Cnobheresburg facts for kids

Cnobheresburg was an important place in ancient East Anglia, a kingdom in what is now eastern England. Around the year 630 AD, it became home to the first monastery in southern England founded by Saint Fursey. This monastery was part of a big Christian mission from Ireland and Scotland, aiming to spread Christianity in England.

Cnobheresburg: An Ancient Monastery

Cnobheresburg was a type of ancient fort, called a castrum by the Romans. But it's most famous for being a monastery, which is a place where monks live, pray, and work together. This particular monastery was special because it was founded by Saint Fursey, an Irish monk.

The Story of Saint Fursey

The story of Cnobheresburg is told by a famous historian named Bede in his book, Ecclesiastical History of the English People. He wrote that Saint Fursey came from Ireland around 633 AD. He traveled through British lands to East Anglia, which was ruled by King Sigeberht of East Anglia.

Bede described the monastery at Cnobheresburg as a lovely place. It was "pleasantly situated in some woods close to the sea." It was also inside an old fort that the English called Cnobheresburg, meaning "Cnobhere's Town."

A King's Support and a Challenge

Later, King Anna of the province, along with his important nobles, helped the monastery. They gave it better buildings and gifts. This shows how important the monastery was to the kingdom.

However, in 651 AD, the monastery faced an attack. Penda of Mercia, a powerful king from another kingdom, attacked the area. Because of this attack, King Anna of East Anglia had to leave his home and go into exile.

Where Was Cnobheresburg?

Today, historians are not completely sure where Cnobheresburg was located. Many people think it was at a place called Burgh Castle in Norfolk. This site is near the mouth of the River Yare. It is also thought to be an old Roman fort known as Gariannonum.

Looking for Clues

Even though many people believe Burgh Castle is the spot, some historians disagree. They haven't found a better location yet, though. The Roman fort at Burgh Castle was dug up and studied by an archaeologist named Charles Green between 1958 and 1961.

A detailed report was published in 1983. It said that the excavations at Burgh Castle itself did not find any clear proof of a monastery there. This means the mystery of Cnobheresburg's exact location continues!