Details

The monument includes the site of a Medieval Augustinian priory, a
moat, associated earthworks and enclosures, a hollow-way, a later
Medieval Barn and conduit well-head. The moated precinct is a
characteristic feature of monastic establishments and served to
separate the ecclesiastical from secular components of monastery
property. The priory and barn are located within the moated enclosure
with the surrounding moat ditch visible in all but the SW quadrant
where it is partially built over. Part of the nave of the original
priory chapel has been incorporated in the fabric of a later manor
house, which is a Grade I listed building. The garden and garden
walls around the present manor are considered to be located on the
foundations of the priory buildings and the walls include quantities
of carved Medieval stonework. The remains of the monk's cemetery
enclosure is also believed to be in this area. Outside the moated
area to the south and north are a series of low earthworks marking
outlying components associated with the Priory. A group of small
field systems occurs to the south, while the northern area consists
of house platforms and enclosures delimited on the western edge by
ponds and a hollow-way to the east. Located some 500 m to the NE are
the remains of a Medieval conduit well-head covered by 16th-17th
century standing building. The manor, above ground remains of the
priory and most of the farm buildings, except the late Medieval
aisled barn (a Grade II* listed building and formerly SAM 61/b) and
the conduit well-head, are excluded from the scheduling. However, all
subsurface remains, including the ground below buildings, are
included.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Wymondley Priory is a well-preserved example of an Augustinian
monastic establishment which, significantly, is associated with an
extensive and well-preserved tenant settlement. Of particular
importance is the good survival of structures within the priory
precinct as well as related earthworks in the outlying areas. The
clear spatial relationship between the priory and the outlying
earthworks, and the diversity of structural components present,
offers particularly valuable insights into the religious and economic
lifestyles of monastic communities during the Medieval period.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Medieval Religious Houses, (1953), 160,321
The Victoria History of the County of Hertfordshire, (1912), 109
Midmer, R, English Medieval Monasteries 1066-1540, (1979), 339
'Journal Soc. Architectural Historians' in Journal Soc. Architectural Historians, , Vol. 1, (), 22
Other
Hert SMR no. 3558 3673-4,
RCHM Survey (1911), (1911)
RCHM typescript, Farris, Wymondley Priory,
RCHM, RCHM 1910,
Site Report 1986, 1986, Unpub HCC site report

Source: Historic England