John Harris, the “English hermit” of North Wales, is an historical and legendary figure who lived in a cave recently the subject of archaeological investigation. This 1999 article entitled “English Hermit” by Anthony Sinclair and Keith J. Matthews of the University of Liverpool, was first published in CAPRA (Cave Archaeology and Paleontology Research Archives). It includes several pictures of the cave and site. URL: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~capra/1/hermit.html.
Painshill ornamental hermit
Here is a news item about an artist who will spend a couple of weeks as an ornamental hermit at the Painshill Park estate in Surrey, England. It is part of a collaborative project for a garden history association. The intended hermit will mimic a hired counterpart from the 18th century. URL: http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART21222.html.
English hermit
Reprinted from the magazine CAPRA (Cave Archaeology and Paleontology Archive), “The English Hermit” discusses English hermits and their cave dwellings in Britain from the eighteenth century on. Several photographs and an informative overview of the topic. URL: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~capra/1/hermit.html
Bede, Cuthbert, and Farne Island
An essay titled The Eccentric Hermit-Bishop: Bede, Cuthbert, and Farne Island, published in the 1999 proceedings of the Illinois Medieval Association, can be found at http://www.luc.edu/publications/medieval/vol16/aggeler.html
Hermit Resume
The April 2003 issue of Harper’s magazine includes a short item by an applicant (real?) to the Shugborough, the English manor which advertised for an ornamental hermit, as described in a previous entry here. Unfortunately, the article is not available online, but here is a brief excerpt:
I would honestly try to share my love of silence, encouraging people to seek quiet in their lives. I would share stories from the Desert Fathers and other Western traditions of seeking God in solitude. Yet I would also guard the idea of solitude and avoid frivolous speech. At times I’d run away from people or hide in the bushes, maybe pretend not to be the hermit. Given the opportunity, I’d scoff at would-be disciples and give them nearly impossible tasks to test their commitment.
No author is ascribed to this little item, but appropriately so.