Monument record 66/1/7 - Norton Priory - Priory Church

The Priory church, dedicated to St Mary, would have been the principal building in the precinct. Research excavations carried out at Norton between 1970 and 1987 identified at least six phases of construction.

The earliest phase of the church was Romanesque in style and considerably smaller than the remains visible today, measuring 61m in length. Excavations identified sufficient remains to allow for a reasonable reconstruction of a simple cruciform church comprising an aisle-less nave, the crossing (including the north and south transepts) and a square ended chapel. Four pillar bases in the crossing may have supported the tower. The walls were an average 1.4m at the base, narrowing above the chamfer to 1.3m. A break in the chamfer course along the south wall led to the suggestion of an early cloister walk or pentice in this area; however, there is no further archaeological evidence for this. The internal floors consisted of a white mortar with no evidence of a stone or tile floor above this. Traces of a pulpitum screen separating the nave from the choir. A papal bull of Clement III was recovered from the floor of the transept.

The second phase of construction saw the extension of the north transept through the addition of a small chapel on the east side in the mid to late 12th century. Towards the end of the 12th century (phase 3), the church was extended again by the addition of an extended chancel at the east end and an extension of some 2.75m to the western end of the nave. The buttresses along the nave were continued into the western extension. The chancel extension at the east end of the church comprised a room measuring 8.23m in length and separated by the former east end wall.

In the first half of the 13th century (phase 4) further expansion to the north and south transept was identified through the addition of a chapel complex to the north and a smaller chapel extension to the south. The north transept extension measuring 7.5m by 4m internally (labelled the north east north chapel) is thought to have been built on behalf of the Dutton family. A grave cut [951] was identified within the chapel and was probably contemporary with its construction. The south transept extension was extensively robbed of stonework in the post Dissolution period and only faints traces survive suggesting a small extension comprising two chambers, one measuring 4.75m by 2.2m and the other 4m by 2.2m. Two grave cuts were identified in the threshold between the main chapel and the new chambers and may have been contemporary with it. In 1236 a fire damaged substantial portions of the church and thick deposits of charcoal are recorded in the nave area. It was suggested that the addition of substantial chapels to the north and south represented an attempt to raise money for repairs.

In the mid to late 13th century (phase 5), the only addition to the church was the construction of the North East Lady Chapel as another extension to the north transept. The chapel possibly included a raised dais or altar. The sixth phase of church construction dates to the late 13th to 14th century and represents the addition of several high status components including a substantial reliquary at the eastern end of the church and a south-east chapel extending the south transept. The new chapel again comprised two chambers; however, survival remained poor in this area. The reliquary chapel was an extension to the east end of the chancel comprising a single chamber 12.75m by 7.25m internally. A single grave was encountered in the southwest corner.

This period also saw the addition of a series of good quality tiled floors produced on site. The first tiled floor [481] probably dates to the early half of the 14th century, based on the discovery of a coin of Edward I from the mortar backfill. The first floor was a mosaic pattern covering much of the main church space and appeared to remain in use throughout the 14th century. The tile from this floor were produced on site (CHER 66/1/16).

The 15th century (phase 7) saw the elevation of the priory to an abbey and the adoption of a secondary saint – St Christopher. The church was again extended, this time with the addition of a north aisle along the nave and the laying of a new, less ornate, tiled floor [474]. No tile kiln was encountered associated with this floor; however, it is likely they were again produced on site. (1)

Beamont, W, 1873, A history of the Castle of Halton and the Priory or Abbey of Norton (Book). SCH7586.

<1> Brown, F & Howard-Davis C., 2008, Norton Priory: Monastery to Museum Excavations 1970-1987 (Monograph). SCH7585.

<2> The Society for Medieval Archaeology, 1957-Present, Medieval Archaeology, Greene J.P.197418/188 (Journal/Periodical). SCH2131.

<3> Startin, J, 1975, Norton Priory : The animal bone (Report). SCH7580.

<4> Greene J P, 1972, Norton Priory : Excavation 1971 (Report). SCH2268.

<5> Capstick B, 1981-1987, Field Monument Warden Report, Capstick B 1986 (Unpublished Report). SCH1222.

<6> Greene J P, 1989, Norton Priory (Book). SCH2262.

<7> The Society for Medieval Archaeology, 1957-Present, Medieval Archaeology, Greene J P 1972 16/171-173 (Journal/Periodical). SCH2131.

<8> Greene J P, 1974, Norton Priory : Excavation 1973 (Report). SCH2270.

<9> Greene J P, 1973, Norton Priory : Excavation 1972 (Report). SCH2269.

<10> Thompson F.H, 1971, Norton Priory : Excavation 1970 (Report). SCH2267.