Time Team - Sewardsley Prioy, Showsley Grounds, Towcester, Northamptonshire - Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results

Wessex Archaeology

The evaluation revealed that the priory had a similar layout to many religious houses in Britain, based upon a 9th century hypothetical blue-print of the ideal monastery known as the St. Gall Plan. The layout comprised a central cloister with a chapel or church to the north, and ranges of buildings surrounding the remaining three sides.

A number of phases of construction were identified, the earliest dating to the 12th century, with later buildings constructed at times of relative prosperity. Burials accompanied the earliest phase of construction, and further burials dating to the 13th century were also excavated. A possible two-storey building was located to the southwest of the cloister, perhaps the remains of the Prioress’s lodgings, although its precise nature and function is uncertain.