Details
FRITHELSTOCK
SS41NE
11/102 Ruins of Priory
4.10.60 Church
GV. I
Ruins of Augustinian Priory, founded c. 1220 by Robert de Bello
Campo (Beauchamp). Ruins of priory church, in Early English
style, date from soon after 1220; Lady Chapel built c. 1330 for
Bishop Walter de Stapledon; west tower also of c. 1330. Walls of
coursed slatestone rubble. Plan consisted of Lady Chapel to east
of chancel and nave, the latter with foundations of a tower to
its south west corner (adjoining Church of St. Mary and St.
Gregory (q.v).) Foundations of Lady Chapel has stone altar
projection to east, and priest's door to south west with
roll-and-tongue stop to chamfered jambs. Similar jamb to north
side of doorway to chancel. North wall of chancel has, from
east, blocked pointed-arched opening, pointed-arched window
opening, and pointed- arched doorway with roll-and-tongue stops
to chamfered jambs and hollow-chamfered imposts. North wall of
nave, which has mortice slots for roof of former cloister, has
segmental arch over blocked doorway with roll-and-tongue stops to
chamfered jambs; plain string course and lower sections of
clerestorey windows above; at west end of this wall is a tall
lancet window between two blocked doorways. Remains of arches
and doorways survive at west end of north side. Wall of nave,
where it entered a tower; two doorways have roll-and-tongue stops
to chamfered jambs. West gable end of nave has three graduated
lancets, trefoiled to centre; mid C13 pointed-arched
hollow-moulded doorway below central window, has C17 frame and
studded door. Inner side of north chancel wall has recess.
Moulded stonework for tracery etc lies about site. History: The
priory was first colonized from Hartland Abbey, and its ruins are
the most notable surviving remains of a religious house in north
Devon. Scheduled as an Ancient Monument. (A.M. Devon No. 13g.)
(Buildings of England: North Devon, p. 88; National Monuments
Record; R.P. Chope, "Frithelstock Priory", 1929); C.A. Ralegh
Radford, "Frithelstock Priory and the Parish Church", Proceedings
of the Devon Archaeological Exploration Society, Vol. 2 (Part
One), 1933, pp. 20-27).
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
91418
Legacy System:
LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
End of official list entry
