More information : [ST 5218 2279] WHITEHALL NUNNERY [GT] (Site of) (1)
Whitehall was situated on the S. bank of the River Ivel and to the W. of the Fosseway, near the bridge. Today (1950) the site is occupied by Castle Farm rickyard and stables. Its position is clearly indicated (3) in a deed of 1345. Sometime between 1217 and 1220, the house called Whitehall was given and endowed by Wm. Dacus to found a hospital of the Holy Trinity, but by 1281 it had become an Augustinian Nunnery. There is no record of the reason for the change. Between 1436 and 1463 it became a free chapel, but enjoying the same revenues as formerly, when a nunnery. It was dissolved in 1548 and remains were still standing in a ruinous condition in 1791; (4) but part of the fabric appears to have been in reasonably good order, for it was used as a weaving shop. Ham Hill ashlars and other carved stones built into the yard walls of Castle Farm and embedded in the silt of the river, are the only visible evidence of Whitehall (2). (2-4)
Hospital of the Holy Trinity or Whitehall. Founded 1217-20. By 1281had become a nunnery. Became a free chapel between 1423-63. (5)
A = [ST 5218 2282] A sepulchral lias slab of 13th c. date, with Bottonee cross, has been found at 'A', and at [Area: ST 5220 2282] Deep mediaeval foundations probably part of Whitehall Nunnery.
[Photo: see AO/64/303/4] (6)
There are no recognisable remains of Whitehall. The OS siting agrees with the Historical evidence given above. (7)
Whitehall hospital acquired the patronage of St Mary Minor in 1242, soon after which a chapel was built on the premises. It was dedicated to the Holy Trinity and had more than one altar. At some date between 1436 and 1463, the community ceased to exist and the chapel became a free chapel. It is not clear how the chapel became secularised but its sale by the Crown in 1600 indicates the completion of this process. (8) |