More information : SE 17532211] Kirklees Priory [G.T.] (Remains of). (1) Kirklees Priory, a house of Cistercian nuns, was founded in the early 12th century. The only building of the priory proper that remains is part of the gatehouse, and even that is largely Elizabethan or Jacobean. Excavations have shown that the church was only C.80ft. long and consisted of a nave and chancel of the same width, without aisles or transepts. (2-3) The site is indicated, at SE 17492210, by eight, inscribed, stone blocks marking the extremities of the church and cloisters. There are also, slight traces of a possible moat; but no intelligible remains. See GPs AO 64/101/4 & 5 for N.E. and W aspects respectively of the gatehouse, now in disrepair. Also annotated 25". (4) SE 12 SE BRIGHOUSE KIRKLEES PARK 4/123 Kirklees Priory Gatehouse 3.1.67 G.V. II* Gatehouse to Kirklees Priory (now gone). Early C16 timber-framed single cell partially encased in large dressed stone with added cell late C16 or early C17, stone slate roof. Timbered gatehouse was probably open to ground floor forming entry, this has been filled in with large dressed stone blocks bearing marks possibly plundered from priory. East gable is timbered only from 1st floor which has heavily jowled posts carrying projecting wall plate with decorative rosette to stop supported on decorated braces. The wall plates carry cambered tie beam which is carved with a flowing vine scroll interspersed with hunting dogs to the uppper and vertically carved stag to lower part of the scroll. The tie beam supports a king post truss with 4 'V' struts pegged to the principal rafters which carry projecting trenched purlins. Below the tie beam is 4-light oriel window with wooden ovolo moulded mullions glazed with 36 square leaded lights. These are set in a heavy crude sill with mortice to right hand end. This may have been overlaid with decorated rail now perished. The oriel is supported on 5 coved uprights pegged to close studs which have bulbous crocket. To either side set back from window and gable are decorated close studded walls with offset diagonal studs. Apex is capped by wooden finial and gable is protected by oversailing slates. The return wall is faced in ashlar to the eaves at the angle and has evidence of first floor doorway (now solid with hammer-dressed stone) to left of which the wall is faced in hammer-dressed stone and has a solid stone stair of 15 risers. Level with landing is extruded lateral stack in ashlar. Curious weathered course 2 courses higher than eaves. Next this is only entry to 1st floor. Doorway has square-headed lintel level with eaves and chamfered opposite jambs. West gable has stone courses running through to outside of staircase but with straight break higher up. Ground floor is again in large dressed stone and has doorway (the only entry to ground floor) with square lintel notched at the top corners, composite jambs and chamfered surround. Single light window has termination of string course with straight return from adjacent stone block. 1st floor of West gable is timber-framed forming 3 vertical divisions. The topmost formed by king post truss with 4 'V' struts, the king post having heavily jowled head with exposed ridge tree set square, oversailing slates to gable. Below the tie beam, which has hollow chamfer to its soffit, is long wooden mullioned window of full width. 7 lights with ovolo moulded mullions and 21 small square leaded lights. One piece undecorated sill. Under and set back is close studded wall with decorative 'V' studs forming alternate pattern of upright and inverted 'V's. Attached to left hand side is stone extension which breaks forward having corner windows with double chamfered mullions of 2 lights to both floors. Over ground floor window is a string course which continues round building. Over first floor window is hoodmould. Tall lateral stack has weathered course and 2 diamond set flues. South front of singe cell. Coped gables with kneelers. Double chamfered mullioned windows with king mullion of 6 lights to ground floor and 12 lights with transom to 1st floor with 3-light