St Neots Priory – one of three 13th Century column bases under Waitrose car park, in 2006. (P Ibbett)
[1]In 2010 St Neots Town Centre Initiative secured a £20,000 Heritage Lottery Grant for a ground radar study to identify the remaining foundations of the priory.
The project involved Cambridgeshire County Council archaeology, St Neots Town Centre Initiative, town historian Peter Ibbett, curator of St Neots Museum, Anna Mercer and members of St Neots History Society.
It will take place in a section of the Waitrose car park where three 13th century column bases of the priory lie under man-hole cover
According to British History Online, the priory dates back to between 972 and 975, making it a little later than Ramsey Abbey. It is also probable that it was destroyed wholly or in part in 1010 but that a few monks remained there until the Conquest.
Mr Davies said: “The priory was the economic powerhouse of the town. It would have had an infirmary, the prior’s house and accommodation for up to 20 monks. There might even have been some industry on the site, like a bell foundry.”
Excavations in 1993 revealed part of the medieval priory and 40 burials, including that of a priest. [2]
[3]
Historians believe it is possible there was a monastery located on that site before the Danish invasion in the ninth century. It is probable the building was destroyed by the Danes in 1010, but a few monks remained there until the Conquest.
What is known is that in the early 14th century there was a priory on the site, believed to have been home to between 12 and 15 monks.
Town historian Peter Ibbett said although the analysis of the results could take months, early indications suggest the outline of the building was larger than they first thought.
“The aim was to see if modern archaeological techniques can add to the work carried out in the 1960s to give a better understanding of the site which gave rise to the town of St Neots,” he said. “Historians have long argued or tried to guess where the lost priory actually stood. There are some good estimates but we are looking for proof.[3]
[2] https://www.huntspost.co.uk/lifestyle/discovering-the-secrets-of-st-neots-lost-priory-1-417821
[3]https://www.huntspost.co.uk/lifestyle/details-of-st-neots-lost-priory-revealed-1-418371
[4] https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/articles/priory-st-neots/
Past Times of St.Neots 