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Summary

Betsy Grimbal's Tower, the West Gate of Tavistock Abbey built mostly in the 15th century. The name is probably a corruption of Blessed Grimbald, a saint revered by the Benedictines.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1020401: Tavistock Abbey
• Listed Building (I) 1326209: BETSY GRIMBAL'S TOWER, THE VICARAGE

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX47SE/1/8
• Old Listed Building Ref (I): 93472
• Old SAM County Ref: 96
• Old SAM Ref: 29679

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• GATEHOUSE (XIV to Late Medieval - 1400 AD to 1539 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Feature shown on 19th century map as two adjoining buildings forming an irregular shaped structure in the north-west corner of a square yard.

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

Ministry of Works, 1924, Tavistock Abbey Ruins (Schedule Document). SDV344377.

Tavistock Abbey Ruins, the remains of a Benedictine Abbey standing in the Vicarage garden include a 15th century entrance gateway with two flanking towers. The vaulted roofing of the ground floor remains but above this only the walls are standing. Locally known as Betsy Grimble's Tower.

Reed, H., 1927, Proceedings of the Congress of the British Archaeological Association at Exeter, 21-2 (Article in Serial). SDV249288.

The remains of the Abbot's lodging known locally as Betty Grimbal's Tower is principally a 15th century work and stands in the Vicarage grounds. It is in a ruinous state. The eastern opening which originally passed through it has been blocked.

Devon County Council, 1975, Tavistock Town Walk, 91 (Article in Monograph). SDV352474.

Western Morning News, 1987, Tower O.K. (Article in Serial). SDV351388.

Article states the tower has been given a clean bill of health by architecural experts.

Turton, S. D. + Weddell, P. J., 1991, Archaeological Assessment of Four Areas of Land Adjoining the River Tavy and Plymouth Road, Tavistock, 4; figure 2; plate 6 (Report - Assessment). SDV256444.

A vaulted gateway between two substantial towers which supported an upper room. Remains are principally 15th century, and represent the Great Gate which was the western entrance into the abbey precinct, also providing access to meadows and fishponds. May have adjoined the abbot's lodging. Under the partially blocked arch stands a stone coffin found when the chapter house was demolished. The gatehouse is known as Betty Grimball's Tower.

The Tavistock and District Local History Society, 1994, About Tavistock: An Historical Introduction and Six Town Walks, 10, 26, 34 (Monograph). SDV354806.

The name is almost certainly a corruption of Blessed Grimbald, a saint much revered by the Benedictines.

Freeman, M. + Wans, J., 1996, Tavistock Abbey: Alternative Interpretations, 17-34 (Article in Serial). SDV249301.

Exeter Archaeology, 1997, Archaeological Assessment of Tavistock Sewer Overflows Scheme, 4 (Report - Assessment). SDV344347.

Salvatore, J. P., 1999, 144445. (Personal Comment). SDV256388.

The West Gate, a Grade I Listed Building (known more commonly as Betsy Grimbal's Tower), was the west gate of the abbey precinct. It comprises an entrance archway flanked by projecting demi-octagonal stair turrets, there is a first floor room over the gate passage, and a two-storied structure of continuous construction to the north.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2001, Tavistock Abbey (Schedule Document). SDV344375.

Blaylock, S. R., 2001, Tavistock Abbey: Further Recording of the Standing Fabric (Report - non-specific). SDV256395.

West Devon Borough Council, 2009, Tavistock Conservation Area Management Plan, 4, 11, 21, 40 (Report - non-specific). SDV351411.

Repairs are needed to some of the abbey remains, including Betsy Grimabal's Tower.

English Heritage, 2010, Historic Houses Register (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV154869.

Betsy Grimbal's Tower, The Vicarage. Mostly 15th century. The Great Gate of the Abbey, west entrance to the precincts. Moulded segmental arches, (one blocked) with flanking towers. Under the arch stands the stone coffin found when the Chapter House was destroyed. The bones contained in it are now in St Eustachius' Church. Named after a corruption of the 'Blessed Grimwald'.

Ordnance Survey, 2010, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV344030.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV4597 - Assessment of Tavistock Sewer Overflow Scheme

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