96 : REPTON PRIORY. 
The block of buildings now called the Hall has been so com- 
pletely modernised, with the exception of Prior Overton’s brick 
tower at its east end, that it would be useless to discuss its 
probable arrangements. Since the prior had a chamber in the 
monastery, this cannot have been his house, for the Statutes did not . 
permit it. and there can be little doubt the building was really the 
infirmitortum, or abode of sick and infirm monks. 
The monastery was approached by a gatehouse on the south- 
west, the outer arch of which still forms the entrance to the priory 
precinct. Originally it had a gatehouse hall with upper chamber, 
and aroom for the porter. There seems also to have been a long 
building extending from it northwards along the edge of the 
churchyard, which would contain the almonry and a lodging for 
tramps and paupers. 
The precinct of the monastery was enclosed by a high stone 
wall, much of which remains. 
The excavations were commenced under my direction and 
supervision on August 30, 1883, and have since been continued 
under Mr. Blomfield’s direction. Many beautiful fragments and 
tiles have been discovered, but as the subsequent excavations will 
lay bare many more, a description of them, together with the 
entire ground plan, must be reserved for another paper. 
When Doctors Legh and Layton visited the Priory preparatory 
to the suppression, they reported concerning Repton :— 
‘*Superstitio. Huc fit peregrinatio ad Sanctum Guthlacum et ad eius cam- 
panam quam solent capitibus imponere ad restinguendum dolorem capitis.” 
It is possible that in clearing out the choir and transepts 
some traces may be found of St. Guthlac’s shrine. 
The full consideration of the architecture and arrangements -of 
the church must await the completion of the excavations. 
