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Abbey Church Foundation Stone Laid

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08/03/1118

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The Peterborough Chronicle of Hugh Candidus tells the story of the monastic community at Peterborough from 655, when the very first one was established, to 1177 when he passed away. He is, understandably, in some doubt as to when the foundation stone of the third abbey church of the  monastery - now the cathedral - at Peterborough was laid. The previous building had burned down on 4 August 1116 in the time of Abbot John de Sais/John of Salisbury. We are told that he promptly began the rebuild, laying the first stone on 12 March 1117. However, the formal 'foundation stone' of a building always waits for something firm to lie on. It needs to be seen by people present and future and it was on this date - 8 March 1118 - that the formal laying of the foundation stone appears to have taken place. The exact date of the church's completion - and its dedication by the Bishop of Lincoln - is equally confusing. one source says 4 October 1237 but the popular one is 28 September 1238. Whatever the dates may be, the abbey/cathedral church of Peterborough is a sight for sore eyes at any time. (Mellows, W.T., The Peterborough Chronicle of Hugh Candidus, Peterborough Museum Society, 1980; Gunton, Symon, The history of the Church of Peterburgh, Ed. Symon Patrick, 1990)

Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.

Elizabethan

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Towering Over Wothorpe

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1600

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Wothorpe Towers is a grade 1 listed building on the edge of the Soke of Peterborough. It was commissioned by Thomas Cecil of Burghley House in around 1600 as a lodge. Being so close to Burghley Park, it did not have its own deer park, as many lodges do. The land was originally in the ownership of Crowland Abbey and a small nunnery existed there. Following the reformation the land was gained by Richard Cecil, who was Groom of the Robes in Henry VIII's court and Thomas Cecil's grandfather.

Sadly, the building is completely ruinous. The four towers thankfully remain and provide the building with its distinctive silhouette. They are four stories high, which allowed them to stand above the three-storey house. However the main living space has all been lost, with the exception of a central spine wall and a few additions.

The ruins of Wothorpe Towers is in private ownership, but the gardens are being landscaped for visitors.

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  • William Cecil Honoured In 1576 Elizabeth I passed the title of Lord Param…
  • Wothorpe Priory: Nuns on a Hill Wothorpe Priory was situated in Wothorpe near to S…

Links

  • Wothorpe Towers website
Elizabethan

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