Nappa Cross Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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In medieval times Fountains Abbey owned great estates covering vast areas as far afield as the Lake District and Teeside.
Two-thirds or more of the community were recruited from amongst uneducated men whose contribution to the order was their labour skills. They embraced their work and considered themselves as having the same commitment as the monks themselves. Without the lay brothers [from which is derived our modern word, ’labourer’], Fountains could never have attained its great wealth or economic importance. Many served the Abbey in a wide range of capacities such as tanners, shoemakers, smiths, brewers and bakers, but their primary role was to tend the abbey's flocks of sheep. These animals were kept on the huge estates obtained by the abbey, including much of the grazing land above Malhamdale, and by the mid 13th century, Fountains had become one of the richest and largest of the religious houses in England.
Many of the lay brothers spent much of their lives on the abbey granges but would return regularly to their home monastery. In Malhamdale & Wharfedale the lay brothers evolved the pattern of roads and green lanes on the surrounding limestone uplands, with drove roads such as Mastiles Lane, but many of their routes were no more than moorland paths and these were often marked by wayside crosses to guide them in fog or when the paths became obscured. Nappa Cross is one such cross but it may not only have served as a route marker, it was probably also a gathering point at which monks and lay brothers might meet to say or sing the main services of each day.
One of the shortest routes to Nappa Cross is from Langscar Gate and limited parking is to be found in this vicinity. As you approach the cross, look back for great long distance views including Malham Tarn in the middle distance. If you decide to turn left through the gate after passing the cross you will see, close to the path, a covered [but accessible] mineshaft. Be VERY careful if you decide to examine it. The shaft falls vertically for about 70 feet and the ladder, which appears to descend it, finishes after only about six feet. I shone my 3.5 million candlepower torch down it; a frightening experience! Do NOT drop stones down, to listen for the splash at the bottom. Keep children and dogs away from this place.
This cache is one of seven to be visited to gather co-ordinates for ‘A Malhamdale Meander Challenge’ multi cache. Part of the co-ordinates for that cache are fixed to the bottom of this cache and written on the cover of the log book.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Nobhg 50 lneqf qbjauvyy sebz gur pebff, oruvaq na hcevtug fgbar nqwnprag gb gur jnyy.
Treasures
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