Tag Archives: Nicholas Sheehan

Lumps and bumps – evidence of a medieval priory

2 Replies

Our April talk explores a historic site less than 5 miles away – Newstead by Stamford Priory. 

Uffington looking towards Newstead

Travelling along the A1175 from the Deepings towards Stamford, you pass through the village of Uffington and approach the junction for Newstead.  Look to your left, where you will see sheep or cattle grazing on rather uneven grassland, a number of ancient willows and a stream running off into the distance.

But look more closely – making sure you keep to the footpath. The lumps and bumps in the meadows at the western end of Uffington Park have, for many years, raised lots of questions among antiquarians, archaeologists and landscape historians. Satellite images, crop marks and LIDAR mapping have revealed detail not previously available – but questions still remain.

  • Some researchers have been looking at the route of the Welland Navigation, also known as the Stamford Canal, which was in use between 1650 and 1865. This is where the canal was fed by water from the River Gwash before it flowed into the Welland.
  • Others, however, have been looking for the location of Newstead Priory, a 13th century Augustinian establishment, about which there is archival evidence but hardly any physical remains.

Local historian, Nicholas Sheehan from Uffington, became sufficiently fascinated by these earthworks  to explore their physical nature, their national importance and the ultimate demise of this little-known religious house.  In 2018, he published “Newstead by Stamford Priory”.  

Read a review in The Local Historian (British Association of Local HIstorians)  Vol 14 No 4 October 2019 p.342

  • “The book is engagingly written and richly illustrated in colour.”
  • “… the range of references, as recorded in the extensive bibliography, is impressive.”
  • “Sheehan places the limited evidence into a much broader context.”
  • “… this history of Newstead will be welcomed not only by the people of Uffington and Stamford but also by a wider audience.”
  • “The author makes a significant contribution to the history of the area and more widely to the history of monasticism.”

Nick Sheehan will present his talk in the Village Hall, King Street on Tuesday 16th April at 2.30 pm. after a very brief Annual General Meeting.   Refreshements will be served from 2 pm. Admission £3 at the door.

We look forward to welcoming you for the last talk of the 2023 to 2024 season before the summer break.