Historians have been looking for a medieval priory on the site for around a century, and say it is one of several which were once dotted around the
Island. They say it is a significant discovery that will provide information about Jersey’s religious past.
The Société Jerisiaise archaeology section has been leading the project and came across the ruins while looking for medieval pottery in St Clement’s Church cemetery. Among the remains were medieval roofing slate from
Normandy, 13th century pottery and parts of the priory’s ancient walls.
Dr Robert Waterhouse, the organisation’s field archaeologist, said that the priory was a noteworthy discovery. ‘None of the smaller priories in Jersey have been archaeologically examined,’ he said. ‘We don’t know exactly where they were, mostly because they disappeared such a long time ago.
‘Of the five or so little priories in the Island, this is the only one we have ever seen any evidence of. The one we know most about is the St Helier priory, which was where Elizabeth Castle is now.’
Full story in Thursday’s JEP
