Escomb Saxon Church

	Escomb's ancient church

Dere Street was one of the most important Roman roads in Britain, because it was the main supply route for Hadrian's Wall. Two centuries after the Romans left, however, it saw another burst of activity as Saxon villagers swarmed over the abandoned fort at Binchester, knocking down its buildings to rob the stone, which they carried two miles south to the little village of Escomb.

The reason for all this activity was the new church that was being built in Ediscum. When it was finished it was a marvellous structure, adorned with purple hangings and brightly coloured frescoes, the altar gleaming with gold and silver chalices, and any stones which bore Latin inscriptions were carefully put in position upside down to neutralise the malign influence of their heathen origin.

Today the church is still a thing of beauty and wonder, with a lively congregation on Sunday mornings. A warm and friendly welcome awaits visitors - though I'm afraid that the gold and silver are no longer there!