Battle in East Sussex, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Dormitory

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 9, 2018

1. The Dormitory Marker

Inscription. The Dormitory This huge room was the dormitory, or dorter, where the monks slept. It dates to the 13th century and was originally a single open space without any heating. Monks slept communally and their single beds were arranged in rows along the side walls.

The floor was tiled and the walls were covered in white plaster, painted with thin red lines to simulate masonry joints. The room was lit by the tall, thin lancet windows, the lower parts of which were closed using wooden shutters. In 1369, the roof was covered with wooden shingles, but by the time the abbey was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1538 these had been replaced with tiles.

The small fireplaces date to the late Middle Ages, when the dormitory had probably been divided into individual cubicles, providing the monks with more comfort and privacy.

After the suppression of the abbey, the dormitory was used as stables or a barn, with the roof surviving until the 18th century.

( photo caption )
- The interior of the dormitory looking north. This drawing was made by Samuel Grimm in 1783, shortly before the roof collapsed.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1369.

Location. 50° 54.849′

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N, 0° 29.252′ E. Marker is in Battle, England, in East Sussex. Marker can be reached from the intersection of High Street and Park Lane, on the right when traveling south. Located next to Battle Abbey along the battlefield path at the Battle of Hastings Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Battle, England TN33 0AD, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Parlour (here, next to this marker); The Refectory (a few steps from this marker); The Chapter House (a few steps from this marker); The Cloister (within shouting distance of this marker); The 11th-century Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The High Altar of Battle Abbey (within shouting distance of this marker); East Range of Cloister (within shouting distance of this marker); Dairy and Icehouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Battle.

Also see . . . English Heritage - 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield. (Submitted on January 31, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

The Dormitory and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 9, 2018

2. The Dormitory and Marker

The Ruins of the Dormitory image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 9, 2018

3. The Ruins of the Dormitory

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.