Monument record MDO483 - St Michael's Chapel, St Michael's Lane, Bridport

St Michael’s chapel was a medieval chapel, first mentioned in the mid 13th century, possibly built to serve a suburban area outside the west gate of Bridport. It was dissolved in the 16th century. All traces of the chapel had disappeared by the late 18th century.

St Michael’s Chapel, at the north end of St Michael’s Lane, was mentioned in documentary sources from 1268 <3>.

Founded apparently in 1324 by Robert de FARYNDONE. BRIDPORT CORPORATION records include inventories to this chantry dated 1408. <3>

In 1348-9 John Munden granted property to St Michael’s, probably part of the original endowments of Munden’s Chantry, which had its chantry priest’s house in St Michael’s Lane <4> <6>. The chantry and chapel were dissolved in the 16th century.

Stood in a lane now called St. MICHAEL'S LANE. There are now no remains of the chapel. <4> <6>

The site contained in <1> is now occupied by a stone mason's premises. No visible traces of the chapel were
observed. <5>

St Michael’s chapel may have stood outside the west gate of Bridport and was possibly built to serve a suburban area. <7>

<1> Hutchins, J, 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 2. 3rd edition, 24 (Monograph). SDO9443.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Various, Ordnance Survey Map 1:500, 1887 (Map). SWX1328.

[SY 46349299] ST MICHAEL'S CHAPEL [AT] (Site of)

<3> Colfox, W, 1890, 'On the History of Bridport' Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club, 125 (Article in serial). SWX1323.

<4> Fry, E A, 1909, Dorset Chantries; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club, 25-32 (Article in serial). SWX1335.

<5> Swatridge, G C, Various, Field Investigators Comments GCS, F1 GCS 20-SEP-54 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

<6> Wood-Legh, K L, 1956, Small Household Of The XVth Century, Being The Account Book Of Munden's Chantry, Bridport (Monograph). SDO10537.

<7> Penn, K J, 1980, Historic Towns in Dorset, 27-29 (Monograph). SWX1202.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450131 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 19 2022 8:11PM