Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/267

Rh on the crypt itself, which remained unnoticed from the time of Hutchinson until the month of June in the present year, when Mr. Fairless of Hexham, having an opportunity of examining it, drew the accompanying plan from correct measurement, and obligingly communicated it to the Central Committee of the Institute.

The history of the church of St. Andrew in Hexham presents almost as many vicissitudes as the life of Wilfrid, arch- bishop of York, who founded it about the year 673, and subsequently became the first bishop of Hexham. The building of Wilfrid was continued or improved by Acca, his successor in the see, c. 709, and a glowing description of the early edifice is given by Richard, prior of Hexham, whose testimony of its grandeur is not to be lightly regarded; for although he wrote at the distance of nearly three centuries from the period of its destruction by the Danes, in 875, there can be little doubt his relation was founded both on written authorities and respectable tradition, to say nothing of relics of the pristine church still existing in his time, which confirmed the story of its ancient magnificence. The church and monastery continued in ruins from the time of the Danish spoliation until about 1113, when it was restored by the second Thomas, archbishop of York, and given to a body of Austin canons, whose successors held it at the dissolution. The nave of the new foundation was destroyed by the Scots in 1296, and has not since been rebuilt. We may believe that the edifice, as it now exists, is chiefly the work of Thomas. There are additions of a later date, not the least remarkable being a modern doorway, for which the church is indebted to the liberality of the Mercers' Company, who are patrons of the Lectureship, founded in the 17th century by a member of their corporation.

Without advancing a positive opinion on the subject, it may be observed that it is more than probable this curious crypt is the identical subterranean oratory constructed by Wilfrid ; a crypt, of which it would be desirable to have a plan, exists in a similar position, viz., beneath the nave, in Ripon cathedral, originally one of Wilfrid's foundations, and a comparison of the arrangement and construction of