tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881811987987045711.post3617857723629264416..comments2024-03-23T18:12:43.833+00:00Comments on Once I Was A Clever Boy: Gilbertine PrioriesOnce I Was A Clever Boyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01367322665145704342noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881811987987045711.post-73903600973192710552021-08-18T12:35:34.092+01:002021-08-18T12:35:34.092+01:00Sir, I came across your wonderful website during r...Sir, I came across your wonderful website during research that I was doing on the post-dissolution history of monasteries in England and Wales. My father had a particular devotion to St Gilbert of Sempringham and we visited the site of the Gilbertine Mother House several times. His father's family had originated near Heckington a few miles north. The huge monastery at Sempringham must have been quite a site in the fenland. The stately home that was built from its ruins in the late 16th century rivalled Hampton Court according to William Camden. The plan of Watton Priory reproduced on your site is very interesting. The archaeologist William St John Hope conjectured that the eastern cloister was that used by the Canons but at other Gilbertine priories the Canons were based on the opposite side of the church to the nuns - hence to the south. At Watton this area is covered by a post-dissolution church and graveyard so hasn't been excavated. If the site of the Canon's cloister was to the south then that area to the east may have been the Infirmary. To the north is a large 15th century barn which for decades had slowly been deteriorating but has been beautifully restored. I am currently finishing my book and some articles I have placed on a fledgling website https://www.lukemortonsharpe.com. Best Regards Richard TaylorAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02937801175790117310noreply@blogger.com