| Summary : The Chantry, located in Bridport, Dorset, was originally thought to have been built in the l4th or 15th century, however more recent evidence suggests it was built in the late 13th or early 14th century. Originally considered to have been built as a Prior's house or Chantry Priest's house, it is now thought that its original function was as a municipal building, possibly a toll house, associated with the harbour just outside Bridport. Architectural and documentary evidence suggests that the building's second phase was its conversion for use as a chantry priest's house soon after 1368. In the early 16th century alterations were made to one of the fireplaces and in circa 1600 more extensive alterations were carried out which are thought to have enabled its conversion for family use. It's currently (2010) in use as holiday accommodation.The Chantry is a two-storey stone rubble house with a projecting two-storey porch wing at the front. There is a pointed arch to the porch which has had the head renewed. Most of the windows date to the 19th century. It has modern tiles and gable ends with stone copings. There is a projecting course of stone slabs at cornice level. Internally there are some interesting details including a fireplace opening with shouldered arch and one with a moulded four-centred lintel. |
More information : [SY 46589242] THE CHANTRY [AT] (1)
A two storeyed building with attics, built of coursed rubble & roofed with stone slates. The building dates from 14th-15thc,
and in some respects resembles the isolated tower-houses of semi-defensive character. Its original purpose is unknown. The windows are 18thc. (2)
Under the heading of ST. LEONARD'S CHAPEL - probably a chantry in ST MARY'S [PARISH] CHURCH, - HUTCHINS refers to a priors house, probably for one of the chantry priests, called DUNGENESS, standing near the entrance of SOUTH STREET on the west side. [See also Dorset 38 SW 9] (3)
Description in T.1. (1) correct. The house is known as THE CHANTRY which is carved on the gate pillar and, according to local information and a sketch in the BRIDPORT MUSEUM, was formerly known as DUNGENESS. The exterior and interior have a definite ecclesiastical appearance. In use as a residence.
GP/JR/54/9/4 F/54/124/4 The Chantry formerly 14th-15th Cent Priest's House from E.(4)
Now destroyed. (5)
Number 128 South Street. The Chantry. Grade II*
The Chantry, built probably in the l4th or 15th century, was once known as the "Prior's House", but is more probably the house of a chantry priest. It is a 2-storey stone rubble house with a projecting 2-storey porch wing at the front. There is a pointed arch to the porch with the head renewed. Most of the windows appear to be 19th century. It has modern tiles and gable ends with stone copings. There is a projecting course of stone slabs at cornice level. Internally there are some interesting details including a fireplace opening with shouldered arch and one with a moulded four-centred lintel. (6)
More information. (7)
The Chantry is currently (2010) managed by the Vivat Trust who let it out as holiday accommodation. In September 2010 the Chantry was opened to the public during the Heritage Open Days weekend. (8)
Despite the comments in source 5, evidence in source 8 suggests that the building is still extant. (9)
According to this article written by K.A. Rodwell, more recent evidence suggests that the Chantry may have originally been built in the late 13th or early 14th century and have originated as a municipal building associated with the harbour just outside Bridport. It is thought that it probably functioned as a toll house at the southern approach to the town. Architectural and documentary evidence suggests that the building's second phase was its conversion for use as a chantry priest's house soon after 1368. In the early 16th century alterations were made to one of the fireplaces and in circa 1600 more extensive alterations were carried out which are thought to have enabled its conversion for family use. (10)
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