Ruins Of Lewes Priory

The ruins represent the Priory of St Pancras, founded after 1077 by William de Warenne and his wife, Gundrada. The construction primarily uses a chalk corework with flint and stone dressings and facings, with some Portland stone patching.

Significant elements that remain include a fragment of the southwest tower of the Priory church, likely dating to the late 11th or early 12th century. This retains a wall-bench and shaft details, as well as portions of its wall arcading. A section of the southern wall of the Frater survives, showcasing herringbone flintwork and masonry alongside vaults, with the remains of a spiral stair. West-southwest of the Frater, various blocks of masonry, formerly buttresses for a large hall of unknown use, also remain. These are dated to the 15th century and are constructed using chequered stone and flint flushwork.

The late 11th and late 12th century undercroft of the Dorter occupies the site, containing the original reredorter, with the southern part retaining the springing-points of the semi-circular vault. This area was later used for rifle practice. The Reredorter, from the late 12th century, has numerous carved fragments set into its south wall, now heavily weathered.

The remains of the Infirmary Chapel, built between the late 11th and the second third of the 12th century, show evidence of a square-ended chancel which was later lengthened with a nave, and was given north and south chapels and may have also had a triforium.

The site is historically important because the first Prior of Lewes, Lanzo, (1077-1107), was influenced by the Cluny monastery, and because during its expansion in the 12th century, the Priory closely resembled its mother house. Thomas Cromwell purchased the site after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, constructing a country house on the site of the Prior’s Lodging. This property subsequently passed to the Sackville family. The cutting of the railway line from Lewes to Brighton in 1845 resulted in the destruction of the east end and the high altar of the Priory Church. The Lewes Priory site is designated as an Ancient Monument.