Priors Dean is a hamlet in thecivil parish of Colemore and Priors Dean, in theEast Hampshire district, in the county ofHampshire, England. It is in theHampshire Downs about 3 miles (5 km) west ofLiss and about 4 miles (6.4 km) north ofPetersfield. It is adeserted medieval village first mentioned in the 1100s. Until 1932 it was a separate parish.[1] The nearest railway station is atLiss.
The village first shows some signs of settlement in theNeolithic with flint tools and pottery[2] found in the vicinity of the village.Bronze AgeBurial mounds also lie to the northeast of the Church.
Roman pottery and other finds were also whilst field walking in the 1970s and 1980s although not in a large enough quantity to suggest settlement.
The village is first mentioned during the reign ofHenry 2 in 1154–1189 as ‘Dene’[3] deriving from theOld English ‘denu’ meaning valley. The village came under the possession of theSouthwick Priory in 1203[4] giving it its prefix.The main site of archaeological importance in the village is thedeserted medieval village whose extent is not completely known, but likely covers the immediate area around the Church. No full investigation of the site has been done as to date and hence the reason for desertion is unknown. East Hampshire has a large number of abandoned villages, some abandoned during the 1300s thanks to theplague, and others due to more peaceful means like water access difficulties likeAbbotstone. NeighbouringColemore was also abandoned and hasn't seen archaeological investigation either.
In 1931 the civil parish had a population of 97.[5] On 1 April 1932 the parish was abolished and merged withColemore to form "Colemore and Priors Dean".[6]
The small church which now stands alone is all that is left of the medieval village. Its origins are in the early Norman period around 1120–30 or potentially 11th-century; either lateSaxon or earlyNorman of which some architectural details still remain. For example, the sandstone entrance has a typical 12th Century zig-zag decoration. The church has no known dedication. Medieval details are well preserved like the 13th and 14th century windows on the south wall the first of which has been long since filled in.[4]
The church wasrestored in 1856, when the Norman revivalchancel arch was built and the bell turret and spire were added. Inside the church are several 17th-centurymonuments. It is aGrade II* listed building.[7]
There are twomanor houses in the Priors Dean area.
This is just north of Priors Dean church, and is a 17th-century brick building with 18th-, late 19th- and early 20th-century alterations.[8]
This is about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Priors Dean, south of the road to Newton Valence, and was built in 1479.[9]
Media related toPriors Dean at Wikimedia Commons
