Anchorites in the Medieval Church

A strange life

A few weeks ago I promised a post on anchorites, after I had covered hermits here. I was hoping to visit the only complete anchorite cell still in existence on my holiday/pilgrimage but sadly that was not to be. Below is the church in question, Chester-le-Street, with the anchorhold on the left, though most of the doors and windows visible are late 16th…