Monument record 2416/0/202 - Possible Saxon monastery at Oundle (St Andrews Monastery)

Supposed site of an Anglo-Saxon monastery at Oundle built by St Wilfrid in the late 7th or early 8th century and probably destroyed by the Danes in 870. It was refounded, for Archbishop Wulfstan of York was buried there in 956-7. The monastery was restored to Peterborough in 972 but was despoiled by Leofsi, son of Bixi, and not resurrected.

A monastery was established at or near Oundle by St Wilfrid (c.639-709; he died in it. It was burnt soon after his death, {5} and lay deserted till 966, when Bishop Athelwold started to restore it, but abandoned it for Peterborough {6}; in 972 King Edgar gave Oundle to Peterborough {7}; and it seems that Oundle monastery was not restored. The siting is in doubt, for "Oundle is clearly an old regional name"{8}, in full "in provincia Undolum" (Bede, Eccl Hist 4 19); so also perhaps Eddius' {5} and as Chronicle's (956D, Whitelock, tr) "in Oundle". Modern authorities assume it to be in Oudle town, unjustifiably. Bridges {2} reports a local tradition that its site later became that of the parish church. This might be supported by Hugo Candidus' {6} statement that the monastery was dedicated to St Peter as is the parish church. But this is probably a "post eventum" tradition. There is also a theory {2} {6} that it was under Peterborough from the beginning. This is probably due to (a) reading Bede's "Cudualdi" as Cuthbald, who was Abbot of Peterborough in 709 (b); wishful thinking in Peterborough in Hugo's time. Eddius, {5} states specifically "ad monasterium eius" ie Wilfrid.

{1}The first mentions of Oundle are associated with Bishop Wilfrid and are recorded by Bede and in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. Bishop Wilfrid is recorded as having died at Oundle in AD 709, although Bede claims he died at his monastery in the region of Oundle. There is no present indication of the site of this monastery although it is mentioned that a group of noble exiles with an armed force had burned down the monastery in the 8th century. However, Oundle probably remained an ecclesiastical centre, despite invasion by the Danish armies, as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records the death of Archbishop Wulfstan who was subsequently buried at Oundle in AD 957.

{2}Documentary evidence of a middle Saxon monastery in Oundle; local tradition states that it is on the site of the present church;

{5} Bishop Wilfrid died in his monastery which lay in Oundle;

{6} Restoration of 966AD by Bishop Athelwold was abandoned in favour of Peterborough;

<1> Cope-Faulkner R.P., 1997, Desk-Top Assessment of The Proposed Development on Land at Gardenways, Blackpot Lane, Oundle, (unchecked) (Report). SNN39888.

<2> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.411 (Book). SNN77326.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL08NW13 (Index). SNN443.

<4> BEDE, ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY (Uncertain). SNN47123.

<5> COLGRAVE B., 1927, EDDIUS' LIFE OF BISHOP WILFRID, 141, 147 and 185 (Uncertain). SNN47570.

<6> PETERBOROUGH CHRONICLE OF HUGH CANDIDUS (Uncertain). SNN47571.

<7> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 89 (Series). SNN100370.

<8> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire, p. 213-4 (Series). SNN5881.

<9> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 01-OCT-69 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:22PM