Summary : The precinct of Croxden Abbey: the conventual buildings were originally set within the central part of a large rectangular precinct which defined an area of approximately 30 hectares. The extent of this precinct is known from field and cartographic evidence and it extended both west and east of the central core of the site and south beyond the Croxden Brook. The precinct boundary is thought to have originally been defined by masonry walling, parts of which remain standing. To the north and north east of the monastic church, the precinct wall survives to a height of 2 metres and is up to 1 metre thick. It is faced on both sides with dressed stone.The precinct earthworks were surveyed and were found to be best preserved to the north-west of the Abbey buildings. Here fragmentary walling composed of ashlar blocks could be seen. Dense hedging made identifying the remaining stretches of wall difficult, although the continuation of the hedge-row, banking, or fence-line from the extant elements reflected the course of the medieval boundary. In places the footings of the wall were evident, and in others, later periods of walling were visible, and were generally less well constructed and of single thickness. |
More information : Previously recorded as SK 03 NE 1.1
(Centred SK 06583964). The Abbey Wall Croxden was begun during the Abbacy of Walter Landon (1242-54) and completed by Henry of Melsham (1274-84). The Wall enclosed the Abbey and, in all, some 70 acres. "Through this wall, on the north, was the Great Gate. Considerable portions of the lower part of this precinct wall still remain - its full length measuring some 2288 yds. It was faced on both sides with dressed stone, and was some 4ft thick, 10ft high, and had buttresses at intervals on the inside". (1) The precinct wall was very substantial and faced with ashlar so its few remaining fragments are easily distinguished from ordinary field walls. Its line can be traced continuously except for a short stretch from A-B where it probably followed a small tributary of the Croxden Brook. South of the Croxden Brook, across arable land, the line is indicated by an old sunken road (now ploughed out) which was probably in use prior to the construction of the present road through the village (and Abbey). Elsewhere the lower courses of the wall are visible incorporated in modern walls and hedgerows. It is best preserved from C-D where it reaches a height of nearly 2.0m and forms a revetment to the road bank. (2) No change to previous information. (3)
Scheduled and listed. (4-5)
Surveyed by AS&I in 2008. The precinct earthworks were surveyed and were found to be best preserved to the north-west of the Abbey buildings. Here fragmentary walling composed of ashlar blocks could be seen. Dense hedging made identifying the remaining stretches of wall difficult, although the continuation of the hedge-row, banking, or fence-line from the extant elements reflected the course of the medieval boundary. In places the footings of the wall were evident, and in others, later periods of walling were visible, and were generally less well constructed and of single thickness. (6)
Additional reference. (7)
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