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Newcastle (officially Newcastle upon Tyne) developed around a Roman settlement called Pons Aelius. Later, being part of the kingdom of Northumbria, it was known as Monkchester. Conflicts with the Danes in 876 left the settlements along the River Tyne in ruins. Robert Curthose, oldest son of William the Conqueror, erected a wooden castle there in the year 1080 since then the town was known as New Castle. The wooden structure was replaced by a stone castle in 1087. After a rebellion against the Normans in 1088, the town was all but destroyed by Odo of Bayeux.Throughout the Middle Ages, Newcastle was England's northern fortress.

Soon after the construction of the Norman castle in 1080, the first parish church was built on its current site. It is mentioned as St Nicholas' Church in 1194. Around the same time, the wooden building was replaced by a stone church, which burned down twice in the following decades and was rebuilt larger. At the end of the 14th century, it was raised and given a clerestory. This gave it the shape of an elongated basilica with a transept. The tower with its characteristic openwork crown was added at the end of the 15th century.

Scottish reformer John Knox served here as minister from 1550 to 1553.

In the mid-19th century Newcastle experienced a huge increase in its population, leading to the construction of over 20 new churches in the suburbs. As Newcastle continued to grow, so did its need for a diocese separate from Durham, and so in 1882 the Diocese of Newcastle was formed, with St Nicholas's as its cathedral.

The High Altar carved by James Sherwood Westmacott (1823–1900) .
The wings are a fine-grained sandstone with elaborate filigree carving.

Newcastle (officially Newcastle upon Tyne) developed around a Roman settlement called Pons Aelius. Later, being part of the kingdom of Northumbria, it was known as Monkchester. Conflicts with the Danes in 876 left the settlements along the River Tyne in ruins. Robert Curthose, oldest son of William the Conqueror, erected a wooden castle there in the year 1080 since then the town was known as New Castle. The wooden structure was replaced by a stone castle in 1087. After a rebellion against the Normans in 1088, the town was all but destroyed by Odo of Bayeux.Throughout the Middle Ages, Newcastle was England's northern fortress.

Soon after the construction of the Norman castle in 1080, the first parish church was built on its current site. It is mentioned as St Nicholas' Church in 1194. Around the same time, the wooden building was replaced by a stone church, which burned down twice in the following decades and was rebuilt larger. At the end of the 14th century, it was raised and given a clerestory. This gave it the shape of an elongated basilica with a transept. The tower with its characteristic openwork crown was added at the end of the 15th century.

Scottish reformer John Knox served here as minister from 1550 to 1553.

In the mid-19th century Newcastle experienced a huge increase in its population, leading to the construction of over 20 new churches in the suburbs. As Newcastle continued to grow, so did its need for a diocese separate from Durham, and so in 1882 the Diocese of Newcastle was formed, with St Nicholas's as its cathedral.


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Triumphal crosses
www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1297622

Newcastle (officially Newcastle upon Tyne) developed around a Roman settlement called Pons Aelius. Later, being part of the kingdom of Northumbria, it was known as Monkchester. Conflicts with the Danes in 876 left the settlements along the River Tyne in ruins. Robert Curthose, oldest son of William the Conqueror, erected a wooden castle there in the year 1080 since then the town was known as New Castle. The wooden structure was replaced by a stone castle in 1087. After a rebellion against the Normans in 1088, the town was all but destroyed by Odo of Bayeux.Throughout the Middle Ages, Newcastle was England's northern fortress.

Soon after the construction of the Norman castle in 1080, the first parish church was built on its current site. It is mentioned as St Nicholas' Church in 1194. Around the same time, the wooden building was replaced by a stone church, which burned down twice in the following decades and was rebuilt larger. At the end of the 14th century, it was raised and given a clerestory. This gave it the shape of an elongated basilica with a transept. The tower with its characteristic openwork crown was added at the end of the 15th century.

