DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6912#0037
,26
architectural antiquities.
ESSEX.
by william burdon, esq. a.m.
The remains of Waltham Abbey Church belong to one of the most noble works of
antiquity, which the ravages of the modern Goths have left us ; and these relics we
ought religiously to preserve from further abuse and dilapidation. To give a brief
history of this Abbey, derived from authentic materials, the first thing to be con-
sulted, is the charter of King Edward the Confessor, dated 1062, in which the
monarch recites, " That he had granted to one of his earls, named Harold, a certain
portion of land anciently called Waltham, with all its fields, pastures," &c. &c.; and
that " the said Harold, enriched with wise counsel, and mindful of his earthly con-
dition, had on this land erected a monastery to the honour of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the Holy Cross, and granted to it a piece of ground called Northland, with
which the former church had been endowed." The charter then says, " Having
thus founded this holy monastery, he caused it to be dedicated, according to the
rules of the church ; in remembrance of me, and of my wife Editha, himself, and all
his relatives dead and alive. He adorned it with many relics of apostles, martyrs,
confessors, and virgins ; with many holy books and divers lands hereinafter mentioned,
also many vests and ornaments, suitable to a temple of the Lord; and, lastly, he
instituted a holy band of brethren, who being subject to canonical rules, might daily
and nightly celebrate the praises of the Lord, his saints, and martyrs." The charter
then enumerates the lands, or farms, seventeen in number, which Harold had given
for the maintenance of the monastery, and which Edward, to redeem his own sins,
and those of his predecessors, pronounced to be exonerated from all suit and service
whatever : he then signs and seals the charter with the mark of the Holy Cross, and
caused it to be signed by his Queen Editha, and by fifty-six of his great officers of
state and courtiers. The institution thus established consisted of a dean, and eleven
secular canons. Harold did not long survive the foundation of his monastery, for
after reigning only eight months, he lost his life in the battle of Hastings, just four
years after the building was founded.
architectural antiquities.
ESSEX.
by william burdon, esq. a.m.
The remains of Waltham Abbey Church belong to one of the most noble works of
antiquity, which the ravages of the modern Goths have left us ; and these relics we
ought religiously to preserve from further abuse and dilapidation. To give a brief
history of this Abbey, derived from authentic materials, the first thing to be con-
sulted, is the charter of King Edward the Confessor, dated 1062, in which the
monarch recites, " That he had granted to one of his earls, named Harold, a certain
portion of land anciently called Waltham, with all its fields, pastures," &c. &c.; and
that " the said Harold, enriched with wise counsel, and mindful of his earthly con-
dition, had on this land erected a monastery to the honour of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the Holy Cross, and granted to it a piece of ground called Northland, with
which the former church had been endowed." The charter then says, " Having
thus founded this holy monastery, he caused it to be dedicated, according to the
rules of the church ; in remembrance of me, and of my wife Editha, himself, and all
his relatives dead and alive. He adorned it with many relics of apostles, martyrs,
confessors, and virgins ; with many holy books and divers lands hereinafter mentioned,
also many vests and ornaments, suitable to a temple of the Lord; and, lastly, he
instituted a holy band of brethren, who being subject to canonical rules, might daily
and nightly celebrate the praises of the Lord, his saints, and martyrs." The charter
then enumerates the lands, or farms, seventeen in number, which Harold had given
for the maintenance of the monastery, and which Edward, to redeem his own sins,
and those of his predecessors, pronounced to be exonerated from all suit and service
whatever : he then signs and seals the charter with the mark of the Holy Cross, and
caused it to be signed by his Queen Editha, and by fifty-six of his great officers of
state and courtiers. The institution thus established consisted of a dean, and eleven
secular canons. Harold did not long survive the foundation of his monastery, for
after reigning only eight months, he lost his life in the battle of Hastings, just four
years after the building was founded.