Refectory of Beaulieu Abbey, Hampshire

Description

ANTIQUE PRINT OF THE REFECTORY OF BEAULIEU ABBEY,

HAMPSHIRE – N VIEW

From ‘The Gentleman’s Magazine and Historical Chronicle‘

Dec 1820 pl.I p.489

Drawn and engraved by J.C. Buckler

An original copper line engraving from The Gentleman’s Magazine, a monthly publication founded by Edward Cave in London in 1731. The magazine flourished throughout the C18th and C19th and provided news and commentary on many subjects intended for the educated public. This print was drawn and etched by the architect and antiquarian John Chessell Buckler who illustrated many churches and buildings in Oxford. Read more about the illustrators of the Gentleman’s Magazine.

This antique print shows a north view of the refectory of Beaulieu Abbey in Hampshire and the triple arches of the west end of the chapter house, as seen from the once cloistered quadrangle. The abbey was founded by King John in 1204 for the Cistercian order and comprised a Gothic cruciform church, to the south of which stood the cloister. West of the quadrangle was the dormitory built over a vault. The refectory stood on the south side of the quadrangle and at its south end were triple lancet windows. To the north, two windows were inserted above a pointed doorway with highly ornamented iron hinges. On the north gable there stood a wooden bell-turret and at the opposite end a stone cross. The roof of the refectory was decorated internally with ornamented bosses. The refectory remains the best preserved area of the abbey.

The monks from Beaulieu (the beautiful place of the King) founded four daughter abbeys including Netley Abbey. But at the Dissolution, Beaulieu was purchased from Henry VIII by the First Earl of Southampton, Thomas Wriothesley, who converted the gatehouse into his Palace House. The monks’ dining hall was transferred to the villagers of Beaulieu as their parish church. Beaulieu is now the home of the Montagu family and houses the National Motor Museum.

The print is in a good clean condition and is presented in an ivory conservation quality mount and framed with a dark walnut and gold wood frame with acrylic glazing. Price – £40.00.

Approximate dimensions are:

Mount: 260 x 225 mm

Frame size: 305 x 255 mm