Croxden Abbey, Staffordshire: Croxdon Abbey and Its Environ
Author(s): Graham Brown, Elaine Jamieson, Barry V Jones
The archaeological remains within the precinct of Croxden Abbey were the focus of an analytical earthwork survey and investigation by English Heritage in 2008. The fieldwork confirmed the extent of the precinct and several features within it, which date to the medieval and post-medieval periods. These features include the water management to the monastery, which was carried along a contour leat from which the water was directed to various places within the precinct. Following the abbey's suppression in 1538 the landscape was adapted to a new secular use and the survey has revealed a period when the abbey became a grand residence with a designed landscape garden. As well as the detailed survey, an investigation in the wider landscape has identified the probable location of a sheep-fold, and a 'small' park and rabbit warrens. Buildings investigation and analysis was undertaken by the English Heritage Architectural Investigation team on three buildings, a former water-mill and two barns, within the precinct. These buildings had previously been largely overlooked since research was targeted on the church and conventual buildings. However, the fieldwork indicates that, although regarded as the poor relations of the more impressive monastic ruins, they probably date to the late medieval period and as such contributed to the economy of the monastery.
- Report Number:
- 94/2009
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 59
- Keywords:
- Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces Medieval Monastery cistercian
