Witham Charterhouse

Infobox religious building
building_name =Witham Charterhouse
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map_type =Somerset
map_size =200
map_caption =Shown within Somerset and the UK
location =Witham Friary, Somerset, England
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latitude =51.1631
longitude =-2.3660
religious_affiliation =Carthusian
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consecration_year =1178/1179
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functional_status =abandoned
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Witham Charterhouse was the earliest of the ten medieval Carthusian houses (charterhouses) in England.

History

It was established at Witham Friary, Somerset in 1178/1179 from a founding party led by a monk called Narbert from the Grande Chartreuse. The charterhouse was founded by Henry I in his Royal Forest of Selwood, as part of his penance for the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket of Canterbury.cite book|last=Coppack|first=Glyn|coauthors=Mick Aston|title=Christ's Poor men - the Carthusians in England|isbn=0 7524 1961 7]

The house was suppressed as part of the dissolution of the monasteries on 15 March 1539, and it surrendered without trouble.

Archeology

In 1921 excavations revealed buttressed wall foundations and building rubble including glazed roof tiles and floor tiles. Later work in 1965 and 1968 revealed further buildings and two were interpreted as the chapter house and possibly a church.

Remains

The site of the charterhouse is marked by extensive rectilenear earthworks, cut by a railway line, and some worked stone can still be seen in buildings in the village of Witham Friary. The remains of the original monastic fshponds still survive to the east of the site.cite book|last=Firth|first=Hannah|title=Mendip from the air: A changing landscape|publisher=Somerset County Council|location=Taunton Castle|series=Somerset Heritage Series|isbn=9780861833900]

References