Coldingham » Coldingham Church from the south eas
Coldingham was initially a Priory, built during the 7th century, on the south side of Coldingham Moor - one of the more desolate parts of south eastern Scotland. The Priory was destroyed by fire about 680 and after being re-built Viking raiders destroyed it about 870. It lay abandoned for over two centuries. In 1098 King Edgar (1097 - 1107; born: 1074), Kings of Scots, established a new Priory which was, from about 1120, a Benedictine priory attached to Durham.
Like many ecclesiastic establishments near to the border with England it suffered on several occasions. In 1216 it was plundered by King John (1199 - 1216; born 1167) and in 1544, during the Rough Wooing (1544 - 1545), the Earl of Hereford nearly succeeded in destroying the Priory but a change in the wind allowed much of it to survive.
As we have seen previously an attempt was made, in 1473, to suppress the Priory and erect a Collegiate Church in its place - a plan which ultimately failed about 1490. (To go back to that page click here) In 1509 the Priory was annexed to Dunfermline Abbey and continued to be occupied until 1560 when the Reformation ensured its closure.
The Priory was further damaged by Oliver Cromwell (1599 - 1658), in 1650, when, it is said he stabled horses there. This is similar to the account of Cromwell’s visit to Rosslyn Chapel and Castle the same year. It seems a fairy standard practice - destroy the local stronghold or castle and use (and abuse) adjacent church buildings. The Priory was partly repaired in 1662 and restored in 1854.
To go to the next page which concludes this brief history of Coldingham Priory, Collegiate Church and Parish Church click here.
The Church of Scotland has a website at http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/