Scottish reformer John Knox served here as minister from 1550 to 1553.

In the mid-19th century Newcastle experienced a huge increase in its population, leading to the construction of over 20 new churches in the suburbs. As Newcastle continued to grow, so did its need for a diocese separate from Durham, and so in 1882 the Diocese of Newcastle was formed, with St Nicholas's as its cathedral.

Newcastle (officially Newcastle upon Tyne) developed around a Roman settlement called Pons Aelius. Later, being part of the kingdom of Northumbria, it was known as Monkchester. Conflicts with the Danes in 876 left the settlements along the River Tyne in ruins. Robert Curthose, oldest son of William the Conqueror, erected a wooden castle there in the year 1080 since then the town was known as New Castle. The wooden structure was replaced by a stone castle in 1087. After a rebellion against the Normans in 1088, the town was all but destroyed by Odo of Bayeux.Throughout the Middle Ages, Newcastle was England's northern fortress.

Soon after the construction of the Norman castle in 1080, the first parish church was built on its current site. It is mentioned as St Nicholas' Church in 1194. Around the same time, the wooden building was replaced by a stone church, which burned down twice in the following decades and was rebuilt larger. At the end of the 14th century, it was raised and given a clerestory. This gave it the shape of an elongated basilica with a transept. The tower with its characteristic openwork crown was added at the end of the 15th century.

Scottish reformer John Knox served here as minister from 1550 to 1553.

In the mid-19th century Newcastle experienced a huge increase in its population, leading to the construction of over 20 new churches in the suburbs. As Newcastle continued to grow, so did its need for a diocese separate from Durham, and so in 1882 the Diocese of Newcastle was formed, with St Nicholas's as its cathedral.

Haddington was the fourth largest town in Scotland in the High Middle Ages, and the first chartered Royal Burgh. There is record of the church here in a charter of David I of Scotland dated 1139, giving the monks of St Andrews Cathedral Priory the benefits of its revenues.

In the late 12th century the great Abbey of Haddington was founded by Ada de Warenne, Countess of Northumbria, for a community of Cistercian Nuns. In addition to the Cistercians and the Franciscans, there was a house of the Dominican Order.

In recognition of Haddington's strategic importance, it was burnt twice in the 13th century by the English. In 1356, Edward III of England. Edward spent ten days at Haddington, where he sacked the town, and destroyed most of the buildings.

John Knox trained as a priest in St Mary's but never held the parish. Instead, he became a notary. Knox then became a guide to George Wishart as he travelled in the Lothians. In 1547, Wishart preached at two services in St Mary's with Knox standing guard, below the pulpit bearing a two handed sword.

Building work on the current church was started in 1380, and further building and rebuilding has taken place up to the present day. It is the longest church in Scotland, at 62.8 metres from east to west, and is in the early Gothic style.


Bricks are even softer than sandstones and are therefore ideal for graffiti

Haddington was the fourth largest town in Scotland in the High Middle Ages, and the first chartered Royal Burgh. There is record of the church here in a charter of David I of Scotland dated 1139, giving the monks of St Andrews Cathedral Priory the benefits of its revenues.

In the late 12th century the great Abbey of Haddington was founded by Ada de Warenne, Countess of Northumbria, for a community of Cistercian Nuns. In addition to the Cistercians and the Franciscans, there was a house of the Dominican Order.

In recognition of Haddington's strategic importance, it was burnt twice in the 13th century by the English. In 1356, Edward III of England. Edward spent ten days at Haddington, where he sacked the town, and destroyed most of the buildings.

John Knox trained as a priest in St Mary's but never held the parish. Instead, he became a notary. Knox then became a guide to George Wishart as he travelled in the Lothians. In 1547, Wishart preached at two services in St Mary's with Knox standing guard, below the pulpit bearing a two handed sword.

Building work on the current church was started in 1380, and further building and rebuilding has taken place up to the present day. It is the longest church in Scotland, at 62.8 metres from east to west, and is in the early Gothic style.


