with material relating to approximately the late 8th century onwards, detailing the fabric as well as excavations around the church and in the fields immediately adjacent. Associated material culture was sparse but reflected high-status. It is open to doubt whether any building was identified to equate with the earliest Anglo-Saxon artefacts, although these are considered too numerous to have been introduced to the site subsequently. A succession of three church buildings are linked to a putative focus on the north side of the church, to which, it is argued, pre-Conquest elite burials were orientated. A pre-Conquest 'building site' to the north of the churchyard overlays an area of earlier burials.
Against the background of this data, it is argued that the area of Kirkdale may have been linked to the neighbouring Roman villa of Beadlam. The church's dedication to St Gregory is suggested to be important in understanding the milieu of its Christian origins and to its regional significance at one stage of its development. A possible evolution in the character of lordship is explored, from circumstances marked only by high-status objects to conditions that can be linked more securely to a secular family associated with the nearby town of Kirkbymoorside. Finally, Kirkdale's position in the landscape is considered and an explanation sought for the long use of this non-settlement locale.
Table of Contents
Summary
Preface
Chapter 1: The Site of Kirkdale
Investigations in and around the Church
Chapter 2: The West Exterior
Chapter 3: The North Exterior
Chapter 4: The South Exterior
Chapter 5: The Chancel Exterior
Chapter 6: The Church Interior
Investigations in the locality
Chapter 7: Adjacent Fields
The Human Bones
Chapter 8: Human bones
The Artefacts
Chapter 9: The Artefacts
Synthesis
Chapter 10: Overview and Interpretation
Notes
References
Against the background of this data, it is argued that the area of Kirkdale may have been linked to the neighbouring Roman villa of Beadlam. The church's dedication to St Gregory is suggested to be important in understanding the milieu of its Christian origins and to its regional significance at one stage of its development. A possible evolution in the character of lordship is explored, from circumstances marked only by high-status objects to conditions that can be linked more securely to a secular family associated with the nearby town of Kirkbymoorside. Finally, Kirkdale's position in the landscape is considered and an explanation sought for the long use of this non-settlement locale.
Table of Contents
Summary
Preface
Chapter 1: The Site of Kirkdale
Investigations in and around the Church
Chapter 2: The West Exterior
Chapter 3: The North Exterior
Chapter 4: The South Exterior
Chapter 5: The Chancel Exterior
Chapter 6: The Church Interior
Investigations in the locality
Chapter 7: Adjacent Fields
The Human Bones
Chapter 8: Human bones
The Artefacts
Chapter 9: The Artefacts
Synthesis
Chapter 10: Overview and Interpretation
Notes
References
318 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2021
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