Norman Tympanum, 37 Priory Close, Midsomer Norton

Summary

Early Norman tympanum set into south-west gable wall of a modern bungalow.

Reasons for Designation

The Norman Tympanum at 37 Priory Close, Midsomer Norton, is listed at Grade II* for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:
* as a rare example of a Norman tympanum with nested chevron ornamentation;
* as an unusually early and interesting example of such a tympanum.

Historic interest:
* for its association with the Norman history of Midsomer Norton and presumed association with the Norman Church of St John the Baptist, of which little remains in-situ.

Group value:
* with the Norman archway in the garden wall to the rear of 83 North Road (The Vicarage) (Grade II).

History

37 Priory Close is a bungalow located to the north of the town centre of Midsomer Norton. It was constructed in 1966 as part of an estate of similar bungalows built by a local company A.G.Targett & Sons. Number 37 was built for the owner of the company, Mr F Targett, and a Norman tympanum was incorporated in its south-west gable wall. The exact provenance of the tympanum, or the circumstances in which it was found, are not known.

The tympanum is decorated with nested chevron ornamentation. It has a low segmental form which suggests an early date, likely to be no later than 1100, making it an unusually early and interesting example. The earliest dateable example of a chevron ornament in England is on the south transept vault of Durham Cathedral datable to about 1110-1120. Other examples of similar tympana are located at St Leonard, Linley in Shropshire and Liston Church in Essex.

Map regression, starting with the Tithe Map of 1839, shows that the land on which Priory Close is now located remained in agricultural use from 1839 until the 1960s. It is therefore clear that the tympanum was not part of any standing building on site at the bungalow’s date of construction. There is no evidence that it was found on the site. Verbal history would suggest that it was relocated to 37 Priory Close from elsewhere.

It is generally reputed that the tympanum originated from the Parish Church of St John the Baptist (Grade II*), however there is no direct evidence to confirm this. There is also a possibility, although weaker, that it originated from the Priory (Grade II*).

The Norman Church of St John the Baptist is located approximately 150 metres to the south-east of 37 Priory Close. The current church dates from 1830 and 1836, when it was largely rebuilt with only part of the C15 tower retained. A Norman font survives inside, and the remnants of Norman architectural salvage are said to be stored in the rectory. This architectural evidence, described by Professor Collinson as very early, suggests that the earliest church on the site dated from the early Norman period. An account from 1791 confirms that the church by this date was a palimpsest of architectural styles and that some Norman features survived in-situ. It is therefore assumed that all Norman features were lost during the C19 rebuilding scheme. Some fragments were incorporated into domestic architecture around the town; the most notable being a Norman archway in the garden wall to the rear of 83 North Road (The Vicarage) which is Grade II* listed.

The Priory is located approximately 85 metres to the south-east of 37 Priory Close. Early references to Midsomer Norton refer to the town as ‘Norton Canonicorum’, which probably relates to it being the location of a local priory. The priory is thought to have been associated with Merton Priory in London until the dissolution in 1538. Today, the only surviving remnant is The Priory (Grade II*), which is a building of early C17 style that incorporates earlier Norman materials. The original size or status of the Priory is not understood; however, it is surmised that priory lands may have extended towards the current location of Priory Close.

At inspection (2024) number 37 Priory Close remains as built in 1966.

Details

Early Norman tympanum set into south-west gable wall of a modern bungalow.

MATERIALS: Bradstone reconstructed stone, rock-faced lias limestone and render with Redland concrete pantiled roof.

PLAN: rectangular plan.

EXTERIOR: a single storey bungalow with pitched roof and chimney stack to each gable. The bungalow is located on raised ground with the main elevation, facing south, accessed by a set of stone steps. To the north-east is a lower ground-floor double-garage.

The front elevation is of three bays constructed in Bradstone reconstructed stone. The bays from south-west to south-east include a large picture window, a central entrance door with glazed front door and three single-pane modern uPVC windows. The south-eastern elevation has modern uPVC windows, and the rear elevation is rendered and without fenestration until the north-eastern bay which has modern uPVC windows.

The south-west elevation is half rendered and half rock-faced lias limestone from Stowey Quarry at Clutton. An early Norman tympanum has been embedded within its lower third.

INTERIOR: the interior was not inspected but is understood to include three bedrooms, a lounge, a kitchen, a utility room, a bathroom, and an integral double garage.

The modern bungalow itself is not of any interest, with the exception of its south-west elevation containing the early Norman tympanum, and is excluded from the listing.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

31969

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Websites
Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland, accessed 9 October 2024 from https://www.crsbi.ac.uk/
Midsomer Norton and Welton Conservation Area Appraisal, accessed 9 October 2024 from https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-01/midsomer_norton_caca_and_management_plan_jan_2019.pdf
Wikipedia - Midsomer Norton, accessed 22 November 2024 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsomer_Norton#cite_note-robionsonwj-12
Midsomer Norton - History and Heritage, accessed 22 November 2024 from https://yourmidsomernorton.co.uk/history-and-heritage/
South West Heritage Trust - Bath and NE Somerset Historic Environment Record: 60950: St John the Baptist Church and Churchyard, Church Square, Midsomer Norton, accessed 27th November 2024 from https://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/60950

Other
La Trobe Bateman, E. Norton-Radstock: Avon extensive urban survey archaeological assessment report. Bath and North East Somerset Council report (1999).

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