Doug Shepherd's photos with the keyword: Kirkham Priory

The decorated exterior wall of the gatehouse viewed from the north The great gatehouse formed the main entrance into the priory and was built in about 1320 to 1340 and rebuilt in the 13th century. It has a wide carriage arch, surmounted by a very decorative pointed gable around which is ranged a series of figures and shields bearing the arms of the noble patrons with which the priory was associated. Originally, the figures and the shields would have been painted.

The gatehouse viewed from the south.

The gatehouse arch viewed from the south

This view of the dormitory showing a doorway and lamp niche on the upper part of the wall. Normally the canons' dormitory would have bee at first-floor level, with a staircase in the south transept for access to the church for night services. At Kirkham it was set at the level of the cloister, because of the fall of the ground to the south.

The ruins of Kirkham Priory are situated on the banks of the River Derwent, at Kirkham, North Yorkshire, England. The Augustinian priory was founded in the 1120s by Walter l'Espec, lord of nearby Helmsley, who also built Rievaulx Abbey. The priory was surrendered in 8 December 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Legend has it that Kirkham was founded in remembrance of l'Espec's only son who had died nearby as a consequence of his horse being startled by a boar. Dormitory This view of the dormitory showing a doorway and lamp niche on the upper part of the wall. Normally the canons' dormitory would have bee at first-floor level, with a staircase in the south transept for access to the church for night services. At Kirkham it was set at the level of the cloister, because of the fall of the ground to the south. Cloister The cloister is a rectangular court which formerly had a covered alley on each side, though all trace of these has now vanished.The alley roofs would probably have been supported on open arches, and may have been embellished with animal and figure sculptures as they were in other Augustinian priories.The central court or garth might have been laid out as a formal garden which may have had water running through open drain channels around the sides. When not attending services in the church, the canons spent most of their days in this court. they would have been provided with a series of carrels or desks at which thy might study or write. The western end of the priory church and the vaulted entrance to the cloister with the remains of the chapel above. Gatehouse The great gatehouse formed the main entrance into the priory and was built in about 1320 to 1340 and rebuilt in the 13th century. It has a wide carriage arch, surmounted by a very decorative pointed gable around which is ranged a series of figures and shields bearing the arms of the noble patrons with which the priory was associated. Originally, the figures and the shields would have been painted. The gatehouse viewed from the south. The gatehouse arch viewed from the south. The decorated exterior wall of the gatehouse viewed from the north. Church Window Remains of a tall (13th century) window at the east end of the Priory church.

Kirkham Priory (1 x PiP) The PiP shows view from the decorated door that lead from the cloister into the refectory. The cloister is a rectangular court which formerly had a covered alley on each side, though all trace of these has now vanished.The alley roofs would probably have been supported on open arches, and may have been embellished with animal and figure sculptures as they were in other Augustinian priories.The central court or garth might have been laid out as a formal garden which may have had water running through open drain channels around the sides. When not attending services in the church, the canons spent most of their days in this court. they would have been provided with a series of carrels or desks at which thy might study or write.

The lavatorium,also anglicised as laver and lavatory, was the communal washing area located in the west cloister. The two large arched recesses, dating from the late 13th century with geometric tracery panelling on the rear wall, formed the laver. Canons were required to wash before meals; thus the laver was typically adjacent to the refectory. The laver had a piped water supply with taps that were probably set over a lead or pewter washing trough.

21st century North Yorkshire landscape viewed through a rather ornate late 12th century doorway. This doorway formed the entrance to the refectory from the cloister.

The west of the priory church and the vaulted entrance to the cloister with the remains of the chapel above. Kirkham was established in about 1122 by the Augustinian Order, on a site which almost certainly had an existing church dating from the late Saxon period.The founder of Kirkham was Walter l'Espec, who had recently been given land by the king.

Remains of a tall window in the ruins of the east end of the 13th century priory church. Kirkham was established in about 1122 by the Augustinian Order, on a site which almost certainly had an existing church dating from the late Saxon period.The founder of Kirkham was Walter l'Espec, who had recently been given land by the king.

Kirkham Priory was established in about 1122 by the Augustinian Order.