Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Takeley Priory
Hob Uid: 373449
Location : Essex Uttlesford Takeley
Grid Ref : TL5682022100
Summary : Benedictine alien priory founded by King William I in 1066-86 as a "thank offering" for the Normans' safe crossing to England. The lands in Essex were held by the Abbey of St Valery at the Domesday Survey. No record of the community's size is given but there were 2-3 monks there in the 14th century. It was sold in about 1391 and the estates assigned to New College, Oxford and Winchester College. A wide rectangular moat enclosed by a narrower one surrounds the priory site, which is now occupied by Warish Hall, of 18th century and later date. Possible evidence of a fishpond.
More information : (TL 568221) Warish Hall on site of (NAT) Priory (NR) (Benedictine) (NAT) Moat (NR). (1) Benedictine alien priory founded by King William I in 1066-86 as a "thank offering" for the Normans' safe crossing to England. The lands in Essex were held by the Abbey of St Valery at the Domesday Survey. No record of the community's size is given but there were 2-3 monks there in the 14th century. It was sold in about 1391 and the estates assigned to New College, Oxford and Winchester College (2). A wide rectangular moat enclosed by a narrower one surrounds the priory site, which is now occupied by Warish Hall (of 18th century and later date; Grade 3 [4]). On the south side, the inner moat is crossed by a wooden bridge, some of the timbers of which are ancient (3). (2-4) There are no building remains of the priory or local information relevant to it. (TL5682 2210). Warish Hall is externally modernised and not outstanding. Surrounding it is a moat measuring overall about 70.0m square with arms from about 8.0 to 15.0m wide. Extending from the SW angle is an enclosure ditch, part waterfilled, that continues E and then N where it survives as a shallow depression in pasture. The course of the ditch may be relevant to the size of the priory, but there is no trace of a complete circuit on the ground; the tithe map of 1838 shows similar detail to the OS 25". At TL 5677 2214 is a possible fishpond. Published survey (25") correct. (5) Scheduled monument no 20705 (6).

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 1:10 000 1971
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : DOE (HHR) Dunmow Rd April 1952 73
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 JRL 02-MAY-75
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : English Heritage SAMs 7/4/94
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 1391
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Benedictine Alien Cell, Alien Priory, Moat, Fishpond
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Earthwork

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 20705
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TL 52 SE 9
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Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1975-05-02
End Date : 1975-05-02

Historic England Research Records

Takeley Priory