| Summary : Remains of Savigniac and Cistercian monastery founded in 1132 and dissolved in 1536. The remains and sites of the principal buildings of St. Mary's Abbey are within a pasture field on farmland belonging to the modern Quarr Abbey. The remains are not in a very good state of preservation but some work has been done on them by the Ministry of Works. They comprise briefly, the north end of the dorter, rising to circa 4 metres in height, the south west corner of the frater, to circa 6 metres height, the south wall of the kitchen, to circa 3 metres height, a building regarded by St. John Hope as the Woodhouse, (see Stone) a low, vaulted appartment at the north east corner of the frater, the southern end of the cellarium, incorporated into a 17th century barn and a fragment of the east wall of the infirmary hall just north of the infirmary chapel, of which all four sides can be traced, the north wall standing to circa 4 metres high. The sites of the abbey church, chapter house, cloisters and monks' cemetery are indicated by level places on the ground. Much of the precinct wall remains, largely to its full original height; there are the blocked remains of a north gateway. Some of the remains have been incorporated into the farmhouse. |
More information : (SZ 5662 9266) Quarr Abbey (G.T.) (Remains of) (T.I.) (1)
Founded 1132 under Benedictine rule but c.1140 it changed to Cistercian. Dissolved 1536. (3)
In 1891 Mr. P. G. Stone excavated the site and recovered the ground plan, which is that of a normally arranged Cistercian house except that all the buildings are to the north of the
church. (2)
The remains and sites of the principal buildings of St. Mary's Abbey are within a pasture field on farmland belonging to the modern Quarr Abbey. The remains are not in a very good state of preservation but some work has been done on them by the Ministry of Works. They comprise briefly, the N. end of the Dorter, rising to c.4.0m. height, the SW corner of the Frater, to c.6.0m. height, the S wall of the kitchen, to c.3.0m. height, a building regarded by St. John Hope as the Woodhouse, (see Stone) a low, vaulted appartment at the NE corner of the Frater, the southern end of the Cellarium, incorporated into a 17thc. barn and a fragment of the E wall of the Infirmary Hall just N of the Infirmary Chapel, of which all four sides can be traced, the N wall standing to c.4.0m. height. The sites of the Abbey Church, Chapter House, Cloisters and Monks Cemetery are indicated by level places on the ground. Much of the Precinct Wall remains, largely to its full original height; there are the blocked remains of a N gateway.
(See Map Diagram at 1/2500). (4)
Stone from Quarr Abbey was used in the construction of forts at East and West Cowes, 1539-42 (SZ 59 NW 1, SZ 49 NE 10). (5)
Remains of Quarr Abbey at Old Quarr Farm. Grade 2. (6)
The Monastic fishpond was dug to the south of the Abbey church inside the enclosure wall. (7)
Brief history of the abbey and notes on the gunports in the enceinte dating from 1366-7. (8-12)
The gunports at Quarr Abbey are very rough-and-ready. The ashlar is reused Norman stonework. The outer face of the embrasure is of two rough slabs with a circular opening. Internally it is of four ashlar slabs, 24" wide and 28" high, the sill being only 2 feet above ground level. The gun used must have been quite narrow and with a light projectile. The nearest parallel to this type of port is that at Cooling in Kent, which is dated to 1381. (13)
Listed as a fortified monastery by Cathcart King. (14) |