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Summary

Priory of St Mary, and the extremities of the precinct, Spalding

Full description

PRN 22355
The abbey was founded in 1052 as a dependency of the Benedictine Abbey of Crowland. After 1071 one monk only remained, and house was re-founded in 1074 as cell of St Nicholas Abbey, Angers. The monks secured their independence from Angers in 1397. In 1540 the house was dissolved by Henry VIII. {1}{2}
The exact position of the priory is uncertain. {4}
Marratt has some details of building materials robbed from the Priory for other building in Spalding. {5}
The reproduction of a plan of Spalding Priory accompanying William Dugdale's Monasticon Anglicanum, shows the Priory precinct and its different parts. At TF 24663 22522 the Abbey; a gateway at TF 24596 22646l; gardens at TF 24630 22666, a turret or tower at TF 24649 22704; a merchants market at TF 24734 22670; High Bridge at TF 24864 22536; River Welland at TF 24861 22447; a ditch along the length of it western boundary, a bridge, water called the Westlode at TF 24439 22664 and St Thomas's Road at TF 24460 22377. {6}
An archaeological scheme of works was implemented on land at Halmer Gate, Spalding. The work included the examination of dressed and worked stone fragments found scattered on the site (Event ELI6459). In total, 59 fragments of medieval to post-medieval date were recorded. Of particular note were pieces that may have originated in the former Benedictine priory, including a possible piscina and what may be elements of a vaulted undercroft. A well preserved early to mid-13th century coffin lid was also recorded, which may have come from the priory site. However, it (as well as other pieces of stonework) could have been derived from a nearby and unassociated site, such as the Chapel of the Blessed Thomas the Martyr (PRN 23609) and the later Church of St Mary and St Nicolas (PRN 22383).{7}{8}
During a site visit to the cellars of 8-11 Sheepgate, the remains of dressed stone walls with lime mortar were seen (PRN 22355a). The walls were about 3 feet wide and stood to about 6 feet. They appeared to be in situ, and of earlier date than the cellars. It is thought that these walls may be associated with priory. {9}

Monument Types

• ARTEFACT SCATTER (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• CHAPEL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• DITCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• LINEAR FEATURE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• PRIORY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• RELIGIOUS HOUSE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• GARDEN (Medieval - 1305 AD to 1539 AD)
• PRECINCT WALL (Medieval - 1305 AD? to 1539 AD)
• WALL (Medieval - 1305 AD? to 1539 AD)

Associated Finds

• ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• DRESSED STONE (>10) (Medieval - 1175 AD to 1450 AD)

Associated Events

• Land at 18/19 Bridge Street & 1 Market Place
• Examination of worked stone, The New Rectory, Halmer Gate, Spalding
• Site visit to cellars of 8-11 Sheepmarket, Spalding

Sources and further reading

Related records

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