King Henry's Tower

‘King Henry’s Tower’, located on the north side of St Nicholas' church, was an ossuary chapel (from the Latin word ossuārius meaning “of or for bones”). When fresh burials were made and bones from previous burials were uncovered, these were stored in this chapel and, periodically, burned in a ‘bone fire’ (hence ‘bonfire’).

Priory Precinct wall: an amazing medieval survivor!

The tower is actually part of the priory precinct, rather than the town wall. The distinctiveness of this compared with the town wall is clear in the design of the towers. Here the towers are square turrets, whereas, the town wall ones are round constructions. 

~ Colin ~