Information for record number MWA334:
Maxstoke Priory Precinct

Summary The remains of Maxstoke Priory, an Augustinian Priory of Medieval date. It was dissolved in 1536. The site is 500m northwest of Priory Wood.
What Is It?  
Type: Monastery, Priory, Augustinian Monastery
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Maxstoke
District: North Warwickshire, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 23 86
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Scheduled Monument (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 Sir William de Clinton founded a large chantry or college in 1330. In 1336 he turned it into a priory of Austin canons. The actual charter of foundation was dated 10 March 1337. The priory was to consist of an elected prior and 12 Austin Canons. The grand and stately buildings were not finished until 1342. The priory was suppressed in 1536.
2 The remains lie to the S of the centre of the parish and consist chiefly of the central tower and a few other walls of the priory church, the two gatehouses to the N of it, the W wall of an infirmary hall or chapel to the NE and fragments of a granary &c., to the NW.
3 priory precincts are enclosed by a wall and the precinct divides into 3 areas. The N area is occupied by farm buildings and the outer gatehouse, the inner court has the remains of the priory buildings. To the W is a large dry fishpond, to the E of this is the watermill and to the N is a rectory with another fishpond.
5 Drawing by Buck dated 1729.
6 Scheduled as Warwickshire Monument No 8.
10 The scheduled monument comprises the standing and buried remains of Maxstoke priory, two fishpond complexes and parts of an associated water management system. The monument also includes the standing remains of the manorial site to the south of the priory. Maxstoke priory is defined by the surviving sandstone precinct wall which encloses a rectangular area of approximately 250m north-south and 240m east-west. It averages 2.5m high and retains its coping stones for most of its length. It defines three principal courts which are also divided from each other by original sandstone walls. A central or inner court contains the conventual buildings and has the innner gatehouse on its northern side. The agricultural buildings are excluded from the scheduling but the precinct wall is included in the scheduling.
11 Architectural Report by RCHME, 1991
12 Illustrated account giving documentary references and accounts of C19 excavations at one of the last and smaller Augustinian foundations in the County.
13 Architect's report from 1983.
14 Photograph.
15 Photocopy of large scale map of Maxstoke.
16 Two plans of Maxstoke priory.
17 Correspondence from 1975-6 about a watching brief on the summit of the moated enclosure.
18 RCHME Archaeological report from 1991.
19 RCHME plan of Maxstoke priory from 1991.
20 Cover letter for
19.
21 Note from EH following a site visit in 1988.
22 Archival scheduling map.
23 Correspondence relating to the repair of the priory Gates from 1963 to 1964.
24 Correspondence from 1986-8 about the state of the fabric and unauthorised drainage work.
 
Sources

Source No: 18
Source Type: Archaeological Report
Title: Maxstoke Priory
Author/originator: RCHME (Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
Date: 1991
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 4, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1947
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 4
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 2, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Page W (ed)
Date: 1908
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 2
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 4, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1947
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 4
   
Source No: 13
Source Type: Building Survey
Title: The Augustinian Priory of Maxstoke, Architect's Report
Author/originator: S T Walker + Partners
Date: 1983
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 17
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Maxstoke Priory Farm - Agricultural Buildings
Author/originator: WM and DoE
Date: 1975-6
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 20
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: RCHME Fieldwork at Maxstoke
Author/originator: RCHME
Date: 1991
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 23
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Maxstoke Priory Gates
Author/originator: WM and others
Date: 1963- 64
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 24
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Maxstoke Priory
Author/originator: EH
Date: 1986-88
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 15
Source Type: Map
Title: Maxstoke Priory and Manor
Author/originator:
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 22
Source Type: Map
Title: Maxstoke
Author/originator: EH
Date: Before 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 12
Source Type: Monograph
Title: Maxstoke Priory
Author/originator: Ward, N
Date: 1989
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 11
Source Type: Monograph
Title: Maxstoke Priory: Architectural Report
Author/originator: RCHME
Date: 1991
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Monograph
Title: Maxstoke Priory, Its Development 1331 - 1538
Author/originator: Ivison E
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 14
Source Type: Photograph
Title: Maxstoke Priory
Author/originator:
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 16
Source Type: Plan
Title: Maxstoke Priory
Author/originator:
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 19
Source Type: Plan
Title: Maxstoke Priory
Author/originator: RCHME
Date: 1991
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Plan
Title: WMANS
Author/originator: Aston M
Date: 1973
Page Number: opp 25
Volume/Sheet: No 16
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: OS Card 29NW3
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1976
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 29NW3
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 5
Author/originator: Holliday R
Date: 1874
Page Number: 56-105
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Maxstoke Priory
Author/originator: Ministry of Works/DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: SAM list 1986
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1986
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 68
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Maxstoke Priory
Author/originator: English Heritage
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 21
Source Type: Site Visit
Title: Maxstoke Priory
Author/originator: Judith Leigh of English Heritage
Date: 1988
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Maxstoke Priory, North Warwickshire
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
Maxstoke Priory, North Warwickshire
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
Maxstoke Priory, North Warwickshire
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
An engraving of Maxtoke Priory
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1800s
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
none Scheduled Monument Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) are those archaeological sites which are legally recognised as being of national importance. They can range in date from prehistoric times to the Cold War period. They can take many different forms, including disused buildings or sites surviving as earthworks or cropmarks.