A "Coquille Saint Jacques", symbol of the pilgroame to Santiago de Compostella, carved into a pillar at the nave.

Haddington was the fourth largest town in Scotland in the High Middle Ages, and the first chartered Royal Burgh. There is record of the church here in a charter of David I of Scotland dated 1139, giving the monks of St Andrews Cathedral Priory the benefits of its revenues.

In the late 12th century the great Abbey of Haddington was founded by Ada de Warenne, Countess of Northumbria, for a community of Cistercian Nuns. In addition to the Cistercians and the Franciscans, there was a house of the Dominican Order.

In recognition of Haddington's strategic importance, it was burnt twice in the 13th century by the English. In 1356, Edward III of England. Edward spent ten days at Haddington, where he sacked the town, and destroyed most of the buildings.

John Knox trained as a priest in St Mary's but never held the parish. Instead, he became a notary. Knox then became a guide to George Wishart as he travelled in the Lothians. In 1547, Wishart preached at two services in St Mary's with Knox standing guard, below the pulpit bearing a two handed sword.

Building work on the current church was started in 1380, and further building and rebuilding has taken place up to the present day. It is the longest church in Scotland, at 62.8 metres from east to west, and is in the early Gothic style.

The church is the burial place of the Maitland Family, Earls of Lauderdale.

The marble moument dates from 1675.

On the left are Sir John, First Baron Maitland, and his wife Jane. On the right John, First Earl of Lauderdale, and his wife Isabel.

Haddington was the fourth largest town in Scotland in the High Middle Ages, and the first chartered Royal Burgh. There is record of the church here in a charter of David I of Scotland dated 1139, giving the monks of St Andrews Cathedral Priory the benefits of its revenues.

In the late 12th century the great Abbey of Haddington was founded by Ada de Warenne, Countess of Northumbria, for a community of Cistercian Nuns. In addition to the Cistercians and the Franciscans, there was a house of the Dominican Order.

In recognition of Haddington's strategic importance, it was burnt twice in the 13th century by the English. In 1356, Edward III of England. Edward spent ten days at Haddington, where he sacked the town, and destroyed most of the buildings.

John Knox trained as a priest in St Mary's but never held the parish. Instead, he became a notary. Knox then became a guide to George Wishart as he travelled in the Lothians. In 1547, Wishart preached at two services in St Mary's with Knox standing guard, below the pulpit bearing a two handed sword.

Building work on the current church was started in 1380, and further building and rebuilding has taken place up to the present day. It is the longest church in Scotland, at 62.8 metres from east to west, and is in the early Gothic style.

An angel holding a scroll

Haddington was the fourth largest town in Scotland in the High Middle Ages, and the first chartered Royal Burgh. There is record of the church here in a charter of David I of Scotland dated 1139, giving the monks of St Andrews Cathedral Priory the benefits of its revenues.

In the late 12th century the great Abbey of Haddington was founded by Ada de Warenne, Countess of Northumbria, for a community of Cistercian Nuns. In addition to the Cistercians and the Franciscans, there was a house of the Dominican Order.

In recognition of Haddington's strategic importance, it was burnt twice in the 13th century by the English. In 1356, Edward III of England. Edward spent ten days at Haddington, where he sacked the town, and destroyed most of the buildings.

John Knox trained as a priest in St Mary's but never held the parish. Instead, he became a notary. Knox then became a guide to George Wishart as he travelled in the Lothians. In 1547, Wishart preached at two services in St Mary's with Knox standing guard, below the pulpit bearing a two handed sword.

Building work on the current church was started in 1380, and further building and rebuilding has taken place up to the present day. It is the longest church in Scotland, at 62.8 metres from east to west, and is in the early Gothic style.

The nave

Haddington was the fourth largest town in Scotland in the High Middle Ages, and the first chartered Royal Burgh. There is record of the church here in a charter of David I of Scotland dated 1139, giving the monks of St Andrews Cathedral Priory the benefits of its revenues.

