Ruins Of Grace Dieu Priory

BELTON ASHBY ROAD SK 41 NW 6/2 Ruins of Grace Dieu Priory 7.12.62 - II

Ruins of Augustinian nunnery. Founded c1240 by Roesia de Verdun. Most of surviving detail is C15-C17. Random rubble stone with ashlar dressings, no roofs. Plan is now indistinct and only fragments of walls survive, though up to 2 storeys in height with some taller chimneys. At NE end is a block with gabled east wall, wide 4-centred moulded C15 arch at east end, buttress, and some moulded window surrounds with fragments of tracery. Running south and west from this is a long wall, probably part of dormitory range, with irregular door and window openings, some retaining moulded stone dressings, and chamfered 4-centred stone fireplace arches. At south west end is a tall C17 chimney stack, mostly of brick with stone dressings, with remains of 2 square shafts. Fireplaces have stone jambs, the lower fireplace with segmental brick arch and oven. Another chimney adjacent. Other remains have no surviving features. At the Dissolution the priory became the home of the Beaumont family, and later the childhood home of the early C17 dramatist Francis Beaumont. Scheduled Ancient Monument No 14.

Listing NGR: SK4353018351