St Aldhelm"s Chapel

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St Aldhelm’s Chapel, situated on St Aldhelm’s Head within the parish of Worth Matravers, Swanage, Dorset, is an imposing Norman chapel that boasts a Grade I listed building status.[1] The square stone chapel stands proudly amidst a low circular earthwork, which may be remnants of a pre-Conquest Christian enclosure.[2] Architectural features in St Aldhelm’s Chapel set it apart from other chapels; its square shape, cardinal-point-oriented corners, and the division of interior space by a large central column are notable exceptions.[3] The absence of evidence for an altar or piscina suggests that this building may not have been constructed as a chapel.[4] It's possible that St Aldhelm’s Chapel was initially built as a watchtower to safeguard Corfe Castle's southern sea approaches.[3]\nHistorical records indicate payments made to a chaplain during King Henry III's reign (1261–1272),[2][4] which lends credence to its identification as a purpose-built chapel. It appears that St Aldhelm’s Chapel fell out of use by 1625, and by the end of the 18th century, it had deteriorated into a ruinous state.