I am writing a historical fiction novel, and my current scene takes place at Wilton Abbey which I know to have existed at that time. But for the life of me I cannot find any records of what an abbey or nunnery would have looked like previous to 1200.
The church is a given, but would it have been in the common compound layout with cloisters to the south, a library and chapter house off the south transept, kitchen and dining hall along the south cloister? Or would it have been more free form? I would think at that time only the church would have been made of stone, if that.
Much appreciative of anyone who can shed some light.
Also, how would nuns accept visitors (in this case, the King of Scotland)? Where would he be brought to speak to the abbess?
but would it have been in the common compound layout with cloisters to the south, a library and chapter house off the south transept, kitchen and dining hall along the south cloister?
This isn't really a hard and fast rule anywhere, and no way of telling if that were the case here. More recent construction seems to present an obstacle to any archaeological exploration, and thus the lack of evidence. I would go with whatever depiction you have from 1200.
Or would it have been more free form? I would think at that time only the church would have been made of stone, if that.
The abbey was an important royal foundation, and by 1093 it had been so for 300 years, so it may indeed have been mostly stone.
Also, how would nuns accept visitors (in this case, the King of Scotland)? Where would he be brought to speak to the abbess?
Probably, but I would think it unlikely that he would have contact with the other nuns. Monastic foundations usually maintained a guest house for visitors.