After a short drive from Grasmere, and setting up camp, we walked down to the centre of Hawkshead.
Along the way, we passed a curious-looking building which looked like the remains of an old abbey:
Have just discovered that this is Hawkshead Old Courthouse, a 15th century building that was once part of Hawkshead Hall, a farm owned by Furness Abbey.
Back in medieval times, the Old Courthouse seems to have drawn up rules and regulations for abbey tenants, and imposed fines for those who broke the rules.
Have just read that after Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries in the late 1530s, the Old Courthouse was used as a chapel; artist's studio; youth club; stables etc.
Have just seen how stunning the ruins of Furness Abbey look on the Internet, and try to imagine how beautiful the place must've looked as a full monastery. Henry VIII really was, amongst many other things, a wanton vandal.
Have also just read that the niche above the Old Courthouse gateway will have once held a statue of the Virgin Mary.
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