Wakefields
Chantry Chapel of St Mary the Virgin is the oldest and
most elaborate. Situated over the River Calder, the chapels
history dates back over 650 years. At 320 feet in length,
the bridge is unusually long for its age.
It
was built by the people of Wakefield, replacing an earlier
wooden structure and dates from between 1342 and 1356,
Tolls were levied from 1342 with the authority of the
Crown, on those crossing the Calder. The funds provided
were used to construct a new bridge this time of stone
of which the chapel itself is a key structural element,
built on a tiny island in the river.
Chantry
Chapel in Wakefield will be celebrating its 650th anniversary
this year 2006 there are only three Chantry Chapels left
in the whole of the UK.
The
image on the front of this card was designed and created
by Jonathan Black who also personally hand stitched the
original picture.