DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6912#0016
8 ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
exhibit traces, in some instances indeed, inconspicuous, but in all incontestable of
Norman origin. A part of a window, an arch bricked up or almost overgrown with
ivy, the capital or base of a shattered pilaster, or a fragment of moulding, proves
the wall, in which it is inserted, to have been erected by one of the Earls Warren,
the founders and patrons of the house in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Though
much is thus left us to admire, yet great dilapidations have been made by the in-
juries of time and storms, and the mischiefs, perhaps greater still, of wanton or
mercenary defalcations. Indeed, almost every house and cottage in the contiguous
village, bears marks of the plunder of the priory, or of the neighbouring castle.*
This mischief, however, has been of late years stopped, by orders from the present
worthy proprietor of both, Mr. Coke, M. P. for Norfolk ; a most laudable and well-
timed interposition, for which architectural antiquaries owe him their warmest thanks.
Persuaded that an attempt to make these interesting remains better known, will
be favourably received by all who delight in this sort of archaeological research, I
have put together my notes and sketches, which have been taken on repeated exami-
nations of them. Of the ground-plot I consider myself perfectly sure. My con-
jectures are grounded on the best knowledge I have been able to obtain, of the
system of monastic life. I propose them with diffidence, and shall be glad if better
antiquaries can suggest greater probabilities. If my account should appear rather
prolix in detail, I hope to be excused, for I will endeavour to be as concise, as is-
consistent with fidelity and precision.
Of the History of the Priory I shall briefly observe, that it was founded about
A.D. 1085 for monks of the Clugniac order, by the first Earl Warren and Surry,
to whom the Conqueror gave no less than 140 manors in Norfolk, of which this was
the principal, and was selected as his favourite residence ; his son and grandson, the
second and third Earls, confirmed and enlarged his donations. The Plantagenets,
Earls Warren and Surry, who inherited the honours and estates from the heiress of
the third Earl, and, after them, the Fitz-Alans, Earls of Arundel and Surry, who
derived from another heiress in the reign of Edward III. continued to patronize and
foster it, till the whole was surrendered, among the lesser monasteries, in 1533,
though its revenues, according to Dugdale, amounted to 306/. 11*. so that some
pains must have been taken, as Fuller says, to " stint the rents beneath the standard
• East of the Priory buildings, are the lofty embankments, keep-mount, and fragments of walls, of what was
once a 6pacious and formidable fortress.
exhibit traces, in some instances indeed, inconspicuous, but in all incontestable of
Norman origin. A part of a window, an arch bricked up or almost overgrown with
ivy, the capital or base of a shattered pilaster, or a fragment of moulding, proves
the wall, in which it is inserted, to have been erected by one of the Earls Warren,
the founders and patrons of the house in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Though
much is thus left us to admire, yet great dilapidations have been made by the in-
juries of time and storms, and the mischiefs, perhaps greater still, of wanton or
mercenary defalcations. Indeed, almost every house and cottage in the contiguous
village, bears marks of the plunder of the priory, or of the neighbouring castle.*
This mischief, however, has been of late years stopped, by orders from the present
worthy proprietor of both, Mr. Coke, M. P. for Norfolk ; a most laudable and well-
timed interposition, for which architectural antiquaries owe him their warmest thanks.
Persuaded that an attempt to make these interesting remains better known, will
be favourably received by all who delight in this sort of archaeological research, I
have put together my notes and sketches, which have been taken on repeated exami-
nations of them. Of the ground-plot I consider myself perfectly sure. My con-
jectures are grounded on the best knowledge I have been able to obtain, of the
system of monastic life. I propose them with diffidence, and shall be glad if better
antiquaries can suggest greater probabilities. If my account should appear rather
prolix in detail, I hope to be excused, for I will endeavour to be as concise, as is-
consistent with fidelity and precision.
Of the History of the Priory I shall briefly observe, that it was founded about
A.D. 1085 for monks of the Clugniac order, by the first Earl Warren and Surry,
to whom the Conqueror gave no less than 140 manors in Norfolk, of which this was
the principal, and was selected as his favourite residence ; his son and grandson, the
second and third Earls, confirmed and enlarged his donations. The Plantagenets,
Earls Warren and Surry, who inherited the honours and estates from the heiress of
the third Earl, and, after them, the Fitz-Alans, Earls of Arundel and Surry, who
derived from another heiress in the reign of Edward III. continued to patronize and
foster it, till the whole was surrendered, among the lesser monasteries, in 1533,
though its revenues, according to Dugdale, amounted to 306/. 11*. so that some
pains must have been taken, as Fuller says, to " stint the rents beneath the standard
• East of the Priory buildings, are the lofty embankments, keep-mount, and fragments of walls, of what was
once a 6pacious and formidable fortress.