Monument record MDO19382 - Dorchester Prison; Medieval aisled hall

Remnants of an aisled hall were found during alterations to the buildings of Dorchester Prison, during the time of the governership of J V D Lawrance, possibly during the major rebuilding of the prison in 1884-5. Two rows of column bases, said to be of Portesham stone, were found. The size and location of this building are not known. This hall, if correctly identified, is likely to have been one of the buildings in the Castle.

Remnants of an aisled hall were found during alterations to the buildings of Dorchester Prison, during the time of the governership of J V D Lawrance (1). The precise location of this structure within the prison and the date of discovery are not known. It is possible that it was found during the major rebuilding of the prison in 1884-5 (2).

The only source for this discovery is an article by Rev Miles Barnes, who states that it was "a fine hall, which was divided into three aisles by two rows of columns. Some of the bases of the pillars were uncovered in making alterations to the prison buildings when Mr. Lawrence was its governor. From him I learned that the masons employed on the works pronounced them to be of Portisham stone" (1). This building, if correctly identified, is likely to have been one of the buildings in the Castle.

<1> Miles Barnes, W, 1899, A Contribution to the History of Dorchester. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club, 132-33 (Article in serial). SDO10196.

<2> Draper, J, and Chaplin, C, 1982, Dorchester Excavations Volume 1: Excavations at Wadham House 1968; Dorchester Prison 1970, 1975 and 1978; and Glyde Path Road 1966, 77 (Monograph). SDO9690.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:39PM