Monument record MDO19450 - Christchurch Priory; three cist burials discovered prior to 1777

Gustavus Brander uncovered three cist burials during works at the site of Christchurch Priory possibly in advance of the construction of Priory House circa. 1765 and certainly before 13th November 1777. The coffins were formed of at least 11 large pieces of stone each arranged around the sides with no base. They are liekely to be of 9th-13th century date.

Gustavus Brander uncovered three cist burials during works at the site of Christchurch Priory possibly in advance of the construction of Priory House circa. 1765 and certainly before 13th November 1777.

The coffins were formed of at least 11 large pieces of stone each arranged around the sides with no base. Mr. Pegge believed that this stone had been imported from the Caen region of France and was certainly not local to Christchurch, an area poor in local building stone.

These were interpreted by a Mr Pegge of the Antiquarian Society as being of Roman or prehistoric date (2). However, a further three cist burials found during the excavation of Geothechnical pits at the base of buttresses at the North Choir Aisle of the Priory Church during 2006 and 2007 and thought to be of 9th-13th century AD date.

Pegge mentions that Brander had sent him a sketch depicting the positions of the cists. This sketch is not included in the letter. The exact location of the Brander discoveries are not known but is likely to be in the vicinity of Priory House.

Pegge, S, 1779, Observations on the Stone Coffins found at Christ-Church. By Mr. Pegge. In a Letter to Gustavus Brander, Esq. (Article in serial). SDO10213.

Record last edited

Sep 20 2012 10:42AM