| Summary : A hermitage founded during the 1140s (SK43NW3) became the focus of a monastic community, an Augustinian priory being founded near the hermitage from 1153-8 until 1184. It became a Premonstratensian monastery from 1185 until it was dissolved in 1538. It was partly excavated in the 19th century, the choir, crossing, North transept and chapel, and the chapter house to the South being exposed. The claustral buildings were arranged to the South of the church. The ruinous East end of the chancel and the North-West respond survive, and the footings of the chancel and transepts are exposed. Part of the kitchen is incorporated in the later Abbey House, (SK43NW30). A tile kiln associated with the abbey was discovered in the vicinity in 1860, (SK43NW8) and there are earthwork fishponds to the South (SK43NW11). |
More information : [SK 43753873] Dale Abbey [GT] (In Ruins). (1)
The Augustinian Priory, Dale,"....appears to have been founded
c.1160 for a prior and four canons of Calte, who, becoming
lazy, were forced to withdraw about twenty years later. It
was afterwards colonized by six canons from the Premonstratensian
abbey of Tupholne ... but it was so poor that they were recalled.
Five canons of the same order were sent c.1194(c) but they too
were recalled. Then nine canons came from Newsham c.1200 or
1204(c). This time the settlement was successful, and it became
an independent abbey, with twenty-five canons in 1345, seventeen
in 1385, (c)and ... 1491(c). The house was surrendered,[1538] by
the abbot and sixteen canons, and eleven canons were still
receiving pensions in 1553(d)". (2)
Little now remains of Dale Abbey. "The chief surviving
architectural fragment of the abbey is the great arch of the
chancel E window... late c 13 ... The Chapter House .. is now
the museum of the scanty finds made on the site ... To the S of
the cloister the N wall of a cow-house indicates some vaulting of
the former Refectory, and further SW an end of a cottage is
locally connected with the monastic Kitchen. Still further away,
to the NW of the site of the Abbey are the remains of the
Gatehouse". (3)
History Excavation report. (4)
Report. (5)
Description of remains. (6)
Ecclesiastical History. (7)
Plan brief description. [See illustration card]. (8)
Interim excavation report. [See illustration card]. (9)
The excavated remains are still visible but becoming overgrown.
For the east window see G.P. A0/66/8/6. At SK 43713869 is
the remains of the kitchen, GP A0/66/8/7. The remains of the
gatehouse in the form of a small square building with buttress
and a modern roof is at SK 43623878, At SK 43843810 is the
remains of the Malthouse, locally associated with the Abbey,
a brick building, probably 16th cent. with later additions. The
high garden wall to the S.W. is probably contemporary with
the house. (10)
(SK 43753873). Dale Abbey. Fragmentary remains, (wall footings
and the framing and gable of the great East window) of this
important Premonstratensian Abbey still survive. Grade 2. (11)
SK 43753873 Dale Abbey. Scheduled. (12)
Abbey ruins (formerly listed as remains of Dale Abbey). Wall
footings and the east wall of Dale Abbey, a house of
Premonstratensian Canons founded c1200. Late 13th cent. Grade 1. (13) |