| Summary : The ruins, earthworks and buried remains of Sandwell Priory, and the buried remains of a post-Dissolution house and those of Sandwell Hall, the 19th century house which replaced it, together with part of its associated garden remains. Sandwell Priory, a Benedictine house, was founded in the late 12th century and dissolved in 1525. Excavations have revealed a church with nave, apsidal chancel and apsidal transepts.A house, described as Priory House, was created from the renovated remains of some of the claustral buildings. In 1701 Lord Dartmouth bought the site and a new house was erected. The demolition of the hall in 1928 revealed that some monastic foundations had been re-used for the construction of the hall and medieval masonry incorporated within the 18th century fabric. The foundations of most of the east end of the priory church and the priory's east range are visible on the ground surface whilst the rest of the priory buildings will survive as buried features. Excavations in the northern part of the inner precinct have shown that the main walls of the east range, which was incorporated into the post-Dissolution house, show evidence of alteration during this period. The floor layout of Priory House appears to have have been based closely on that part of the priory, but with sub-division by brick partition walls. The construction of the new Sandwell Hall in 1705-11, however, resulted in changes across the site, with the east range of the priory becoming the west range of the hall. To the north and north west of the inner precint are a series of ponds alinged east-west, of which three are considered to be monastic in origin. In the 18th and 19th centuries much of the land around Sandwell Hall was laid out as landscaped gardens with a ha-ha bounding those to the east and north east. Excavations on the site have also revealed prehistoric and Roman occupation. A burnt mound was indicated by heat-cracked pebbles. Scheduled. |
More information : (SP 02469134) Sandwell Hall on site of (NAT) Benedictine Priory (NR)
(SP 02489129) Holy Well (NR)
Benedictine Priory of St Mary Magdalene at Sandwell founded c 1190 in the hermitage of Bromwich, near the well called Sandwell. Dissolved c 1524 (2,3)
Sandwell Hall is on the site of the Priory; some of the foundations being visible according to Shaw.
During demolition of Sandwell Hall in 1929, a few fragments of the Priory were revealed and preserved.
Except for odd fragments of flooring and 'Tudor' brick nothing remains of Sandwell Hall. A few fragments of the stone walls of the Priory at SP 02499133 have been exposed and left open. These walls are 1m thick and less than 1m high. One fragment includes the bottom of a three-lighted window. to the E of these remains, the NW slope has been cut into to form a levelled platform for the buildings. The holy well is now covered with a large circular stone slab at ground level.
Three fragments of walling survive. The two buttresses on one fragment suggest that they were part of the eastern side of the priory. The holy well is shown on OS 1:2500 as a rectangular feature. This is represented on the ground by a modern brick tank divided into two compartments.
No change, but much overgrown. The site lies within a West Bromwich recreational and nature reserve.
No change since reports of 17 7 58, 9 9 58 and 10 5 74.
Detailed report on excavations carried out 1982-8. Pre-priory activity represented by features cutting into the subsoil (pits, section of curving gully, post and stake holes) associated with flint assemblages (Mesolithic to Bronze Age), plus remains of a burnt mound indicated by heat-cracked pebbles. Other finds from pre-priory levels included sherds of Iron Age and Roman pottery and a Roman fibula.
Priory founded by William Fitz Guy de Opheni, c1150.
Priory period 1 (c1150-1250). The construction of the eastern part of the church, in stone, and timber buildings on the sites of the later E and W clausteral ranges.
Priory period 2 (c1250-1450). The constuction of the western part of the church and the W, E and N clausteral ranges (c1250-1300). Modifications to E range (c1300-50).
Priory period 3 (c1450-1524). Church reduced in size. Floor levels raised and tile floors laid. E range further modified.
Priory dissolved 1524.
Post-priory period 1 (1525-c1650). Demolition of the priory church and construction of timber buildings and other features on the site. Earth floors and partition walls in E range. Possible demolition of E range. Priory granted to Lucy Clifford in 1531 and referred to as 'Priory House' in 1557 and in 1611 house referred to as 'Sandwell Hall'.
Post-priory period 2 (c1650-c1701). Garden features on site of Priory Church. Earth and brick floors in E range. Brick and stone structures in W range. In 1697 referred to as the 'Manor House' with kitchen, garden, parlour, stables and barn.
Post-priory period 3 (c1701-c1705). Unfinished modifications to E range and church area. The Hall sold by Thomas Brome Whorwood to Lord (later The Earl of) Dartmouth in 1701. In 1704 part of the Hall was re-roofed and re-floored and, at the same time, work began on some new building.
Post-priory period 4 (c1705-c1800). Construction of new Sandwell Hall site of E range and cemetery. Track and cobbled yard constucted on dump over church area. Drinking fountain constructed.
Post-priory period 5 (c1800-1928). Modifications to Hall buidings and yards.
Post-priory period 6 (1928-82). Demolition of Sandwell Hall and subsequent wall robbing. First archaeological excavations 1958. (10)
Summary reports of excavations 1982-8. (11-19)
A report relating to the excavation and restoration of an ice house, built before 1867, in the grounds of Sandwell Hall. A second icehouse, now destroyed, is noted at SP 0208 9134. (20,20a) |