Monument record TR 15 NE 266 - Abbot Wulfric's rotunda, built circa 1049-59

Summary

A late 11th century building linking SS Peter and Paul Church with St Mary's Chapel. Construction began about 1050 under Abbot Wulfric II. The east and west ends respectively of these churches were demolished and an octagonal tower of two or more storeys built. When Abbot Wulfric died in 1059 the work was left unfinished. Abbot Scolland filled in the crypt and demolished those parts of the tower that had been completed in order to build his Norman choir over it. The area was excavated circa 1915 and the crypt of the tower exposed. The excavations showed that the tower was a centrally planned structure octagonal externally and circular internally. It had a central rotunda 7.5 metres in diameter defined by a ring of wedge shaped piers and outside this was a concentric ambulatory.

Location

Grid reference TR 1547 5775 (point) FCE
Map sheet TR15NE
County KENT
District CANTERBURY, KENT
Civil Parish CANTERBURY, CANTERBURY, KENT

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Full Description

(TR 15485775). Foundations of Abbot Wulfric's rotunda, Canterbury. (1) (TR 15485775). The remains of an octangonal building by Abbot Wulfric were uncovered during excavations c1915 by Rev RU Potts for St Augustine's College (see illustration card for plan). Wulfric, who became Abbot in 1047, coupled the church of St Peter and Paul (TR15NE269) with the Chapel of St Mary (TR 15 NE 267) joining them by this structure. When he died in 1059 the work was incomplete and it remained so until its demolition soon after 1070. (2-3) Additional references. (4-6) The rotunda is without parallel in this country and it was probably a copy of one built at Dijon in 1018 by Abbot William of Volpiano. (7) The circular carpet of Wulfric's rotunda is now exposed. This was the crypt of an octagon built c1050. It was to be of 2 storeys - the remaining crypt and an upper storey with a roof supported by a ring of columns. Parts of the outer walls remain and the S spiral staircase has been excavated. No exactly similar building has been found in England. It is thought that Wulfric was inspired by a journey to Reims in 1049, but the source of his inspiration remains a matter for discussion. (8) Historic England archive material (9)


<1> Anglo-Saxon Towers 1969 39 155 (EA Fisher) (OS Card Reference). SKE33095.

<2> Archaeologia, 66 1915, 377-392 plan (W St John Hope) (OS Card Reference). SKE37330.

<3> Archaeologia 77 1927 202-203 212-216 plan (CR Peers, AW Clapham) (OS Card Reference). SKE37320.

<4> Arch Cant 35 1921 118-119 122 (RU Potts) (OS Card Reference). SKE35030.

<5> Md Arch 22 1978 26-27 plan facing p30 (A Saunders) (OS Card Reference). SKE46622.

<6> Arch Cant 31 1915 294-296 photo (RU Potts) (OS Card Reference). SKE35006.

<7> St Augustine's Abbey, DOE Handbook 1955 9-13 photo (A Clapham) (OS Card Reference). SKE49590.

<8> St Augustine's Abbey Eng Heritage Handbook 1988 20-21 photo (M Sparks) (OS Card Reference). SKE49569.

<9> Historic England, Archive material associated with Abbot Wulfric's Rotunda at St Augustine's Abbey (Archive). SKE54636.

Sources/Archives (9)

  • <1>XY OS Card Reference: Anglo-Saxon Towers 1969 39 155 (EA Fisher). [Mapped feature: #43544 Rotunda, ]
  • <2> OS Card Reference: Archaeologia, 66 1915, 377-392 plan (W St John Hope).
  • <3> OS Card Reference: Archaeologia 77 1927 202-203 212-216 plan (CR Peers, AW Clapham).
  • <4> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 35 1921 118-119 122 (RU Potts).
  • <5> OS Card Reference: Md Arch 22 1978 26-27 plan facing p30 (A Saunders).
  • <6> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 31 1915 294-296 photo (RU Potts).
  • <7> OS Card Reference: St Augustine's Abbey, DOE Handbook 1955 9-13 photo (A Clapham).
  • <8> OS Card Reference: St Augustine's Abbey Eng Heritage Handbook 1988 20-21 photo (M Sparks).
  • <9> Archive: Historic England. Archive material associated with Abbot Wulfric's Rotunda at St Augustine's Abbey.

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Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Intrusive Event: ST AUGUSTINE'S ABBEY (Ref: EI 15559) (EKE4361)

Record last edited

Jan 12 2022 2:07PM