KINGSWOOD ABBEY GATEHOUSE

ALTERNATIVE NAME:

ABBEY GATEHOUSE, KINGSWOOD ABBEY

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Kingswood Abbey Gatehouse dates to the 16th century and is thought to be the sole surviving remains of a (second) Cistercian Abbey. The first abbey at Kingswood was founded in 1139 by William de Berkeley in accordance with the wishes of his uncle, Roger II of Berkeley, and colonised from the Cistercian house at Tintern. In about 1149, the monks moved to Hazleton, reducing the abbey to grange status. The site of the early abbey/grange at Kingswood is locally believed to be Abbey Farm (ST 79 SW 13) but this is unlikely. Instead there is evidence of slight earthworks, possibly the stone wall foundations, in fields to the west of Kingswood at grid reference ST743920.

The monks returned to Kingwood in about 1164-70 and founded a new abbey on a superior site near the water (the site of the gatehouse). The abbey was surrendered and largely demolished in 1538, during the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII. All that remains is the early 16th century gatehouse, one of the latest monastic buildings to be built in England, with a range of two storey precinct walls on each side. The gatehouse is two storeys high, of ashlar with a Cotswold stone slate roof. There is a central moulded arch at ground floor level with a slit window to the left. Above is a richly sculpted mullioned window with decorative lily. There are two buttresses on either side and a gable finial above with a carved Crucifixion scene. Part of the gatehouse was incorporated into cottages in the early 19th century. The interior of the building has been restored and modernised. The deeds of Kingswood abbey have been held at the University of Bristol since 1945.

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(ST 74719204) Abbey Gate (NR) (1)

A Cistercian Abbey was founded in Kingswood in 1139. About 1149 most of the brothers moved to Hazleton, reducing the Abbey to Grange status. They returned about 1164-70 and founded a new abbey which was dissolved in 1538. (2)

The site of the early abbey/grange is locally believed to be Abbey Farm (ST 79 SW 13) but this is unlikely. The later abbey site is considered by Lindley to be at ST7477 9211 where slight banks suggested its layout (see plan). All that remains is a 16th century gatehouse with a range of precinct wall on each side. (3)

Abbey Gate-house, two cottages to the east and four to the west, all abutting are GD I. (4)

The gatehouse and the 10.0 metre long precinct walls on its either side are the sole remains of this Abbey. (5)

The gatehouse is two storeys high, of ashlar with a Cotswold stone slate roof. There is a central moulded arch at ground floor level with a slit window to the left. Above is a richly sculpted mullioned window with decorative lily. There are two buttresses on either side and a gable finial above with a carved Crucifixion scene. (6)

The 16th century gatehouse, one of the latest monastic buildings in England, displays a richly sculpted mullioned window. It is the sole survivor of the Cictercian abbey. (7)

"Kingswood Abbey was founded in 1139 by William of Berkeley in accordance with the wishes of his uncle, Roger II of Berkeley, and colonised from the Cistercian house at Tintern. The grant was confirmed by Roger III of Berkeley, son of William, in 1148. The monks moved to Hazleton during the Civil War after Kingswood was confiscated by King Stephen, but were driven back to Kingswood by the owner of Hazleton, Reginald de St. Waleric. As penance, Reginald moved the monks to Tetbury. Roger III complained that his predecessor had founded the abbey, and he would have his lands back unless the monks returned. After a long dispute, the monks were granted a better site at Kingswood near the water, and a new abbey was built. The monastery was surrendered in 1538." (8)

"The deeds cover the period 1225-1444, and include grants of land to the abbey, confirmation of grants, accounts of receipt and expenditure, confirmations of privileges, and papal letters." They were purchased at auction by University of Bristol Special Collections in 1945. (8)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 25" 1902

( 2) by David Knowles and R Neville Hadcock 1971 Medieval religious houses in England and Wales

Page(s)121

( 3) Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society

ES Lindley 73, 1954 Page(s)145-191

( 4) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

Dursley, 12-JAN-1950

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F1 MJF 04-FEB-71

( 6) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

Stroud, 09-SEP-1985 509 Page(s)135

(7) English Heritage Members' and Visitors' handbook 2008/9

Page(s)103

(8) World Wide Web page

2008. Archives Hub. http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk/news/02101502.html [Accessed: 29-MAY-2008]

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Monks who had settled at Hazleton from Kingswood, moved to Tetbury circa 1148-54 and founded an Abbey. However, the site proved unsuitable, and they r...

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