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The Priest's Rooms

1320 - 1340

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Entries in this style are quotations from the book by W C B Smith cited in the acknowledgements

These rooms were built over the splendid Chapel of St Michael and the Sacristy, and contemporary with them and have been used in various ways: initially as Priest's Rooms, and later as Sunday School, church records, stores, etc. Originally the roof was more steeply pitched, following the lines of the East Gable, but lowered when the Chancel Clerestories were added early in the 15th century. The rooms are approached by a skilfully designed staircase, with curved soffits to the steps, and diminishing in width to the top: finishing at the top with an unusual vault with eight ribs.

Priest's Rooms - Room 1

Two views of the largest room looking from the entrance at the top of the steep spiral staircase.

 Priest's Rooms - Room 1
       
Priest's Rooms - entrance doorway Priest's Rooms - staircase Priest's Rooms - fireplace Priest's Rooms - exterior view

Wall recessed are provided to receive the doors when open.

Looking up from the door of the priest's Rooms we see that the upper door of the staircase has been sealed.

This fine fireplace is to be found in the large room.

The Priest's Rooms are behind the small square window near the middle-left.
       
Priest's Rooms - carvings Priest's Rooms - vagabonds and beggars will be punished Priest's Rooms - a rather dusty coat Priest's Rooms - a fragment of the Parclose Screen
 

"Rogues and Vagabonds that shall be found wandering and begging within the said Town and Liberties will be punished as the Law directs and all Constables and other persons are required to be active and vigilant in apprehending such persons and conveying them to a Magistrate.

BEVERLEY - 8th October 1805"

The date of this panel is a fortnight before the battle of Trafalgar

Battle of Trafalgar 21 October 1805

 

A rather dusty old coat!

Certainly the earliest piece of wood carving in this room. Dated about 1330 - i.e. the early part of the reign of Edward III. It is carved from a single piece of oak plank. It is part of the

PARCLOSE SCREEN

which separated St Michael's Chapel from the Sanctuary and High Altar.
Similar portions are incorporated in the screen which occupies the same position in the church today.
       
Priest's Rooms - Scold's Bridle   Priest's Rooms - Graffiti Priest's Rooms - medieval stocks for two people

SCOLDS' BRIDLE OR BRANKS

Punishment for false gossip

Note the 'bit' which held down the tongue and which could be adjusted and held in position by a screw and nut.

  

Faintly marked graffiti has been found on some fragments of carving.

The graffiti comprise a personal mark, comparable precisely with marks at Southwell, where Raugton is known to have worked, and a name in 14th century script which expert paleographists read as Raugton. This piece of stone is related to those on another table.

A good example of a set of stocks for two people.
       
Priest's Rooms - Maiden's Garland Priest's Rooms - Parish Bier Priest's Rooms - Wayfarer's Light Priest's Rooms - Bell

MAIDEN'S GARLAND

Carried at the funeral of a young girl, and decked with flowers and the deceased's gloves, handkerchief, etc.

Inscription - Eliziabeth Ellinor died ye14 of August age 21 - 1680

 

PARISH BIER

Used for carrying the parish coffin, bearing the poorer people to direct burial.

WAYFARERS' LIGHT

Late 17th or 18th Century. Originally for oil burning - later gas fittings were added.
The lamp was placed on the roof of St Mary's Church, its light directed on to the tower providing a guide for travellers approaching Beverley through the woodlands at night. 'Burton Bushes' on Westwood is all that remains of the extensive woods of medieval times.

  
       
Priest's Rooms - Pillory Priest's Rooms - Connecting door Priest's Rooms - Connecting door knocker Priest's Rooms - fine carving

PILLORY

18th Century

A person with head and arms locked in the cross piece was exposed to any indignities!

The door between the two rooms

The door knocker

Examples of the very fine stone carving found around the church
       

Priest's Rooms - Carillon Drum fragment
Section of the Carillon Drum from the
Old Church Clock

 

OLD CHURCH CLOCK
dated 1662

The huge wooden carillon-drum was driven by a weight. This was set in motion by the clock at predetermined times. The drum revolved, and the projecting pins tripped levers connected to the bell hammers, to start the carillon.

The count-wheel was the controlling element of the clock. A lever ran on the rim and dropped into the notches after striking the hour. An extension on the same shaft then stopped the striking train of wheels until released ready to strike the next hour. The four pins (one is missing) set in motion the carillon.

Note by Brian Pearson of Driffield.

Priest's Rooms - parts of the old church clock mechanism
Parts of the Old Church Clock