Cathale Priory |
| Hob Uid: 364655 | |
Location :
Hertfordshire
Welwyn Hatfield
Northaw and Cuffley
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| Grid Ref : TL2970001100 |
| Summary : Benedictine Priory founded circa 1220 by William de Maundeville. In 1240 it was granted to Cheshunt Priory by Henry de Bohun, and the canons removed. In return, the chapel at the priory was to be supplied from Cheshunt with a chaplain to pray for the souls of de Mandeville and his wife. The chapel survived until 1613 when James I acquired the land. A fair, the Bush Fair, had long been associated with the chapel and was held on St Giles's Day (September 1st). In return for the chapel, a new licence for the fair was issued at a nearby site. The ruins of the chapel were visible in the 1830s at Cattlegate, but no trace remains of either chapel or priory. |
More information : Cathale, a Benedictine priory, was dedicated to St Giles
the Abbot, in 1220 or earlier, and probably founded by William de
Mandeville. In 1240 it was granted to the nuns of Cheshunt. A
chapel was maintained at Cathale and the remains were still visible
in 1830 at Cattlegate. The priory is supposed to have stood on the
borders of Herts and Middlesex and a 14th century law suit
concerning Barvin Wood (TL 288 010 (3) mentioned that this wood
lies before Cathale priory, so that Cattlegate (which stands next
to Barvin Park) is probably a corruption of Cathale. (Name
Cattlegate at TL 300 009, and Cattlegate Wood at TL 297 011
(3)) Old foundations are said to exist in Cattlegate wood. (1-3)
Cattlegate Wood is dense copse and extends over approximately
12 hectares. No trace of foundations or earthworks were found in the
wood or in the vicinity of Cattlegate Farm, and there is no local
knowledge of the chapel. (4)
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