This area was purchased in 1923, and levelled and laid to grass in the 1940s.
The focal point of the area is a monument of Portland stone that once stood in the grounds of a nearby house. Made by an unknown local architect, it commemorates the Battle of Waterloo on June 18th 1815.
This area was once the site of some of the other buildings of the nunnery. Close to the Waterloo Monument would have stood the Chapter House, where the nuns met each day with the abbess to ‘hold chapter’: to pray, read from the rule of St Benedict, discuss the day’s business and issue punishments, when the abbess decided they were needed. The abbess’s lodgings and private chapel were also in this area.
On the south face of the south transept, note the slit windows which gave light to a spiral staircase. There are also many putlog holes into which wooden beams or putlogs were jammed to support scaffolding planks. The holes were sometimes, as here, left unfilled in case further work should be needed.
If you wish, find a spot to sit in the South Garth and listen to the next section about the life of the nuns here in medieval times. Otherwise skip this section and walk towards the west side of the south transept.
