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Hyde Abbey: a Typical Benedictine Monastery of the 12Th Century

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Hyde Abbey: a Typical Benedictine Monastery of the 12Th Century Hyde Abbey: A Typical Benedictine Monastery of the 12th Century The translation of the bones of King Alfred to Hyde Abbey in 1110 Plan of Hyde Abbey overlaid on to today’s street plan Hyde Abbey was and early stopping off In purely architectural accommodation for exceptional in its age point on the pilgrims’ terms, however, Hyde visitors and other offices. because it had the honour way from Winchester to Abbey would have been Consequently the abbey and responsibility of Canterbury. The royal very typical of Benedictine church built by Henry looking after the remains graves were set before the abbeys of the Norman I in Reading in the of King Alfred the Great High Altar while the side era. By the 12th century 1120s – inspired one can and his family. It also chapels might well have what might be regarded reasonably imagine by acquired a number of hosted the relics. Pilgrims as a standard pattern had Hyde Abbey – was very relics, notably those of St. would have processed emerged in the design much along the same lines Josse (also known as St. around the side aisles to of these abbey churches as Hyde in its layout. Judoc). This made it in absorb the holiness which along with their associated later years, an important emanated from them. cloisters, dormitories, Wherwell Abbey Romsey Abbey Hyde Abbey Winchester Cathedral Comparative length of Hyde Abbey and other contemporary abbeys and churches Capital example on display at St. Bartholomew, Hyde Building Materials Decoration Because of the Cathedral, stone was Artistically, the plain Today the Priory Church predominance of chalk necessary. The principal solidity of Norman of St Bartholomew the throughout much of types of stone used in architecture with its Great in Smithfield, City Hampshire, builders Winchester during the rounded arches and of London, built in the have had to rely on the Norman period were: sturdy pillars would have 1120s, gives some sense importation of stone in been relieved by the lively of what the east end of QUARR STONE – from Hyde Abbey would have order to create imposing, the Isle of Wight which inventiveness of capitals high status buildings. Flint and corbels in the cloister looked and felt like. It is also featured prominently also clear from decorated was widely available, as can in the cathedral and elsewhere (done in be seen in the construction the Winchester style). In carved remnants (found of more modest buildings CAEN STONE – brought the case of Hyde, a small particularly in the such as St. Bartholomew, across from Normandy, number of distinguished external north wall of St, Hyde (originally the which was particularly examples remain of both of Bartholomew) that Hyde chapel for local laity built popular for fine carvings these features (on display Abbey evolved over time within the precincts of (such as the decorated in St. Bartholomew). These and embraced other styles the monastery). Moreover, capitals) carvings are comparable to notably those from the flint could also be used for PURBECK MARBLE – those from Reading Abbey Decorated period (roughly the core of walls and this might have been used in in Reading Museum and fourteenth century). was probably the case with Hyde Abbey, although it is might, conceivably, have Hyde Abbey. However, likely to have been recycled been executed by the same for the exposed surfaces out of the immediate area craftsmen. of the abbey, as with the after the Dissolution. Acknowledgements This exhibition could not have been put on without the help of the following: ADAM Architecture for sponsorship Dr Simon Roffey FSA, FRAS, FRHistS. Local residents (too numerous to mention) and especially Jeremy Drake and University of Winchester for access to their walls and gardens Helen Lawrence-Beaton Staff of the Hampshire Records Office Winchester City Council for access to Ross Lovett, Head Mason at Winchester their illustrations and resources Cathedral who provided huge expertise Nick McPherson for his architectural in the deciphering of the stones and representations of Hyde Abbey The Hyde900 Executive Committee for supporting this exhibition both financially reuniting them with others in the form Sophie Cunningham Dawe for the ‘Re- of superb sketches and, individually, providing advice and uniting the Stones of Hyde Abbey’ logo services. Helen Rees, Curator of Archaeology The Revd Cliff Bannister, Rector, for Winchester Museums Edward Fennell and David Spurling, permitting use of St. Bartholomew, Hyde Event coordinators..
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