Stoke sub Hamdon Priory is a complex of buildings and ruins which initially formed a 14th-century college for the chantry chapel of St Nicholas, and later was the site of a farm in Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset, England.
The only building remaining from the college is a great hall and attached dwelling, dating from the late 15th century.
The National Trust bought the property in 1946, and with the exception of the part of the house which is inhabited, the site is now open to the public.
[1] Originally, a rectory was located on the site, which provided a home for the rector who officiated in the private chapel of St. Nicholas in the Beauchamp manor house nearby.
[a][3] It is suggested in the English Heritage listing that the rectory was probably already owned by the Beauchamps, but if not they purchased it upon de Wyk's departure.
[1] A National Trust report referenced in the Historic Environment Record could not determine if the pre-1304 rectory was retained for the college's use, or if a new building was erected instead.
Beckington gave the governance of the college to the precentor of Wells, and a few years later the current building was erected.
In his article, Chantry Priests' Houses and other Medieval Lodgings, W. A. Pantin suggests that this building is probably smaller than the original college, due to the reduced number of clergy, and that it was most likely erected around 1450–60.
[3] During the reign of Henry VIII the chantry was under the control of the crown with Provosts Woulset and Carmer both being the kings chaplains and it unlikely that any investment was made in Stoke sub Hamdon Priory.
[6] In 1897 John William Bain Hawkesworth sold part of the holding, keeping just the house and some land.
The 5 metres (16 ft) high wall dates from the 15th century and includes an arched gateway which has a buttress on its western side.
This was built in the 14th century but contains stones from the previous building, which show oblique tooling found in Norman architecture.