Tewkesbury Abbey Multi Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

Professor Xavier: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it. Please note that as this cache has now been archived by a reviewer or HQ staff it will NOT be unarchived.

Regards

Ed
Professor Xavier - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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Hidden : 8/7/2012
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

My first geocache, of hopefully several I hope one day to place. This is a very special place to me and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Tewkesbury Abbey has been a long standing symbol of the town of Tewkesbury for many hundreds of years. It has been through many events in history including The War of the Roses in 1471, the monastic dissolution in 1540 and bringing it up to a more recent date in 2007 and the Gloucestershire floods. For many hundreds of years the Abbey was part of a Benedictine Monastery, all that’s left of the actual monastery now is a door that would have led to the monks dormitories round the back of the Abbey. During the war of the Roses the Abbey was stormed by the blood thirsty Yorkists who were after the Lancastrians who had sought sanctuary there. The reason why Tewkesbury Abbey survived the monastic dissolution, ordered by King Henry VIII, was because the people of the town bought the Abbey as their parish church for £453, the cost of the lead on the roof and the bells. During the floods Tewkesbury Abbey stood as an island amongst the devastation the floods had caused to the surrounding town. It supplied shelter and salvation to those who were in need, those whose houses were flooded and those who had been caught out by the floods and unable to get home. Before I joined the Royal Navy, Tewkesbury Abbey was my parish church and I frequently visit it on returning from leave, even if it’s just to gaze and take in its splendour. If you’re in the area and you don’t want to attempt this cache, a look around the Abbey is definitely a must, it is free, but a donation would be greatly appreciated to keep the maintenance for this magnificent building going. There is a shop inside and also on the grounds is a tea room which sells tea, coffee, cakes and hot food. Please be careful and respectful whilst in the Abbey as this is still a place of worship, and services maybe going on, a board is normally left outside if this is the case, you are welcome to join if you would like. Also please be aware people may be using the separate chapels around the Abbey for private worship, so I ask you please to be as quiet as you can. Thank you and enjoy.
The Questions to work out the co-ordinates to the final cache:

N 05A° 5B.40C
W 0D2° 09.E2F

The coordinates you have are not the final cache, but will take you to the main entrance of Tewkesbury Abbey, this is the start point for the trail. Please answer the following questions to decrypt the above co-ordinates for the final cache.

As you go through the main entrance, turn left and walk down the Nave towards the Abbey Shop. Take it all in especially the magnificent ceiling down the main aisle, its breath taking, and if it’s available use the mirror on wheels to see it clearer and in more detail.
Just before you get to the shop and the ceiling dips down, look up at the stained glass window. This was placed in remembrance of a lady called Mary-Anne, by her husband.

1. Which Christmas was it placed? A892

Pop in and have a look around the shop, then continue down to the end of the Abbey into The chapel of Saint Edmunds, this is on the left hand side.

2. Which year did Saint Edmund become King? AD 8E5

Go to the next chapel along, The Chapel of Saint Dunstan.

3. Which year was Saint Dunstan Bishop of London? 95B

Just by the chapel of Saint Dunstan is a tomb, the so called 'Wakeman Cenotaph', the tomb of John Wakeman, the last Abbot of Tewkesbury Abbey. If you look on the carving, around the body is carved small creatures, like snakes and mice, see if you can spot any.

Continuing around the end of the Abbey, passing the sculpture 'Mary Queen of Peace', you will come round to some very modern looking stained glass windows. These were designed and made by Tom Denny, funded by 'The friends of the Abbey' to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the Benedictine Monks coming to Tewkesbury Abbey.

4. Which year were the windows dedicated by the Bishop of Gloucester? 2CD2

Continue round the Abbey in the same direction, heading back up the other side of the Abbey. As you go up you will come past the entrance to the high altar, if it is open take the opportunity to have a look, it is breath takingly beautiful. If you look up at the stained glass windows you will see that they are of different knights, these are the knights of the old families of Tewkesbury. Above is the beautiful Quire Vaulting, built in the 1340's to replace the wooden roof. You can also get to the choir stools from here, however you will need to go back out the side entrance from where you entered the high altar to continue the trail.

As you come out of the high altar, turn right so you are back on track. Continue up to the back of the Abbey, passing the Lady Chapel, please feel free to stop and look around and, if you wish, this is a place you can leave a note for a prayer to be read for someone, or if you would like to make a donation and light a candle for someone. Continue to the back of the Abbey. Right at the back of the Nave is the Holy Cross Chapel, which was for private worship for the Abbot, there is now an information video and seating area here, if you would like to take a seat and hear more about Tewkesbury Abbey from the current vicar Reverend Cannon Paul Williams.

As you come out of The Holy Cross Chapel turn left, past the Baptism Font and right to the back where there are the huge carved double wooden doors. To the right of these is a gold memorial plaque on the wall.

5. What year did Frances Emily pass away? 188F

Once you have slotted in your answers and got your co-ordinates you can now go and find the final cache.

I hope you have enjoyed your look around Tewkesbury Abbey and will come and visit again. You are looking for a small clip lock box. Please be aware that the Abbey grounds close at 6pm or dusk whichever is the earliest. Placed with kind permission of Tewkesbury Abbey Office staff and the Abbey Vicar, Revd Canon Paul Williams. Congratulations to Milkybow for FTF!! Please note that you do not have to disturb the wall.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ebbgrq

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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