Hello again from View From The Chair! Today I'd like to talk about a place close to my heart, Tynemouth Priory in North East England.
The Priory was built in the early 7th century, possibly by Edwin of Northumbria, atop Pen Bal Crag, at the mouth of the River Tyne. In 800 AD it was plundered by the Danes, after which it was strengthened by the Monks avoiding a similar fate in 832 , although in 865 it was again overcome and destroyed by the Danes.
In 1538 the Monastery was disbanded by Robert Blakeney , the last Prior of Tynemouth. The land was subsequently taken over by King Henry VII who then granted them to Sir Thomas Hilton.
The site played a role in World War II , being used as a coastal defense station, guarding the mouth of the River Tyne. In more recent times it is a popular tourist destination for people from around the world. It is now looked after by English Heritage.
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