Tucked away in cave by the River Nidd in Knaresborough’s is unique ‘Marian’ shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built by a man known as ‘John the Mason’ in 1408. John the Mason probably worked to obtain stone for Knaresborough Castle from the nearby quarry. The legend states that his son was almost killed by a rock fall whilst in the quarry. John fervently prayed to the Virgin Mary to save him and miraculously the rock fall changed course and the boy emerged unscathed. John built this chapel in thanksgiving.
The Chapel is the work of a master craftsman, with a carved altar, vaulted ceiling, roof bosses and gargoyles, looking every bit like an erected building, but with a special quality, created from the crag itself. Pilgrims en route to Knaresborough’s priory would have visited this wayside shrine. The priory was destroyed during the Reformation, but the Chapel, possibly hidden from view by trees, escaped unscathed. Due to the rarity of such shrines in England, it is Grade 1 listed. The entrance is guarded by the sculptured figure of a medieval knight, celebrated in a poem by William Wordsworth.
Steps leading up from Abbey Road take you to the shrine which is maintained by a handful of volunteers who open the site 2pm-4pm on Sundays between Easter and the end of September.
Articel contributed by Margy Longhurst – https://yorkshiresbestguides.co.uk/project/margy-longhurst/
Image courtsey of Charlotte Gale.
