Beautiful visuals. Thank you.

Anchorites, canonical hermits and monasteries in Britain after the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII. The object was to increase income for the crown but it's not generally known that some of the revenue from sale of monastic property was used to fund pensions for displaced religious, some of whom lived for decades afterwards. The monastic lands were mainly sold to wealthy merchants in town, who then became the landed gentry of today. That is also why some country estates are named "abbey," like Downton Abbey, a fictional country house.

Thank you for this video! Very fascinating!

Very interesting. I've visited the reproduction anchorite cell at All Saints, North Street in York. The slit by which the anchoress could view the altar is called a squint. For anyone wanting to understand the psychology and motivation behind the desire to be an anchorite (or more commonly an anchoress), read the Ancrene Wisse (sometimes called the Ancrene Riwle). The original manuscript dates to the early 13th century but there have been many copies made through the 14th century. I read the 1350 version of which Samuel Pepys had a copy of. There are, however, many modern English translations to be had if Middle English is not your cup of tea.

An monastic or hermit vocation makes no sense at all to someone with out faith, a living faith in love with God. But if you live in the love if God, it makes complete sense.

long live the anchorites..i wonder if any are around today?

Thanks for posting, I enjoyed the video. Could you please clarify something for me: You say there's been a church on this site since the thirteenth century, but then you say the oldest part of this church was built in 1502?

Why would anyone want to be cut off from society? Have you looked around? Anchorites were minimalists. Through prayer and study of sacred things they became wise. I know of a few modern anchoresses. Not living at church but living a secluded, prayerful life.

really? am fascinated ,do tell .