More information : SE 17532211] Kirklees Priory [G.T.] (Remains of). (1)
Kirklees Priory, a house of Cistercian nuns, was founded in
the early 12th century. The only building of the priory proper
that remains is part of the gatehouse, and even that is largely
Elizabethan or Jacobean. Excavations have shown that the church
was only C.80ft. long and consisted of a nave and chancel of
the same width, without aisles or transepts. (2-3)
The site is indicated, at SE 17492210, by eight, inscribed,
stone blocks marking the extremities of the church and cloisters.
There are also, slight traces of a possible moat; but no
intelligible remains.
See GPs AO 64/101/4 & 5 for N.E. and W aspects respectively of
the gatehouse, now in disrepair. Also annotated 25". (4)
SE 12 SE BRIGHOUSE KIRKLEES PARK
4/123 Kirklees Priory Gatehouse
3.1.67
G.V. II*
Gatehouse to Kirklees Priory (now gone). Early C16 timber-framed
single cell partially encased in large dressed stone with added
cell late C16 or early C17, stone slate roof. Timbered gatehouse
was probably open to ground floor forming entry, this has been
filled in with large dressed stone blocks bearing marks
possibly plundered from priory. East gable is timbered only
from 1st floor which has heavily jowled posts carrying
projecting wall plate with decorative rosette to stop supported
on decorated braces. The wall plates carry cambered tie beam
which is carved with a flowing vine scroll interspersed with
hunting dogs to the uppper and vertically carved stag to
lower part of the scroll. The tie beam supports a king post
truss with 4 'V' struts pegged to the principal rafters which
carry projecting trenched purlins. Below the tie beam is
4-light oriel window with wooden ovolo moulded mullions glazed
with 36 square leaded lights. These are set in a heavy crude
sill with mortice to right hand end. This may have been overlaid
with decorated rail now perished. The oriel is supported on
5 coved uprights pegged to close studs which have bulbous
crocket. To either side set back from window and gable are
decorated close studded walls with offset diagonal studs.
Apex is capped by wooden finial and gable is protected by
oversailing slates. The return wall is faced in ashlar to the
eaves at the angle and has evidence of first floor doorway
(now solid with hammer-dressed stone) to left of which the
wall is faced in hammer-dressed stone and has a solid stone
stair of 15 risers. Level with landing is extruded lateral
stack in ashlar. Curious weathered course 2 courses higher than
eaves. Next this is only entry to 1st floor. Doorway has
square-headed lintel level with eaves and chamfered opposite
jambs. West gable has stone courses running through to outside
of staircase but with straight break higher up. Ground floor
is again in large dressed stone and has doorway (the only entry
to ground floor) with square lintel notched at the top corners,
composite jambs and chamfered surround. Single light window has
termination of string course with straight return from adjacent
stone block. 1st floor of West gable is timber-framed forming
3 vertical divisions. The topmost formed by king post truss
with 4 'V' struts, the king post having heavily jowled head with
exposed ridge tree set square, oversailing slates to gable. Below
the tie beam, which has hollow chamfer to its soffit, is long
wooden mullioned window of full width. 7 lights with ovolo
moulded mullions and 21 small square leaded lights. One piece
undecorated sill. Under and set back is close studded wall with
decorative 'V' studs forming alternate pattern of upright and
inverted 'V's. Attached to left hand side is stone extension
which breaks forward having corner windows with double chamfered
mullions of 2 lights to both floors. Over ground floor window
is a string course which continues round building. Over first
floor window is hoodmould. Tall lateral stack has weathered
course and 2 diamond set flues. South front of singe cell. Coped
gables with kneelers. Double chamfered mullioned windows with
king mullion of 6 lights to ground floor and 12 lights with
transom to 1st floor with 3-light attic window with hoodmould.
Another 2-storey cell breaks forward from return wall of similar
character to a 2-storey porch but without doorway. This has a
blocked window to ground floor in the south return wall with a
4-light double chamfered mullioned window to 1st floor, with
same to west gabled front which is coped with kneelers.
