Remains Of Priory Of Our Lady Of Thetford Including Prior'S Lodging

THETFORD

TL8683 ABBEYGATE 617-1/5/2 (North West side) 03/04/51 Remains of Priory of Our Lady of Thetford including Prior's Lodging (Formerly Listed as: Remains of Cluniac Priory, Abbey House grounds)

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Cluniac priory. Founded 1103-4 by Roger Bigod in Church of St Mary the Greater, moved to present site 1107. Occupation of east end, transepts and north parts of east arm of cloister by 1114, remainder mostly by 1150. Lady chapel added early C13 and presbytery extended late C13. Disolved 1540. East window and other minor works by Thomas Aldrych, 1507-8. Flint with ashlar facing. No roofs. Plan based on that of Cluny II and Castle Acre: chevet east end, altered C13 . Twin west towers, 8 bays to aisled nave, cloister to south with conventional disposition of apartments. Infirmary to south-east late C12 with infirmary cloister added early C15. The whole is ruinous. Prior's Lodging extends west. Square free-standing lodging of c1300 to west was extended mid C14 to link with west front of priory. Flint with ashlar dressings. 2 storeys. Western lodge reduced by half but barrel-vaulted undercroft apparent, with transverse ribs. Main block with round re-used C12 arch on engaged columns with scalloped capitals, opposed by a north opening. West of arch is a pedestrian entrance with a roll-moulded re-used C12 arch with billet decoration and cushion capitals. This led to a staircase. Various C15 window embrasures remain and also mid C16 three-light brick cross-casements with chamfered surrounds. No roof. (Raby F J E: Thetford Priory: London: 1979-).

Listing NGR: TL8661683369