Holy Island Priory. By HENRY CLARKE, M. D. 



I HAVE been induced to draw up the following sketch of the Priory 

 of Holy Island, from its being the most beautiful fragment of antiquity 

 in the district to which our researches are confined, as well as from its 

 presenting one of the most remarkable architectural remains of the period 

 to which it belongs in the kingdom. 



It need scarcely be mentioned, that, in the earlier periods of Chris- 

 tian history, the choice of so unattractive a site was in obedience to the 

 idea which indicated the remote and scarcely accessible island, and the 

 lone and unfrequented desert, as spots peculiarly fitted for that contem- 

 plative life, and withdrawal from the world, in which the perfection of 

 religion was supposed to consist. 



When the monastic system was introduced into the West, this was its 

 leading and characteristic feature, and the same spirit which had selected 

 the inhospitable island of lona, induced the monk who issued thence for 

 the conversion of Northumberland, to prefer the bleak sands of Lindes- 

 farne to the pleasant valleys of the adjacent continent. 



It would be needless also to dwell upon the advantages derived from 

 monastic establishments during the darker periods of history their pre- 

 servation of literature and religion the solace they afforded to the way- 

 farer and the pilgrim the asylum they furnished to the poor, the sick, 

 the impotent, and the aged the influence which they exerted in allevia- 

 ting, where they could not prevent, the various evils incident to a bar- 

 barous age the peaceful arts which they cultivated, and especially that 

 which enabled them to raise those august and sumptuous edifices, which 

 still remain the grandest examples of architectural skill, and defy all ap- 

 proaches of the moderns to a parity of excellence. 



The exercise of these and kindred virtues ought to redeem the mo- 

 nastic institution, when reviewed in a candid and equitable spirit, from 

 the unmeasured obloquy and censure which the license and misrule of 

 some of its branches in later times have drawn down upon it. . 



There is no doubt, however, that the very virtues, which originally in- 

 spired awe and attracted esteem, tended, by a natural process, frequently 

 renewed, and always with similar results, to the gradual corruption and 

 final overthrow of the monastic system. 



Long before the Reformation the elements of discontent had been at 

 work, and the clamour against the monasteries had been gradually ac- 

 quiring force and fixedness, when in the person of 



" the majestic lord 

 Who broke the bonds of Rome/' 



was found a fitting instrument for the expression of the popular will. 

 In the year 1 536, the lesser monasteries were doomed to destruction 