SAMs are protected by law from unlicensed disturbance and metal detecting. Written consent from the Secretary of State must be obtained before any sort of work can begin, including archaeological work such as geophysical survey or archaeological excavation. There are nearly 200 SAMs in Warwickshire.
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source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
source SAM List Scheduled Ancient Monument List. A list or schedule of archaelogical and historic monuments that are considered to be of national importance. The list contains a detailed description of each Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) and a map showing their location and extent. By being placed on the schedule, SAMs are protected by law from any unauthorised distrubance. The list has been compiled and is maintained by English Heritage. It is updated periodically. back
source TBAS Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source WMANS West Midlands Archaeological News Sheet, a publication that was produced each year, this later became West Midlands Archaeology. The West Midlands Arcaheological News Sheet contains reports about archaeological work that was carried out in the West Midlands region in the previous year. It includes information about sites dating from the Prehistoric to the Post Medieval periods. It was produced the Department of Extramural Studies at Birmingham University. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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monument FIELDWORK * A usually temporary earthwork or fortification, the latter constructed by military forces operating in the field. Use more specific type where known. back
monument PRECINCT * The ground immediately surrounding a place, particularly a religious building. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument FISHPOND * A pond used for the rearing, breeding, sorting and storing of fish. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument TOWER * A tall building, either round, square or polygonal in plan, used for a variety of purposes, including defence, as a landmark, for the hanging of bells, industrial functions, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument PRIORY * A monastery governed by a prior or prioress. Use with narrow terms of DOUBLE HOUSE, FRIARY, MONASTERY or NUNNERY. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument AGRICULTURAL BUILDING * A building used for an agricultural and/or subsistence purpose. Use more specific type where known. back
monument GATEHOUSE * A gateway with one or more chambers over the entrance arch; the flanking towers housing stairs and additional rooms. Use with wider site type where known. back
monument AUGUSTINIAN MONASTERY * An abbey or priory of Augustinian canons. back
monument ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or other similar barrier. Use specific type where known. back
monument MANOR * An area of land consisting of the lord's demesne and of lands from whose holders he may exact certain fees, etc. back
monument WOOD * A tract of land with trees, sometimes acting as a boundary or barrier, usually smaller and less wild than a forest. back
monument COLLEGE * An establishment, often forming part of a university, for higher or tertiary education. back
monument CHAPEL * A freestanding building, or a room or recess serving as a place of Christian worship in a church or other building. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FARM BUILDING * A building or structure of unknown function found on a farm. Use more specific type where known. back
monument MONASTERY * Houses specifically of monks, canons or religious men but not friars. back
monument WATERMILL * A mill whose machinery is driven by water. back
monument INFIRMARY * A building used for the care of the sick. Only to be used where part of a complex, eg. a workhouse. In such cases use with appropriate monument type. back
monument GATE * A movable stucture which enables or prevents entrance to be gained. Usually situated in a wall or similar barrier and supported by gate posts. back
monument GRANARY * A building, or first-floor room in a building, for the dry and secure storage of grain after it has been threshed and winnowed. back
monument FARM * A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument PRECINCT WALL * A wall enclosing a precinct. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record