 Gisborough Priory
Standing in full glory, and to its original height, the magnificent east end
gable of Gisborough Priory church is predominantly all that survives
of this early 12th century Augustinian monastery. Founded
by an influential local baron, Robert de Brus, Gisborough Priory was generously
endowed. Robert's brother, William became the first Prior, and many
family descendants were later buried in the church including the grandfather
of King Robert Bruce.
Despite there being nothing left above foundation level of the first stone church, the evidence suggests
that it was a building of great proportions. When the second church was
started at the end of the 12th century, the plans were to build
an even more grand version, and again, this was clearly the case as seen
from architectural evidence uncovered during excavation of the site. Severely
damaged by fire in 1289, this church was replaced by a third rebuilding
that spanned almost a century, and the present east end is a wonderful
example of northern Gothic architecture from this period.
Originally over 350ft (106m) in length, the presbytery alone comprised nine bays, and each arcade was
supported by a clustered column on a moulded base, and topped with a foliated
capital. Only scant remains of this skilful work is visible today, but
leaving us in no doubt as to the scale and grandeur of the 14th
century Gisborough Priory, is the remarkable survival of the east end
gable of the church. A massive central window with slender shafts culminating
in turrets sits beneath a gable containing an ornately traceried window.
Flanking the main window are two symmetrical, gabled and turreted buttresses
each with a low-level, broad lancet window. The extent and richness of
the carving on the dark ashlar stonework of this gable end is so beautiful
that, if for no other reason, a visit to this charming site should be considered.
Once the fourth richest house in Yorkshire, Gisborough Priory (now falling within the boundaries of
Teeside) managed to survive the Dissolution until Christmas Eve 1539,
when the Prior and 23 canons surrendered their monastery to the Crown.
After the Suppression, the site was eventually sold to the Chaloner family,
who converted the west range of the claustral buildings as living accommodation.
By the beginning of the 18th century all the domestic buildings,
and the nave of the church, had been cleared away and replaced by formal
gardens. The east wall of the church was presumably retained as a 'romantic'
feature of the landscaped site. During the 1860s it was Admiral Chaloner
who began to excavate Gisborough Priory in an attempt to uncover the tombs
of the Gisborough patrons, and his extensive operations led to the recovery
of large quantities of architectural detail.
Initially, it appears that there is not too much to see here but, once through the ruinous 12th
century gatehouse, the site holds a fascination for seeking out every
visible fragment and learning something of the obscure history of Gisborough Priory. |