attic window with hoodmould. Another 2-storey cell breaks forward from return wall of similar character to a 2-storey porch but without doorway. This has a blocked window to ground floor in the south return wall with a 4-light double chamfered mullioned window to 1st floor, with same to west gabled front which is coped with kneelers. Interior: Ground floor has large fireplace with square lintel to south facing room. 1st floor of timber portion of 2 bays formed by central king post truss resting on posts with slightly arched braces. South facing room has decorative plasterwork bosses of alternate fleur-de-lys and flowers in vase. Doorways to closets have low Tudor arch lintels with hollow spandrels and chamfered surround. Roof renewed late C19. G. Hepworth, Brighouse its scenery and antiquities (Halifax 1885) p.10. L. Ambler, The Old Halls and Manor Houses of Yorkshire, (London 1913), p.58. N. Pevsner, Yorkshire West Riding, (London 1967) p.291. 4/124 Walls which enclose former Orchard for Kirklees Priory 80 m. East of G.V. II Long drystone walls. Early C16 with some later repairs. Hammer- dressed stone walls capped by offset weathered course and Gothic ridge triangular in section with roll moulding to apex. Quoined angles. The west wall has a gateway through with composite jambs with stop chamfer. The south wall runs alongside the Nun's Brook and is slightly higher than the east wall. All these retain their original Gothic coping, only the north wall (which still stands) lacks it. It is likely that this is the wall referred to in the Post- Reformation Survey taken by the King's Commissioners first described by John Burton in Monastacum Eboracense (1758), also quoted by S. J. Chadwick, which reads 'Kirkleys, Scitus domorum' 'Item one orchard enclosed wt. ane olde stone walle wt. few frute trees, conteyneth by estymacon iij roodes of grounde.' S. J. Chadwick, Kirklees Nunnery (no date) p.32. Copy held in library of Yorkshire Archaeological Society. The relationship of the boundary wall with the priory remains is illustrated by the plan of the 1904-5 excavations in Sir G. Armytage, Excavations at Kirklees Priory, Proc. S.A.L. 2S xxi, 1975 (May 3, 1906). 4/125 The Nuns Grave G.V. II Two table tombs surrounded by octagonal tapered stone columns with pointed caps with remains of iron railings. One tomb is raised medieval grave slab with engraved crucifix, other has much weathered stone slab surrounded by C18 sides with inscription 'To Elizabeth de Stainton: late: Priores: of this: Hous: Sweet: Jesus: of: Nazareth: Grant: mercy:.' G. Hepworth, 'Brighouse, its scenery and antiquities', (Halifax 1885), p.11. 4/126 Home Farm Building No. 1 3.1.67 Double-aisled barn to north-west of Kirklees Priory Gathouse G.V. I Long double-aisled barn with cross-wings built onto both ends. Barn, C15 timber frame at present of 6 bays. One of the farm building of the Priory. It may always have been stone walled, but has been re-built. Cross-wings C.1620 with late C19 alteration to right hand to form Farmhouse. Hammer-dressed stone, ashlar dressings, stone slate roof. Square headed barn entry, opposite entrance covered by added gable porch, C17. king post trusses with tall king post, arched braces to post and arcade plate. High collar indicates a hip at southern end. External wall of eastern aisle refaced in C19. Gabled wing to 1 right hand end was originally dovecote. Built on to eastern end of barn is a 2 1/2 storey range providing stabling on the ground floor, hay loft on 1st floor with accommodation on 2nd floor, dated 1620 on hoodmould label stop. Coped gable with kneelers, quoins. Hoodmould continues over ground floor windows. Doorway with composite jambs and Tudor arched lintel with spandrels. Chamfered mullioned window of 5 lights, mullions close together. Over is pitching hole with composite jambs and 4 centred arch with 2-light attic window. Return wall has long 3 bay range with mullioned windows closely set of 5 and 6 lights to 1st 2 floors. Top floor has two 2-light wider set mullions probably glazed originally for stable boys accommodation. West gable has mullioned windows of 5 lights to first 2 floors and 6 lights to top floor. 