In the late 12th century the great Abbey of Haddington was founded by Ada de Warenne, Countess of Northumbria, for a community of Cistercian Nuns. In addition to the Cistercians and the Franciscans, there was a house of the Dominican Order.

In recognition of Haddington's strategic importance, it was burnt twice in the 13th century by the English. In 1356, Edward III of England. Edward spent ten days at Haddington, where he sacked the town, and destroyed most of the buildings.

John Knox trained as a priest in St Mary's but never held the parish. Instead, he became a notary. Knox then became a guide to George Wishart as he travelled in the Lothians. In 1547, Wishart preached at two services in St Mary's with Knox standing guard, below the pulpit bearing a two handed sword.

Building work on the current church was started in 1380, and further building and rebuilding has taken place up to the present day. It is the longest church in Scotland, at 62.8 metres from east to west, and is in the early Gothic style.

The portal

Haddington was the fourth largest town in Scotland in the High Middle Ages, and the first chartered Royal Burgh. There is record of the church here in a charter of David I of Scotland dated 1139, giving the monks of St Andrews Cathedral Priory the benefits of its revenues.

In the late 12th century the great Abbey of Haddington was founded by Ada de Warenne, Countess of Northumbria, for a community of Cistercian Nuns. In addition to the Cistercians and the Franciscans, there was a house of the Dominican Order.

In recognition of Haddington's strategic importance, it was burnt twice in the 13th century by the English. In 1356, Edward III of England. Edward spent ten days at Haddington, where he sacked the town, and destroyed most of the buildings.

John Knox trained as a priest in St Mary's but never held the parish. Instead, he became a notary. Knox then became a guide to George Wishart as he travelled in the Lothians. In 1547, Wishart preached at two services in St Mary's with Knox standing guard, below the pulpit bearing a two handed sword.

Building work on the current church was started in 1380, and further building and rebuilding has taken place up to the present day. It is the longest church in Scotland, at 62.8 metres from east to west, and is in the early Gothic style.

Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th century. With a population of around 525,000, it is the second largest city in Scotland after Glasgow.

The city is a cultural centre, and is the home of institutions including the National Museum of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery. Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town together are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The first documented mention of a church on this site dates back to 854. The construction of the current building started in 1120. After a devasting fire in 1385, the church was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The tower was not completed until 1495.

St Giles is the main church in the city, although it was never a cathedral in its time as a Catholic church, as Edinburgh was part of the Diocese of St Andrews. St Giles' was central to Scotland's response to national disaster of the Battle of Flodden in 1513. As Edinburgh's men were ordered by the town council to defend the city, its women were ordered to gather in St Giles' to pray for James IV and his army. Requiem Mass for the King and the memorial mass for the dead of the battle were held in St Giles'. In the summer of 1544 during the war known as the Rough Wooing (aka Eight Years´ War), after an English army had burnt Edinburgh, Regent Arran maintained a garrison of gunners in the tower of the church.

In 1559, the church became Protestant with John Knox, the foremost figure of the Scottish Reformation, as its minister.

Many memorial slabs are around the walls.

One is for Sir James Young Simpson (1811 - 1870) a Scottish physician and the founder of chloroform anaesthesia in 1847.

Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th century. With a population of around 525,000, it is the second largest city in Scotland after Glasgow.

The city is a cultural centre, and is the home of institutions including the National Museum of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery. Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town together are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The first documented mention of a church on this site dates back to 854. The construction of the current building started in 1120. After a devasting fire in 1385, the church was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The tower was not completed until 1495.

