Jarrow

The site of twin monasteries which were important in the Middle Anglo-Saxon period in England. One was the home of the Venerable Bede. Both monasteries suffered seriously during the Viking raids of the 9th century. At Jarrow, there was evidence for glassmaking and other crafts. The earliest colored window glass known in Europe comes from these excavations, and bears out Bede's statement that Benedict Biscop brought glaziers from Gaul to work on his churches.

The twin monasteries of Monkwearmouth and Jarrow in Co. Durham are two of the most interesting Middle Saxon sites in England. The historian Bede lived and worked at Jarrow and tells us most about its history. Jarrow was founded on the banks of the River Tyne by Bishop Benedict Biscop a few years after Monkwearmouth and consecrated in 681, according to the dedication stone inside the nave. Both monasteries suffered seriously during the Viking raids of the 9th century and never really recovered. Recent excavations at both sites have proved of great importance. At Jarrow, most of the work was concentrated on St Paul’s Church and the adjoining cloister and cemetery, but evidence was also found for glass-making and other crafts. The earliest coloured window glass known in Europe comes from these excavations, and bears out Bede’s statement that Benedict Biscop brought glaziers from Gaul to work on his churches.