Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

An account of the extant features at Dover priory was written in 1861 which notes the presence of building rubble and the foundations of buildings both to the east and west of the upstanding refectory on land now occupied by Norman/Saxon Street and Dover College's playing fields. (location accurate to the nearest 100m based on available information).

Monument Types

• BENEDICTINE MONASTERY (BENEDICTINE MONASTERY, Medieval - 1131 AD to 1538 AD)

Full description

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An account of the extant and below ground features at Dover priory was written in 1861; the writer notes the extensive remains of buildings of an early date near the eastern end of Folkestone Road. In front of the Medieval refectory was an area enclosed on the east by modern walls on ancient foundations and on the west by a wall with the remains of arches, which clearly indicate the site of some of the principal monastic buildings; undoubtedly the court and cloisters. To the east of this, in an area now occupied by Norman Street and Saxon Street, was a field covered in many parts with scattered blocks of masonry and occasional wall foundations, these remains likely represent the church associated with the monastery, part of the nave of the church was also apparent to the south, near the southern gate which is still upstanding. During the construction of the dwellings on the south side of Saxon Street, a series of foundations were revealed, these may have been part of the side aisle of the choir of the Lady Chapel. On the western side of the refectory there were traces of other buildings extending from the northern walls of the church, beyond the end of the refectory. These may have been the dormitory, library, buttery and other buildings usually placed on such a site within monastic complexes. On the northern side of the refectory further foundations were traced, including those of a wall with one or more doorways. At the eastern side of the refectory the presence of vaulted passage and an apartment above of considerable size were noted, the remains of which are still visible in the refectory wall. On the northern side of the priory complex a building, which is still upstanding and is today in use as Dover College’s chapel, is described as being the former strangers hall. (1)

<1> Rev. F. C. Plumptre, 1861, Archaeologia Cantiana: Some account of the remains of the Priory of St. Martins and the church of St. Martin-Le-Grand, at Dover. Vol 4 (Article in serial). SKE31811.

Sources and further reading

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