Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Hickling Priory
Hob Uid: 133963
Location : Norfolk North Norfolk Hickling
Grid Ref : TG4184024890
Summary : Ruins of an Augustinian Priory founded in 1185 and dissolved in 1536. Parts of a substantial flint and stone-built transepted church and fragments of vaulted claustral buildings dating from the late 12th century survive. Cropmarks around the site indicate a complex water management feature including possible fishponds and a moat.
More information : TG 4184 2489: Remains of (NAT) Priory (NR) Augustinian. Founded AD 1185) (NAT) (1) An Augustinian Priory founded in 1185 and dissolved 1536. (2) Extensive remains; mostly incorporated in the outbuildings of Priory Farm. (3) Extant remains comprise the west wall of the transept standing about 4-5 metres high (see photo); the north and west cloister walls, partly rebuilt; remains of the undercroft west of the cloister (see photo), fragments of vaulting and a coped wall in the L-shaped building at the north west of the farm complex. All the walls are of flint cobbles with some knapping and remains of ashlar dressings. Vault springers are of stone but surviving ribs on walls are brick. The farmer indicated where the base of a crossing pier lies just below the surface of arable land and said two others had been removed. He also pointed out in the plough the site of a well 80 metres south west of the cloister, with, to its immediate east, a fairly heavy bone scatter which may indicate the site of the cemetery. Published 25" survey revised. `The Causeway' is a metalled and hedge-lined access track to the farm. (4) Remains of a medieval priory situated to the north of the village of Hickling. The priory is dedicated to St Mary, St Austin and All Saints and was founded in 1185 by Theobold son of Robert de Valoines for canons of the Augustinian order. Several disasters befell the community of this order. After a storm of 1287 flooding caused the death of 180 people in Hickling and water rose to more than a foot above the high altar in the priory church. All the canons fled apart from 2 who stayed to rescue horses and possessions. In 1349 all but 2 of the brethren died of the Black Death. A second epidemic in 1439 was the cause of several more deaths. The priory was dissolved in 1536 and the land granted to Sir William Wodehouse. There are several cropmark areas around the church and claustral complex which appear to relate to a complex water management system. They show 2 parallel leats from the east precinct side to the south east corner of the cloister. From the east end of the southernmost leat are channels branching southwest to towards marshy ground containing a modern pond but possibly originally the site of monastic fishponds. The 2 leats head towards the south range and probable site of the latrine block. 20 metres north of the church site are further leat cropmarks connected at intervals by cross channels or ditches and running east to west to a series of what may have been fishponds. Other linear features in the precinct define boundaries of rectangular enclosures of different dates some of which may have contained buildings and a moat like feature. Scheduled.(5)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 6" 1957
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 141
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details : Monastic Remains of Norfolk and Suffolk 1934 (C J W Messent)
Page(s) : 29
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 4
Source :
Source details : F1 BHS 22-MAY-1973
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 5
Source :
Source details : EH scheduled monument, 09-SEP-2003
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Extant 1185-1536
Monument End Date : 1536
Monument Start Date : 1185
Monument Type : Augustinian Monastery, Priory, Chapter House, Cloister, Church, Leat, Fishpond, Moat, Refectory, Kitchen
Evidence : Ruined Building, Cropmark

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Post 1536
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date : 1536
Monument Type : Barn
Evidence : Ruined Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 30625
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 88875
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Norfolk)
External Cross Reference Number : 8384
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TG 42 SW 1
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1973-05-22
End Date : 1973-05-22

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-11-14
End Date : 1995-11-14

Associated Activities :
Activity type : SYSTEMATIC FIELDWALKING SURVEY
Start Date : 1998-01-01
End Date : 1998-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Hickling Priory