More information : (TM 334662) Bruisyard Hall (NAT) on site of St Clare's
Nunnery (NR). Moat (NR) (1)
Secular college of The Annunciation, founded at Campsey Ash in 1347 for a warden and four chaplains, was moved to Bruisyard in 1354 and surrendered in 1366, to be replaced by an abbey for Franciscan nuns founded by Lionel duke of Clarence. It escaped suppression by paying a fine and was surrendered in 1539. (2)
Some 14th/15th century work is incorporated in the early 17th
century Bruisyard Hall (3). Traces of former buildings are
visible in the grounds; the foundations of a wall run parallel
with the moat which remains on three sides. A large piece of
water once existed behind the house, probably a fishpond used by
the monks and nuns. Grade 2*. (3-4)
Bruisyard Hall (name verified) is basically a 16th century
Tudor-brick manor. It includes a fine three-storey porch (see
ground photograph), but it has been extensively modernised, and
is at present unoccupied. Not outstanding.
To the N, NW, and E of the house are three arms of a moat cut
into sloping ground. They are about 14.0m average width and
part-waterfilled. There is no trace of a south arm. The west wall
of Bruisyard Hall incorporates flint rubble walling and two
blocked arches of St Clare's Nunnery, though which of the
nunnery buildings is uncertain. Further flint rubble walling
at TM 33346618 and TM 33436619, and ground disturbance in the
area TM 333661 are almost certainly additional remains of the
nunnery.
To the NW of the moat are two embayed supply ponds (one dry)
which were probably utilised as fishponds. An overflow channel
leads to the SW. Human remains are alleged to have been
discovered at TM 33386612 by workmen digging a sewer in 1960.
Published survey (25") revised. See GPs. (5)
Scheduled Monument No.21317. The main building and associated buildings are not scheduled, but there are extensive remains of the claustral buildings , the moated site, and water management features which are scheduled. (6) |