Later Medieval Monastery

Aldwin’s monastery was never completed, although it was used until the Suppression of the Monasteries on a much smaller scale than before.

The medieval monastery as it may have appeared in the 13th century, after it had been adapted for a smaller number of monks, Jill Atherton © English Heritage. The east range of the monastery had been completed, but the south and west ranges were still being built when construction was interrupted in 1083. Aldwin was invited to become prior of Durham and the Wearmouth-Jarrow monks were relocated there to become the centre of the newly reformed monastic community.

By the 12th century monastic life was re-established here as one of nine dependent cells of Durham. The religious community was very small: a Master in charge of one or two monks, based here for only around three years before returning to Durham. At that time Jarrow was one of the poorest dependent cells.

The main monastic buildings were altered through the 13th and 14th centuries, with new buildings in the south range and removal of the cloister arcades. The community functioned much like a manor house, supported by a home farm and lay servants. The wider estate included a barn, granary, buildings to house animals, and a windmill.