Andover Priory |
Hob Uid: 227853 | |
Location : Hampshire Test Valley Andover
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Grid Ref : SU3651045820 |
Summary : Site and remains of a Benedictine alien priory cell at Andover. The present church, built in 1840, is on the site of a Benedictine Priory Cell extant from 1086-1414 and probably of a former minster. The Priory church was demolished in 1840, and the present church was built further to the east, but part of the old chancel is in the crypt of the new church and a Norman doorway has been erected in the South-West of the churchyard. The church is shown in a drawing prior to 1840 as having a central tower, chancel, North chapel, and a nave lighted by 5 windows of 2 lights of late 13th century date to the East of the South porch, and a window of three lights to its West. All other fenestration was 16th century, and the upper stage of the tower appeared to be late. Andover was in royal hands before 1066, was a royal vill, and was the centre of a hundred named after it, which is taken as evidence of the church being a minster. The Priory was a dependency of St Florend de Saumur, and was dissolved circa 1414. |
More information : (SU 36514579) ST.MARY'S CH. (Vicarage) (on site of) PRIORY CHURCH (G.T.) (SU 36524586) WALL (G.T.) (SU 36504573) DOORWAY (G.T.) (1) A Benedictine alien priory cell at Andover, fdd. pre 1087 and dissolved 1414. (2) A piece of walling, to the N. of the church is said to be the only remnant of the priory. The Priory church was demolished in 1840, and the present church was built further to the east, but part of the old chancel is in the crypt of the new church and a Norman doorway has been erected in the SW of the churchyard. Until 1847 a large house called "The Priory" adjoined the church on the N.side. (3)
Andover was always in royal hands before 1066 and was a royal vill The church is shown in a drawing prior to 1840 as having a central tower, chancel, North chapel, and a nave lighted by 5 windows of 2 lights of late C13th date to the East of the South porch, and a window of three lights to its West. All other fenestration is C16th, and the upper stage of the tower looks late.(4-5) There are now no remains of the priory; the walling noted to the N. of the church has been demolished, but the Norman arch forms a cemetery gate and a plaque describes it as 'Original Norman arch (c.1150) forming West doorway to old porch, removed some 225' S. to its present site in 1845'. GP AO/66/115/2. In the crypt of the present church, several inscribed slabs set in the floor presumably indicate the old chancel floor. The present church is in normal use. (6) Norman Gate to St.Mary's Church, Grade 1. St.Mary's Church, Grade B. (7) Norman doorway listed grade I; (8) Additional bibliography. (9)
The evidence is that Andover was certainly a minster, it being the centre of a royal vill and hundred. (10) |