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Name: Reading Abbey - Cloisters
HER Number: RD15560
Record Type: Monument

Grid Reference: SU 719 735
Administrative Area/Parish:Reading, Reading, Berkshire
Map:Show location on Streetmap

Summary

The cloisters lay to the south-west of the Abbey church. Various small scale excavations have revealed some of the walls and also the tiled floors.

Monument Type(s):

  • CLOISTER (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Description

During archaeological works in 1985 the cloister area was examined by slit trenches. Cloister walks (west and south walks) of tiles were uncovered, but much of the area was heavily disturbed by 19th-20th century activity. <1>. Further archaeological works in 2004-2005 involved the excavation of three service trenches in the eastern range of the cloisters. A thick layer of sandy loam with abundant mortar, tile, stone and flint and rare post-medieval pottery inclusions was revealed. This probably represents a demolition rubble. An area of re-used masonry fragment in mortar was also found in the area immediately below the archway between the Chapter House and Cloisters. This was preserved in situ by reburial <4>.


<1> Berkshire Archaeological Society, 1986-90, Berkshire Archaeological Journal, Pages 89-103 (Journal). SRM13006.


<2> Berkshire Archaeological Society, 1981-2, Berkshire Archaeological Journal, Pages 33-55 "Excavations at Reading Abbey 1979-1981" by A.G. Vince , P.J. Fasham and J.W. Hawkes (Journal). SRD6870.


<3> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, Forbury Gardens Restoration Project, Reading, Berkshire - Archaeological Building Recording (Unpublished document). SRM13027.


<4> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, Forbury Gardens Restoration Project, Reading, Berkshire - Archaeological Investigations, Page 6 (Unpublished document). SRM13028.


<5> Berkshire Archaeological Society, 1971-2, Berkshire Archaeological Journal, Pages 65-116 (Journal). SRD6863.

Sources

<1>Berkshire Archaeological Society. 1986-90. Berkshire Archaeological Journal. 73. Pages 89-103. [Journal / SRM13006]
<2>Berkshire Archaeological Society. 1981-2. Berkshire Archaeological Journal. 71. Pages 33-55 "Excavations at Reading Abbey 1979-1981" by A.G. Vince , P.J. Fasham and J.W. Hawkes. [Journal / SRD6870]
<3>Wessex Archaeology. 2005. Forbury Gardens Restoration Project, Reading, Berkshire - Archaeological Building Recording. [Unpublished document / SRM13027]
<4>Wessex Archaeology. 2005. Forbury Gardens Restoration Project, Reading, Berkshire - Archaeological Investigations. Page 6. [Unpublished document / SRM13028]
<5>Berkshire Archaeological Society. 1971-2. Berkshire Archaeological Journal. 66. Pages 65-116. [Journal / SRD6863]

Designations

  • Scheduled Monument 1007932: Reading Abbey: a Cluniac and Benedictine monastery and Civil War earthwork.

Associated Events:

ERM410Forbury Gardens Restoration Project, Reading, Berkshire (Ref: 56410.02)
ERM412Forbury Gardens Restoration Project, Reading, Berkshire

Associated Monuments

MRD1382Passageway? - Reading Abbey (Monument)
MRD11364Saxon sherd at Abbey Cloisters Site 5, Reading Abbey, Reading, Berkshire (Find Spot)
MRD11345Sherd of Iron Age pottery- Reading Abbey Cloisters Site 5, Reading, Berkshire (Find Spot)
MRD1374Reading Abbey, Reading, Berkshire (Monument)
MRD1374Reading Abbey, Reading, Berkshire (Monument)
MRM15878Reading Abbey - Cloister Arch (Monument)
MRD1374Reading Abbey, Reading, Berkshire (Monument)
MRD1374Reading Abbey, Reading, Berkshire (Monument)

Associated Finds:

  • None

    • Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.