Editing Tynemouth Priory and Castle (section)

=== Height of power ===
[[File:Tynemoutharms.png|thumb|The arms of the priory|left]]
The dispute between the monks of Durham and St Albans was resolved in 1174 with Tynemouth Priory remaining a daughter cell of St Albans Abbey. It was at this time that the priory received rights, privileges, and extensive lands which were confirmed by [[Richard I of England|Richard I]] in 1189. The vast monastic estate became known as the [[Liberty (division)|Liberty]] of Tynemouth from which the prior and convent profited from rents, produce, and coal. This newfound wealth led to a period of renovation and construction from 1190 to 1260. The choir and presbytery were completely rebuilt, the shrine of St Oswine was gilded by Baldwin, a goldsmith from [[St Albans]], the nave was extended and given a new west front, windows in the refectory were repaired, and the chapter house was remodelled.<ref name="auto" /><ref name=":0" />

In the early 13th century the prior developed [[North Shields]] to serve as the priory's port on the Tyne which caused tension with the [[Burgess (title)|burgesses]] of [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] who had previously held a monopoly on all coal, wool, and fish being transported and sold along the river. The [[List of mayors of Newcastle upon Tyne|mayor of Newcastle]] led a group of armed men and burnt the nascent fishing village to the ground in 1270. The priory was seeking independence from St Albans and so the abbot, together with the mayor and burgesses of Newcastle, convinced [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] to suspend Tynemouth's trade and revoke the Liberty in 1290. However, due to the fortifications erected during the [[English invasion of Scotland (1296)|invasion of Scotland in 1296]], Edward I and [[Margaret of France, Queen of England|Margaret of France]] visited the priory regularly and had a private oratory built for their use. As thanks for the hospitality of the monks the Liberty was restored and trade allowed to continue.<ref name="auto" /><ref name=":0" />

[[Adam FitzRoy]], an illegitimate son of [[Edward II of England|Edward II]], died on 18 September 1322 whilst accompanying his father to Scotland and was buried at Tynemouth on 30 September 1322.<ref name=":0" /><ref>F.D. Blackley, 'Adam, the bastard son of Edward II', ''Bulletin of the Institute of Historical Research'', xxxvii (1964), pp. 76–77.</ref>

From the 13th century onwards it was common for St Albans to send recalcitrant monks to Tynemouth as punishment. One such monk wrote a letter in the mid 14th century giving the first known written description of the priory: <blockquote>Our house is confined to the top of a high rock and is surrounded by sea on every side but one. Here is the approach to the monastery through a gate cut out of the rock so narrow that a cart can hardly pass through. Day and night the waves break and roar and undermine the cliff. Thick sea frets roll in wrapping everything in a gloom. Dim eyes, hoarse voices, sore throats are the consequence... Shipwrecks are frequent. It is a great pity to see the numbed crew, whom no power on earth can save, whose vessel, mast swaying and timbers parted, rushes upon the [[Black Middens|rock or reef]]. No ringdove or nightingale is here, only grey birds which nest in rocks and greedily prey upon the drowned, whose screaming cry is a token of a coming storm... In the Spring the sea air blights the blossoms of the stunted fruit trees, so that you are lucky to find a wizened apple, though it will set your teeth on edge if you try to eat it.  See to it, dear brother, that you do not come to this comfortless place. But the church is of wondrous beauty. It has been lately completed. Within it rests the body of the blessed martyr, Oswine, in a silver shrine, magnificently decorated with gold and jewels. He protects the murderers, thieves and seditious persons who fly to him and commutes their punishment to exile. He heals those whom no doctor can cure. The martyr's protection and the church's beauty furnish us with a bond of unity. We are well off for food, thanks to the abundant supply of fish of which we tire.</blockquote>[[File:PercyChantryHDR.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The Percy chapel]]The church housing the shrine mentioned here refers to the [[Lady chapel]] which was built before 1336. The [[Percy family|Percy]] chapel was added in the mid [[15th century]].<ref name="auto" /><ref name=":0" />