From Monastery to Mansion

Using architectural clues, it is possible to reconstruct the appearance of the west end of the church before it was transformed into a gatehouse.  Drawing by Roger Hutchins © English Heritage Photo LibraryWriothesley transformed the abbey into a grand new courtyard house, reusing many of the monastic buildings.

A large gatehouse was built across the nave of the monastic church. Adjacent to it was the porter’s lodge, with a principal apartment above.  An 18th century plan suggests that this room was subsequently used as a small theatre, perhaps where some of Shakespeare’s plays were performed.  

Slender columns still exist in the gatehouse range, with traces of vaulting above for the roof, showing that the nave was originally divided into seven bays.  Each bay originally had lancet windows, but these were later replaced by square Tudor windows. 

New fireplace in the porter’s lodge, once part of the church nave.  © English Heritage Several of the large church windows were rebuilt as brick fireplaces, and the corner staircase towers were heightened with battlements.