Monument record PSG 001 - Chipley Abbey, Poslingford

Priory of Blessed Virgin Mary, Chipley - remains of.
Small priory of Augustinian canons founded ante 1235. Had 3-4 canons at the most. In 1455 the buildings were in a ruinous state and in 1468 it was annexed to the College of Stoke-by-Clare (R1).

Conventual church or chapel entirely demolished in 1818. Previously it had been used as a cow-house. Many human bones and some stone coffins were disturbed by the workmen digging about the cemetery (R2).

Modern farmhouse known as Chipley Abbey occupies the site and incorporates a small part of the W range of monastic buildings. It is partly surrounded by a moat and two of the old fishponds remain. Some of the carved stones from the church destroyed in 1818 were removed to the rectory garden. In 1952 some 'very curious circular brick foundations of unknown significance' were discovered in a field to the W (R3).

? Whether the priory church incorporated or was partly a parish church - the advowson of the church of the manor was excepted from an alienation of Chipley manor to the Priory by Roger Normaund (R4).

In 1428 Chipley was listed as a parish with under 10 households (R5). For re-used stone from ?Chipley Abbey, also see Poslingford Church, PSG 003. Dovecote suggested by adjoining field name `Dovehouse Field' (S2 - plot 121).