Stoke sub Hamdon Priory
Stoke sub Hamdon Priory | |
---|---|
John de Beauchamp, 1st Baron Beauchamp | |
Rebuilt | c. 1450–60 |
Restored | 1967 |
Owner | National Trust |
Stoke sub Hamdon Priory is a complex of buildings and ruins which initially formed a 14th-century college for the chantry chapel of St Nicholas, and later was the site of a farm in
The college was formed in 1304 as a
History
Originally, a rectory was located on the site, which provided a home for the rector who officiated in the private chapel of St. Nicholas in the Beauchamp manor house nearby. When the rector, Henry de Wyk, resigned in 1304, the lord of the manor,
In 1444, a report by the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Thomas Beckington, recorded that, due to poor management by the provost, the college had fallen into disrepair: the buildings were in a bad state, and only two priests remained alongside the provost, rather than the intended four. Beckington gave the governance of the college to the precentor of Wells, and a few years later the current building was erected. In his article, Chantry Priests' Houses and other Medieval Lodgings, W. A. Pantin suggests that this building is probably smaller than the original college, due to the reduced number of clergy, and that it was most likely erected around 1450–60.[1] The English Heritage listing refers to the surviving building as being "apparently the Provost's Lodging."[5] From 1473 to 1508 Provost Coorte was in charge; however for 36 years during that time he was non-resident.[3]
During the reign of
In 1897 John William Bain Hawkesworth sold part of the holding, keeping just the house and some land. The farm was known as Parsonage Farm from the middle of the 19th century,[2] and continued to be tended until around 1960.[5] The property was purchased by the National Trust in 1946,[6] and some restoration work was conducted in 1967.[4] The complex of buildings was scheduled as an ancient monument in May 1951,[2] and the former chantry house was listed as a Grade I building in April 1961.[5] At the same time, the other buildings on site were listed as Grade II buildings: the gateway and wall,[7] three barns (one of which is ruined),[8][9][10] a ruined outbuilding and a dovecote.[11][12]
Architecture
The buildings are constructed from Hamstone, a Jurassic limestone quarried on the local Ham Hill.
The priory itself is linked to a barn by a wall. It includes a gateway which provides access from North Street. The 5 metres (16 ft) high wall dates from the 15th century and includes an arched gateway which has a buttress on its western side.[13] The barn is largely from the 18th century; however it incorporates material from the former building. The southern end is supported by two buttresses and the north side includes a door on the first floor.[14]
The other barn which is about 25 metres (82 ft) north west of The Priory was built in the 15th century. It has partially
The main priory building itself is of an L-shaped plan and consists of three unequal wings. The oldest part contains the hall, screens and dormitory. This was built in the 14th century but contains stones from the previous building, which show oblique tooling found in
The central block south of the hall contains the dining room and kitchen on the ground floor with bedrooms above. Both have chamfered beams made of elm which are approximately 19 feet (5.8 m) long. Centrally between the two rooms is a large medieval fireplace including a bread oven. Next to the kitchen is the large south store.[3]
See also
Notes
References
- ^ . Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d Historic England. "Medieval secular college at Parsonage Farm (1020665)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ireland, Phyllis (1971). Archaeological properties in the County of Somerset. National Trust.
- ^ a b "Secular College, Parsonage Farm, Stoke sub Hamdon". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ a b c Historic England. "Parsonage Farmhouse The Priory (1260178)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- ^ a b c Baggs, A. P.; Bush, R. J. E.; Tomlinson, Margaret (1974). Dunning, R. W. (ed.). "Parishes: Stoke sub Hamdon". A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 3. pp. 235–249. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ^ Historic England. "Gateway and Wall linking the Priory and the Barn, about 14 metres north (1242240)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ Historic England. "Barn about 14 metres north of the Priory (1260179)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ Historic England. "Barn about 25 metres north west of the Priory (1242150)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ Historic England. "Remains of barn about 15 metres west of the Priory (1260180)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ^ Historic England. "Barn Ruined building about 40 metres north west of the Priory (1260105)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ Historic England. "Dovecote about 50 metres west of the Priory (1242246)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ "Gateway and wall linking The Priory and the barn, about 14 metres north, North Street". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
- ^ "Barn about 14 metres north of The Priory, North Road". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
- ^ "Barn about 25 metres north-west of The Priory, North Street". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
- ^ "Ruined building about 40 metres north-west of The Priory, North Street". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
- ^ "Remains of barn about 15 metres west of The Priory, North Street". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
- ^ "Dovecote about 50 metres west of The Priory, North Street". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
- ^ "Pigeoncote.com". Pigeoncote.com. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
- ISBN 978-0747805892.