More information : [SE 3152 7124] Monastery [G.T.] (Site of) (1)
The Anglian monastery of Ripon, founded by St. Wilfrid c. 670 (see SE 37 SW 17) is said by Leland to have been at the site of the Chantry Chapel of Our Lady, known as the Ladykirk, (where he saw some 'exceding auntcient wark' and a row of three stone crosses, 'antiquissimi operis', at the east end of the garth) which, early in the 16th century was reconstructed by Abbot Huby of Fountains, and its garth partly enclosed by a wall (SE 37 SW 66)
Tesserae were found on the site in 1837(b) and have been supposed
to be related to St. Wilfrid's monastery basilica (see SE 37 SW 17) , but they are of Romano-British type and more probably came from a genuine Romano-British pavement, possibly the one of which a sketch is said to have been preserved `among the papers of the learned Gale' (c). The find-spot is probably that marked `Foundations' on the Ordnance map of 1853. (2)
This published site is now covered by four bungalows. Prior to
the erection of these in 1955 the site was excavated by
Mr. A. Paget-Baggs for the M.O.W. who has since declined to
forward any information. A brief account of his work on the
site as noted by contemporary records (d) suggests that a building
found at SE 3152 7124 "could be identified as the Ladykirk".
Finds included three Saxon combs, one piece of tessellated
pavement (and several scraps) part of an Anglian cross head, and several burials. The finds and burials seem to suggest an early Medieval cemetery belonging to the Anglian monastery which seems to have lain further south where the Minster stands. The tesselated pavement is not necessarily Romano-British and may be Medieval or later. (3) |