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SOPWELL PRIORY

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Remains of a house, circa 1540-70 on the site of a Benedictine nunnery founded 1140 and dissolved 1537. Excavated in part.

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[TL 15070638] SOPWELL NUNNERY [G.T.] (remains of) (1)

It is clear that the detail shown on the O.S. plans is not the remains of Sopwell Nunnery but the unroofed ruins of Sopwell House which was built by Sir Richard Lee between 1540 and 1570 on or near the site of the nunnery. The house has also been called Lee Hall and Sopwell Hall (a) and fragments of worked stones in the boundary walls probably came from the conventual church and buildings. The condition in 1910 was very bad because of the growth of ivy. This situation still existed in 1947. (b) Knowles and Hadcock (c) list Sopwell as a priory of Benedictine Nuns dependent on St Albans, founded 1140, dissolved 1537. Before the nunnery there was "a hermitage here, later occupied by two holy women." The ruins of Sopwell House are scheduled as an ancient monument (d). (2)

Excavations (1963-7) by E.A Johnson and O.J Weaver on behalf of the St Albans and Herts AS, have revealed the building sequence and the main features of the plans of both Tudor houses (see plans). Of the Priory, the cloister area is clear enough, except for the church, on the site of which the halls of both successive houses have been built. Excavations will not continue. (3,4)

The remains of this house are extensive but mediocre in quality; the walls show evidence of collapse and, as they are surrounded by trees and dense undergrowth, are in a most dangerous condition.

There are no visible traces of the Nunnery and no monastic worked stone was seen in the ivy and weed shrouded walls.
GPs not possible.
Published survey (1:1250) correct. (5)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1937-9.

( 2) General reference

Recorder MS Gordon 19-JUL-1960

( 2a) General reference

R.C.A.H.M. Herts, 1910, p.194.

( 2b) General reference

Ministry of Town and Country Planning Provisional List.St. Albans M.B., 1947, p.2, Map No.3/120.

( 2c) General reference

"Medieval Rel. Houses, England & Wales" 1953, p.219 (Knowles and Hadcock)

( 2d) General reference

A.M. England & Wales, 1958, p.44.

( 3) General reference

Medieval Archaeol 10 1966 177-180 Illust

( 4) General reference

Medieval Archaeol 11 1967 274

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F1 FDC 10-SEP-75

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