MSO7401 - St Andrew's Chapel, West of Luccombe (Monument)

Summary

The remains of St Andrew's Chapel (possibly previously St Saviour's) are visible as low footings measuring 10 metres by 6 metres and standing up to 0.4 metres high. The site was used as a stone quarry and was excavated by Hancock.

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Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A chapel near Chapel Cross had been used as a stone quarry for many generations before it was excavated by the Rev F Hancock prior to 1897. The internal measurements of the building appeared to be 28 feet long and 15 feet wide, and it apparently had three doors. [1] Healey states that it was described as "St Andrews Chapel" in 1776. He refutes Hancocks suggestion that it may have been the chapel licensed by Geoffrey de Luccombe in 1316 and dedicated to St Saviour (see [15] below), as he considers St Saviours was in the parish church and that de Luccombe's chapel was dedicated to St Peter and was at Horner (MSO11308). The chapel is shown by plans dating to 1809-12 for the Holnicote Estate, close to the junction with the manors of East and West Luccombe. The earth above the ruins "was removed not many years ago under the direction of Prebendary Hancock, then rector of Selworthy." Chadwyck-Healey suggests the plan was probably similar to Lynch Chapel, with a chamfered base and corner buttresses, and with two or three doors. It measured internally 28 feet long by 15 feet wide, orientated east 27 degrees south. [2] The remains of this chapel are at SS 9057 4487. They consist of the footings of a rectangular building measuring 10.0 metres by 6.1 metres externally, with walls 0.6 metres wide and up to 0.4 metres high. A doorway towards the west end of the south wall is the only one that can be definitely identified [?12]. Surveyed at 1:2500. A notice board erected by the National Trust states that it is St. Andrews Chapel. [3] Very poor condition, being grass covered and the masonry fabric deteriorating. Several stones had been pulled out, including the piece of the chamfered plinth. Needs consolidation and interpretation. [4] The dimensions c.8 metres by 4.5 metres, no disturbance apparent. [5] Scheduled Monument Consent granted for minor repair works and interpretation panel. [6] Scheduling affirmed with new national number on 11 August 2003 (was Somerset 483). [8] Remains of St. Andrew's Chapel, Grade III. Said to be the remains of a chantry chapel of 14th Century date. No surviving features. (Not included in current list.) [9] (SS 9057 4487) Chapel [NR] (Remains of) [NAT]. [10] (SS 906 449) Medieval chapel remains at Chapel Cross, Scheduled. [11] The Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment of 2009 gave the site a survival score of 3. [13] The site was surveyed in April 2015 as part of the 2015 Exmoor Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment. It was given a survival score of 3. [14] Hancock discusses the excavation of "the scanty remains of a chapel" at a crossroads on the road from Luccombe, which appears to be this chapel. At a depth of two feet he found some old knives and a silver instrument. The chapel was used up until recently as a stone quarry but some pieces of window jambs were found in the ruins and the wall footings still remained. The altar may have been under a rise in the ground at about two feet from the east end. The chapel had three doorways and was dedicated to St Saviour, founded in 1315. It wasn't clear why the chapel was built in that position but appears to have been held in considerable repute. [15]

Sources/Archives (15)

  • <1> Monograph: Hancock, F. 1897. The Parish of Selworthy. P. 32-5.
  • <2> Monograph: Chadwyck-Healy, C. E. H.. 1901. The history of the part of West Somerset : comprising the parishes of Luccombe, Selworthy, Stoke Pero, Porlock, Culbone and Oare.. H. Sotheran & Co.. 24,104.
  • <3> Unpublished document: PITCHER, GHP. 1960s. Field Investigators Comments. Ordnance Survey visit, 23 July 1965.
  • <4> Unpublished document: Somerset County Council. Various. Somerset HER parish files - Exmoor records. PRN 34584.
  • <5> Report: Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission. Field Monument Warden Report.
  • <6> Unpublished document: Department for Culture, Media and Sport. 7/11/2001. Department for Culture, Media and Sport to National Trust.
  • <7> Survey: RCHME. 1994. Exmoor survey.
  • <8> Unpublished document: English Heritage. 20/8/2003. English Heritage to Somerset County Council.
  • <9> Index: Department of the Environment. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest . DOE (HHR) Williton RD Somerset (March 1962) 42.
  • <10> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1972. 25 Inch Map. 1:2500.
  • <11> Unpublished document: Various. Scheduled Monument Notification . DOE (IAM) Rec Form (29 November 1976).
  • <12> Photograph: REMAINS OF CHAPEL AT LUCCOMBE FROM SOUTH WEST. OS65/F139/5. B/W. MICROFILM.
  • <13> Report: Bray, L.S.. 2010. Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment 2009, Exmoor National Park.
  • <14> Report: Gent, T. and Manning, P.. 2015. Exmoor National Park Scheduled Monument Condition Survey 2015. Archaedia.
  • <15> Article in serial: Hancock, F.. 1893. The ancient chapels in the valley of Holnicote. Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society. 39. 2, pp55-60. 57-9.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO11970
  • Local List Status (Rejected)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 SW8
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 36978
  • Somerset SMR PRN (Somerset): 34584

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 9057 4486 (42m by 22m)
Map sheet SS94SW
Civil Parish LUCCOMBE, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Feb 28 2022 4:44PM

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