More information : A house of Cluniac Nuns was founded at Fotheringhay possibly about 1141 and moved to Northampton about 1145. (1)
[TL 05959310] The scheduled site of Fotheringhay Prior (2) is shown on the record sheet (3) by a green band. (2,3)
[Area cent. TL 06109305]. Fortheringhay College, founded in 1411, was built upon 6 acres of land between the castle and the rectory house, the site of the former Cluniac nunnery. The college consisted of a master, twelve fellows, eight clerks and thirteen choristers. At the dissolution in 1548 the college buildings were unroofed, but in 1597 the mansion or chief house was still in use as a dwelling place. (4)
[TL 05999314] site of Nunnery [A.T.] (5)
NGR as in authority 2 substantiated by plan in St.Mary's Church drawn by P.G.Dickinson, 1944 which is noted as being made from foundation lines seen from the top of the tower. A model of the College by W.Gooch, 1961 is also on show in the church, this reconstruction is based on the above plan. The site is now under pasture, there are many ground irregularities but no surveyable feature is evident; blocked doorways in the south-west face of the church indicate a former cloister porch, also confirming the location. (6)
No change. (7)
College founded 1411 by Edward of York. Building begun 1415 then halted by death of Edward. Restored in 1432 though conventual buildings already existing by then. Contract for the church made 1434 but building work still incomplete in 1460 when a new charter was granted by Edward IV. Dissolved 1539. Buildings described in detail 1550 then demolished shorlty after. Remains in poor condition. Excavations 1926 by Oundle School alleged to have found wall foundations stained glass etc. but no report was written. Plan of earthworks. (8)
Fotheringhay College (TL 05919311). The 1926 excavations were published in Oundle School Commemoration Book (1927), 38-40. Trenches revealed the foundations of the severely robbed walls of the cloister and showed its internal dimensions to be about 20m. square. Many glazed floor tiles were recorded. Walls of buildings attached to the W. and E. sides of the cloister were also noted. (9)
A brief description of the college and church. Also details of stained glass dated to around 1461-1475. Details of the stained glass is recorded in some depth by Bridges in the C18th. (10) |