4/127 Home Farm Building No. 2 Single aisled cow house 3.1.67 G.V. II* Single aisled cow house with loft over. Originally timber-framed, at present of 2 bays. Stonework early C17, gable and s. wall rebuilt c.1900. Hammer-dressed stone, stone slate roof. Coped gables with kneelers. 3 doorway entries in gable. That to aisle has 4-centred arch and spandrels, others are depressed arched, all with moulded jambs. 2-light mullioned ventilator above. Interior: Timber arcade to aisle and king post trusses. SE 12 SE BRIGHOUSE KIRKLEES PARK 4/128 Home Farm Building No. 3 3.1.67 5-bay barn to north-west of Kirkless Priory Gatehouse G.V. II 5-bay barn. Early C18. Hammer-dressed stone with stone slate roof. Square headed entry, quoins; coped gable has 3-light 4/129 Home Farm Building No 4 4-bay barn to north-west of Kirklees Priory Gatehouse 3.1.67 G.V. II Barn of 4 bays with central threshing door, possibly originally timber-framed encased in stone late C17. Re-used rafters from a collar rafter roof. The N. end had a mistal with loft over. S. end loft on 2 floors all floors removed. SE 12 SE BRIGHOUSE KIRKLEES PARK 4/130 Home Farm Building No 5 2-storey gabled building 3.1.67 G.V II Small 2-storey single cell gabled building. Late C17. Formerly 3-stored dovecote, now reduced to 2 storeys. Hammer-dressed stone, with ashlar dressings. Quoins, cavetto moulded string course, coped gable with kneelers. Gables have 3-light mullioned windows, ovolo moulded mullions in south facing gable and chamfered mullions to north gable. 4/131 Home Farm Building No 6 2 cell house 3.1.67 G.V. II* 2 cell house, possibly slaughter house. Early C17. Dressed stone, stone slate roof. 2 storeys. continuous string course, coped gables with kneelers. Double chamfered mullioned windows of 5 lights survive to each gable at first floor level some mullions removed or replaced. North gable has Tudor arched lintel to doorway with composite jambs. Centrally placed stack to ridge. SE 12 SE BRIGHOUSE KIRKLEES PARK 4/132 Home Farm Building No. 7 L-shaped aisled barn 3.1.67 II* A low L-shaped aisled barn consisting of 2 ranges, originally timber-framed early C16, encased in stone early to mid C17. Hammer-dressed stone, stone slate roof. Main range running East - West has king post trusses of 5 1/2 bays and Eastern cross-wing of 2 bays with aisle to East. Southern aisle was converted into a mistal when encased in stone and later into a cattle shade in C19, now returned to its C17 use. Hipped roof. 4/133 Home Farm Building No. 8 Cart shed 3.1.67 G.V. II Cart shed. Late C18 to early C19. Hammer-dressed stone, stone slate roof. Open on yard side for carts linking buildings 5 and 6. 4/134 Home Farm Building No. 9 Malthouse 3.1.67 (formerly listed as Malthouse at Kirklees Priory) G.V. I Malthouse. Late C.17. Hammer-dressed stone, stone slate roof. L-shaped in plan. 3 storeys and attic. Weathered plinth, string courses to each floor, hoodmoulds with straight returns to 3rd floor windows and attic. Quoins, coped gables with kneelers and base for finial to roof apex. Gables have cart entries with 4-centred arched lintel with composite jambs. East gable has receeding double chamfered mullioned windows over doorway of 4, 3 and 2 lights. Right hand return wall has doorway with 3 centred arched lintel and composite jambs and double chamfered mullioned windows of 3 lights to ground floor and 2 lights to 1st and 2nd floors with external stair to segmental arched doorway to 1st floor. Interior: King post roof with heavy slightly cambered tie beams. Basket arched doorway to cross-wing which has fireplace with Tudor arched lintel spandrels and chamfered surround. Main long range has heavy spine beams cut through at first floor revealing haunched tenon joint to equally heavy joists. Walls are plastered and original lime-ash floor laid on rushed or lathes survive to upper floors as does orange Plimsoll line running round the building under windows to indicate maximum floor loadings. A remarkably rare and complete survival. (5)
Additional reference. (6) |