St Giles is the main church in the city, although it was never a cathedral in its time as a Catholic church, as Edinburgh was part of the Diocese of St Andrews. St Giles' was central to Scotland's response to national disaster of the Battle of Flodden in 1513. As Edinburgh's men were ordered by the town council to defend the city, its women were ordered to gather in St Giles' to pray for James IV and his army. Requiem Mass for the King and the memorial mass for the dead of the battle were held in St Giles'. In the summer of 1544 during the war known as the Rough Wooing (aka Eight Years´ War), after an English army had burnt Edinburgh, Regent Arran maintained a garrison of gunners in the tower of the church.

In 1559, the church became Protestant with John Knox, the foremost figure of the Scottish Reformation, as its minister.

Today it is a parish church of the Church of Scotland.

Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th century. With a population of around 525,000, it is the second largest city in Scotland after Glasgow.

The city is a cultural centre, and is the home of institutions including the National Museum of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery. Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town together are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The first documented mention of a church on this site dates back to 854. The construction of the current building started in 1120. After a devasting fire in 1385, the church was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The tower was not completed until 1495.

St Giles is the main church in the city, although it was never a cathedral in its time as a Catholic church, as Edinburgh was part of the Diocese of St Andrews. St Giles' was central to Scotland's response to national disaster of the Battle of Flodden in 1513. As Edinburgh's men were ordered by the town council to defend the city, its women were ordered to gather in St Giles' to pray for James IV and his army. Requiem Mass for the King and the memorial mass for the dead of the battle were held in St Giles'. In the summer of 1544 during the war known as the Rough Wooing (aka Eight Years´ War), after an English army had burnt Edinburgh, Regent Arran maintained a garrison of gunners in the tower of the church.

In 1559, the church became Protestant with John Knox, the foremost figure of the Scottish Reformation, as its minister.

Today it is a parish church of the Church of Scotland.

John Knox was born in Haddington, near Edinburgh, in about 1514 or 1515. He was orphaned at an early age, but his relatives sent him to St Andrews University and when he graduated he became a priest, working as a notary apostolic (ecclesiastical lawyer) and then as tutor to two young boys. Listening to the Reformer George Wishart preach, he converted to Protestantism.

In 1546 Wishart was arrested, tried by a Church court presided over by Cardinal Beaton and burned at the stake. Two months later, a group of Protestants broke into St Andrews Castle and murdered Beaton. They then held the Castle and were joined by supporters of Wishart, including Knox. A lengthy siege by the Scottish army ensued until a French fleet, summoned by the Dowager Queen Mary of Guise, captured the Castle and carried off Knox and his colleagues to serve as slaves in their galleys.

When he was finally released, it was too dangerous for Knox to return to Scotland. Instead, he travelled to England and was appointed pastor of Berwick-on-Tweed. There he gained such fame that he preached before King Edward VI of England, became an influential figure in the English Protestant Church and was invited to become Bishop of Rochester. He refused. Edward VI was dying and everyone knew that he would be succeeded by his Catholic sister, Mary Tudor. When that happened, and she began to persecute Protestants, Knox moved to the safety of Geneva, becoming the friend and disciple of John Calvin and serving as minister to a congregation of fellow exiles. There he wrote his First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women, urging subjects to depose ‘ungodly’ female monarchs.

The Scottish Lords, determined to make Scotland a Protestant country, invited him back to lead them. Many of their motives were secular rather than religious, but Knox’s preaching inspired them. They finally triumphed after the death of Mary of Guise in 1560 and Scotland became an officially Protestant country. When Mary, Queen of Scots came back from France the following year, Knox was convinced that she intended to make the country Catholic once more, and preached vigorously against her. She summoned him to her Palace of Holyroodhouse to confront him, but there could be no meeting of minds between them. In 1568 Queen Mary fled to England after her defeat by her Scottish enemies at the Battle of Langside. Knox continued to serve as minister of St Giles’. His much loved first wife, the English Marjorie Bowes, had died leaving him with two small sons but he had remarried and now had three daughters. However, his health was failing and he died on 24 November 1572.

Cathedral that is certainly worth a visit if you are in Edinburgh.