The woman who chose to spend her life in a cell

Outside a church in Surrey stands a plaque dedicated to Christine Carpenter.

Known as the Anchoress of Shere, the 14th Century woman spent her life imprisoned in a cell at St James' Church in Shere.

She was part of a tradition lasting five centuries where mostly women would "sacrifice their freedom and interaction with the public in exchange for a life of contemplation and meditation," according to Rev Tim Heaney.

He said Christine's "small cell" only had two openings - one for receiving the sacrament and a "squint" allowing her to view "nothing else" but the church altar.

"It was a totally solitary life," historian Cathy Mead told BBC Secret Surrey, detailing that Christine had to agree to being "dead to the world".

"Once in there, she would not have been allowed to touch another human being for the rest of her life," she added.

Ms Mead said local people would consult with Christine, as what she was doing was "highly revered".

Christine broke out of her cell attached to the church's exterior after three years.

"I think she probably couldn't cope," said Ms Mead, adding that at the time this meant she had broken her holy vow and would be "forever damned".

However, the historian said she was "re-enclosed".

"From that moment on, there's no primary evidence for what happened," she continued.

Rev Heaney said it was possible there was pressure put on her to return, or she grew to regret her lack of faith and petitioned to go back in.

He said the anchoress tradition, as it is known, started in the 11th Century and lasted until the 16th Century.

Rev Heaney added that, in some cases, when an anchoress died, their cells would be knocked down and they would be buried on that spot.

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