Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Beauchief Abbey
Hob Uid: 314647
Location : Sheffield Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : SK3334081920
Summary : Beauchief Abbey was a Premonstratensian Abbey founded in 1173-1176 by Robert fitz Ranulph, who was said to have been implicated in the murder of Thomas a Becket. It was dissolved in 1537, and parts were subsequently incorporated into the present church. The remains of the abbey comprise the tower block, a portion of the south wall of the nave, and the exposed foundation walls of the refectory and kitchen. Almost the entire plan of the chapter house has been restored with dry stone walling, and as a result the original structure cannot be identified. Several ponds to the east and north of the abbey may have been former fishponds. The church was restored in the 19th century, and consists of the nave, West tower, and remains of the conventual church walls.
More information : SK 3332 8192. St Thomas a' Becket's Church and remains of Beauchief Abbey [GT] (Premonstratension founded A.D. 1173-6.). (1) An abbey of Premonstratensian Canons at Beauchief was founded 1173-6 and dissolved in 1537. Part of the abbey is incorporated in the present church, and further foundations were exposed by excavation in 1926 (see illustration - AO/LP/65/36). (2-3) Church in normal use. The remains of the abbey comprise the tower block, now incorporated in the present church, a portion of the south wall of the nave and the exposed foundation walls of the refectory and kitchen. Almost the entire plan of the chapter house has been badly restored with dry stone walling and the original structure cannot be identified. Several ponds to the east and north of the abbey may have been former fishponds. The exposed parts of the abbey are well maintained and in the care of Sheffield Corporation. See G.Ps 53/27/3-8, and 1:1250 annotated cut-out. (4) Additional reference. (5) SK 3338 8189. Beauchief Abbey Premonstratensian monastery: inner precinct and three fishpond. It is situated on the eastern tributary of the River Sheaf in what is now the south-eastern outskirts of Sheffield. It consists of two separate areas which together include the inner monastic precinct of the Premonstratensian abbey of St Mary and St Thomas the Martyr (Thomas Becket) and a line of three fishponds lying east of the inner precinct. Additional features, which will include the remains of such ancillary features as barns, a gatehouse, workshops and stockpens, will survive in the outer precinct which lies in what is now Beauchief Park. The extent and survival of this outer precinct, however, is not at present understood and so has not been included in the scheduling. (6) Scheduled (7) Additional references. (8-9)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1956
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Knowles and Hadcock, 1953. Medieval Religious Houses of England and Wales (163)
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Trans Hunter Archaeol Soc 3 1928 162-4 plan (W H Elgar)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : F1 RL 09-MAR-65
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Grose's Antiquities 1 1773 141-2
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : English Heritage, Scheduling Amendment, 24-AUG-1993
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : Scheduled 24-AUG-1993
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Source Number : 8
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Source details :
Page(s) : 63-5
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Vol(s) : 17

Source Number : 9
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Source details :
Page(s) : 355-70
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Vol(s) : 5

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Used as monastery 1137-1537
Monument End Date : 1537
Monument Start Date : 1173
Monument Type : Premonstratensian Monastery, Abbey, Church, Refectory, Kitchen, Fishpond, Earthwork
Evidence : Extant Building, Ruined Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Church restored C19
Monument End Date : 1900
Monument Start Date : 1801
Monument Type : Church
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : SY 489
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 455437
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SK 38 SW 1
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1924-01-01
End Date : 1926-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1924-01-01
End Date : 1924-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1958-01-01
End Date : 1960-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1965-03-09
End Date : 1965-03-09

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1994-01-01
End Date : 1995-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1995-01-01
End Date : 1995-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : DESK BASED ASSESSMENT
Start Date : 2001-01-01
End Date : 2001-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2004-01-01
End Date : 2004-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : DESK BASED ASSESSMENT
Start Date : 2004-01-01
End Date : 2004-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Beauchief Abbey