Monument record MDO21382 - Frampton Court: building foundation

The foundations of a rectangular structure, surrounded by an outer rectangular structure is visible on aerial photographs. Rectangular cropmark seen on air photograph. Field investigation in 1955 found no surface trace, although probing indicated metalling throughout the area at a depth of 0.1-0.2m. It may have once been a part of Frampton Court, now demolished, or it could be associated with the former Benedictine priory that once existed here.

Centred SY 626945. A rectangular cropmark approx: 65.0m x 50.0m, with the appearance of a ditch is visible on air photographs, but there are no indications on the ground. Some small pieces of stone and brick which lie on the surface may have come from the demolition of the major part of Frampton Court (See SY 69 SW 65). While there can be no degree of certainty, the cropmarks could possibly be associated with the former priory, but probing gives metalling throughout the area at 0.1m to 0.2m depth. <1>

The foundations of a rectangular structure, approx. 30m x 23m, surrounded by an outer rectangular structure, approx. 61m x 52m, is visible on aerial photographs <3-4>. It may have once been a part of Frampton Court, which was built in 1704 and demolished in 1935. Alternatively it could possibly be associated with the former Benedictine priory that once existed here from c1077 but was dissolved by c1414 <2>.

<1> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 21-JAN-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<1.1> Royal Air Force, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 4141 (Aerial Photograph). SDO20217.

<2> Knowles, D, and Neville Hadcock, R, 1971, Medieval religious houses in England and Wales, 88 (Monograph). SDO11249.

<3> Royal Air Force, 22-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 4140-41 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11248.

<4> Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1934 4093-95 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11174.

<5> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/088 RCHME Inventory: Dorset I (West) and Revision (Unpublished document). SDO17367.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 453829 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 4:03PM