HER 595 - Chertsey Abbey (Benedictine) pre AD 666-1537

Scheduled Monument
Chertsey Abbey was a Benedictine foundation dedicated to St Peter. It was first mentioned in AD666 but this community was destroyed by the Danes. It was refounded before AD964; the abbey was rebuilt in 1110 and in 1537 the monks were transferred to Bisham and finally dispersed after a year. The church had only been slightly altered since 1110. Fishponds were dug in 1308. After 1537 the buildings were demolished for building material and Oatlands was found to have foundations built almost entirely of Abbey debris. A house built on the site in the 17th century was demolished in 1810. In 1853, stone digging on the site led to the discovery of a pavement of encaustic tiles for which the Abbey is now famous. Excavations were made by the Surrey Archaeology Society in 1855 when clearance the south side of the church discovered several burials in stones coffins. Further excavations in 1861 established the part-plan of the Norman church and a south chapel (wrongly identified as the chapter house). Coffins, architectural debris and walling were left exposed and incorporated into ornamental gardening. The Abbey site was excavated in late 1954 by Group Captain Knocker in advance of building development. He confirmed the 1861 plan of the church and established that the cloisters were on the north of the church (previous plans show a conjectural conventional positioning to the south). During 1922 a kiln for manufacturing the encaustic tiles was excavated by Dr Eric Gardner (HER 594) and from 1928-33 excavations by the Rev A T Gardner and others revealed a number of domestic ovens or roofing tile kilns.

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Archaeological History

Activity	Person & Organisation	Dates
watching brief	Lander, J EH	2004-07-01
Description This assessment reports on a preliminary examination of the site and the proposed plans for the installation of an air conditioning condenser unit and its surrounding fence. Location Surrey, Runnymede, Chertsey, Grid Reference TQ 043 671 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Dr James Lander Lander, J document more... Reference A report on works at Abbey Barn, Abbey Green, Chertsey Reference 05/07/04 Reference This assessment reports on a preliminary examination of the site and the proposed plans for the installation of an air conditioning condenser unit and its surrounding fence. Reference J Lander acting on behalf of English Heritage Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
trial trench	Poulton, R SCAU	2004-01-01
Description A trial trench was excavated on the site of a proposed extension to The Close, Abbey Gardens, which lies within the scheduled area of Chertsey Abbey. Made ground of 17th century and later date was revealed downt o about 800mm below present ground level. Below that a number layers were revealed in plan, which produced finds suggesting that they had been deposited in the 11th- 12th century, perhaps dumped as part of clearance for the building of the Norman abbey from 1110 onwards. These layers are clearly of some archaeological importance, and it is recommended that disturbance of them is avoided during any redevelopment work. Location Surrey, Runnymede, Chertsey, Grid Reference TQ 043 671 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Produced by Surrey County Archaeological Unit Poulton, R document more... Reference An Archaeological Trial Trench Evaluation at 'The Close', Abbey Gardens, Chertsey, Surrey Reference 14/07/04 Reference A trial trench was excavated on the site of a proposed extension to The Close, Abbey Gardens, which lies within the scheduled area of Chertsey Abbey. Made ground of 17th century and later date was revealed downt o about 800mm below present ground level. Below that a number layers were revealed in plan, which produced finds suggesting that they had been deposited in the 11th- 12th century, perhaps dumped as part of clearance for the building of the Norman abbey from 1110 onwards. These layers are clearly of some archaeological importance, and it is recommended that disturbance of them is avoided during any redevelopment work. Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part
watching brief	Lander, J	2001-11-05
Location Surrey, Runnymede, Chertsey, Grid Reference TQ 043 671 Associated Sources Title Author Type More info Lander, J document more... Reference Letter on the Archaeological Report on works at Chertsey Abbey Reference 07/11/01 Holding Location Surrey HER 1 part

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