Bewcastle - St Cuthbert's Church

ost people regard Bewcastle as remote and isolated, but in 122 AD Hadrian visited and built his wall, 'to divide the Romans from the Barbarians'. Three outpost forts were built, one of these at Bewcastle, linked directly with the wall at Birdoswald. During the 2nd and 3rd century, a thousand men were stationed here. It is uncertain was happened from when the Romans abandoned the fort, and the Anglian Cross was erected in the late 7th century. The fact that a cross was built here suggests that the site had a continuing religious significance.

t the time of the Norman Conquest a castle was built in the NE corner of the Roman fort. The church was built during the reign of Edward I, using stone from the Roman fort. In the 18th Century, it was rebuilt and the dedication changed to St Cuthbert.

he simple building has a West tower and bell-cote. Inside there is a tapestry depicting St Cuthbert. The interior conveys an atmosphere of peace, enhanced by the simple windows.

ost people come here to see the Cross, made of yellow sandstone and standing 14 feet high. The cross head is missing, but the shaft is exceptionally well preserved.

he Cross bears an inscription in runes commemorating Alefrith, once King, son of Oswi. What distinguishes this cross from the others in Cumbria is the sacred figures carved on it. Apart from the Ruthwell cross, just over the border in Scotland, there is nothing as perfect as these two, of comparable age, in the whole of Europe.

ooklets available in the Church, and information in an accompanying exhibition, describe in detail the carvings on the Cross. There is a large mural in the exhibition showing what Bewcastle might have looked like in the 7th Century.

here is a life size replica of the Bewcastle cross at Tullie House Museum in Carlisle.

'Bewcastle - St Cuthbert's Church'