Archaeologia Cantiana Vol. 88 1973 page 135

solution the grant of the property to Sir Thomas Wyatt specifically mentions a 'steeple'.⁸As previously stated, the early Cistercians were forbidden towers and the crossings of their churches were not designed for this purpose. However, at the end of the Middle Ages towers were sometimes added in other positions, for example, on the west end at Furness and adjoining the north transept at Fountains. Whatever the height of the western feature at Boxley, it is most likely that it had an entrance in its west wall so that its ground storey provided a functional porch. No trace of this entrance was found as the walls had been destroyed to below cill level.⁹ In the later medieval period Boxley Abbey became a much-frequented place of pilgrimage on account of the famous Rood of Grace, and it is reasonable to suppose that the west end of the church received this addition in order to enhance the dignity of the entrance by which pilgrims approached the object of devotion. THE CLOISTER Excavation has shown that the north and west alleys were wider than those on the south and east and that the arcades rested on narrower footings. There is documentary evidence that rebuilding was put in hand in 1373 when the abbey employed a mason named Stephen Lomherst to demolish the old cloister and rebuild it, one alley at a time, but from the		excavated remains it seems likely that only the north and west alleys were in fact reconstructed (Appendix II). The enclosure is unusually narrow east-west and it is strange that advantage was not taken of the full length of the nave to site the western range in line with the end of the church, so providing a cloister area of more normal proportions.'¹⁰ THE CHAPTER HOUSE This was found to conform to the shape and proportions of a common type of Cistercian chapter house, vaulted in nine bays (3 by 3) and kept low to allow the dormitory to pass over. Only the four walls were located by trenching and the inner face of the west wall was searched for traces of the doorway. This was found to have been blocked by post-Dissolution masonry and revealed no original architectural features. At the base of the blocking, a chamfered cill occurred bearing indications of having related to an opening only 3 ft 3 in. wide ⁸ J. Cave-Browne, The History of Boxley Parish, 1892, 33, footnote. He gives his authority as Aug. Office Records, Box A, 55. ⁹ A slight internal bulge in the footings of the south wall is insufficient to indicate the position of a stair, or vice, and is probably fortuitous. ¹⁰ The plan of La Ferté (Saône-et-Loire) exhibits the same peculiarity. M. Aubert, op. cit., i, 113.
Page 135 (This page prepared for the Website by Ted Connell)

This website is constructed by enthusiastic amateurs. Any errors noticed by other researchers will be to gratefully received so
that we can amend our pages to give an accurate record as possible. Please send details too research@kentarchaeology.org.uk