Blyth House of Benedictine (Black) Monks. An alien priory dependent on Holy Trinity, Rouen, founded 1088 and dissolved c 1409. Refounded as an independent priory c 1409 and dissolved 1536. Net income at 1535 over 113 pounds. In 1379 the priory housed, besides the retired prior and monks, 2 chaplains, a vicar, 3 clerks, a steward, a serjeant-at-arms, 9 corrodians, and a number of servants. (1)
The only monastic building still existing is the church, which was built soon after the foundation in 1088. (2)
No trace of the claustral buildings was seen but evidence of the S cloister walk in the form of pentice corbels and recesses on the N side of the church. Further evidence said to have existed in the cellars of Blyth Hall no longer visible. The monks cemetery was at the E end of the church in the area SK 62458728. The Rev P Pennant, the incumbent, has been told that when a lily pond was made there some 50 years ago skeletons laid in lines were found apparently buried face downwards. (9)
Traces of what may be the undercroft were found in 1972, on demolition of Blyth Hall. (11) (12)
Planning permission given --/10/1975, site scheduled --/11/1975 - building already underway. Building on plot 14 (see sketch, SMR card) at Christmas 1975 encountered rubble, some of which at least was brick, in foundation digging. Trenches were backfilled with limestone chippings and raft foundation laid - involving no earthmoving. (13)
Plot 15 (462420 387340), back garden - partial remains of vaulted undercroft of N range of buildings around cloister. Now forms overhang and back wall to an ornamental pond. Shaped stones scattered in rubble of back garden of plot 14. (14)
See M 8756 for Blyth Hall, M 17239 for church.

Data Held (Document). SNT2647.

Sketch, SMR card

Data Held: Ground Photograph (Ground photograph). SNT2646.

2 colour print, negs B47/4, B48/4; 3 colour slide, CS 64-6, SM

<1> Knowles D and Hadcock N, 1953, Medieval Religious Houses, p 60 (Published document). SNT869.

<2> Peverel Archaeology Group, 1953, Ann Rept 5, pp 24-5 (Published document). SNT1123.

<3> Raine J, 1860, History of Parish of Blyth (Published document). SNT1173.

<4> Hodges CC, 1881, Archit Sketches of Blyth Church (Sketch plan). SNT780.

<5> Thoroton Society, 1901, TTS, pp 27-30 (Published document). SNT328.

<6> Thoroton Society, 1938, TTS, pp 85-91 (Published document). SNT355.

<7> Soc of Ants of London, 1926, Antiquaries Journal (Published document). SNT88.

<8> Clapham AW, 1950, Romanesque Architecture after the Conquest (Published document). SNT557.

<9> Wardale CF, 1959, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT1394.

<10> Seaman BH, 1974, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT1252.

<11> ER, 1973, AM7 (Published document). SNT671.

<12> Hart CR, 1984, AM107 (Unpublished document). SNT754.

<13> Render, 1976, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT1183.

Other Refs: Bassetlaw DC

<14> ?, 1976, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT406.

<15> Pevsner N, 1979, The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire 2nd ed., pp 77-9 (Monograph). SNT4.