Record Details

NHER Number:7281
Type of record:Monument
Name:Wendling Priory

Summary

This Premonstratensian Priory was in operation from 1267-1537. It was situated on an older moated site. The foundations and earthworks survive and three coffins and a candlestick were ploughed up here in the 19th century. The site has been carefully managed since 2000 and is well preserved under a good covering of grass.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:TF 9394 1269
Map Sheet:TF91SW
Parish:WENDLING, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Full description

1957. Survey.
This site was examined under the marginal lands scheme by the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments. The earthworks covering the foundation of the monastic buildings and the dykes and ponds further south were fully surveyed. The unpublished architectural fragments, two Early English column bases, a small capital and part of a window jamb were recorded and preserved at Abbey Farm.
Information from (S3).

Premonstratensian Priory, 1267-1537, on older moated site. Foundations and earthworks survive.
1829. Three stone coffins found
1896. Candlestick ploughed up

1996. Earthwork Survey.
See report (S4) for plan and further details. This site was included in (S5) and the survey is also noted in (S6).
P. Watkins (HES), 2 March 2015.

See brief notes, schedule, 1810 plan.
E. Rose (NLA) 2 December 1996.

July 1999. Field Observation.
Visit and additional survey to investigate new pond excavation.
See short report (S7) and plan.
B. Cushion (NLA) 9 July 1999.

Section 17 Management Agreement signed 7 January 2000.
H. Paterson (A&E) 7 February 2000.

June 2001.
Scrub has increased around area of old house. Site remains under pasture grazed by horses, no animal disturbance.
Owner undertaking some diversion of water courses. This is not affecting the scheduled area.
Tom Williamson (UEA) may consider using the site as a training subject for his students.
H. Paterson (A & E), 5 July 2001.

November 2002.
Good grass cover, grazed by horses, a little more disturbance. Increase of bramble and scrub along banks of stream obscuring foundations. Bridge has collapsed, leaving a projection of arch over stream on north side. Small 'pillar' of masonry near gate onto farm road becoming covered with ivy.
H. Paterson (A&E) 2 December 2002.

NGR corrected from original TF 9390 1281.
M. Horlock (NLA) 3 April 2003.

June 2004. Visit.
Horse grazing continues, with occasional grass cutting. Area south of stream will be grazed later in the year - here longer grass and nettles. Parch marks showing areas of walling. Masonry near stream in stable condition. Fragment near farm road shows increased ivy cover. This will be sprayed.
H. Paterson (A&E) 17 June 2004.

Section 17 Management Agreement renewed for five years from 10 January 2005.
H. Paterson (A&E) 20 January 2005.

Monument Types

  • POND (Unknown date)
  • CAUSEWAY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FISHPOND (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PRIORY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PRIORY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WATERCOURSE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Finds

  • CANDLE HOLDER (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COFFIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Protected Status

  • Management Statement
  • Management Statement
  • Scheduled Monument
  • Management Statement
  • Management Statement
  • SHINE

Sources and further reading

---Photograph: Plan AU 31-2.
---Aerial Photograph: TF 9312H-AF.
---Designation: [unknown]. Ancient Monuments Form. SAM Record. DNF243.
---Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TF 91 SW 1 [2].
---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Monograph: Pevsner, N and Wilson, W. 1999. Norfolk 2: North-West and South. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 758.
---Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Medieval. Wendling [2].
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
<S1>Article in Serial: Bulwer, J. 1859. A Plan of Wendling Abbey. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol V pp 38-40. pp 38-40.
<S2>Article in Serial: Ellison Erwood, F. C. 1923. The Premonstratensian Abbey of Langley, Co. Norfolk. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXI pp 175-234.
<S3>Article in Serial: Wilson, D. M. and Hurst, D. G. 1959. Medieval Britain in 1957. Medieval Archaeology. Vol II (for 1958) pp 183-213. p 191.
<S4>Unpublished Report: Cushion, B. 1996. Wendling Abbey SMR 7281. Earthwork Survey Report.
<S5>Monograph: Cushion, B. and Davison, A. 2003. Earthworks of Norfolk. East Anglian Archaeology. No 104. p 153.
<S6>Article in Serial: Gurney, D. and Penn, K. (eds). 1997. Excavations and Surveys in Norfolk 1996. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XLII Pt IV pp 547-564. p 561.
<S7>Unpublished Report: Cushion, B. 1999. Wendling Abbey SMR 7281. Visit 14th July 1999. Earthwork Survey Report.

Related records - none

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