Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Stixwould Priory
Hob Uid: 351339
Location : Lincolnshire East Lindsey Stixwould and Woodhall
Grid Ref : TF1723066050
Summary : A Cistercian nunnery, founded circa 1135 and dissolved in 1536. From 1536 to 1537 it was Benedictine, then 1537-1539 it was a house of Premonstratensian Canonesses. The precinct moat and associated features are visible as earthworks.
More information : [Area TF 17306607] Abbey Farm Moat [G.T.] (1) Cistercian nunnery, a quasi-double house, founded at Stixwould in 1135. In 1202 a priest is recorded as ruling jointly with the prioress, but, after 1308, secular priests were appointed masters in the usual way. Although listed as Gilbertine in the Mappa Mundi the brethren were probably Premonstratensian. When the house was suppressed in 1536 Benedictine nuns from Stainfield moved in. In 1537 the nunnery was refounded for Premonstratensian canonesses, and finally suppressed in 1539. Part of the porter's lodge still remains and forms part of a modern farm-house. Traces of earthworks are to be seen on air photograph [AO/LP/53/117]. (2-4) The remaining earthworks form part of the perimeter moat and internal ditches. Published survey (25") revised. The farmhouse has had many alterations, and additions. The monastic portion could not be identified. (5) The earthworks are in permanent pasture, no change. (6) The earthworks associated with the nunnery referred to by the previous authorities have been mapped from good quality air photographs. Two adjacent moat like enclosures are centred at TF 1720 6650. The northern enclosure is 145m by 80m, the southern enclosure is 150m by 70m. These possibly represent the remains of the precinct boundaries. A leat extends east from the enclosures to the main catchwater drain. Ridge and furrow and a fishpond survive in the northern of the two enclosures. In the southern enclosure a small bank defined enclosure and parallel boundaries may represent the remains of buildings. To the east of the northern enclosure is a series of smaller enclosures ranging in size from 10m by 10m to 25m by 20m. It was not possible to ascertain the function of these features or their relationship to the monastic use of the site. (Morph No. LI.553.1.1-12) Immediately south east of the 'monastic' earthworks are the remains of the Medieval settlement of Stixwould. This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database. (7)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1956
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Source Number : 2
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Page(s) : 176,219,225,231
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Directory of Lincs 3rd Edn 1872 336-7 (W White)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : J K S St Joseph 0090 EW Udtd
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 BHS 16-OCT-64
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : F2 BHS 12-MAY-75
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : Helen Winton/20-JUL-1994/RCHME: Lincolnshire NMP
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Source Number : 8
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Source details :
Page(s) : 266,276,283
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Cistercian Nunnery, Priory, Double House, Premonstratensian Nunnery, Precinct, Moat, Fishpond, Leat, Enclosure, Benedictine Nunnery
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Earthwork

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : MORPH2
External Cross Reference Number : LI.553.1
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Lincolnshire)
External Cross Reference Number : 40031
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TF 16 NE 12
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1964-10-16
End Date : 1964-10-16

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1975-05-12
End Date : 1975-05-12

Associated Activities :
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 1992-07-01
End Date : 1997-03-01

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 1997-01-01
End Date : 1997-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Stixwould Priory