page 2: Programme for the Red Mount Chapel Week - 19 to 26 June 1968
page 1: History of Red Mount Chapel, scanned text:
The Red Mount Chapel derives its name from its red-brick walls. The "Mount" was originally Guanock Hill, signifying a Beacon. were the Guanock gate and bridge, and a rivulet, all being part of the town defences.
William Spynk, Prior of Lynn, (The Priory being situated to the south side of St. Margaret's) first claimed the right to build the Chapel. Records indicate that funds for the purpose were being raised some three years before building commenced. We read that in the will of William March, dated February, 1480, a bequest was made of the sum of six shillings and eightpence "towards the fabric of the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin on Guanock Hill".
The actual building of the chapel was begun in 1483. Corraunce, probably the contractor, was forced by order of the Chamberlains to cease work as the prior had not obtained "planning permission, and the use of common ground". The Prior, who appears to have been also the architect, apparently overcame this setback, and the chapel was completed in two years. We read that on January 25th, 1485, the corporation granted a lease of the land round the mount to the prior, with the stipulation that he should provide tapers for the lights.
Within the octagonal walls, are contained two chapels – a lower and an upper, with two vaulted rooms interposed. The floor of the lower chapel, is level with the top of the barrier bank on its western side. The main entrance was by an outer doorway - also on the west side. This door no longer survives, but the passage leading from it remains.
The first chamber is the vestry, and beyond this is the chapel of the vestry. An altar formerly stood under the east window. The vestries housed the very ornate vessels and vestments.
For sixty years, the light from tapers in the two great candlesticks on the high altar, shone out through the quarter foils, - and then were finally extinguished. The plate and vestments were sold. The Chapel became a ruin.
In the third year of the reign of Elizabeth I, it was decreed that what remained of the property, "previously dedicated to Popish uses", should be surrendered to the Crown.
In 1570 it is recorded that "Six loads of thack-tiles were carted away for use at the Common Staithe. In 1575, the lower chapel was used as a reservoir for water brought from the Kettle Mills. It later served as a stable, in 1638 as a store for gunpowder, and in 1783 as a school for the teaching of navigation.
In the early nineteenth century, attempts at restoration of the chapel began. In 1809, during the mayoralty of George Edwards, the buttresses were repaired, and in 1828, by public subscription, the chapel was restored to the condition in which we now see it.
The roof, groined with Ketton stone, is a copy of the roof of King's College Chapel, Cambridge.
In the issue of St. Margaret's Parish Magazine dated March 1936, we read "This chapel only wants the altar to render it complete. In the west wall is a small, square niche, probably for a lamp, over which is a tunnel or aperture for the escape of smoke. In early records, we frequently meet with accounts of such lamps, provided to burn day and night before the altar".
In February 1937, further extensive repairs, including the strengthening of the foundations, were undertaken by the Corporation.
Through the years, pilgrims from the North of England, France, Belgium and Holland, crossing the river Nene at Long Sutton, came to "Bishop's Lenne" on their way to Walsingham.
It is of interest to note that at Amboise, near Tours in France, there is a chapel of similar design dedicated to St. Hubert. The fact that members of the Benedictine Order were associated with both buildings may account for the similarity.
