Report of the Meetings for 1894. 55 



Mr Hindmarsh hastened the arraugements for receiving us 

 at the Castle, leaving Mr Hodgson of Warkworth to interview 

 Canon Long, and obtain the necessary permission to visit the 

 sacred precincts of the Church. Canon Long considerately pro- 

 posed to show us the building himself. This has already been 

 described in Vol. vi., p. 325, of our Proceedings, by the Rev. 

 W. Darnell, the predecessor and brother-in-law of Canon Long. 

 In its architectural arrangements and historic associations, the 

 Church presents many singular features. To St. Aidan the 

 erection of the first or wooden church is attributed, which was 

 superseded in due time by a Saxon or Norman building in stone. 

 Hereafter the Chapel and relic chamber which form the present 

 Crypt, were built perhaps by the Augustinian Monks, who had 

 formed a settlement at the present " Hall " near the Churnh. 

 In a zeal for Church extension, the existing Chancel, 62 feet 

 long, was constructed from 1210-1220, to take the place of the 

 former chancel, which was used as a conventual church, leaving 

 the nave and other parts for parochial use. The oldest parts are 

 the chancel and transept arches, dating from 1 150- 11 60, and the 

 western arches which support the Tower about 1170. Then 

 about 1260 were reared the Transepts, Chantries, and South 

 Aisle with its seuoud door, where the priests entered and formed 

 their procession. Canon Long drew attention to the flat roofing, 

 and explained that efforts were being made to renovate the 

 building and heighten the roof to the original pitch, as indicated 

 above some of the beautiful arches. The whole length of the 

 church is 168 feet. Much interest was taken in the window in 

 the North wall, which was locally called the Leper's window, 

 and in the aperture. These were apparently designed for 

 administering the Sacrament to the Lepers at feast days. On 

 ordinary occasions they would not require to worship with the 

 congregation, as there would be a chapel for their exclusive 

 use attached to the Hospital, which stood near the Castle 

 slope. Other opinions were expressed that instead of a Leper's 

 window, it was a Lychnoscope through which penitents might 

 observe the altar. Canon Long also directed attention to the 

 Hagioscope on the S. of the chancel arch, which afforded a 

 similar privilege to worshippers within the church. 



Whilst speaking of the present observance of St. Aidan's 

 Feast, Canon Long used the expressive phrase in current use of 

 " St. Aidan's Rest," and pointed out the sun dial which indicated 



