Monday 10 September 2007

Beauchief Abbey






The abbey had a farm at Strawberry Lea. The "beautiful headland" which translates from Beauchief is visible from Blacka and the historical association is ever present when looking in that direction.




The abbey's main route to Strawberry Lea was via the bridleway up from Totley. It is sad that so little remains of the original buildings both at the abbey and at Strawberry Lea. It seems to me that the visual link with the past here is invested in the view towards Beauchief more than anything on the ground. This means that everything should be done to maintain the attractiveness of that vista against any intrusive development.



The premonstratensian order of white canons were an educational order begun in Premontre in Northern France. Periodically they were 'inspected' by representatives from headquarters. There are copious records written in medieval Latin now being translated at Sheffield University. At one inspection severe comments were made about the style of tonsures. At another the canons were castigated for falling asleep in the evenings having imbibed too much of the local brew! There is no information about how the golfing habits of the brethren were viewed!





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