Abstract

This publication presents the results of the excavation of La Grava (also known as Grove Priory) in Bedfordshire, conducted in advance of quarrying. Described as ‘perhaps the largest and most complete excavation of a north-west European medieval manorial site in the twentieth century’ (p. 354), this report might be considered a worthy addition to any medievalist’s library for this reason alone. But it also an intensely interesting site, not least because it is so unusual: a manorial site converted to monastic use (and back again, both in the medieval period), using an atypical non-claustral plan, housing the only male establishment of an order which had only five houses in England. But writing up someone else’s excavation (as this author is) can be challenging, and particularly so when it is a large and complex site excavated over many years some time beforehand. The excavations at La Grava lasted from 1973 until 1985, but suffered many delays in post-excavation with publication eventually achieved forty years after the excavation started. One of the many problems of such analytical attenuation are recognised in the sad acknowledgement that twelve of those involved in the excavation died before it was published, including project manager and ceramicist Anna Slowikowski.

La Grava: the archaeology and history of a royal manor and alien priory of Fonteveault (Council for British Archaeology, York, 2013). By Evelyn Baker. 300 × 214 mm. xxiii + 399 pp. 260 b/w & colour illustrations. ISBN 978 1 9027 7187 8. Price £58.00.