 Boxgrove Priory
Building of the Benedictine priory began early in the 12th century after land
at Boxgrove had been donated to the Abbey at Lessay by Lord of Halnaker
(Robert de la Haye). Descendants of this Anglo-Norman family remained
patrons of Boxgrove Priory until a few years after the Dissolution,
when the 9th Lord de la Warr exchanged it for a Hampshire estate.
Despite undergoing many alterations, the remaining part of Boxgrove Priory church,
still in use today as the parish church, retains its French influences.
When Henry VIII ordered Boxgrove Priory to be dissolved, most of the domestic
buildings were demolished, along with the complete nave of the old church,
leaving only the crossing section to the east end intact. Part of the
north wall displaying some of the lovely arcading has survived, together
with a single pillar and arch of the original south aisle. Of the claustral
buildings, nothing exists apart from three arches denoting the position
of the Norman Chapter House. The ruinous walls of a three-storey guest
house stand to a reasonable height, north of the church, but all traces
of other conventual buildings have long since vanished.
Looking inside, the present nave (formerly the monastic quire) is a splendid combination of the
bold Norman pillars gradually blending into the more refined style of
Early English architecture. Caen stone and Purbeck marble make an almost
seamless union, enhanced by moulded arches and culminating in a vaulted
stone ceiling that was painted in the 16th century. Each of the transepts
contain unusual galleries formed by heavy oak timbers, not only making
them dark but also quite inaccessible. As a lasting memorial to their
generous patronage, an elaborate Chantry Chapel was built for the 4th
Lord de la Warr and his wife, but this was never used for their burials
as intended.
When Boxgrove Priory was first founded just three monks made up the community,
later increasing to double figures but never more than 19. In 1536 numbers
had again been reduced to 10, and there is no evidence to suggest that
the foundation was ever particularly affluent. The treasures that now
form part of today's church are all post-Dissolution, but sit so comfortably
in the humble surroundings of the monastic building. Boxgrove itself is
still little more than a quiet village on the outskirts of the city of
Chichester, and an air of tranquility continues to preside over the church
and the community. |
