They lay hidden from view for hundreds of years, guarding silently the secrets of a tumultuous history.
But when archaeologists working on a £900,000 conservation project at Binham Priory, in north Norfolk, uncovered two medieval windows dating back to the 13th century, they knew the discovery would provide a rare glimpse into the site's past.
Historians are now working to find out whether or not the two windows at the site's gatehouse were part of a room possibly inhabited by a monk who would have kept a watchful eye on all people, animals and carts entering or leaving the monastery.
The two dressed stone windows had been blocked out when previous owners built a reinforced concrete pen to house a bull on the existing mediaeval building, bricking in the ancient walls. With conservation work currently underway, archaeologists decided to demolish the shed and strip the wall bare to reveal the mediaeval structure that had been hiding underneath for centuries.
“The discovery comes as a surprise,” said Peter Wade-Martins, director of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust. “We were astonished to find these two windows which will now help us to get a better idea of what the gatehouse and indeed what the entire site would have looked like in medieval times.”
The site, which witnessed moments of upheaval from the earliest days of the Norman Conquest through to the dissolution of monasteries at the Reformation, continues to surprise not just historians but also botanists who have recently stumbled across one of Norfolk's rarest plants.
“The wall bedstraw is a very frail flower which grows in chalky soil only,” said Pauline Scott, of the Binham Priory Trust.“
We have recently been told by botanists that 70pc of north Norfolk's wall bedstraw grows here at Binham Priory. As the conservation work includes the restoration of the old precinct wall we are taking great care not to disturb this frail plant and to protect it as much as we can.”
The conservation work is being undertaken as part of an £886,000 project aimed at making the historic priory more accessible to the public, of which £648,500 has been financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The discoveries follow a remarkable fund-raising campaign led by a project team of four and supporters in a village of only 250 residents, which has led to the project securing all of the remaining funds with just a £53,000 shortfall to be found over the coming year.
Planned improvements to the site are: paths to enable disabled access; a new porch in the north aisle to act as a secondary entrance to the church, which is still fully operational for services; the addition of visitor toilets; display space for archaeological finds from the site and a refreshment point. The project, which is due to be completed by September next year, will also see additional information panels. The site is enjoyed by more than 12,000 visitors a year.
Anyone willing to help can contact David Frost from Binham Priory Trust on 01328 830362 or email davidfrost226@btinternet.com
From: Fakenham & Wells Times
But when archaeologists working on a £900,000 conservation project at Binham Priory, in north Norfolk, uncovered two medieval windows dating back to the 13th century, they knew the discovery would provide a rare glimpse into the site's past.
Historians are now working to find out whether or not the two windows at the site's gatehouse were part of a room possibly inhabited by a monk who would have kept a watchful eye on all people, animals and carts entering or leaving the monastery.
The two dressed stone windows had been blocked out when previous owners built a reinforced concrete pen to house a bull on the existing mediaeval building, bricking in the ancient walls. With conservation work currently underway, archaeologists decided to demolish the shed and strip the wall bare to reveal the mediaeval structure that had been hiding underneath for centuries.
“The discovery comes as a surprise,” said Peter Wade-Martins, director of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust. “We were astonished to find these two windows which will now help us to get a better idea of what the gatehouse and indeed what the entire site would have looked like in medieval times.”
The site, which witnessed moments of upheaval from the earliest days of the Norman Conquest through to the dissolution of monasteries at the Reformation, continues to surprise not just historians but also botanists who have recently stumbled across one of Norfolk's rarest plants.
“The wall bedstraw is a very frail flower which grows in chalky soil only,” said Pauline Scott, of the Binham Priory Trust.“
We have recently been told by botanists that 70pc of north Norfolk's wall bedstraw grows here at Binham Priory. As the conservation work includes the restoration of the old precinct wall we are taking great care not to disturb this frail plant and to protect it as much as we can.”
The conservation work is being undertaken as part of an £886,000 project aimed at making the historic priory more accessible to the public, of which £648,500 has been financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The discoveries follow a remarkable fund-raising campaign led by a project team of four and supporters in a village of only 250 residents, which has led to the project securing all of the remaining funds with just a £53,000 shortfall to be found over the coming year.
Planned improvements to the site are: paths to enable disabled access; a new porch in the north aisle to act as a secondary entrance to the church, which is still fully operational for services; the addition of visitor toilets; display space for archaeological finds from the site and a refreshment point. The project, which is due to be completed by September next year, will also see additional information panels. The site is enjoyed by more than 12,000 visitors a year.
Anyone willing to help can contact David Frost from Binham Priory Trust on 01328 830362 or email davidfrost226@btinternet.com
From: Fakenham & Wells Times
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