Monument record 663/1 - Weedon Priory

Weedon Pinkney, or Weedon Lois, Benedictine Priory was founded in the reign of Henry I as an alien priory of the Abbey of St Lucien, Beauvais. Due to the French wars of the late 1300's, in 1378 leave was sought of the King to transfer ownership of the priory to Biddlesden Abbey, but this was not granted until 1392. Following the 1414 Dissolution of alien priory cells, ownership of the priory and its farms was transferred to All Souls College, Oxford in 1440 to serve as a chantry, and it was in their possession in 1535. The priory Church became the parish church after the Dissolution. Earthworks in the field to the South of Church Close appear to be indicate buildings and other features associated with the Priory.

{1} A small priory at Weedon, established in the early 12th century as a cell of the Benedictine Abbey of St. Lucien, Oise, France. The priory was always small and poor. In 1392 it was sold to the Cistercian Abbey of Biddlesden, Buckinghamshire, but in 1440 its land passed to All Souls College, Oxford. The site of the priory is unknown, though it perhaps lay in the vicinity of the present church.

{2} At Weedon Lois (SP 6046) there was a small cell for a prior and possibly one or two monks. It was founded during the reign of Henry I, and was passed to Biddlesden Abbey in 1392. The Benedictine cell was previously an alien cell of St Lucien's Abbey, Beauvais. Its income is recorded in 1535.

{5} The vicar the Rev E Lewis indicated at SP 6024 4693 where he has seen foundations outlined in the grass in times of drought, and said this is locally considered to be the site of the buildings. No surface remains are evident.

{7} Archaeological test pits excavated revealed stratified archaeological remains including surfaces and fragmentary stone walls. 129 sherds of pottery (100 of which were of medieval date) were recovered from stratified contexts. Further work required but evident that the date and character of those already recorded could be compatible with the presence of a medieval priory cell.

{8} The priory site and the church were one enclosure but by 1593 the road had left the direct steep route and passed to the south of the church. Foundations have been seen as parchmarks extending under the road and on the south side of the church are traces of buildings. The vicar saw foundations outlined in times of drought at SP60244693

{9} Stratified archaeological remains were present to a depth of at least 0.6m below the ground surface and appeared to include surfaces and what may be traces of structures in the form of fragmentary stone walls. A large quantity of pottery was recovered from the test pits, the majority of which, 100 sherds, was medieval. Some of the pottery originated from stratified horizons and suggests a medieval date for them. The recovery of a small amount of late Saxon pottery might hint at earlier activity.Though further evaluation would be required to demonstrate the exact nature and precise date of the remains, it is evident that the date and character of those recorded could be compatible with the presence of the medieval priory cell.

{11} The Benedictine priory church of Our Lady of Weedon is now the parish church, (SP 64 NW 12). Church Close on the south side of the church has fishponds (SP 64 NW 7) and traces of foundations of the monastic buildings, also the Holy Well of St Loys (SP 64 NW 17). The priory site and church were once one enclosure but by 1593 the road left the direct but steep route to the north of the church to pass along the south side.

Historic England, Undated, St Peter and St Marys Church, Weedon Lois, Weston and Weedon, BF107439 (Archive). SNN115892.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.163 site 7 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Knowles; Hadcock, 1971, Medieval Religious Houses England and Wales, p.91 (unchecked) (Book). SNN10192.

<3> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, pp.183-5 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100369.

<4> LEWIS K., 1978, Weedon St. Loys: priory and parish, (unchecked) (Book). SNN60105.

<5> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 29-JAN-70 (Notes). SNN111907.

<6> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 94 (Book). SNN77325.

<7> Cadman, G., 1989, Report on archaeological investigation at 'The Leys', Weedon Lois, Northants, (unchecked) (Report). SNN44155.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP64NW10 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<9> Pike A. (Editor), 1990, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (20), p.53 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN39962.

<10> Dix B., 1992, Recent Work in Northamptonshire Archaeology, P125 (Checked) (Article). SNN104441.

<11> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Typewritten notice inside Weedon Lois Church. (Oral Report). SNN111577.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:15PM