Monument record 3043/3 - Fineshade Abbey (16th century country house)

Following the Dissolution of Fineshade Priory in 1536, Sir Robert Kirkham built a country house on the site of the conventual range. His successors added a domestic chapel in the 17th century. The building was demolished in 1749 and a successor house built, which was in turn demolished in 1956 (3043/2)

{1}Georgian mansion built on site of Augustinian Priory (destroyed 1749). Mansion destroyed 1749;

{2}Residence of Ch Kirkham, Esq. Mr K's house built on site and foundations of the priory. In 37th year of reign of Henry 8th (1546) Sir Robert Kirkham Rt levied a fine of it.

{3} At the Dissolution of the monasteries the priory became the property of John, Lord Russell and four years later was bought by Sir Robert Kirkham, Knight, who lived in a house constructed in the conventual buildings. There is a description by Bridges and a drawing by Tilleman of this building c1721.

{4} The house seen by Bridges in 1719 clearly incorporated part of the priory building, including an undercroft. The location of graves to the north of the house and a ruined two-storey structure to the east suggests that the house occupied the west claustral range. A chapel was built in the early 17th century by Robert Kirkham. Sometime after 1737 the house was bought by William King, and Stukely recorded in his diary in 1749 that King had entirely demolished the house and surviving monastic remains.

{5} Little is known about the house which Kirkham created from the priory buildings except that the ground-floor rooms were vaulted. A drawing of 1721 shows a modest building with mullioned windows; it was assessed at 15 hearths in 1670.

{6} Six walls were identified during a watching brief conducted to the north of the stables. They were undated but may relate to either the priory or later house.

{8}Documentary; post medieval chapel to mansion; built by Kirkhams in c17th with stones from Fotheringhay castle; destroyed in the demolition of 1749;(1);

<1> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<2> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN100366.

<3> Johnston, G and Bellamy, B., 2015, From Hillfort to Mansion: Excavations at Fineshade Abbey, p. 179 (Report). SNN110575.

<4> R.C.H.M.E., 1984, An inventory of Architectural Monuments in North Northamptonshire, p. 61 (Notes). SNN110258.

<5> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996, The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, p. 222 (Book). SNN41757.

<6> Thorne A., 2001, Archaeological Watching Brief At Fineshade Abbey, Northamptonshire May - June 2000 (Report). SNN101353.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP99NE1 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<8> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 135-6 (Series). SNN100369.

<9> Historic England, Fineshade Abbey (Archive). SNN115348.

<10> Historic England, Undated, FINESHADE ABBEY, DUDDINGTON WITH FINESHADE, BF061870 (Archive). SNN116140.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:07PM