Monk Bretton Priory

The layout plan for Monk Bretton Priory

When I started my investigation of St. Helen's church in Treeton, I was just interested to know why the upper part of the tower was built in Magnesian Limestone when the rest of the church is built in the local Rotherham Red sandstone but, with my interest in geological detective work being revived after a few years of dormancy, I have since thrown myself into the exploration of mediaeval churches and other historic buildings in and around South Yorkshire.

The south elevation of the 15th century gatehouse

Apart from further developing stone identification and matching skills that are potentially in demand by architects and archaeologists, who are responsible for their repair and archival recording, I have always been looking for places that might be of interest to tourists who appreciate geology, rocky landscapes and the various historic buildings associated with them.

The 13th century administrative building

Limited to travel by public transport, I have not yet been able to resurvey Brodsworth Hall or Roche Abbey, which along with Conisbrough Castle are national tourist attractions; however, with a bit of careful planning, it is easy enough to get to one of the least known ancient monuments held in care by English Heritage – Monk Bretton Priory in Barnsley.

A view towards the cloisters and west range 

Founded in 1154 by the monks of the Cluniac Order and with family and political connections to Ilbert de Lacy, who had previously ruled the surrounding territory from Pontefract Castle, Monk Bretton Priory is set on relatively flat ground - formed by Pennine Middle Coal Measures mudstone and siltstone – which then runs down to the River Dearne.

A view of the prior's hall in the west range

Although, apart from the 13th century administrative building and the 15th century gatehouse and other substantial remains of the west range, most of the original structures are now ruins with only the foundations of old walls marking out its former position, many details still remain, which give various clues to the dating of the various parts of the priory.

The remains of window tracery

With periods of building from the 12th to the late 16th century, various examples of masonry of different quality can be seen and there are plenty of opportunities to assess the physical characteristics and durability of the building stone. Presumed to have been quarried from the nearby Oaks Rock, this sandstone is described in the British Geological Survey memoir as fine grained, brown to yellow in colour and with current bedding.

A general view with an old drain in the foreground