Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Nunnaminster
Hob Uid: 230966
Location : Hampshire Winchester Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : SU4841029260
Summary : Benedictine Nunnery founded circa 902 by Queen Aelswith and completed before 908 by Edward the Elder, it was rededicated in 963. Rededicated again in 1108, it was rebuilt in 1141 following its destruction in the siege of Winchester, it was finally dissolved 1539. Chapel circa 951-3. No surviving remains.
More information : (SU 48412926) St. Mary's Abbey (GT) (Site of). (1) Nunminster (Abbey of Benedictine Nuns) Founded. c.900, refounded 963, dissolved 1539. Trinity College (Secular) founded before 1318 and sited on the N. Side of the Nun's churchyard was probably connected with it (see SU 42 NE 194) (2) St. Mary's Abbey (Nunnaminster) was situated to the NE of the Cathedral Priory, in what is now the grounds of Abbey House; the nun's cemetery, is now occupied by the Guildhall. The Abbey was used as a quarry after the Dissolution and the site much dug over, especially in the 18th c. when Abbey House was built and there was a flourishing silk mill on the Southern part of the site. (3-6) No remains - site only. (7) SU 484292. Excavations in Colebrook Street in advance of an extension to Council Offices, have located 12.0m. of a major Saxon wall, probably part of Nunnaminster. The wall lay over earlier layers of possible domestic Saxon occupation. (8-9) St Mary's Abbey or Nunnaminster probably founded by Queen Aelswith (died 902-3) and completed by Edward the Elder probably in 908. There was a chapel of St Peter in the nunnery garden circa 951-3, probably on site of the later St Peter `Colebrochstret'. In 963, Bishop Aethelwold rebuilt the abbey and enlarged the precinct. In 1108 it was re-dedicated but burnt down during the civil war of 1141 and rebuilt. Dissolved in 1539. (10-11)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 1:2500 1939
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Md. Rel. Ho. England and Wales, 1953, 221, 345, (Knowles & Hadcock)
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Source Number : 11
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Source details : Knowles D & Hadcock R N.1971. Medieval Religious Houses in England & Wales 268
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Speeds map of Winchester 1611
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : Godson's map of Winchester
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : V.C.H. Hants V, 1912,2,5
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : Churches of Md. Winchester, 1957, 59 (B. Carpenter)
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : F1 CFW 21-APR-68
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : SHARG NL 9 Aug 1973 12 (G Soffe)
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Source Number : 9
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Source details : Md Arch 18 1974 178 (L E Webster & J Cherry)
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Source Number : 10
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Source details : Biddle M.1976. Winchester Studies 1 321-3
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : Founded by 903
Monument End Date : 903
Monument Start Date : 903
Monument Type : Benedictine Nunnery, Abbey, Wall
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit

Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 953
Monument Start Date : 951
Monument Type : Chapel
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Rebuilt
Monument End Date : 1141
Monument Start Date : 1141
Monument Type : Benedictine Nunnery
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Dissolved
Monument End Date : 1539
Monument Start Date : 1539
Monument Type : Benedictine Nunnery, Abbey
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SU 42 NE 132
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Related Warden Records :

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Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1968-04-21
End Date : 1968-04-21

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1981-01-01
End Date : 1982-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1981-01-01
End Date : 1984-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Nunnaminster