Remains of Birkenhead Priory, Birkenhead, Wirral

Entry Name: Remains of Birkenhead Priory

Listing Date: 29 July 1950

Grade: I

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1201757

English Heritage Legacy ID: 389301

Also known as: Birkenhead Priory and St Mary's Tower

ID on this website: 101201757

Location: Birkenhead, Wirral, Merseyside, CH41

County: Wirral

Electoral Ward/Division: Birkenhead and Tranmere

Parish: Non Civil Parish

Built-Up Area: Birkenhead

Traditional County: Cheshire

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Merseyside

Church of England Parish: Birkenhead Christ the King

Church of England Diocese: Chester

Tagged with: Priory Local authority museum

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Description

BIRKENHEAD

SJ3288NE PRIORY STREET
789-1/14/140 (East side)
29/07/50 Remains of Birkenhead Priory

GV I

Formerly known as: Old Priory Ruins ST MARY'S GATE.
Priory ruins. Built in several phases between 1150-1400. North
and west ranges around cloister which was to north of Priory
church now destroyed. North range comprises C14 refectory
building with vaulted undercroft. West range of c1250 with C14
remodelling comprises the guest hall and monks parlour. Church
to south, but all that remains above ground is the base of a
shaft and the scars of walling. Chapter house of c1150 (q.v.)
in eastern range, also archway formerly giving access to
destroyed infirmary and blocked arch to dormitory also
destroyed in wall adjacent to Chapter House. Refectory
building of coursed and squared rubble with buttressed west
wall and 2-light chamfered mullioned windows. Traces of 2
blocked arched openings towards the east. Arched entrance to
buttery on east elevation, and 2 square-headed windows above
in extensively restored upper wall. Inside, buttery and
undercroft have quadripartite rib vaulting, carried on
octagonal shafts and moulded corbels. Western range ruinous,
but substantial remains of walling survives. Against its east
wall, the scars of the priory church north wall, and of a
small structure north of this are clearly visible. Springing
for vaulting of cloister roof also visible, and doorway
through to monks parlour at the south end. West wall has deep
moulded doorway towards the north, and Decorated windows (a
C19 restoration). Small window with chamfered arched head, and
doorway towards the south, giving access to monks parlour,
with ball-flower frieze. 2-light foiled Decorated windows in
south wall at upper level, and small windows below. Inside,
the monks parlour with Prior's solar over comprised the
southern bay. Of this, remains of the cross wall dividing it
from the guest hall, and a passage through the east wall
linking the two survive. In the walls, remains of fireplaces
at both levels, and a door leading to former prior's stairs in
the upper south-east angle. The Priory was founded in 1150 by
Hamo de Massey as a Benedictine House. See also Ruins of
Church of St Mary, and Chapter House of Birkenhead Priory.
(The Buildings of England: Pevsner N and Hubbard E: Cheshire:
Harmondsworth: 1971-).

Listing NGR: SJ3280088568

External Links

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