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Historic England Research Records

Horton Priory

Hob Uid: 213033
Location :
Dorset
Horton
Grid Ref : SU0301007390
Summary : Site of Benedictine Abbey/Priory. The monastery was founded circa 960-70 and became Benedictine circa 1050. It became a Benedictine priory circa 1122 as a dependent cell of Sherborne Abbey. Dissolved 1539. There are no extant remains, and it is possible that the parish church was built on the site of the priory church.
More information : [Name cent. SU. 02860728]
Manor Farm on site of ABBEY [OE.] (Benedictine). (1)

Horton. Benedictine Abbey (Priory founded 1122-39, dissolved 1539, dependent on Sherborne. After becoming a cell to Sherborne there were probably never more than a Prior & 3-4 monks here (1). (2)

Benedictine Abbey and later priory said to have been founded by Orgar, Earl of Devon who died in 971 but was probably founded a little later by his son. Founded 961 (a). Mentioned in Domesday. Reduced to a Priory and made dependent on Sherborne in 1122 (b) in 1139(c) (1). Founded before 970. Made dependent on Sherborne in 1122. Dedicated to St Wulfrida. (2)

The site was sold 3 Elizabeth to Francis Uvedale who built a mansion there. Sir Anthony Sturt built a handsome house on the same site about 1718. Only the stables are now standing and even these are converted into a farmhouse. On laying the foundations of a new apartment in the late Mr Sturt's time large quantities of bones were found, and several bodies buried in boots and spurs. An observatory was built a little south of the house. (3-5)

Of the Benedictine Abbey & later priory there are no visible remains. It is conjectured that the present parish church, built in 1401, was constructed on the foundations of the chancel & north transept of the Abbey church. This is substantiated by the fact that
foundations of buildings have been encountered whilst digging upon the conjectural sites of the nave & south transept. The parish church was dedicated to St Wulfrida, at one time Abbess. (6)

No conclusive evidence of remains exist of the priory was observed during field investigation, nor evidence established to support the statement in T.4 that the parish church was built upon the site of the Abbey church although this discourse seems reasonable. The dedication of the Abbey could not be confirmed. Parish Church
[SU 03010744]. No visible remains of the mansion erected c. AD 1560 referred to in
T.3.(3) and its precise siting could not be ascertained, but the stables, now converted into a residence, are situated at [SU 02990740] and it seems probable that the mansion stood nearby. (7)
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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1902.
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Source details : F1 GCS 25-MAR-54
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Source Number : 6f
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Source details : Oral. Rev. T.F.Brewster. Vicar. Horton. 25.3.54
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : F2 GCS 25-MAR-54
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Source Number : 2a
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Source details : English Hist. Rev Vol 1 VIII. p. 195 (Finberg)
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Source Number : 2b
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Source details : MONASTICON ANGLICANUM (ed. 1846) c. 961.
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Source Number : 3
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Page(s) : 71-2
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Source Number : 3c
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Source details : Hist of Dorset Vol 3 P149 (Hutchins).
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Source Number : 3d
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Source details : Annals of Margam - Ann Mon (Rolly Ser) 1, 10.
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Source Number : 3e
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Source details : Colt MS Faust A ii. Williams of Malmesbury
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : E.T. Long
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Vol(s) : 53, 1931
Source Number : 5
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Source details : History of Dorset 3rd Edit Vol 111 P149 1868 (Hutchins)
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Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : Possibly refounded
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date : 1050
Monument Type : Benedictine Monastery, Abbey
Evidence : Documentary Evidence
Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 1122
Monument Start Date : 961
Monument Type : Abbey, Benedictine Monastery
Evidence : Documentary Evidence
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 1539
Monument Start Date : 1122
Monument Type : Priory, Benedictine Cell
Evidence : Documentary Evidence
Components and Objects:
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SU 00 NW 9
External Cross Reference Notes :
Related Warden Records :
Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association
Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1954-03-25
End Date : 1954-03-25