Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Sewardsley Priory
Hob Uid: 343361
Location : Northamptonshire South Northamptonshire Tiffield, Easton Neston
Grid Ref : SP7170050800
Summary : Cistercian nunnery founded 1154-89 appropriated to Delapre (Cluniac) 1459-60 dissolved 1536. Despite the appropriation, there is no evidence that the order was changed. Building foundations seen, probable fishponds, ridge and furrow and enclosures. Post-medieval house mentioned. Gravestones found.
More information : (SP 717 508) Remains of Priory (LB) (Cistercian Nuns). (1) The Cistercian convent of Sewardsley (now Showsley) was founded at the time of Henry II. It appears to have always been poor, and in 1459-60 it was appropriated to De la Pre, Northampton, and that Cluniac abbey appears to have been responsible for maintaining Sewardsley. There is no record of a change to the Cluniac order. There were 4 nuns and a prioress at the suppression (2). The priory was then fitted up as a second residence for the family holding the manor of Easton Neston, a fact recorded in 1570. When Baker wrote it had "long since degenerated into a common farmhouse" but a few marks of antiquity were still visible in the kitchen (3). In 1855 (4) graves were found near the NE wing of the present house. To the S foundations - a short E wall and portions of N/S walls -were found, plus glass and encaustic tiles. (2-4) The features (prob fishponds) visible on Air Photo CPE/UK 1926/1032 at this site have been destroyed by cultivation. There are very few definite marks of antiquity in the present building although many substantial walls remain. Some of the early gravestones are in the garden of Showsley Grounds but they are not in situ. A further source of information on this site is a MS Document written by J H Brookes, Dec 1st 1856 which is in Northampton Ref Lib. (5) (SP 717508). Cropmarks, enclosure and ridge and furrow identified on AP at this location in 1981. Also rectangular enclosure at the same GRN. (6)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1958
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Source Number : 2a
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Source details : J C Cove
Page(s) : 125
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Baker, G. 1836-1841. The history and antiquities of the county of Northampton, 2. 155.
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : C A Markham.
Page(s) : 139
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Vol(s) : 4, 1857

Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 JB 4-AUG-70
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Source Number : 6
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Page(s) : 109
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Vol(s) : 17, 1982

Source Number : 7
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Page(s) : 270
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Cistercian Nunnery, Priory, Enclosure, Ridge And Furrow, Fishpond, Gravestone
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Earthwork, Cropmark, Find

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Post Medieval
Monument End Date : 1901
Monument Start Date : 1540
Monument Type : Enclosure, House, Farmhouse
Evidence : Earthwork, Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Uncertain
Display Date :
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Wall
Evidence : Structure

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Northamptonshire)
External Cross Reference Number : 91/1/0
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Northamptonshire)
External Cross Reference Number : 91/1/2
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Northamptonshire)
External Cross Reference Number : 91/1/3
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Northamptonshire)
External Cross Reference Number : 91/1/4
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SP 75 SW 11
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2007-01-01
End Date : 2007-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2007-01-01
End Date : 2007-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2013-01-01
End Date : 2013-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Sewardsley Priory