hvered
The Hartlepool church of St Hilda's was built by the Brus family.
The parish magazine of this church has a quote from a representative of Hartlepool council who confirms that it was once an island.
'Mr Robbins informed us that originally Hartlepool was an island and he compared it
to Lindisfarne. As we all were aware, he pointed out that Hartlepool was at one time
a holiday resort and visitors came to take the spa water on the Town Wall, to walk
the promenade and see the rocks. Apparently there were fantastic grottoes and
caves which disappeared when the promenade was built. He discussed the distance
the rocks extended at low tide and wondered if, at one time, houses were on that area. He said it is the only coastline where there is magnesium limestone.
St Hilda’s church was built in 1190 by donations from the de Brus family. The son of
that family was in conflict with the Bishop of Durham. Hartlepool was, in fact, a small
village and it was unusual for such a large church to be constructed for the small
community. Although a Charter was granted, there were no guilds.'
http://www.hartlepool-sthilda.org.uk/Ma ... Colour.pdf
The church was built on the site of a much older Saxon monastery and St Hilda was there for some years before going to Whitby.