| Summary : Remains of the earliest Cluniac Priory founded in England between 1078-81 by William de Warenne and his wife Gundreda. An historically important site because it was built as a copy of the mother house of Cluny. The number of monks varied throughout the Mediaeval period, the greatest number being 50-60 in the late 1200s. The priory was surrendered on November 6th 1537. Excavations in 1845 recovered the plan of the buildings in the East and South range of the cloister, and the bridge and necessarium to the South of the cloisters. The sanctuary and sacristy to the east of the high altar were also excavated. Although the nave was not excavated, it is clear from the description of its destruction in 1537-8 that the whole church, at 405 feet long, was almost the same size as Lichfield Cathedral. At the time of its demolition, it comprised a nave, chancel, apsidal transepts and West tower with steeple. The arrangement of the claustral buildings was confirmed in the early 1900s, when the infirmary chapel and infirmary hall were located south of the sacristy and east of the cloisters. Excavations in 1972 found evidence for timber buildings below the 11th century nave. It is possible that these are the remains of preceding churches. These excavations also located some of the trenches cut in 1537 to facilitate the demolition of the church. The priory remains consist of the South-West tower of the west end of the church, the south wall of the frater and its vaults, the dorter undercroft and reredorter, and the infirmary chapel.The east end of the chancel, sanctuary and sacristy were entirely destroyed in 1845 when the railway was cut through the site. Dependencies are: Castle Acre, Clifford Priory, Heacham Grange, Monks Horton, Monkton Farleigh, Prittelwell, Stanesgate, the Hospitals of Lewes, and two French dependencies, Mortemer-sur-Eaulne and Ettouteville.
Traces a number of buildings can be seen as parchmarks amongst the surviving masonry to the south of the Priory church site. These have been mapped from aerial photographs as part of the Downs From Above project for the Changing Chalk Partnership project.
|
| More information : (TQ 415 095) Remains of Priory of St Pancras (Cluniac Founded AD 1076). (1)
The first Cluniac foundation in Britain. Founded 1078-81 (2) by
William de Warenne and Gundrada his wife (3). Finally dissolved in
1537. (Denizen priory from 1351-1537) (2).
Various excavations have been undertaken, notably in 1845, by
M A Lower during the construction of the railway; in 1849-50 by
John Blaker and in 1882 by Somers Clarke (4) Plan showing periods
of construction (5). (See map diagram and plan). (2-5)
Additional references. (6-10)
See ground photos. (11)
Priory of St Pancras, property of Lewes Borough Council; open to
the public. For extant fragments of priory buildings and perimeter
wall, see map diagram. (12)
Grade I Priory Ruins Ruins of the Cluniac Priory of St. Pancras founded in 1077.
Buildings from C11 onwards. (13)
Description, Grade I. (14)
Listed. (15)
Further excavations between 1969-1982 revealed evidence for Saxon precursors to the monastery, which were probably monastic in character. It included a church or shrine with central ritual shaft, which was below the later Cluniac infirmary chapel, and other buildings beneath the East claustral range. There is evidence that the infirmary chapel was the original Cluniac church. Considerable information was recovered on the 11th and 12th century Cluniac reredorter. A 12th century mason's lodge and an oven were located outside the West wal and entrance to the dorter extension undercroft. (16)
Scheduled monument notification. (17)
For a detailed description on various aspects of the priory including photographs and plans please refer to the Lewes Priory Research website. (18)
For a detailed description of the Priory of St Pancras Lewes, including a site history, GPR survey and reconstructions, please refer to this source. (19)
Traces a number of buildings can be seen as parchmarks amongst the surviving masonry to the south of the Priory church site. The largest building identified is centred at TQ416 0957 22m x 57 divided into 3 with 6 interior columns in two rows. These traces have been mapped from aerial photographs as part of the Downs From Above project for the Changing Chalk Partnership project.(20)
|