Gatehouse To Monk Bretton Priory

BARNSLEY ABBEY LANE SE30NE (east side), Cundy Cross 4/3 Gatehouse to Monk Bretton Priory (formerly 6.2.52 listed under Remains of Monk Bretton Priory) GV I Gatehouse to Monk Bretton Priory remains (q.v.). Early C15 and late C15, the Almonry to east late C16, incorporating walling of possibly an earlier gatehouse. Mainly deeply-coursed squared stone, the earlier walling to the lower parts of east side being smaller rubble. The plan consists of a main north-south thoroughfare with almonry to east, porter's lodge to west and square spiral-stair tower to south-west. Two storeys. On the north side is the central round-arched main entrance with hoodmould and figurehead stops, and above this is a canopied niche. To 1st floor are three 2-light cusped double-chamfered square-headed windows and, to each side, a larger pointed- arched opening. Dripmould at base of deep parapet which retains crenellation to left. On the south side is a similar archway flanked by buttresses, with the square tower to its left, with arched entrance. Above the archway is a square-headed, 2-light, cusped, double-chamfered window.

Interior: a third archway to the entrance lobby. Fireplace on west wall of porter's lodge and to each floor of south wall of almonry. The west wall of the almonry is gone.

The monastery of St. Mary Magdalen was founded for the Monks of the Order of Cluny and was colonised from La Charité-sur-Loire. It became Benedictine in 1281. After the Dissolution in 1538 the priory passed through various hands until acquired by Barnsley Borough who, in 1932, placed the ruins in the care of the state. Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Dr. J. W. Walker, The Priory of St. Mary Magdalen, Yorkshire Archaeological Society, 1926.

Rose Graham and R. Gilyard-Beer, Monk Bretton Priory, Yorkshire, D. of E. Official Handbook, 1966.

N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England, 1967.

Listing NGR: SE3726206596