Site of 13th century Leez Priory (EHER 5956)

A priory founded here for Augustinian canons, probably at the start of the 13th century. In 1534 at its dissolution there was a prior and ten canons. It was given to Lord Rich who pulled most of it down building a mansion in its place. Other parts of the priory and the mansion were demolished in 1753. Surviving remains of the priory consist of the Inner (restored in 1909) and Outer Gatehouses, and the south (restored in 1913) and west ranges of the outer quadrangle. Grade I. Other remains on the ground are piles of brick and stone of both priory and mansion. Excavations have revealed their foundations.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. A priory was founded at this site for Augustinian canons, probably at the start of the 13th century. After the Dissolution in 1536 the priory was demolished and a double quadrangular house built for Lord Rich. The priory foundations have been excavated and, apart from the lady chapel, left exposed. The church was of cruciform plan with the cloister on the northern side. It was begun, from the east, early in the 13th century. It consisted of a presbytery, north and south transepts (each with two chapels), a central tower, nave with north and south aisles. The north transeptal chapels were removed in around 1300 and were replaced by a large lady chapel. No evidence was found for the date of the cloister buildings although the chapter house had apparently been lengthened. The priory walls are of flint rubble with limestone dressings. Some details survived, including the bases of the crossing piers and two projections, possibly bases for monuments. Fittings found in the excavations included two shields from brasses (late 13th century and around 1460) and decorated tiles. They are preserved in the house <1> - <7> Excavations have been carried out by successive owners of Leez Priory <2> The "only medieval features of some eloquence are bases of the piers of the crossing tower, trefoiled in section and filleted". Purbeck shafts and early 13th century capitals have been excavated. They date the eastern parts of the church. The lady chapel was added in around 1300 or a little after. <3> Building material was reused by Lord Rich for his house (see EHER 5957 for house) <6> Priory of St. Mary and St. John at Little Leigh was founded by Ralph Gernon, in the late 12th century, for Augustinian Canons. In 1534 at its dissolution there was a prior and ten canons. It was given to Lord Rich who pulled most of it down building a mansion in its place. Other parts of the priory and the mansion were demolished in 1753. Surviving remains of the priory consist of the Inner (restored in 1909) and Outer Gatehouses, and the south (restored in 1913) and west ranges of the outer quadrangle. Grade I. Other remains on the ground are piles of brick and stone of both priory and mansion. <8> Aerial Photographs s in the record. <9> <10> Colour APs have been taken of the site. <11> Additional reference <12> Cropmarks in parched grass outside the scheduled area. 2 dams from the monastic fish ponds at TL 70070863 and TL 70301857 <13> The priory was "one of the few houses with lower assessment in 1535 than 1291" <14> The record of the valuation of the Priory at the Dissolution is one of the most complete known according to <16>. <15> <16> See EHER 937 for series of fish ponds upstream of the priory. Area = 5.5 Site Assessment Some of foundations appear overgrown from recent Aerial Photographs <10> <11> Aerial photographs <12> - <32> Site visit, 1975 All that remains of Leez Priory (name confirmed) is the stone and flint rubble footings of the N, S and E ranges around the cloisters at TL 70131856. The footings were exposed by a former owner, and the building debris was piled upon them. The foundations or walls of the priory were utilised in the construction of the 16th century mansion by Lord Rich as evidenced by large quantities of Tudor brick; parts of the priory church are subdivided by Tudor-brick walls, and a culvert crosses the nave of the church. The 16th century manor comprised an inner court, based on the priory cloisters, and an outer court to the west, each totally surrounded by buildings. All that survives is the outstanding Tower Gatehouse between the courts (and overlaying the W claustral range), the west range of the outer court, formerly the stables and now the modern Leez Priory, and part of the S range to the outer court, including the S gatehouse. Priory Farm to the S. and most of the garden walls are contemporary with the 16th century rebuilding. The pond at TL 70021856 (annotated Fishpond on 0 25") is ornamental; probably 16th century. Published survey (25") revised. <33> In 1980 the exposed foundations of the church and buildings were very crumbly and weed covered. In 1983 the building foundations were still crumbly and in places merely heaps of rubble. There was also a lot of weed. The foundations are a landscape feature with ornamental trees and plants. In 1987 it was reported that "the excavated remains are in an appalling condition, covered in bramble and scrub, with flint, brick and stone littering the area. Horse droppings are evident throughout, the foundations obviously suffering from being trodden on by hooves. There is considerably more disturbance, especially around the Conduit". <31> Additional references <34> - <36>