FRITHELSTOCK

Extract from Devon by W.G.Hoskins (1954), included by kind permission of the copyright holder:

FRITHELSTOCK is notable for possessing the only remains of a religious house in North Devon. An Augustinian priory was founded here c. 1220 by Robert de Beauchamp, and dissolved in 1536. Only the W. and N. walls of the priory church remain, together with a portion of the S. wall. The W. wall contains three fine lancet windows. When Sir Stephen Glynne visited Frithelstock in 1845 he found much more of the priory standing. There were remains of a tower, at the SW. of the choir, nearly touching the parish church, and the refectory, which had a fine open roof of the Suffolk type with collar and hammer beams. (1933) There is no trace of the refectory now. The parish church (St. Mary and St. Gregory) is much restored and unexciting. It is mainly a 15th century rebuilding to which a S. aisle was added c. 1500. Some good carved bench-ends (temp. Henry VII) display the crowned double rose of Henry VII, a single feather with label for Henry, Prince of Wales, the arms of Hartland Abbey (the mother-house of Frithel- stock), and other figures and emblems. The royal arms, in plaster, are dated 1677.

BACK

TOP