Peterborough Abbey Precinct and Burh
Has been described as a Possible Fortified Ecclesiastical site, and also as a Possible Urban Defence
There are major building remains
Name | Peterborough Abbey Precinct and Burh |
Alternative Names | |
Historic Country | Northamptonshire and the Soke of Peterborough |
Modern Authority | Peterborough; City of |
1974 Authority | Cambridgeshire |
Civil Parish | Peterborough |
Line of C10 stone burh defence possible found on geophysical survey. Bond puts the defences in his 'of no post-Conquest significance' list. The 'burh' is also considered as a large 'fortified' precinct of the wealth abbey and the urban development of Peterborough took place outside these defences to the north east and west of the Abbey.
Great Gate (Outer Gate, Marsh Foregate) Erected by Abbot Benedict circa 1174-94, altered 1302-7. Chamber above originally a Chapel to St Niicholas. Norman work in the archway with roll moulding to arch and columns with scalloped capitals, blank wall arcading above the doorways to North and South and the rib vaulting. Upper part of doorway is C14 with blank arcade of 5 lights containing 2 windows with cusped heads. Crenellated parapet and 2 flanking turrets. (Listed Building Report)
Bishop's Gate. Mainly built circa 1220 by Robert of Lindsay. Square turrets project at quoins, having crenellated parapets. 3 storey height. Each of the 2 turrets has a trefoil headed niche containing a statue of an abbot and prior, one of which may represent Godfrey of Crowland. Centre is gabled, containing a statue of King Edward, seated, above windows of 4 and 8 lights, strings between storeys. Centre archway has 4 orders of colonnettes with moulded capitals. Inside tyre archway, the main chamber has blank arcading and quadripartite vaulting. The room above the entrance, known as the Knights' Chamber, was formerly decorated with pictures of the knights who met there. The windows have been altered in Jacobean style. (Listed Building Report)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
This is a Grade 1 listed building protected by law
Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid Reference | TL193984 |
Latitude | 52.5726013183594 |
Longitude | -0.241879999637604 |
Eastings | 519370 |
Northings | 298400 |