Prittlewell Priory is now surrounded by parkland (Priory Park) which, of course, must include the original monastic precinct and buildings. However, during the 450 years since the Dissolution, all traces of these other buildings have disappeared, and post medieval landscaping have introduced other features. It was with the intention of trying to locate the sites of some of the original monastic buildings (and precinct boundary) that we asked Essex Heritage Trust for help and a generous grant was awarded towards a geophysical survey of about one third of the park (an area slightly larger than the scheduled area).

The Cluniac Priory of St.Mary’s , Prittlewell, was founded by Robert fitzSeun in the early years of the 12^th century. The first of the stone buildings – the Church and Refectory, were built on the north and south sides of the Cloisters, respectively, by the end of the 12^th century. On the west side of the Cloisters was the range of storage rooms or "cells" with timber framed Prior’s apartments above.

Following the Suppression of the Monasteries (in 1536) the Church was dismantled, together with all the other buildings apart from the Refectory and Prior’s Chamber, which became the core of a private mansion. Building stone, in this part of Essex, would have been much sought after, and it may have been quite soon after the Dissolution that the buildings were demolished. The first private owner of the Priory was Thomas Audley, followed soon afterwards by the one-time Chancellor of the Court of Augmentations (the body responsible for disposing of Monastic lands and property), Richard Rich.

From the later 17^th century, until 1917, the owners of the estate were the Scratton family.

At the time of the Dissolution Commissioners went round to each monastery in order to compile an inventory of goods. This Inventory is our principal clue to the now vanished buildings that stood within the Priory’s Precinct. These included a Brewhouse and Bakehouse, a Kitchen, the Lombardy Chamber, Italy Chamber, Pennys Chamber, Butlers and Porters Chamber, and Grange. Although there is no mention of Guesthouse and Infirmary, these may have existed, and perhaps one or more of the "chambers" fulfilled these functions.

It must be remembered that Priories and Monasteries were, generally speaking, economically self-sufficient communities. Apart from some of the urban-based orders, they were endowed with, and surrounded by, large areas of land which they farmed (and some of which may have have been leased out). The large area immediately surrounding the claustral buildings would have formed one or more precincts, that would have been enclosed by a wall or (probably in our case) a bank and ditch. It was within this precinct that all the buildings mentioned in the Inventory would have existed.

The Survey was carried out for us by GSB Prospection of Bradford, leaders in their field, and with extensive experience on monastic sites. The results of the survey have recently been sent to us, and we reproduce one of the maps here. At this stage, of course, the interpretation is at a very early stage. We are now beginning to look at other monastic sites, and other surveys, in an attempt to suggest what the possible foundations discovered in our survey might represent. If any readers would like to offer suggestions or see the full survey report, please contact Ken Crowe at Southend Museum (01702 – 434449).

The results of the Survey and interpretation will then be incorporated in new displays at the Priory, and on special panels that will be placed at relevant points around the Priory, for which a grant has been awarded from Cory Environmental Trust. 

The Survey and its interpretation will, of course, help to guide and inform any decisions about future work at the Priory and park, and the panels and other displays will help to set the Priory in its original historic context for the many thousands of people who visit the park, and museum, every year.

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