More information : (TF 11287321) Stainfield Hall on site of Priory (GT)
(Benedictine founded c AD 1154) (1)
The house of Benedictine nuns at Stainfield was founded in or before the reign of Henry II. It was suppressed in 1536 and the nuns transferred to Stixwould (TF 16 NE 12) (2).
Air photographs show extensive earthworks centred at TF 112731 (see illustrations card) (3).
Stainfield Hall was built in the 16th century but except for some 18th century brick stables was replaced by the present house in 1856(4).
There are no structural remains of the priory but associated
earthworks include the remains of a surrounding moat, fishponds, field banks and ditches and a small moat-like feature at TF 1115 7300.
Surveyed at 1/2500. (5)
Extant earthworks comprise a spasmodic perimeter precinct ditch together with related fish ponds. Other earthworks are related to medieval desertion (TF 17 SW 12).
Survey of 5.8.64 revised. (6)
Stainfield Hall and its associated garden, mentioned by the
previous authorities, is recorded more fully in TF 17 SW 16.
The remains of the Benedictine Nunnery and Priory were surveyed on the ground and mapped from good quality air photographs by the RCHME. Earthworks associated with the priory primarily lie to the NW of Stainfield Hall and church, centred at TF 1111 7324. An extensive complex of fishponds (TF 1111 7325) fishery mounds (TF1115 7326) breeding tanks (TF 1109 7330) and associated buildings (TF 1110 7323, TF 1107 7325 & TF 1113 7321) were recorded.
The area of the precinct was traced and a bank cut by later
ditches, centred at TF 1111 7304, defines its southern extent. A series of four rectangular ponds, centred at TF 1115 7299, are possibly retting pits or tanning pits. Although these lie outside the precinct area, they are thought to be associated with the priory rather than the Medieval village (recorded in TF 17 SW 12).
Both these features have been levelled.
(Morph No. LI.534.14.1-12)
This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database.
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