Dorchester-on-Thames and its abbey have been subjects of antiquarian interest for more than 450 years, and during that time much has been written about them. They are, however, still far from being comprehensively studied and recorded. Indeed, the most substantial architectural description of the medieval church was written as long ago as 1845, and a thoroughgoing reappraisal has long been overdue. In this major new study on the origins, history and architecture of Dorchester Abbey, Warwick Rodwell assembles a huge amount of material from observations during repair and conservation and information derived from archaeological excavation, as well as the unexpected discovery of previously unstudied and unpublished topographical and architectural material, housed in several archives. The volume is divided into two parts: the first contains an account of the archaeology of the site and the architectural development of the abbey, while the second comprises a series of detailed notes and observations on the present structure, its fittings and furnishings.

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Part 1: Archaeology, Architecture and Context
  • Chapter 1: The Antiquarian Background
    • Early Descriptions of Dorchester
    • Antiquarian Illustrations
      • Watercolours, Drawings and Sketches
      • Early Photographs
    • Maps and Plans of Dorchester Abbey
    • Twentieth-century Scholarship
  • Chapter 2: Before the Cathedral: Archaeology and Topography
    • Prehistoric Settlement
    • The Roman Town
      • Enclosure and Defence
      • A Temple(?)
      • Roman Christianity
    • Early Anglo-Saxon Occupation
  • Chapter 3: Dorchester Cathedral, c. 635–1067
    • The Middle Saxon Foundation
    • Cathedral and Town in the Late Saxon Period
      • Morphology and Development of the Town
      • Anglo-Saxon Church Fabric
  • Chapter 4: From Cathedral to Abbey: the Transition
    • The College of Secular Canons, c. 1067–1140
    • Architecture of the Collegiate Church
  • Chapter 5: Dorchester Abbey: A Historical Summary, c. 1140–2007
    • The Monastic Era
    • After the Reformation
      • Later Sixteenth Century
      • Seventeenth Century
      • Eighteenth Century
      • Nineteenth Century
      • Twentieth Century
  • Chapter 6: Topography of the Augustinian Abbey, c. 1140–1536
    • Conventual Buildings
      • Cloister Garth and Walks
      • Layout of the Claustral Ranges
    • Precinct
      • Boundaries
      • Gateways
      • Guest House and ‘The Abbey’ House
      • Barns
  • Chapter 7: The Abbey Church and its Architectural Evolution, c. 1140–1536
    • Nomenclature
    • Twelfth Century
      • Nave
      • Eastern Arm and Presbytery
      • Crossing and Transepts
      • Font
    • Thirteenth Century
      • Phase 1: Addition of Transeptal Chapels, c. 1230–1250
      • Phase 2: Narrow North Chancel Aisle, c. 1250–1260
      • Phase 3: North Chancel Aisle Rebuilt, c. 1280–1300
      • Other 13th-century Features and Decoration
    • Late Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries
      • Phase 4: West Tower, c. 1270–1300+
      • Phase 5: South-east Chancel Chapel, c. 1290–1300
      • Phase 6: Wide South Chancel Aisle, c. 1310–1320
      • Phase 7: Eastward Extension of the Presbytery, c. 1330–1340
      • Phase 8: South Nave Aisle, c. 1350–1360
      • Summary of Dating
      • Furnishings
    • Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Centuries
  • Chapter 8: After the Dissolution: Architectural History of the Parish Church, 1536–1844
    • Later Sixteenth Century
    • Seventeenth Century
    • Eighteenth Century
    • Early Nineteenth Century
  • Chapter 9: Dorchester Abbey Restored, 1844–2007
    • Victorian Restoration, 1844–1883
    • Repairs and Alterations Since 1883
    • Summary of Post-Reformation Repairs
• Part 2: The Fabric and Fittings of the Church
  • Chapter 10: Chancel
    • Exterior
    • Interior
    • Fittings
  • Chapter 11: North Chancel Aisle (St Birinus’s Chapel)
    • Exterior
    • Interior
    • Fittings
  • Chapter 12: South Chancel Aisle (Lady Chapel, Requiem Chapel and Shrine Chapel)
    • Exterior
    • Interior
    • Fittings
  • Chapter 13: Crossing and Transepts
    • Exterior
    • Interior
  • Chapter 14: Nave
    • Exterior
    • Interior
    • Fittings
  • Chapter 15: South Nave Aisle and Porch (People’s Chapel)
    • Exterior
    • Interior
    • Fittings
    • Crypt
    • South Porch
  • Chapter 16: Tower
    • Exterior
    • Interior
    • Fittings
  • Chapter 17: Churchyard and Abbey Guest House
    • Churchyard
    • Abbey Guest House (Dorchester Abbey Museum)
  • Chapter 18: Architectural Fragments
• Appendix: Handlist of Archival Sources for Dorchester Abbey
  • British Library
  • Bodleian Library
  • Oxfordshire Record Office
  • Centre For Oxfordshire Studies
  • National Monuments Record
  • Other Institutions
• Abbreviations
• Bibliography
• Index
• Plates