Monument record TQ 65 NE 40 - Remains of a Norman Abbey Church, West Malling
Summary
Location
Grid reference | TQ 6826 5769 (point) FCE |
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Map sheet | TQ65NE |
County | KENT |
District | TONBRIDGE AND MALLING, KENT |
Civil Parish | WEST MALLING, TONBRIDGE AND MALLING, KENT |
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
[TQ 68265770] Tower [NR] (1,2) The remains of the Abbey church comprise the western tower, south transept, the south wall of the nave and part of the north wall. In previous years the lines of the north wall of the nave and north transept were traceable in dry summers. The distinctive western tower rises from a square base becoming octangonal after the third stage with two flanking turrets. It appears to be of later date than the mid-12th c. tower at Rochester and differences in masonry indicate that it is later than the 11th c. nave. The nave remains as a ruined south wall and part of the north wall. At the eastern end of the south wall is an 11th c. processional door leading to the cloister. The south transept is a Norman building radically altered in the 13th c. with a modern upper part and roof and other recent insertions. (3) The church was partly excavated in 1932. The east end of the church was examined and the positions of the north wall and transept confirmed. The end of the church was obliterated by modern water, -gas, -sewer, -pipes, etc., forming "an amazing complex" down to the natural rock. Traces of a square-ended chapel were found however, and this together with the known position of the east arch of the crossing, suggests a quire of two bays, the easternmost being apsidal. The square-ended chapel is probably later 12th c. Both apse and chapel were destroyed by an early 13th c. extension of the quire. There is slight evidence that there may have been a north quire aisle but the nave was never aisled. The tower was part of the original 11th c. scheme but was not completed till the end of the 12th c. [Detailed and lengthy discussion of tower, referring to Auth. 3]. (4) TQ 68295770. The west turrets have been restored recently. The west wall is much patched up. The site of a large window can be traced from within. A small 14th c. window has been inserted. The building has long been used as a storehouse. The present east wall across the site of the nave is probably 19th c., using original material and 14thc. windows. It has a lean-to tiled roof against the tower. The nave south wall stands to approximately 3.5m height. There is a carriage gateway (blocked up) near the west end - (Prob. 19th c.). The south transept is much patched up and restored. It has a modern roof and parapet. All original openings are blocked except on the west side, where three 13th c. windows replace a blocked round-headed Norman window. There are not traces of the rest of the nave, of the east endor north transept. The area is covered by lawns or woods. No sign remains of the the 1932 excavations. GO AO/59/58/5 Tower from north west: 58/6/ South Transept from north- west: 58/7 Tower from north east. (5)
<1> OS 25" (OS Card Reference). SKE48250.
<2> OS 6" 1936 (OS Card Reference). SKE48337.
<3> Arch J 88 1932 181 (F H Fairweather) (OS Card Reference). SKE36757.
<4> Ant J 34 1954 57 plan photos (F C Elliston-Erwood) (OS Card Reference). SKE33171.
<5> F1 ASP 12-JUN-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42072.
<6> The Buildings of England West Kent and the Weald 1980 602 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE50244.
<7> DOE (IAM) Record Form Kent 3 11 1986 (OS Card Reference). SKE40756.
<8> Md Arch 6-7 1962-3 316 (OS Card Reference). SKE46643.
<9> Field report for monument TQ 65 NE 40 - June, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3323.
Sources/Archives (9)
- <1> SKE48250 OS Card Reference: OS 25".
- <2> SKE48337 OS Card Reference: OS 6" 1936.
- <3> SKE36757 OS Card Reference: Arch J 88 1932 181 (F H Fairweather).
- <4>XY SKE33171 OS Card Reference: Ant J 34 1954 57 plan photos (F C Elliston-Erwood). [Mapped feature: #12316 ruined building, ]
- <5> SKE42072 OS Card Reference: F1 ASP 12-JUN-59.
- <6> SKE50244 OS Card Reference: The Buildings of England West Kent and the Weald 1980 602 (J Newman).
- <7> SKE40756 OS Card Reference: DOE (IAM) Record Form Kent 3 11 1986.
- <8> SKE46643 OS Card Reference: Md Arch 6-7 1962-3 316.
- <9> SKE3323 Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 65 NE 40 - June, 1959.
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (1)
- Intrusive Event: ST MARY'S ABBEY (Ref: EI 14906) (EKE4702)
Related Thematic Articles (1)
Record last edited
Jun 3 2021 4:07PM