School assembly this morning followed by a stroll through Knaresborough and along to St Robert’s Chapel.

St Robert’s cave was occupied by Robert Flower, a hermit and holy man born in York of well-to-do parents between 1160 and 1180. He settled with an established hermit on the banks of the Nidd and when the other hermit returned to the secular life, Robert was left alone. 

Robert's fame reached the ears of his brother Walter, who was now Mayor of York. Walter visited Robert and was shocked to discover that he dwelt in a cave. He tried to persuade him to leave and relocate in a monastery, but Robert was having none of it, resolving to remain in his hermitage. However Walter managed to persuade Robert to accept some building to be done on the site and the Chapel of the Holy Cross was constructed. 

So great was Robert's fame that even King John visited him. The king granted Robert as much land as as could be cultivated by one plough. 

Robert died in September 1218 and was buried in his chapel, which became a place of pilgrimage after his death.