More information : (TF 02750656) The Nuns on site of St Michael's Nunnery (LB) (1)
The Priory of St Michael at Little Wothorpe by Stamford, founded by William de Waterville, Abbot of Peterborough (1155 - 1175) for 40 Benedictine nuns, stood "upon the Roman way", opposite the Austin Friary (TF 00 NW 23) at the place known as "The Nuns", Stamford St Martin. Its "stately remains" were demolished c 1700. (2)
The Priory was founded c 1155 and dissolved in 1536. To it was attached a prior and brethren, last recorded in 1323 (1336 Peck). (3)
Numerous fragments of the Nunnery of St Michael were discovered in 1847 during the construction of the railway. (4)
No surface evidence of this former nunnery was seen during perambulation of the grounds surrounding the "Nuns" which is now a school. (5)
(Note) "Little Wothorpe" is the name given to the 3 virgates of land held in Wothorpe at 1086 by the Abbot of Peterborough, to distinguish it from "Great" Wothorpe (= the rest of that parish) held by the Abbot of Crowland. (6)
(Name centred TF 02700656) The Nuns on site of (NAT) St. Michael's Priory (NR). (7)
Full description and history. (8-10) Construction work in 1974 on the site of the Benedictine Nunnery at Welland House School revealed some walls, medieval occupation material, and 4 round-headed arches of a subterranean arcade (see illustration cards).
Excavation of an arch at the eastern end of the row revealed that the arcade had been set along the north side of a large pit. An open stone channel was revealed, and above the level of the arches, support for seating was discovered. The structure has been interpreted as a grandiose rere-dorter. (11) No surface remains. (12)
An examination of all the available photography revealed no evidence of the nunnery refered to by the previous authorities. (13) |