Slype At Tq 823 529 In Grounds Of Former Leeds Priory

The Slype, located at TQ 823 529 in the grounds of the former Leeds Priory, is a structure with a late medieval or medieval core that was partly rebuilt in the 16th century. The west elevation is made of roughly coursed ragstone without a plinth, while the east wall is constructed of red brick in English bond on a galletted stone plinth, featuring chamfered coping. The building is rectangular, measuring approximately 12 feet wide and 45 feet long externally, with thick walls that stand about 10 feet high. Originally, it was taller and had additional stone buildings to the north and west at the north end. There are remains of a 19th-century red brick chimney stack towards the south end of the east elevation. The east elevation has three rectangular window openings, and there is a doorway at the south end with chamfered stone outer jambs on the west side, featuring a broach stop and hooks for hinges on the inside, though the head is missing. Another doorway is located at the north end of the west elevation, with chamfered red brick jambs and a missing head.

Inside, there is a red brick barrel vault in English bond that springs from the stone inner walls. The three east windows have flat stone outer lintels, jambs, and cills, which are morticed for iron grilles, with segmental brick inner heads and splayed and rebated brick reveals. The priory, founded in 1119 by Robert de Crevequer or Crevecoeur, was dedicated to St. Mary and St. Nicholas and was dissolved between 1537 and 1540. The Slype is also designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.