The Close
This
is a beautiful and tranquil area, centred on the Deanery (left), the successor
to the medieval prior's house. The porch was built in the 13th century,
and formerly gave access to a hall of the same date. The Prior's Hall
was reconstructed in the mid-15th century but the interior has been greatly
altered. The best monastic survivals are found in the Close - a guesthouse
was erected c.1308 in which visitors could be accommodated - St Swithun's
priory had a deserved reputation for hospitality, a tradition revived
today with the creation of the Visitors'
Centre. One half of the guesthouse has been restored to something
like its original appearance. Now known as the 'Pilgrims' Hall', it boasts
the earliest surviving hammer-beam roof. The southern half of the building
was the guestmaster's house, now incorporated in The
Pilgrims' School. The Pilgrims' Hall is open to the public.
Nearby,
the long, timber-framed range identified as the priory stables was built
c.1500, as was the earlliest part of Cheyney Court (right), an enclave
of the bishop's domain within the priory precincts. This much-photographed
building, with its jettied façade, was the bishop's courthouse,
where legal business connected with his area of private jurisdiction,
the 'Soke', was transacted.
Other
buildings have completely vanished. contemporary texts mention a great
barn, a brewhouse, and a forge; even in its urban location the monastery
was self-supporting.
