The final photo challenge day… and I choose this simple picture. Nothing spectacular, just a bit of worn stone. But it is a special thing to me, a lover’s knot carved on the base of one of the pillars of the nave of a ruined abbey. I have known it all my life.
I remember my grandfather telling me the legend. I was very small and we had walked through the Fall Woods to Kirkstall Abbey. It wasn’t far. The story told of one of the monks from the Cistercian brotherhood who had built the place, who fell in love with the daughter of the innkeeper across the river at the Bridge Inn.
Of course, this was forbidden. Of course, there are legends of tunnels that run beneath the river to the cellars of the inn and how he would meet his love. And of course this symbol, carved forever in stone, is all that remains…. He himself was condemmed to be immured within the walls of the Chapter House, which, said Grandad, was why there were those man-sized holes, where he had been buried alive for his sin….
A gory tale to tell a child, perhaps. There were a lot of them… you can read one of the other Kirkstall legends by clicking here... and see more photgraphs of this place that is dear to me.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Wonderful, Sue. The photo is a delight. Can just imagine you hearing the story while out on that walk.
LikeLike
There were always storiess, Jean 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just wonderful 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, James 🙂
LikeLike
Great photo, and it is great to hear the legend that goes with it too 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Judy!
LikeLike
Oh Sue…..I love the ‘story’ of it. But if there is truth in the reality of it – it tortures my soul. Even hundreds of years later, it bothers me to think this ‘could have’ happened to this man. I would have to touch that stone, and hope there may have been truth about the love, and not about the cruelty.
LikeLike
There are elements of this tale that are a common thread through legend, and perhaps it should be interpreted more at a symbolic level. I hope so anyway.
LikeLike
Me too!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Gawd, what a horrendous punishment for love!
LikeLike
Indeed, though as a monk’s love is supposed to be given and vowed to a greater Love, perhaps it was…if it happened outside of myth… more for oathbreaking?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know the lover’s knot symbol was so old. I have it stitched into a variety of quilts made by Appalachian people and I suppose they brought it with them from the British isles.
LikeLike
Knots have symbolised the binding of hearts since way back. I doubt there was a specfic knot until relatively recent history though.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.
LikeLike
Pingback: Photo prompt round-up: Arch #writephoto - Scott Andrew Bailey