Whitby Abbey was founded in 657 AD by the Saxon King of Northumbria, Oswy (Oswiu) as Streanshalh (Streonshalh). The name Streoneshalh is thought to signify Fort Bay or Tower Bay. (Roman)  He appointed Lady Hilda, niece of Edwin, the first Christian king of Northumbria, as Abbess of Whitby Abbey. In 664, the abbey, was the site of the Synod of Whitby, at which the Northumbrian Celtic church was reconciled to Rome. In 867, Whitby Abbey fell to Viking attack, and was abandoned until 1078, when it was re-founded by Regenfrith (Reinferd) a soldier monk, under the orders of his protector, the Norman, William de Percy. The second monastery lasted until it was destroyed by Henry VIII in 1540.
This piece is a miniature and measures only 2.9" (7.4cm) x 3.9" (9.9cm). Finished with 6 coats of sanding sealer and 2 of wipe on polyurethane, on 22dec13 after 6 weeks of work. It is 100% scalpel cut.
Anyone interested in learning this art form please contact me at emills21@cox.net