Interior: Ground floor has large fireplace with square lintel to
south facing room. 1st floor of timber portion of 2 bays formed by
central king post truss resting on posts with slightly arched
braces. South facing room has decorative plasterwork bosses of
alternate fleur-de-lys and flowers in vase. Doorways to closets
have low Tudor arch lintels with hollow spandrels and chamfered
surround. Roof renewed late C19. G. Hepworth, Brighouse its
scenery and antiquities (Halifax 1885) p.10. L. Ambler, The
Old Halls and Manor Houses of Yorkshire, (London 1913),
p.58. N. Pevsner, Yorkshire West Riding, (London 1967) p.291.
4/124 Walls which enclose former Orchard
for Kirklees Priory 80 m. East of
G.V. II
Long drystone walls. Early C16 with some later repairs. Hammer-
dressed stone walls capped by offset weathered course and Gothic
ridge triangular in section with roll moulding to apex. Quoined
angles. The west wall has a gateway through with composite jambs
with stop chamfer. The south wall runs alongside the Nun's Brook
and is slightly higher than the east wall. All these retain their
original Gothic coping, only the north wall (which still stands)
lacks it.
It is likely that this is the wall referred to in the Post-
Reformation Survey taken by the King's Commissioners first
described by John Burton in Monastacum Eboracense (1758), also
quoted by S. J. Chadwick, which reads
'Kirkleys, Scitus domorum'
'Item one orchard enclosed wt. ane olde stone walle wt. few
frute trees, conteyneth by estymacon iij roodes of grounde.'
S. J. Chadwick, Kirklees Nunnery (no date) p.32. Copy held in
library of Yorkshire Archaeological Society. The relationship of
the boundary wall with the priory remains is illustrated by the
plan of the 1904-5 excavations in Sir G. Armytage, Excavations at
Kirklees Priory, Proc. S.A.L. 2S xxi, 1975 (May 3, 1906).
4/125 The Nuns Grave
G.V. II
Two table tombs surrounded by octagonal tapered stone columns
with pointed caps with remains of iron railings. One tomb is
raised medieval grave slab with engraved crucifix, other has
much weathered stone slab surrounded by C18 sides with
inscription 'To Elizabeth de Stainton: late: Priores: of this:
Hous: Sweet: Jesus: of: Nazareth: Grant: mercy:.' G. Hepworth,
'Brighouse, its scenery and antiquities', (Halifax 1885), p.11.
4/126 Home Farm Building No. 1
3.1.67 Double-aisled barn to north-west of
Kirklees Priory Gathouse
G.V. I
Long double-aisled barn with cross-wings built onto both ends.
Barn, C15 timber frame at present of 6 bays. One of the farm
building of the Priory. It may always have been stone walled, but
has been re-built. Cross-wings C.1620 with late C19 alteration
to right hand to form Farmhouse. Hammer-dressed stone, ashlar
dressings, stone slate roof. Square headed barn entry, opposite
entrance covered by added gable porch, C17. king post trusses
with tall king post, arched braces to post and arcade plate.
High collar indicates a hip at southern end. External wall of
eastern aisle refaced in C19. Gabled wing to 1 right hand end
was originally dovecote. Built on to eastern end of barn is a
2 1/2 storey range providing stabling on the ground floor, hay
loft on 1st floor with accommodation on 2nd floor, dated 1620 on
hoodmould label stop. Coped gable with kneelers, quoins. Hoodmould
continues over ground floor windows. Doorway with composite
jambs and Tudor arched lintel with spandrels. Chamfered
mullioned window of 5 lights, mullions close together. Over is
pitching hole with composite jambs and 4 centred arch with
2-light attic window. Return wall has long 3 bay range with
mullioned windows closely set of 5 and 6 lights to 1st 2 floors.
Top floor has two 2-light wider set mullions probably glazed
originally for stable boys accommodation. West gable has
mullioned windows of 5 lights to first 2 floors and 6 lights to
top floor.
