Anchorhold. From as early as the 7th century AD until the reformation a substantial number of religious people lived hermitic lives in England and all over Europe. It appears that they were most common …More
Anchorhold.
From as early as the 7th century AD until the reformation a substantial number of religious people lived hermitic lives in England and all over Europe. It appears that they were most common in the 13th - 15th centuries. Many lived in caves and rustic huts in remote places but there were others who were attached - quite literally - to churches. These people were called anchorites (fem. anchoresses) from the Greek "anachoretes" meaning "one who lives apart". A cell, called an 'anchorhold', would be built, sometimes in the churchyard or other part of the village, but often adjoining the church itself. This is at Willingham parish church.
From as early as the 7th century AD until the reformation a substantial number of religious people lived hermitic lives in England and all over Europe. It appears that they were most common in the 13th - 15th centuries. Many lived in caves and rustic huts in remote places but there were others who were attached - quite literally - to churches. These people were called anchorites (fem. anchoresses) from the Greek "anachoretes" meaning "one who lives apart". A cell, called an 'anchorhold', would be built, sometimes in the churchyard or other part of the village, but often adjoining the church itself. This is at Willingham parish church.