Monument record 1160/25/2 - West Bridge Hermitage

The hermitage lay between the West Bridge and the West Gate of the town. It may be the hermitage with a chapel recorded in 1501. By 1590 its function had changed and it was owned and leased out by the Borough.

{1} Hermitages were commonly positioned by bridges on major routes. The Hermitage lay between the West Bridge and the West Gate of the town. (It lies on alluvium and so is likely to represent a later medieval expansion???) It may be the hermitage with a chapel recorded in 1501in the will of Dr.Berde, indicating a hermit was still present and overseeing the chapel. By 1590 its function had changed and it was in the ownership of the Borough, being leased out. In 1602 it is described as the 'Armitage on the West Bridge' but by this time it was let to a tenant. In 1610 there were two adjacent buildings but Speed does not make it clear if one or both represent the former hermitage, while an appendant wall connected the buildings with the West Gate. Possibly not part of the town wall as doesn't seem to be crenelated, but should be recorded against the defences not the hermitage in such a case.

{2} 'Armitage on the West Bridge' is mentioned in 1602; is located on Speed's map of 1610.

{3} West Bridge had its hermitage; possible reference in 1501 to one of hermits of chapel in will of Dr Berde who had been living at St James' Abbey; no other mention of chapel unless as part of hermitage; 1602 record gives details of lease of Armitage on West Bridge of 6s.8d; tenant to maintain it & build good chimney of stone & floor house.

{4} "The Hermitage" marked as N on map; immediately to east of West Bridge; buildings shown but unclear as to which form hermitage.

{5} Dr Berde who lived at St James' Abbey in 1501 bequeathed "….my pryntid masse booke to John Mason heremytt to his chapel.".

{6} There were 2 hermitages; one each on West & South Bridges.

{7} Quotes 1501 will of Richard Berde.

{8} There was hermitage on west bridge of Northampton; John Mason may have lived there; it would have been close to St James' Abbey in which Dr Berde lived; his bequest could however have been made to chapel of St Thomas in Cotton End.

{9} Few details shown; includes L'Hermitage however; based on Speed's map of 1610; building shown.

{11} Possible reference in 1501 to one of hermits of chapel in will of Dr Berde who had been living at St James' Abbey; no other mention of chapel unless as part of hermitage.

<1> FOARD G., 2000, West Bridge Hermitage, (checked) (Oral Report). SNN104826.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.382 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<3> Goodfellow A. V., 1980, The Bridges of Northampton, p.142-3 (unchecked) (Article). SNN2568.

<4> Speed J., 1610, Map of Northamptonshire, (checked) (Map). SNN559.

<5> Serjeantson, Rev R M and Longden, Rev H I, 1913, The parish churches and religious houses of Northamptonshire: Their dedications, altars, images and lights, p.279 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN2836.

<6> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.61 (checked) (Series). SNN100370.

<7> Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H., 1913, The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc., p.166 (unchecked); Copy in NDC SMR File M22; (Extract). SNN1080.

<8> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M306 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<9> 1650, British Museum Addit., (unchecked) (Map). SNN2840.

<10> Walker C., 2011, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Land at Castle Station, Northampton, (unchecked) (Report). SNN107932.

<11> 1909, Proceedings of The Society of Antiquaries, p.142-3 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN25681.

<12> 1650, British Museum Addit., (unchecked) (Map). SNN2844.

Record last edited

Sep 21 2022 12:52PM