| Summary : The remains of the Priory of St Sepulchre and the post-Dissolution mansion built on the site. The Priory was founded by Henry de Newburgh in about 1109 on the site of an earlier, possibly pre-Norman, church. The main complex of conventual buildings was erected during the 12th century, with the priory church being consecrated between 1125 and 1151. Pilgrims to Jerusalem were especially cared for in houses of this order, so that the priories are often referred to as hospitals. The priory was supressed in 1536. Following the Dissolution the remains were incorporated into a mansion with associated gardens, built by Thomas Hawkins in 1556. The house was largely dismantled in 1925 and moved to Virginia. Excavations in 1971 revealed part of the nave, the south aisle and chancel of the church and parts of the claustral ranges including the chapter house. The foundations were left exposed and take the form of red sandstone foundations of one or two courses defining a two-celled structure and an adjacent wall. A cist containing three inhumation burials was located at the east end of the nave. The excavations also discovered two lime kilns, located beneath and pre-dating the monastic remains. The precinct boundary, in the form of a substantial double earthen bank and ditch, survives to the south and south east of the priory buildings. The remains of a quarry which may have been used in the construction of the priory building lies to the north east of the priory. Excavations in the quarry in 1867 and later excavations in 1876 to the south side of Priory Hill discovered evidence of cremation burials placed in cavities in the rock face, including urns, which were dated as Romano-British. Scheduled. |
More information : [SP 28276528] The Priory. Remains of Mansion [LB] on
site of Priory of The Holy Sepulchre and St. Helens Church.
[LB]. (1)
The Priory of St. Sepulchre was founded in 1124, on the site of an
ancient church dedicated to St. Helen. It was designed for the
accommodation of a Society of Regular Canons. After the
Dissolution the House came into the possession of Thos. Hawkins
who demolished the greater part of the priory and utilised the
materials for the construction of a mansion completed in 1556.
In 1925 the shell of this house was removed to Richmond Va. for
re-erection; the only remains now are a fragment of the ground
floor with a mullioned and transomed window and part of an 18c.
addition. (2-4)
There are no visible remains of the priory, although material
from it has been utilised in the construction of the SW wing
of what remains of the 1556 mansion, which is still occupied and
named "Priory Cotage".
See photograph. (5)
Excavations in advance of building development at the site of
the Priory of St. Sepulchre revealed part of the nave, the S.
aisle and chancel of the church. A cist containing 3 inhumations
lay at the E. end of the nave. Substantial walls found W. of the
church were part of a range of buildings which included a square
chapter house with a central pillar.
A large circular lime-kiln, earlier than the priory, was found
beneath the chapter house and a second square kiln lay 5m to the N.
Both kilns had been deliberately filled, the second having been
cut by a Medieval well. Their great size and position rule out
their use for the construction of the priory, and suggest other
earlier stone buildings, perhaps either the construction of the
castle (see SP 26 SE 19) or the town wall (see SP 26 SE 1). (6)
Schduled as "Remains of Priory of Holy Sepulchre". (7)
1.
1781 The Priory
SP 2865 SW 3/296 10.1.53
II* GV
2.
Remaining portions of the Old Priory. The greater part of
this building was taken down in 1926 and removed to America for
re-erection. Small single-storey building of C16 stonework.
Entrance doorway has "Tudor" shaped arch, to LR side of which is
large 6-light transomed and mullioned stone splayed bay window.
Other windows are similar in design, the two to right hand side
being modern replacements. To west of this is 2 storey block of
C17 brickwork with dark headers, stone plinth, stone quoins, gables
to east, south and west with stone copings and finials. Modern,
or restored, brick chimney stacks. Modern casements. The two
buildings have modern leaded lights and attractive roofs of old
tiles. Portions of foundation walls to the main building (now
removed) lie to the east. The Tudor mansion stood on the site of
the medieval priory of St Sepulchre, founded early C12.
VCH, viii, pp.422, 438-40.
1.
1781 Stable Wall of The Priory
SP 22865 SW 3400
II GV
2.
C16 or early C17 stable wall, remainder of building demolished.
Red brick, stone dressings. About 4 yards high on forecourt side
with blocked 2 light windows with stone mullions, chamfered
reveals. Central blocked 4 centred archway, similar archway to
right of centre, both with blocked windows inserted. Far right
4 centred arched entrance.
1.
1781 Ruined Wall to north east of The Priory
SP 2865 SW 3/401
II GV
2.
Part of the C17 building of The Priory, demolished and removed
to America, 1926. Red brick, stone buttress. About 20 feet high.
The Priory, the Stable Wall and Ruined Wall to north east form a
group. (8)
Additional bibliography. (9)
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