The Dark Cloister

The Dark Cloister is a mid-13th century vaulted passage that originally connected the Dormitory with the Infirmary. Above the passage, there was likely a storey that contained a school. Currently, only the south wall of the vaulted passage remains, along with a short section of the upper storey featuring a window jamb at the east end. On the north side, there are five deeply recessed pointed arches supported by moulded corbels for the springing of the vault. The west bay contains a 13th-century doorway, while the east bay has a later doorway. The central three bays on the south side feature blocked 13th-century arcaded windows set within a flat arch, with a quatrefoil window in the tympanum. The Dark Cloister is part of a group that includes Powcher's Hall, the Painted Chamber (Walsingham House), the Chapel of the Infirmary (Deanery), the Black Hostelry, and the Cellarers Chamber and House (Boarding House of King's School).