Title: |
Archaeological recording at St Peter's, West Knighton, Dorset. |
Series: |
Oakford Archaeology unpublished report series
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Downloads: |
oakforda1-112998_1.pdf (3 MB)
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Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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DOI |
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Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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Abstract: |
The Church of St Peter is located in West Knighton, Dorset. The village is first mentioned in the Domesday survey of 1086 when it is held by William of Ecouis. The church is Grade I listed and contains fabric of late 12th century date. Archaeological recording was carried out following groundworks to install a new under-floor heating system. Groundworks inside the church uncovered evidence for two floor levels, including the existing Victorian tiled floor. Two grave slabs, a brick-lined vault and a large earth-cut grave were present in the nave. The earth-cut grave was sealed by an extensive undated layer of mortar floor make-up, while a double width family vault was located in front of the north porch. Two 18th century limestone ledgers were located along the northern edge of the nave. Two further grave slabs, part of a large brick-lined barrel vault were uncovered in the south chapel. The larger of the two was made of purbeck marble, and although it contained a late 18th century inscription had been re-used from an earlier monument. In the centre of the memorial were two indents, containing a number of dowels set in lead plugs that would have held elaborate brasses. Dating to the second half of the 15th century, the memorial is likely to have been worked by specialist masons, termed marblers, in a London workshop. The shape of the upper indent suggests that the person represented was probably clergy, either a priest in mass vestments or in academic dress, dated c. 1460-80. It would appear that the scroll is entirely separate from the effigy which is unusual. The lower indent is a lady in horned head-dress of a comparable date, i.e. c.1480. It is unlikely that the lady commemorated was related to the male effigy There was no evidence (e.g. mortar or sockets on the underside) to suggest that the ledger had originally been part of a larger monument such as a table or altar tomb. |
Author: |
Marc F R Steinmetzer
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Publisher: |
Oakford Archaeology
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Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
Dorset SMR (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication: |
2011
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Locations: |
Site: |
St Peter's Church |
County: |
Dorset |
District: |
Dorset |
Parish: |
WEST KNIGHTON |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 373240, 87620 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
oakforda1-112998 |
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Source: |
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Relations: |
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Created Date: |
01 Feb 2018 |