Wymondley Priory, barn, moat, associated earthworks, enclosures, platforms, hollow-way and conduit head

Overview

Location

Reasons for Designation

Wymondley Priory is a well-preserved example of an Augustinian monastic establishment which, significantly, is associated with an extensive and well-preserved tenant settlement. Of particular importance is the good survival of structures within the priory precinct as well as related earthworks in the outlying areas. The clear spatial relationship between the priory and the outlying earthworks, and the diversity of structural components present, offers particularly valuable insights into the religious and economic lifestyles of monastic communities during the Medieval period.

Details

The monument includes the site of a Medieval Augustinian priory, a moat, associated earthworks and enclosures, a hollow-way, a later Medieval Barn and conduit well-head. The moated precinct is a characteristic feature of monastic establishments and served to separate the ecclesiastical from secular components of monastery property. The priory and barn are located within the moated enclosure with the surrounding moat ditch visible in all but the SW quadrant where it is partially built over. Part of the nave of the original priory chapel has been incorporated in the fabric of a later manor house, which is a Grade I listed building. The garden and garden walls around the present manor are considered to be located on the foundations of the priory buildings and the walls include quantities of carved Medieval stonework. The remains of the monk's cemetery enclosure is also believed to be in this area. Outside the moated area to the south and north are a series of low earthworks marking outlying components associated with the Priory. A group of small field systems occurs to the south, while the northern area consists of house platforms and enclosures delimited on the western edge by ponds and a hollow-way to the east. Located some 500 m to the NE are the remains of a Medieval conduit well-head covered by 16th-17th century standing building. The manor, above ground remains of the priory and most of the farm buildings, except the late Medieval aisled barn (a Grade II* listed building and formerly SAM 61/b) and the conduit well-head, are excluded from the scheduling. However, all subsurface remains, including the ground below buildings, are included.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

11518

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Medieval Religious Houses, (1953), 160,321
The Victoria History of the County of Hertfordshire, (1912), 109
Midmer, R, English Medieval Monasteries 1066-1540, (1979), 339
'Journal Soc. Architectural Historians' in Journal Soc. Architectural Historians, , Vol. 1, (), 22
Other
Hert SMR no. 3558 3673-4,
RCHM Survey (1911), (1911)
RCHM typescript, Farris, Wymondley Priory,
RCHM, RCHM 1910,
Site Report 1986, 1986, Unpub HCC site report

Legal

This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.