More information : [SU 3271 2695] Mottisfont Abbey [TI] Remains of Priory [GT]. (1)
The Augustinian priory at Mottisfont, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was founded in 1201 and dissolved in 1536. Considerable remains of the monastic buildings survive due to the fact that it was converted into a country house c1538-40, the cloister becoming the main court of the house and the buildings being reduced to rectangular blocks around it, but much of the work appears to have been destroyed in the 18th century when an extension was made to the south of the house covering part of the cloister and the ranges. The sites of the outlying buildings of the priory are unknown. (2-4)
No authority has revised or reidentified the component parts of the Priory since the publications you have listed. The only additional discovery was in 1937-9 when drainage work outside the east end of the house revealed stone coffins and skeletons. No note was taken of any structural detail having been found. There have been few structural changes made in the present house. It has been known as Mottisfont Abbey since the 19th century. There is no evidence of an outer wall to the Priory grounds or of fish-ponds in the area. I have no knowledge of out-lying buildings - certainly no trace of them has been found in work about the grounds. (5)
Now a large mansion in ornamental gardens of c18th-19th century date, the architectural description of the remains of the Priory is mainly as detailed by the quoted authorities. No evidence of an enclosing wall or earthworks was seen in perambulation or of buildings which may have been sited away from the claustral block. The absence of fish-ponds is probably accounted for by the nearby Test and a number of tributary channels pass through the grounds. (6)
A 25" survey has been made of two short stretches of bank
representing part of the E. and W. walls of the sub-vault of the
dorter. (7)
No change. Published 1/2500 correct. (8)
Mottisfont Abbey House, Grade I (9-10)
Recent aerial photography (11a) reveals the parchmarks of the southern part of the claustral building ranges as well as indicating the presence of other buildings further to the south and northeast of the extant house. (11) |