St John's Priory, Wells
| St John's Priory | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Wells, Somerset, England |
| Coordinates | 51°12′21″N 2°38′52″W / 51.20583°N 2.64778°W |
| Built | Late 14th century |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Official name | St John's Priory |
| Designated | 12 November 1953[1] |
| Reference no. | 483533 |
  Location of St John's Priory in Somerset | |
St John's Priory in Wells, Somerset, England, from the 14th century. Along with its boundary walls and railings it has been designated as a Grade I listed building.[1][2]
The initial development was as a hospital for poor, aged and sick men by 1210.[3] The original foundation was by Jocelin of Wells, after his consecration in 1204, along with his brother Hugh of Wells.[4]
It was made into a priory in 1350 providing accommodation for a prior, chaplain and ten brothers, which lasted until the dissolution of the monasteries when it had an income of £40 per year.[5][6] It then became crown property until 1575 when it was given to Sir Christopher Hatton and later became the property of Baron Brooke.[7]
Land was donated to St John's in both 1667 and 1716.[8]
The former priory building may also have been used as a guest house for visitors to Wells Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace.[9] There was a cemetery associated with the building.[10] The history of the buildings is set out in 33 deeds including one from 1738 which is displayed in the dining room.[9]
The land surrounding the priory was disturbed and remaining archaeological remains destroyed around 1850 when new roads and a school were built on the site.[3] This also involved demolition of some of the building.[6] In the 1860s the building was owned by the Lovell family.[11]
The two-storey stone building was an open hall but a first floor corridor and bedrooms have been added. The roof is supported by
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in Mendip
References
- ^ a b "No.2 St John's Priory, with front boundary wall and railings, Wells". historicengland.org.uk. English Heritage. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ^ "No.2 St John's Priory, with front boundary wall and railings". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ a b Leach, Peter. "Becket Place, Wells An Archaeological Evaluation" (PDF). Archaeology Data Service. Peter Leach. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ Serel, Thomas (1875). Historical notes on the church of saint Thomas in Wells, the priory of st. John [&c.]. pp. 7–8.
St John's Priory, Wells.
- ^ "St John's Priory, Wells". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ a b Parker, J.H.; Parker, J. (1859). The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Review, Volume 207. pp. 383–384.
- ^ May, F. (1860). Proceedings, Volume 9. Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. pp. 12–18.
- ^ Serel, Thomas (1875). Historical notes on the church of saint Thomas in Wells, the priory of st. John [&c.]. pp. 126–127.
St John's Priory, Wells.
- ^ a b c "No 2, St John's Priory, with front boundary wall and railings, St John Street (West side), Wells". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ "Evaluation (2010), land behind 9 and 11 St John's Street, Wells". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council.
- ^ Scrase, Tony (2009). "The rise and fall of the brewing industry in the Wells area: 18th-20th century" (PDF). Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society. 153: 123–130.