Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Alnwick Abbey
Hob Uid: 7144
Location : Northumberland Denwick
Grid Ref : NU1780014000
Summary : Remains of a monastery of Premonstratensian canons founded in 1147, dissolved 1539. The gatehouse is the only standing structure, the rest of the complex is marked out following excavations carried out in 1889. A precinct wall delimited the North side of the site, with the extant gatehouse near the middle. The River Aln demarked the South side. The church was placed roughly centrally, with the claustral range to the South. The church was crucifrorm, ailsed, and had 2 chapels to the east of both the North and South transepts. To the South lay the slype, chapter house, warming house and dormitory. The West range of the cloister was not excavated. The infirmary buildings lay in a separate block to the South East of the church. There was an outer court to the West, which included the cellarers range, guest house, the kitchen, bakehouse, and ovens. Dependencies included the hospital at Alnwick, and Guyzance priory cell.
More information : (Centred NU 178140) Alnwick Abbey (NR) Premonstratensian (remains of) (founded AD 1147). (1) Founded AD 1147 and dissolved AD 1539. Between 1379 and 1491, the number of resident canons rose from 17 to 22, and prior to suppression there were between 20 and 30. (2) The site is roughly semi-circular in plan, a precinct wall forming the diameter, and the River Aln the circumference. The church stood central to the area with the domestic buildings extending to the River. (3) Excavation in 1889 fully disclosed the ground plan which has been permanently marked on the ground. Almost everywhere the walls had been removed to the foundations. See Map diagram. (4) The gate house (see photographs) is the only remnant of the Abbey. A surface ground plan of the church and claustral buildings laid down in tarmac after the 19th century excavations has largely disintegrated, so that it is traceable only in part and with difficulty. (5) Alnwick Abbey Gatehouse (formerly listed as part of Alnwick Abbey). Grade I. Gatehouse of Premonstratensian Abbey. Late C14, with some minor late C18/C19 alterations and restoration. Ashlar; Lakeland slate roof. Rectangular 2-storey block with projecting taller angle turrets. Perpendicular style. See List for full text. (6) NU 179 141. Alnwick Abbey. Scheduled No ND/62. (7)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 25" 1959
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Source details : (W St John Hope)
Page(s) : 01-Oct
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Vol(s) : 13 (1889)

Source Number : 4
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Source details : The Story of English Abbeys 1, 1938, 29 (E Bradley)
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 RE 03-FEB-70
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : DOE (HHR) District of Alnwick, Northumbs 25-Aug-1987 31
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : English Heritage SAM List Northumbs March 1994 7
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : Northumberland (1985)
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Vol(s) : Part 31

Source Number : 9
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Page(s) : 185
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Founded 1147, dissolved 1539
Monument End Date : 1539
Monument Start Date : 1147
Monument Type : Abbey, Premonstratensian Monastery, Church, Sacristy, Slype, Chapter House, Warming House, Dormitory, Cloister, Infirmary, Guest House, Monastic Dwelling, Cellarers Range, Kitchen, Bakehouse, Oven
Evidence : Demolished Building, Sub Surface Deposit

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : C14
Monument End Date : 1399
Monument Start Date : 1300
Monument Type : Gatehouse
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Altered
Monument End Date : 1899
Monument Start Date : 1800
Monument Type : Gatehouse
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : ND 62
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 79102
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 236399
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 236393
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NU 11 SE 19
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1884-01-01
End Date : 1884-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1970-02-03
End Date : 1970-02-03

Historic England Research Records

Alnwick Abbey