Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Pheleley Priory
Hob Uid: 334964
Location : Oxfordshire West Oxfordshire Spelsbury
Grid Ref : SP3920020100
Summary : Possible site of a Benedictine priory extant in 1145. This small priory founded about 1100 had several brothers, apparently connected with Tewkesbury in the reign of Henry I who, however, assigned it as a cell to Eynsham. and it was annexed to that abbey about 1145. There was a clearing in Wychwood where the priory was located. Spurnell's Well has been suggested as the probable site of the priory. There were remains of foundations on three levels above the spring of a size that could well be a chapel and a house recorded as extant in 1968 but have since disappeared. This may also have been the site of the 13th century Chapel of St John.
More information : SP 392201. Spurnell's Well is probably the site of the lost priory of Pheleley where there was a clearing belonging to Eynsham and the remains of the Chapel of St. John in the 13th century. There are visible remains of foundations on three levels above the spring of a size that could well be a chapel and a house. (1) Pheleley. This small priory founded about 1100 had several brothers, apparently connected with Tewkesbury in the reign of Henry I who, however, assigned it as a cell to Eynsham. and it was annexed to that abbey about 1145. (2) There are no visible remains of foundations in the area of Spurnell's Well. The ground had been under pasture for many years and one would have supposed that any such remains visible in 1968 (as suggested by Mrs.Steed in authority 1) would still be seen. APs. (OS 72/043 180 181) also completely negative. Mr.Hunt, Lodge Farm, has farmed the area for some 40 years, he has extensive local knowledge but has never heard of the Priory and knows of no building foundations in this field. (3) Pheleley Benedictine Priory. (4)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : Notes on an Exhbn. of Maps of Wychwood Forest and N.Oxon. 1968. 19. (V.W. Steed)
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : F1 FDC 11-SEP-73
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Source Number : 4
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Transferred to Eynsham
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Benedictine Cell
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : C13
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date : 1200
Monument Type : Chapel
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SP 32 SE 17
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Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1973-09-11
End Date : 1973-09-11

Historic England Research Records

Pheleley Priory