Monument record MDO19871 - Sherborne Abbey, Sherborne; east range of monastic buildings

Evidence for the east range of monastic buildings at Sherborne Abbey was recovered during excavations to the north of The Slype during 1974-6. These comprised two rooms to the north of the chapter house in the 12th century, later remodelled to form three rooms. Evidence for a further building, Building A was recorded 5m further east, apparently detached from the main east range. Also detached and slightly further north was the Prior’s lodgings, built in the 15th century and demolished in 1749.

Evidence for the east range of monastic buildings at Sherborne Abbey was recovered during excavations to the north of The Slype during 1974-6. The records of this excavation have been published in PDNHAS monograph 16 (1). Numbers in square brackets refer to context numbers in this publication.

The range of buildings comprised two rooms to the north of the chapter house in the 12th century, later remodelled to form three rooms. These alterations are undated but involved internal re-walling to form three smaller rooms out of what may originally have been two. One of the later rooms was a narrow room north of the chapter house, which may have housed a ‘…staircase from the cloister to the first floor. This would have been the monk’s day stair, usually housed in the room next to the Chapter House.’ This room may originally have been a novice’s room or a study prior to alterations. Another room had a large number of fishbones on the floor suggesting proximity to the kitchen, although these may derive from a later phase. To the east an external stairway gave access to the first floor dormitory and access to the church.

A further building, Building A was recorded 5m further east, apparently detached from the main east range.

Also detached and slightly further north was the Prior’s lodgings, a later medieval addition perhaps in the 15th century. Documents suggest that this building was used as a private residence until 1749 when it was demolished. Rooms listed at this time include a dining room with chamber over, a closet, a great chamber, maids chamber, mens chamber, parlor, kitchen, brewhouse and buttery.

Documentary evidence suggests that the east range of buildings were demolished by the middle of the 16th century. The excavated evidence however suggests that their eastern walls remained, possibly as a boundary (1).

<1> Keen, L, and Ellis, P, 2005, Sherborne Abbey and School (Monograph). SDO10263.

Record last edited

Aug 23 2024 1:08PM