Church of St Mary the Virgin, Hatfield Broad Oak (EHER 4324)

Former priory church of Hatfield Broad Oak Priory, now parish church. The walls of the church are mostly of flint-rubble with some 17th and 18th century brickwork and incorporating some old ashlar. The building formed the structural nave of the priory church. The church was cruciform, and originally had an aisleless nave, with the conventual buildings on the north side; the eastern arm and transepts are only represented by foundations which were left exposed after the excavations of 1897. The remains of the former presbytery and central tower and the north wall of the present north aisle probably represent the original monastic structure of about 1140-50. There were also north and south chapels, dedicated respectively to St Katherine and St Melaine, each of two bays and opening into the presbytery by arcades, and by west arches into the transepts. Between 1317 and 1330 many alterations and enlargements were carried out, including the extensions of the presbytery towards the east. At the end of the 14th century the aisleless nave was removed except the north wall and a new parish nave and chancel and south aisle built to the south of it, thus throwing the axis of the nave several feet to the south of that of the monastic quire and necessitating the blocking of the west arch of the crossing. The north and south chapels were also added but the north chapel was subsequently shortened by a wooden screen, the eastern part being divided into two storeys. Early in the 15th century the south porch and west tower were built, the top stage of the tower being completed late in the century. The priory was dissolved in 1536 and probably shortly afterwards the monastic part of the church was pulled down. The north vestry was added late in the 19th century, when the library was added.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 4324, 4333, and 25608. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: The Church of St Mary the Virgin (C of E) [NAT]. <1> Church [NAT]. <2> Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, with foundations, precinct-wall and fishponds, stands immediately north of the village. The parish church was once part of a small priory, founded probably about 1135 by Aubrey de Vere the second. The church walls are mostly flint rubble with post medieval brickwork, and incorporate old ashlar. The church was originally cruciform in plan with an aisleless nave. The former presbytery, central tower and the north wall of the present north aisle probably formed part of the original monastic structure of about 1140-1150. Many alterations were made 1317-1330 including the extension of the presbytery toward the east. At the end of the 14th century the aisleless nave was removed, except the north wall, and a new parish nave, chancel and south aisle built to the south of it. This threw the axis of the nave to the south of that of the monastic choir, and the west arch of the crossing had to be blocked. North and south chapels were also added, the north chapel being shortened later by a wooden screen, the east part being divided into two stories. The south porch and west tower were built early in the 15th century. The tower's top stage was added later in this century. The priory was dissolved in 1536 and probably shortly afterwards the monastic part was pulled down. The presbytery, south and north chapels, transepts, sacristy and part of an extension to the presbytery are represented by foundations exposed in the churchyard. The crossing has been destroyed except for the western piers which still stand. The plan of the domestic buildings was recovered by excavation but nothing is now visible. Monument in chancel to Robert de Vere, 3rd Earl of Oxford, 1221. However, monument is late 13th century with effigy. The chancel has re-set 14th century tiles, there are carved stones in the library and a carved oak figure in the nave of late 14th to early 15th century date. The roofs of the north and south aisles are late 14th century. The chancel roof is modern but incorporates four 15th century large carved angels. The library includes the Aldine Aristotle of 1498. RCHM has photos of the church and the 13th century effigy. The church walls contain some 17th-18th century brickwork. The early 18th century reredos is noteworthy. The north vestry is late 17th century, in brick. The church contains 17th century brasses, 17th and 18th century monuments. Nave roof is 19th century. Library contains 300 15th to 17th century volumes. <3> Church of St Mary the Virgin. Parish church, former western part of Benedictine Priory. Founded by Aubrey de Vere about 1135. Later additions. Grade I. The surviving western piers of the crossing have demi-shafts and one water leaf capital of about 1175, according to DOE listing. <4> In 1897 with the assistance of the Society of Antiquaries, the whole plan of church and priory was exposed. In 1915 the foundations of the former were built up to the surface but are 'now' covered again. <5> Domesday Book mentions a church on this site, and which may have been found during the 1897 excavations. <6> <7> The Domesday book records the presence of a church at Hatfield Broad Oak in 1066 and notes that Swein of Essex had appropriated a hide and 30 acres belonging to it. The foundations of the original church were discovered during the nineteenth century excavations. <8> The Priory, founded in about 1135, was granted the tithes and land of the parish church. It appears that the earlier church was demolished and a new larger church erected on the site. This new church was of flint rubble, cruciform in plan with an aisleless nave. The former presbytery, central tower and the north wall of the current north aisle may also have formed part of the original plan, dating to about 1140-50. Many alterations were made between 1317-1330, including the extension of the presbytery. A dispute between the parishioners and the priory in 1378 led to the sub-division of the church into a parochial church at the western end and a priory church at the eastern end. This entailed the blocking of the west arch in the crossing, the demolition of the nave (except for the north wall) and the construction of a new parish nave, chancel and south aisle. North and south chapels were also added. In the fifteenth century the west tower and south porch were built and the top of the tower was added at the end of that century. The priory church which had formed part of the same structure as the parish church was demolished following the Reformation. Some rebuilding took place in the parish church, the north vestry is late seventeenth century in date and there is some seventeenth and eighteenth century brickwork apparent In the church walls. The early eighteenth century reredos is also noteworthy. <9> A fragment of carved clunch and 1 sherd of Mill Green ware, 1 sherd of Cologne-Frechen stoneware, 1 sherd Metropolitan flat ware, and lead glazed on interior and 7 sherds of glazed red earthen ware found during the rebuilding of the north-east quoin of the chancel by D Lodge, shown to D Priddy, May 1984. <10> 1999-2000. Watching brief. Between June 1999 and January 2000 work was done to replace the pew platforms with stone slabs and to install a toilet in the tower. <11> - <13> See also: <14> - <25>