A rectangular chapel to the E of the central chapel of St Augustine's Church apse was excavated in 1901-1902 by Canon Routledge. The body of Abbot John Dygon was buried within. The chapel seems to have been enlarged at around the end of the 15th century. (1) Additional references. (2-3) (TR 15525774) Lady Chapel, St Austine's Abbey, probably built in 15th century as a rectangular building of 4 bays, with a crypt below. In the early 16th century it was enlarged by the addition of 2 aisles or ranges of chapels to the N and S, forming 5 bays. (4) Lady Chapel, built late 15th century, lasted for less than 50 years. (5) Additional reference. (6) Excavated in 1901-2, 1960, 1974-5. (7) Additional reference. (8) The Lady Chapel presents a confused set of foundations and crypt wallswhich in fact relate to two buildings. (See Illustration Card for plan). The earlier foundations of flint and stone; suggest a chapel of five bays and buttresses. Its date is unknown but it is likely to be after 1414 and perhaps c1450. This chapel was rebuilt, presumably in the time of Abbot John Dygon, 1497-1509. The new Chapel of large ashlar blocks was narrower. The builder of this Lady Chapel was almost certainly Robert Vertue. (9)

<1> Arch Cant 25 1902 242-3 plan (C Routledge) (OS Card Reference). SKE34882.

<2> Arch Cant 35 1921 120 121 (RU Potts) (OS Card Reference). SKE35033.

<3> Md Arch 22 1978 plan facing p30 (A Saunders) (OS Card Reference). SKE46625.

<4> St Augustine's Abbey DOE Handbook 1955 20 (A Clapham) (OS Card Reference). SKE49556.

<5> St Augustine's Abbey and the Royal Palace CAT leaflet Dec 1984 plan (T Tatton Brown M Sparks) (OS Card Reference). SKE49543.

<6> Arch Cant 100 1984 184 (T Tatton Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE34532.

<7> Arch Cant 1984 336 344 (M Sparks) (OS Card Reference). SKE34802.

<8> St Augustine's Abbey Rpt of Excavs 1960-78 (OS Card Reference). SKE49584.

<9> St Augustine's Abbey Eng Heritage Handbook 1988 23 31 plan (M Sparks) (OS Card Reference). SKE49571.