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Stratford Langthorne Abbey talk by Barney Sloane
At our January meeting around 70 members enjoyed a talk by Barney Sloane of English Heritage, formerly of the Museum of London Archaeology Service, on Stratford Langthorne Abbey, just down the road from us in Leyton and Leytonstone.
There is nothing to see of the Abbey now as the site lies under the new Jubilee Line extension, but approximately 870 years ago the abbey was as large and important as those which still exist at Jervaulx, Rievaux and Fountains. 650 burials were found in the cemetery and this together with the infirmary complex makes the site of national importance. The abbey was all but destroyed in the dissolution of the monasteries between 1536 and 1540 but detailed examination by archaeologists has revealed the remains of the monastery buildings and its surroundings.
In 1086 the area of Ham was a separate entity from London- but it was large enough to be considered a town in its own right. The [Abbey] church and associated buildings were built first, and a big expansion in 1220 saw the unusual addition of a lady chapel to the church, the development of the infirmary, a kitchen, and a big expansion of the cemetery. A high quality burial was placed in the centre of the church floor- this was clearly of someone important- perhaps even the founder of the abbey.
Black Death struck the Abbey hard. It's thought the abbot and others died and the income of the Abbey dropped, but rebuilding continued. The Abbey had extensive grounds, an orchard, perhaps a slaughterhouse and tannery. It had just 20 or 30 monks, so possibly other local people were employed.
The archaeologists discovered some interesting finds—a gilded star probably from the roof of a building; a top of the range white glass goblet; buckles and gold thread from clothing; and late medieval riding stirrups.
Burials were examined by the archaeologists in detail. Very few people would have had tombstones as only the very rich had grave markers; and most skeletons found were in 2-3 ft deep graves which is much shallower than modern day burials. Most graves did not have lead coffins and a few burials had unusual characteristics: one looked like it was dumped unceremoniously in the grave, perhaps as a plague victim; and one was lined with domestic ash, possibly hearth rakings. Just 40 similar burials have been found nationally. A priestly burial with a pewter chalice was found; and just one infant in a rush or wicker basket which was placed in an important part of the church's transept. There was some evidence of illness: one skeleton had fused vertebrae and one had a copper poultice dish, a very rare find which once held herbal remedies against the skin. Also many of the bones contained abnormally high levels of Vitamin A - why this should be is a puzzle.
By the time the Abbey was demolished it was the fifth largest one in the country at the time. A vast amount of stonework must have come from the buildings but it's not known where most went- although some decorative pieces can be found in West Ham Parish Church.
At the end of the most recent excavations, prior to the building of the Jubilee line, a number of Cistercian monks travelled to the site from their Abbey in Sutton Coldfield. In a moving ceremony they blessed the bones which were then removed for reburial at the Sutton Coldfield abbey.
Book details:
Barber B, Chew S, Dyson T, White B, The Cistercian abbey of St Mary Stratford Langthorne, Essex: archaeological excavations for the London Underground Limited Jubilee Line Extension Project, MoLAS Monograph Series 18, MoLAS London 2004. ISBN 1-901992-38-1, cost £18.95
You can order this title directly from MoLAS or through the Museum of London shop:
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