Monument record 1160/6/3 - Precinct Wall, St Andrews Priory

A stone wall observed on the north side of Grafton Street may be the south precinct wall of St Andrew's Priory

{1} Stone wall c.1.2m wide was observed beneath the pavement on north side of & parallel to Grafton Street; presumed to be the south precinct wall of St Andrew's Priory;

{2} From map dated 1632 of lands of St Andrew's Priory boundaries defined as follows: priory wall ran along St George's St & along Grafton St to Grafton Sq & along Lower Harding St & Spring Lane & St Andrew's Rd as far as mill; from there eastwards back to St George St;

{3} Map shows walls enclosing priory; partly formed by medieval town defences;

{4} Dispute with townspeople over priory boundaries; encroached upon king's highway by west gate of town & enclosed spring called 'Nonnewoll' with piece of land adjoining; also appropriated for themselves under the wall of the town all the homes of the townspeople between that of Giles and the water & also enclosed a common way under the wall of the town; priory surrendered to Dr.Layton in 1538; Layton reported that it was greatly in debt & the walls were ruinous;

{5} Shows priory surrounded by walls;

{6} To the left on St George's Street the road runs along what was formerly the boundary of the abbey;

{7} Description of location of priory boundary;

{8} Trial trenching for the west defences of Northampton located a ditch running north-south c8m wide, excavated to a depth of 1.3m. Early medieval pottery was recovered from the ditch which may be an early town defence ditch, a precinct ditch for St Andrews priory, or even a water channel connected with the monastic fishponds.

<1> SHAW M., 1988, Grafton Street, Northampton 1987, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49510.

<2> SERJEANTSON R.M., 1905, Journal of Northants Natural History Society and Field Club, p.79-92+131+137-8 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN433.

<3> Speed J., 1610, Map of Northamptonshire, (checked) (Map). SNN559.

<4> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.103+108 (checked) (Series). SNN100369.

<5> Pierce M., 1632, A true plot and description of al the Ancient Demesne Lands belonginge to the Priorye of St Andrew's in 1632, (unchecked) (Map). SNN365.

<6> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.43 (checked) (Book). SNN1032.

<7> 1853, The Journal of The British Archaeological Association (Vol.8), p.67 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN874.

<8> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1980, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1979, p.172 (checked) (Article). SNN56490.

Record last edited

May 8 2025 6:49PM