An Anatomy of a Priory Church: The Archaeology, History and Conservation of St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny

Description

Based on documentary evidence, the Priory Church of St Marys in Abergavenny has been a place of worship since the late 11th century; archaeological evidence though suggests that the site has a much earlier period of use. Over the past 1000 years the church has been radically altered to reflect its wealth, status and sometimes, its decline. During the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries a number of drastic alterations were made that included the complete demolition and rebuild of the nave. This wholesale change, coupled with the Reformation of 1536 and the vandalism of the mid- to late 17th century by Cromwell's troops did not deter the people of Abergavenny from using this most beautiful of spaces. In the recent past, the late Jeremy Winston did much to add his signature onto the priory's fabric making St Mary a most splendid place of worship. This book, comprising twelve thoughtprovoking chapters traces the archaeology, history and conservation of this most impressive building, delving deep into its anatomy. Table of Contents An Anatomy of a Priory Church: Contextualising St Mary’s, Abergavenny (George Nash) Church and Settlement: St Mary’s Priory and the Archaeology of the Town (Frank Olding) Establishing Strong Roots: The Medieval History of St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny (Kay Blackwell and Trefor Morris) The History of the Conservation of the Priory Fabric (P. M. Bartosch) St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny – Monument Conservation (Michael Eastham) The History and Conservation of the Choir Stalls (Hugh Harrison) A 15th Century Oak Figure of Jesse: An Account of its Technical Examination and Conservation (Carol Galvin) Unlocking the Anatomy of a Medieval Priory Church: The Archaeology (George Nash) Reflections on the History, Function and Survival of St Mary’s Jesse (Muriel Adams) Commemoration and Culture: the monuments of Abergavenny Priory in context (Rhianydd Biebrach) The Structural Conservation of St Mary’s Tithe Barn (Huw Evans Johns) Fire, Stone and Revenge: The Archaeology behind the Turbulent History of the Tithe Barn (George Nash) The Way Forward: The Conservation Management Plan (Harvey Faulkner-Aston)