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Record Details

NHER Number:8005
Type of record:Monument
Name:Benedictine Priory of St Faith

Summary

The site of a medieval priory and a post medieval house and farm. The priory was founded around 1105 at a site in Horsford (NHER 13934), but moved to Horsham soon after. Its buildings included a church, a refectory and cloisters. It was dissolved in 1536 and all buildings but the refectory were demolished. The refectory was converted into a house which survives and contains nationally important medieval wall paintings. During the post medieval period farm buildings were built adjacent. A section of the precinct wall is incorporated into a village lock up (NHER 21666). Human remains from the priory graveyard, objects and masonry have been discovered during building works. Geophysical surveys and an evaluation have revealed infilled ponds, medieval and post medieval features and multi-period finds.

Images

  • Nationally important wall paintings in the medieival priory of St Faith in Horsham St Faith © Eastern Daily Press

Location

Grid Reference:TG 2166 1517
Map Sheet:TG21NW
Parish:HORSHAM ST FAITH AND NEWTON ST FAITH, BROADLAND, NORFOLK

Full description

Founded about 1105 at Kirkscroft in Horsford but soon moved here as dependant cell of Conquest, independent 1390, dissolved 1536 when mansion built in north cloister range. Contains magnificent and unique wall paintings.

1967. Casual Observation.
Human skeletons, iron fragments, building stone, flint and mortar foundations were found, this site is thought to be a priority graveyard.

1970. Excavation.
Carried out by D. Sherlock for M.P.B.W, excavation of three rooms of a farmhouse, which occupies the western half of the north frater range of the Benedictine priory cloister. A worn plain glazed tiled floor was discovered in the small ante-room. This ante-room was formed in the 13th century when the frater was shortened by the construction of the east wall of the western room. A hatch-way which is north of the ante-room has stone facing and also a door which was discovered by behind a brick blocking. Removal of the front had revealed a leaden pipe which was 2 inches in diameter which ran under the tiled floor and east wall it is presumed that this pipe carried fresh water to an outside lavatorium. After the dissolution the 12th-century doorway to the ante-room was blocked and a 14th-century stone font with an 16 inches in diameter bowl was found in the foundations of this blocking.
Information from (S1) and photographs (S7).
M. Langham-Lopez (HES), 23 May 2013.

1984. Field Observation.
Buried foundations were reported in the road verge west of the priory, which is in front of the modern industrial estate. Site was investigated by E. Rose, who found this to be rubble from the 18th or 19th century barns which were formally on the site until they burnt down.

March 1985. Field Observation.
D. Sherlock reports discovery of ploughing near pound north of standing building. Masonry, a rise in the ground south-east and further masonry to the south-east were discovered. D. Sherlock suggests that these mark the monastic infirmary and burial ground. The area of the site is also extended to include the long wall which runs along the street frontage east of the house which is either 18th of 19th century and is largely made from stone blocks from the ruins.

July 1987. Casual Observation. Field Observation.
Outside of the scheduled area, in context 2 a human skull, ribs and vertebrae were discovered 55cm deep by workmen erecting a new fence. When site was visited, the vertebrae in situ suggest that this is a burial rather than disturbed bones. In the spoil of a post-hole to the south and midway along the east building, a large broken rim late medieval and a late medieval glazed body sherd is recorded.
See plans in file.

April 1989. Casual Observation.
Metal detecting outside of scheduled area discovered a silver penny of Edward I, north class lV AD 1282-9.

1996. Geophysical Survey.
Resistivity survey to locate building to east of priory cloister. Results indeterminate.
See report (S2) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S3).
P. Watkins (HES), 21 March 2017.

1998. Geophysical Survey and Trial Trenching.
Evaluation in area of proposed burial ground. Magnetometer and resisitivity surveys revealed a number of potentially archaeologically significant anomalies. Subsequent trial trenching revealed several linear features and a few small pits and post holes.
See reports (S4) and (S5) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S6).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 3 March 2015.

See full details in file.
E. Rose (NLA) 31 March 1998.