4/127 Home Farm Building No. 2
Single aisled cow house
3.1.67
G.V. II*
Single aisled cow house with loft over. Originally timber-framed,
at present of 2 bays. Stonework early C17, gable and s. wall
rebuilt c.1900. Hammer-dressed stone, stone slate roof. Coped
gables with kneelers. 3 doorway entries in gable. That to
aisle has 4-centred arch and spandrels, others are depressed
arched, all with moulded jambs. 2-light mullioned ventilator
above.
Interior: Timber arcade to aisle and king post trusses.
SE 12 SE BRIGHOUSE KIRKLEES PARK
4/128 Home Farm Building No. 3
3.1.67 5-bay barn to north-west of Kirkless
Priory Gatehouse
G.V. II
5-bay barn. Early C18. Hammer-dressed stone with stone slate
roof. Square headed entry, quoins; coped gable has 3-light
4/129 Home Farm Building No 4 4-bay barn
to north-west of Kirklees Priory
Gatehouse
3.1.67
G.V. II
Barn of 4 bays with central threshing door, possibly originally
timber-framed encased in stone late C17. Re-used rafters from a
collar rafter roof. The N. end had a mistal with loft over.
S. end loft on 2 floors all floors removed.
SE 12 SE BRIGHOUSE KIRKLEES PARK
4/130 Home Farm Building No 5 2-storey
gabled building
3.1.67
G.V II
Small 2-storey single cell gabled building. Late C17. Formerly
3-stored dovecote, now reduced to 2 storeys. Hammer-dressed
stone, with ashlar dressings. Quoins, cavetto moulded string
course, coped gable with kneelers. Gables have 3-light mullioned
windows, ovolo moulded mullions in south facing gable and
chamfered mullions to north gable.
4/131 Home Farm Building No 6 2 cell
house
3.1.67
G.V. II*
2 cell house, possibly slaughter house. Early C17. Dressed stone,
stone slate roof. 2 storeys. continuous string course, coped
gables with kneelers. Double chamfered mullioned windows of
5 lights survive to each gable at first floor level some mullions
removed or replaced. North gable has Tudor arched lintel to
doorway with composite jambs. Centrally placed stack to ridge.
SE 12 SE BRIGHOUSE KIRKLEES PARK
4/132 Home Farm Building No. 7 L-shaped
aisled barn
3.1.67 II*
A low L-shaped aisled barn consisting of 2 ranges, originally
timber-framed early C16, encased in stone early to mid C17.
Hammer-dressed stone, stone slate roof. Main range running
East - West has king post trusses of 5 1/2 bays and Eastern
cross-wing of 2 bays with aisle to East. Southern aisle was
converted into a mistal when encased in stone and later into a
cattle shade in C19, now returned to its C17 use. Hipped roof.
4/133 Home Farm Building No. 8 Cart shed
3.1.67
G.V. II
Cart shed. Late C18 to early C19. Hammer-dressed stone, stone
slate roof. Open on yard side for carts linking buildings 5 and
6.
4/134 Home Farm Building No. 9 Malthouse
3.1.67 (formerly listed as Malthouse at
Kirklees Priory)
G.V. I
Malthouse. Late C.17. Hammer-dressed stone, stone slate roof.
L-shaped in plan. 3 storeys and attic. Weathered plinth, string
courses to each floor, hoodmoulds with straight returns to 3rd
floor windows and attic. Quoins, coped gables with kneelers and
base for finial to roof apex. Gables have cart entries with
4-centred arched lintel with composite jambs. East gable has
receeding double chamfered mullioned windows over doorway of
4, 3 and 2 lights. Right hand return wall has doorway with 3
centred arched lintel and composite jambs and double chamfered
mullioned windows of 3 lights to ground floor and 2 lights to
1st and 2nd floors with external stair to segmental arched
doorway to 1st floor.
Interior: King post roof with heavy slightly cambered tie beams.
Basket arched doorway to cross-wing which has fireplace with
Tudor arched lintel spandrels and chamfered surround. Main long
range has heavy spine beams cut through at first floor revealing
haunched tenon joint to equally heavy joists. Walls are plastered
and original lime-ash floor laid on rushed or lathes survive to
upper floors as does orange Plimsoll line running round the
building under windows to indicate maximum floor loadings. A
remarkably rare and complete survival. (5)
Additional reference. (6) |