Benedictine – Heritage Futures

Tynemouth Priory and Castle: guidebooks

Tynemouth Priory and Castle © David Gill

Tynemouth priory and church are located on the north side of the mouth of the river Tyne. The first guidebook, by R.Neville Hadcock, was published in 1936; the second edition appeared in 1952, continuing as an English Heritage ‘Handbook’ in 1986. It followed the standard format of History followed by description; there is an extended glossary.

The guidebook was replaced by Andrew D. Saunders (1993).

The most recent guidebook is by Grace McCombie (2008). This starts with a tour followed by the history. It includes a section on the headland in the First and Second World Wars, with detailed descriptions of the gun batteries.

Finchale Priory: Prior’s lodgings

The prior’s lodgings are at the east end of the complex.

A chapel was placed on the south side of the rooms, and a study to the north.

Finchale Priory: Chapter House

IMG_2990-Edit-Edit — Finchale Priory © David Gill

The Chapter House lies in the middle of the east side of the cloister, underneath the Dorter. It has been dated to the late 13th century. Stone benches were placed around the outer walls. The prior’s seat was located in the centre of the east side; the central window behind it was blocked during the 15th century.

IMG_2989-Edit — Finchale Priory © David Gill

IMG_2987-Edit — Finchale Priory © David Gill

Binham Priory: church

IMG_5120-Edit — Binham Priory from the west © David Gill

The nave of the priory church at Binham remains in use.

IMG_5089-Edit — Binham Priory, nave © David Gill

Parts of the south aisle lie outside the present parish church.

Binham Priory, south aisle and northern part of cloister © David Gill

The choir and presbytery lie to the east of the present parish church and are now in a ruinous state.

IMG_5112-Edit — Binham Priory © David Gill

The north and south transepts are clearly marked.

IMG_5098-Edit — Binham Priory, south transept © David Gill

IMG_5100-Edit — Binham Priory, night stairs in south transept © David Gill

The night stairs are located in the south transept. These led to the dorter.

The foundations of the late 11th century building are marked out in the north aisle.

The Lady Chapel may have been located on the north side.

Lindisfarne Priory: pantry

IMG_2177-Edit — Lindisfarne Priory © David Gill

The ‘pantry’ is located in the west range of Lindisfarne Priory. The current English Heritage guidebook defines it on the plan as a cellar, and suggests that the three rooms were created in the middle of the 14th century.

IMG_2176-Edit — Lindisfarne Priory © David Gill

Hidden defences at St Helen’s Duver

IMG_3461-Edit — St Helen’s Duver © David Gill

The 13th century tower of old St Helen’s church stands above the beach at St Helen’s Duver on the Isle of Wight [National Trust]. It formed part of the Benedictine Priory, that was abandoned in the early 15th century. In the 18th century the tower was bricked up and served as a landmark.

Adjacent to the tower is a World War II pillbox intended to defend the entrance to Bembridge harbour [HER] [Citizan]. This was carefully disguised to look like part of the ruins.

Developments at the Abbey of St Edmund

Historic England has indicated that the tennis courts located immediately to the east of the crypt of the abbey of St Edmund can be moved and relocated on the other side of the river (“Historic England approves relocation of Abbey’s tennis courts“, BBC News 8 March 2018). The abbey and its precinct is subject to two consultancy studies (see here).

Heritage Futures Seminar: The Abbey of St Edmund

Gill_seminar_HF_2018_02

The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership is seeking to record and interpret the remains of the Benedictine abbey in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Richard Summers will be talking about the work of the partnership on Wednesday 21 February 2018 at 4.30 pm in the Waterfront Building of the University of Suffolk. The event forms part of the Heritage Futures research seminar series.

Places can be reserved via Eventbrite. All are welcome and there is no charge.

Further details about the project can be found here.

For the abbey:

Finchale Priory: Frater

The frater or refectory at Finchale Priory lies on the south side of the cloister. It dates to the early 14th century.

Access was via an arched doorway in the south-west corner of the cloister, with steps up to the frater.

Below the frater is a vaulted cellar.

Bury St Edmunds: Charnel House

The charnel house at Bury St Edmunds lay within the precinct of the abbey, just to the south of the west end. It lies in what is now the Great Cemetery. This structure was built by Abbot John Northwold (d. 1301) [see ODNB]. This was constructed to take the bones of the dead recovered from the construction of new graves.

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