| Title: |
St Bridget’s Church, Brigham, Cockermouth, Cumbria: Archaeological Building Recording |
| Series: |
Greenlane Archaeology Ltd unpublished report series
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| Biblio Note |
This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has not been reviewed by the relevant HER. The report has been transferred into the ADS Library for public access and to facilitate future research.
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| DOI |
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| Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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| Abstract: |
As part of proposals for renovations to St Bridget’s Church, Brigham, Cockermouth, Cumbria, Greenlane Archaeology was commissioned to carry out an archaeological building recording of exposed sections of the walls, both external and internal, where pointing or plaster had been removed. This was intended to identify any features of interest that were revealed and provide a permanent record of these areas before they were renovated. It would also add to the understanding of the development of the building, based on previous investigations, primarily made during extensive work carried out in the late 19th century. The origins of St Bridget’s church are uncertain, but numerous examples of carved stone crosses and other monumental stonework demonstrate that it was used as a Christian site from at least the 8th century. The current building is thought to contain elements from the late 11th century, at which point it probably only comprised the nave, an apsidal chancel and possibly one or two aisles, before it was extended with the addition of a tower at the west end in the 12th or 13th centuries. It later again reorganised in the 14th to 15th centuries. Later alterations are less apparent until a major programme of renovation by William Butterfield between 1864 and 1876. The recording involved the production of detailed photorectified views of the affected internal elevations and the whole of the exterior, followed by more detailed investigation on site. Although limited in its scope this revealed clear evidence for a number of construction phases, including evidence that the north aisle was a later addition than previously suggested, and butt joints in the west elevation indicating an earlier window below a relieving arch, that were later reused for the current doorway after the tower was added. Clear evidence for the raising of the roofline and the top of the tower was also identified. The site remains a significant historic building of considerable antiquity, and while the recording was limited to only a few areas it has added to the understanding of the structure and provided a permanent record of the areas that were exposed. |
| Author: |
Daniel W Elsworth
Thomas Mace
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| Publisher: |
Greenlane Archaeology Ltd
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| Year of Publication: |
2023
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| Locations: |
| District: |
Allerdale |
| Parish: |
Brigham |
| County: |
Cumbria |
| County: |
Cumberland |
| Country: |
England |
| District: |
Cumberland |
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Grid Reference: 308578, 530921 (Easting, Northing)
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| Subjects / Periods: |
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| Identifiers: |
| OASIS Id: |
greenlan1-521882 |
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| Source: |
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| Relations: |
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| Created Date: |
08 Jan 2024 |
