Gatehouse

The National Monuments Service's description

On the W edge of the abbey complex (TS068-013----) and island which is occupied by the abbey. A bridge (TS068-013002-) provides access over the now largely dried-up river bed to the gatehouse of the abbey. The outer entrance gate consists of a round-headed arch (Wth 2.48m) with cut limstone voussoirs, the lower jambs of which do not survive. A portcullis slot (Wth 0.15m) has been covered and the upper floor of gatehouse does not survive. There is a large hanging eye on the inner N and S side, indicating a double door with draw-bar hole (Wth 0.19m; H 0.25m). The outer wall extends N from this gate on the N side. The S side has collapsed. The inner gate consists of a large round-headed arch (Wth 3.7m), chamfered externally. This was blocked up in the 15th century and a narrow pointed arch (Wth 2.38m), with chamfered limestone jambs, was inserted. The S jamb probably utilised the original jamb of the large arch. A bar broach stop terminates the N jamb. The gatehouse (int. dims. 7.62m N-S; 8.76m E-W) was originally entered through a round-headed arch at the E end of the W wall. This led into a rib vaulted antae with a second rib vaulted area immediately E of this. The N side of the gatehouse is occupied by an unvaulted room. Rib vaulting on the W wall - the S springer rests on a capital decorated with nailheads and a floral motif at the base of the capital. The N side of the springer rests on a worn carved head. There is a wall cupboard at the N end of the W wall and another at the W end of the N wall at ground level. There is a window (Wth 0.48m) at the N end of the E wall, the jambs and sill are intact, it has glazing-bar holes and a draw-bar hole in the N jamb. The N gable wall survives to full height with a lot of repair work in the centre. An offset appears to have supported a first floor. It has is a large centrally placed window within a segmental-headed embrasure. In the 15th century the entrance in the W wall was blocked up and a smaller doorway was inserted. Under the middle, central ribbed vault a pier was inserted which supported two arches, one to S formed an inner gate, that to N still survives as a round-headed doorway giving access to a narrow chamber with partition walls inserted. The N arch of the E arched area was also blocked up with a doorway inserted at the E end. The S wall of this gatehouse may also have been altered in the 15th century. The outer face of this wall is completely obscured by rubble. At the external face of the N wall there is a gorgoyle in the form of an ugly human head. Some of the original coping stones of the gable survive at the apex and at the E end. There appears to have been a wall-walk along the W wall. This building has well cut quoins on the NW and NE angles, above the bawn wall which is keyed into this angle. A wall projects E from the E wall of the gatehouse and abutts the E wall. A long rectangular building (dims. 23.5m N-S; 8.7m E-W) joins the S wall of the gatehouse running on a N-S axis.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 21 May 2014