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75 
Woodspring Priory. Founded 1210, Dissolved 1534. 
By R. W. Pauvt. 
. (Read 10th October. 1882.) 
Woodspring Priory is situated about five miles north of 
Weston-super-Mare, and under the southern slope of a short 
ridge of hill, which runs parallel to Worle Hill, terminating in a 
promontory known as Swallow Cliff. 
It is unnecessary to repeat what little is known with regard 
to the history of the Priory, as this may be found on referring to 
Rutter or Collinson. The following notes are intended merely as 
a description of the buildings of the Priory as at present existing, 
and are described in the order in which they are generally visited. 
Of the Church, which consisted of a nave and north aisle, 
central tower and choir, all remains excepting the choir, but 
the existing portions have been very much pulled about. Besides 
the Church are the walls of the cloister, a fifteenth century 
building known as the “ Hall,” on the south-east of the cloister, 
the outer enclosure with the entrance gate and the barn. 
Close to the Priory gate (which is on the west side of the 
outer enclosure) are two shields originally, according to Rutter, in 
_ the north aisle. One bears the five wounds and the other a 
chevron between three bugles. 
The Priory Gate itself consists of a small and large entrance, of 
plain character, and of the fourteenth century date. 
Entering through this we are in the outer enclosure, the Church 
and cloister wall on the east side immediately in front, and a 
_ group of more modern buildings on the north side. 
The West Front of the Church shows a gable, flanked by two 
_ octagonal turrets, with pierced parapets. The west window and 
door can still be made out, as also can three niches, one over the 
_ window and one on each side of it. The latter retain traces of 
_ figures, that on the north being apparently mitred, and generally 
_ supposed to be S. Thomas 4 Becket, to whom, together with the 
__ Virgin and the Trinity, the Priory was dedicated. 
