Archaeological Investigations at Coverham Abbey, North Yorkshire 1995–2015

Abstract

Coverham Abbey near Middleham, North Yorkshire is the site of a former Premonstratensian monastery. As well as a fine late medieval gatehouse, there are some standing remains of the abbey church including parts of the eastern elevation of the chancel, the north transept, the western elevation of the nave, the south transept, and three standing pillars of the arcade of the nave’s south aisle. Later dwellings on the site incorporate substantial masonry from the abbey’s west claustral range. A number of small scale, developer-funded archaeological investigations have been undertaken since 1995 that shed light on the layout and design of the medieval monastery. In particular, the various investigations have revealed the layout of the hitherto unknown east and south claustral ranges, as well as further aspects of the west range. The buried remains of an elaborately carved lavatorium arcade were also found, which is a highly significant example of monastic decorative architecture.

Keywords:

• Coverham Abbey
• Yorkshire
• monastery
• Premonstratensian
• medieval
• monastic
• architecture
• archaeology
• cloister
• lavatorium

Acknowledgements

The archaeological works and this article were funded by Mr and Mrs Corner of Coverham Abbey House. Neil Redfern of Historic England advised on the work and reviewed a draft of this article. The summary of On-Site Archaeology’s investigations is based on interim reports prepared by Tim Robinson and Dave Pinnock and the fieldwork was carried out by Graham Bruce, Berny McClusky, Jim O’Brien, Dave Pinnock, Tim Robinson, and James Stanley of On-Site Archaeology. Other fieldwork was carried out by Alan Williams Archaeology, Kevin Cale Archaeological Consultant, Peter Ryder, and Timescape Surveys. Figures are by Dave Pinnock.