2006. Further human remains on site of 1987 finds.
Details in file.
E. Rose (NLA), 6 February 2006.

Monument Types

  • DITCH (Unknown date)
  • PIT (Unknown date)
  • INHUMATION (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POND (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POST HOLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PRIORY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PRIORY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WALL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BARN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • HEARTH (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • HOUSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • WALL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

  • LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Lower Palaeolithic to Late Iron Age - 500000 BC to 42 AD)
  • POT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BRICK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FLOOR TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PLANT REMAINS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • QUERN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WALL PAINTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WORKED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WORKED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ANIMAL REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BRICK (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • HUMAN REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • ROOF TILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • TILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status

  • Scheduled Monument
  • Listed Building

Sources and further reading

---Article in Monograph: Rudd, W. R. 1926. The Priory of Horsham St. Faith. Vol XXII. Vol XXII pp 251-256. p 251.
---Article in Serial: Sherlock, D. 1976. Discoveries at Horsham St. Faith Priory, 1970-73. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXXVI Pt III pp 202-223.
---Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1985-2000. [Sales particulars for The Priory, Horsham St Faith].
---Designation: [unknown]. Ancient Monuments Form. SAM Record. DNF264.
---Illustration: Finds Illustrations.
---Map: Finder's Map..
---Documentary Source: Martin, T. c. 1700-1799. Collections of Church Notes. Norfolk Records Office. 1736.
---Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TG 21 NW 10 [4].
---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Monograph: Pevsner, N. and Wilson, B. 1997. Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. pp 566-567; Pl 16.
---Designation: Department of Environment. 1973. Scheduling Report.
---Designation: Department Of The Environment. 1988. Schedule Monument.
---Designation: Department Of The Environment. 1989. Schedule Monument consent.
---Designation: Department for Culture, Media and Sport. 1997. Schedule Monument consent.
---Unpublished Document: McKinley, J.I.. 1988. Horsham St Faith Priory. Part of skeleton received from Norwich Police.
---Unpublished Document: St Faith's Priory at Horsham St Faith: Concerning the Priory Church.
---Unpublished Document: Baggs, A.P.. 1964. Norfolk, St Faiths Priory.
---Correspondence: Correspondence regarding Horsham st Faith, St Faith's Priory.
---Photograph: Broadland Council. 19th century barns to west of Priory, burnt down and demolished..
---Unpublished Document: Horsford and St Faiths.
---Photograph: Horsham St Faith.
---Publication: St Faith's Priory, Horsham St Faith.
---Publication: Eve, J.. A Guide to St Faith's Priory, Horsham St Faith, Norfolk.
---Illustration: Horsham Saint Faith Priory.
---Newspaper Article: The Daily Telegraph. 1996. At home after the faith lift. 20 November.
---Unpublished Document: NAU. Archaeological Fieldwork Record Form.
---Article in Serial: Purcell, D. 1973. The Priory of Horsham St. Faith and its Wallpaintings. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXXV Pt IV pp 469-473.
---Article in Serial: Whittingham, A. 1980. Horsham St Faith's Priory: The Building. The Archaeological Journal. Vol 137 pp 323-325.
---Article in Serial: Baker, A. and Rouse, C. 1980. Horsham St Faith's Priory: The Paintings. The Archaeological Journal. Vol 137 pp 325-326.
---Article in Serial: Rouse, C. 1980. Horsham St Faith's Priory: The Church. The Archaeological Journal. Vol 137 pp 326-327.
---Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Medieval. Horsham St Faith and Newton St Faith.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Fiche: Exists.
---Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1986. Wall paintings excite Italians. 22 November.
---Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1991. Restoration of a historic wall. 19 November.
---Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
---Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Human Skeletal Remains (HSR). Horsham St Faith.
<S1>Article in Serial: Wilson, D. M. and Hurst, D. G. 1972. Medieval Britain in 1970. Medieval Archaeology. Vol XV (for 1971) pp 124-179. p 139.
<S2>Unpublished Document: Cott, P. 1997. Geophysical Surveys 1996.
<S3>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 554.
<S4>Unpublished Contractor Report: Bates, S. 1998. Horsham St Faiths Priory Preliminary Report/Draft Illustrations. Norfolk Archaeological Unit.
<S5>Unpublished Contractor Report: Bates, S. 1998. An Archaeological Evaluation at Horsham St Faith's Priory. Norfolk Archaeological Unit. 308.
<S6>Article in Serial: Gurney, D. and Penn, K. (eds). 1999. Excavations and Surveys in Norfolk 1998. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XLIII Pt II pp 369-387. p 375.
<S7>Photograph: Ashley, H. 1972. Photographs of Horsham St Faith Priory, including the wall paintings. print.

Related records

21666Parent of: The Clink (Building)
13934Related to: 'Kirkscroft', possible medieval priory site (Monument)
41694Related to: Medieval stonework in Mill Farm barn (Find Spot)
8026Related to: Mill Farm, site of post medieval watermill (Building)
8022Related to: Spixworth Hall Cottages, site of Spixworth Hall (Monument)

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