Robert of Knaresborough facts for kids

A modern stained-glass image of Robert of Knaresborough in Holy Trinity Church, Lower Beeding, West Sussex.

St Robert's Cave

Robert of Knaresborough (also known as St. Robert), born Robert Flower, lived from about 1160 to 1218. He was a British hermit, which means he lived a simple life, often alone, for religious reasons. Robert lived in a cave by the River Nidd in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.

His special day, called a feast day, is celebrated on 24 September. Even though he was never officially made a saint by the church, many people considered him one. Robert was born in York to a rich family but chose a religious life instead. He is remembered in Knaresborough for helping to start a religious group called the Trinitarians.

Robert's Early Life and Choices

Robert Flower was born in York around 1160. His father, Touk Flower, was the mayor of York.

When he was young, Robert became a sub-deacon and joined the Cistercian monks at Newminster Abbey. However, he only stayed there for a few months. He wanted to live a life of quiet solitude.

Finding a Home in Knaresborough

Robert found a knight who was also living as a hermit in a cave by the River Nidd in Knaresborough. The knight was hiding from King Richard I. When the king died, the knight went home, leaving Robert alone in the cave.

The cave already had a small chapel dedicated to St. Giles. Robert lived there for several years. Later, a kind and wealthy woman named Juliana offered him a small room at St. Hilda's Chapel in Rudfarlington.

Helping Others and Facing Challenges

In Rudfarlington, Robert became known as a wise and holy person who cared for the poor. He stayed there for about a year until his home was destroyed by bandits.

Without a place to live, Robert stayed for a short time under a church wall in Spofforth. He then tried living with monks near Tadcaster, but he found their lifestyle too relaxed for him. When the area became peaceful again, he returned to Rudfarlington.

Robert was famous for his kindness to people who were poor or had nothing. He especially liked to help people get out of prison. For a while, Robert did well. He had four helpers and kept cattle.

However, he soon faced trouble again. William de Stuteville, who was in charge of Knaresborough castle, accused Robert of hiding thieves. Robert's home was destroyed a second time, this time by the law. After this, Robert went back to the cave in Knaresborough and lived there for the rest of his life.

St Robert's grave and chapel

Robert's Simple Life and Miracles

As a hermit, Robert of Knaresborough ate only herbs, roots, and drank water. Even though he lived alone, his strong faith attracted people and gifts from local supporters. These gifts included land next to the river.

There are many stories about St. Robert. One famous story tells how he complained about the King's deer eating his crops. Sir William, trying to make fun of Robert, told him to catch the deer. Robert not only managed to gather the deer into his barn like tame sheep, but he also put harnesses on them and made them work his plough!

Robert's Death and Burial

Robert died on 24 September 1218. Before he died, he helped set up an order of Trinitarian Friars at Knaresborough Priory. He warned his followers that when he died, the monks from Fountains Abbey might try to take his body to their own monastery.

His followers listened and stopped the Fountains Abbey monks. So, St. Robert was buried in his own chapel. This chapel was carved into the steep rocky cliffs by the river. People said that a special healing oil flowed from his tomb. Pilgrims traveled from far and wide to be healed by it.

St. Robert's Cave

Robert lived in different places near Knaresborough before settling in the cave by the River Nidd. This cave was once known as St. Giles' Priory. It is said that King John visited him there. The Trinitarian friars also greatly respected him.

Towards the end of his life, many pilgrims came to see Robert. They sought his spiritual advice and hoped to be healed of their illnesses. His brother Walter, who was then the Mayor of York, paid for some new buildings. These included a chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross. You can still see the outline of this chapel next to Robert's cave in Knaresborough today.

St. Robert's Well

Sign at St Robert's Cave

In a book from 1844, Michael Calvert described St. Robert's Well as being near the York Road, about a mile from Knaresborough town. Calvert also wrote that before 1791, it was an open well about two feet deep.

In 1791, bathing facilities were built at the well because its cold water was thought to be good for health. An old map from the 1850s shows a "Cold Bath" near the York Road, just as Calvert described. This place was connected by a path to St. Robert's cave and chapel, which was about 400 meters to the south-west.

Today, a business park called Monkswell is built on the site of St. Robert's well or Cold Bath. A well shaft there still marks the spot of the spring that fed the well. Visitors sometimes drop coins through the metal cover over the well shaft.

Honoring St. Robert

St. Robert's feast day is on 24 September. Even though he was never officially made a saint by the church, people have honored him for centuries. Seven beautiful stained-glass panels showing parts of his life can be seen at St. Matthew's Church in Morley, Derbyshire. These panels originally came from Dale Abbey.

Robert's Legacy Today

The cave where Robert lived is carved into a limestone cliff. People can still visit it today. You can see a small chapel and signs of a small living area inside.

In North Yorkshire, there are churches named after St. Robert in Knaresborough, Pannal, and Harrogate.