Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Part of the North Hall (Aula Nova). Probably remains of 13th century repairs.

Monument Types

• BUILDING (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1290 AD to 1730 AD)

Full description

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Part of the North Hall (Aula Nova). Probably remains of 13th century repairs.
The original 'Aula Nova', or North Hall, is shown on Prior Wibert's Map of the Priory's Waterworks dated c. 1165, however it is possible that it wasn't quite completed until a while later. It is called the great Hall next the Court Gate amongst the works of Prior Eastry in 1290, who carried out repairs to it. In a charter of Henry VI (mid 15th century) it is referred to as the 'North Hall'.

The Hall a genuine specimen of Norman form was raised above a vaulted undercroft, whilst access to the Hall was via an external staircase (which still survives and is now known as the Norman Staircase). The vaulted structure was vaulted with plain traverse arches and groins. The long rectangular shaped building measured 154 feet in length N-S (146 feet internally) by 42 feet in width E-W (36 feet internally). The Hall lay to the west and centre and had a body 25 feet wide internally, with a side aisle to the east (about 8, or 9 feet wide). The Hall appears to have been divided into nine separate compartments acessed from the eastern aisle. The Norman staircase giving access to the hall projects from the fourth compartment on the east side and is a unique and beautiful example of highly enriched Norman work.

The purpose of the Hall has never been exactly discovered, except that it was employed in the middle ages for holding Steward's Courts at intervals of three weeks. However, its original purpose being close to the entrance gate at the most remote corner of the precinct from the monastic buildings and the church, was considered to have been intended to accommodate the lowest class of pilgrims and or poor persons who craved hospitality.

The northern part of the Hall was pulled down in 1730, whilst new schoolrooms of King's School were built over the undercroft arches of the old Aula Nova between 1852-3.

It is incorrectly shown on Bowen's map dated 1986 as a Prison!

Willis, R., 1868, 'The Architectural History of the Conventual Buildings of the Monastery of Christchurch in Canterbury' (Article in serial). SKE30206.

Collinson, P., Ramsey, N. & Sparks, M., 1995, A History of Canterbury Cathedral (Monograph). SKE30201.

Blockley, K., Sparks, M. & Tatton-Brown, T., 1997, Canterbury Cathedral Nave, Archaeology, History and Architecture (Monograph). SKE29723.

Sources and further reading