Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Andover Priory
Hob Uid: 227853
Location : Hampshire Test Valley Andover
Grid Ref : SU3651045820
Summary : Site and remains of a Benedictine alien priory cell at Andover. The present church, built in 1840, is on the site of a Benedictine Priory Cell extant from 1086-1414 and probably of a former minster. The Priory church was demolished in 1840, and the present church was built further to the east, but part of the old chancel is in the crypt of the new church and a Norman doorway has been erected in the South-West of the churchyard. The church is shown in a drawing prior to 1840 as having a central tower, chancel, North chapel, and a nave lighted by 5 windows of 2 lights of late 13th century date to the East of the South porch, and a window of three lights to its West. All other fenestration was 16th century, and the upper stage of the tower appeared to be late. Andover was in royal hands before 1066, was a royal vill, and was the centre of a hundred named after it, which is taken as evidence of the church being a minster. The Priory was a dependency of St Florend de Saumur, and was dissolved circa 1414.
More information : (SU 36514579) ST.MARY'S CH. (Vicarage) (on site of) PRIORY CHURCH (G.T.) (SU 36524586) WALL (G.T.) (SU 36504573) DOORWAY (G.T.) (1) A Benedictine alien priory cell at Andover, fdd. pre 1087 and dissolved 1414. (2) A piece of walling, to the N. of the church is said to be the only remnant of the priory. The Priory church was demolished in 1840, and the present church was built further to the east, but part of the old chancel is in the crypt of the new church and a Norman doorway has been erected in the SW of the churchyard. Until 1847 a large house called "The Priory" adjoined the church on the N.side. (3) Andover was always in royal hands before 1066 and was a royal vill The church is shown in a drawing prior to 1840 as having a central tower, chancel, North chapel, and a nave lighted by 5 windows of 2 lights of late C13th date to the East of the South porch, and a window of three lights to its West. All other fenestration is C16th, and the upper stage of the tower looks late.(4-5) There are now no remains of the priory; the walling noted to the N. of the church has been demolished, but the Norman arch forms a cemetery gate and a plaque describes it as 'Original Norman arch (c.1150) forming West doorway to old porch, removed some 225' S. to its present site in 1845'. GP AO/66/115/2. In the crypt of the present church, several inscribed slabs set in the floor presumably indicate the old chancel floor. The present church is in normal use. (6) Norman Gate to St.Mary's Church, Grade 1. St.Mary's Church, Grade B. (7) Norman doorway listed grade I; (8) Additional bibliography. (9) The evidence is that Andover was certainly a minster, it being the centre of a royal vill and hundred. (10)

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Source details : OS 25",1937
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Source details : The story of St. Mary's Ch., Andover (no date) (A.C. Bennett)
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Source details : F1 FGA 28-DEC-66
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Source details : DOE (HHR) Andover MB May 1947 7 12
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Source details : DOE(HHR) Test Valley 6/1983 19,27
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Source Number : 10
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Source details : Hase P 1988 in Oxford Univ Comm for Arch Monograph 17 63 n.27 (Blair J ed)
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : Probably C11
Monument End Date : 1066
Monument Start Date : 1000
Monument Type : Minster
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Extant
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Church
Evidence : Ruined Building

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Extant
Monument End Date : 1414
Monument Start Date : 1086
Monument Type : Benedictine Alien Cell, Priory
Evidence : Ruined Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Extant
Monument End Date : 1840
Monument Start Date : 1540
Monument Type : Church
Evidence : Ruined Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 51751
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SU 34 NE 4
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Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

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Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1966-12-28
End Date : 1966-12-28

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1990-01-01
End Date : 1990-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Andover Priory