cynuit and landscape priddy cheddar wookey axbridge banwell Worlebury Camp weston brentknoll bridgewater the levels archer athelney abbeys wells sheptonmallet ilcestre cadbury bury bristoll brislington keynsham bath wellow stantondrew watchet bats castle dunster dunkerry
Home Previous Next


                         ABBEYS


 IT IS COMMON IN THE PRESENT DAY TO JEER AT MONKS;

AND TO THINK OF THEM AS DISHONEST MEN, WHO PRETENDED TO LEAD HOLY LIVES WHILST THEY WERE WICKED IN SECRET AND BOUND THEMSELVES BY VOWS THEY DID NOT FULFIL.

 IF YOU SEE A PICTURE DRAWN TO-DAY OF MONASTIC LIFE IT IS FREQUENTLY SOME SCENE OF FEASTING OR REVELRY, OR ONE IN WHICH THE MONKS ARE MADE TO LOOK ABSURD. NO DOUBT DISORDERS AT LAST CREPT INTO MANY RELIGIOUS HOUSES, AND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN GREAT NEED TO REFORM THEM;

BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOOK AT THE FRAGMENTS AND RUINS OF ABBEYS AND PRIORIES REMAINING IN OUR COUNTY WITHOUT FEELING THAT ONLY A DEEP SINCERITY COULD HAVE RAISED THE MAGNIFICENT BUILDINGS OF WHICH WE DO BUT SEE THE CRUMBLING WALLS.

 WE MUST NOT JUDGE THE PAST BY THE THOUGHTS AND IDEAS WHICH GUIDE THE WORLD TO-DAY.

THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN QUITE WISELY LEFT BEHIND WERE STEPPING-STONES TO THE ADVANTAGES WE NOW ENJOY.

 WHEN MANY OF THE ABBEYS WERE FOUNDED, THE GREATER PART OF ENGLAND WAS UNENCLOSED FOREST WITH FEW ROADS.

TOWNS WERE SMALL AND FAR APART. THE BARONS LIVING IN THEIR CASTLES WERE CONSTANTLY AT WAR WITH ONE ANOTHER. IT WAS A LIFE OF STRIFE, AND PROBABLY FEW NORMAN NOBLES COULD READ AND WRITE. PRINTING WAS NOT KNOWN; AND AS ALL BOOKS HAD TO BE WRITTEN BY HAND, THEY WERE VERY RARE AND COSTLY. THE MONASTERIES ALONE COULD PROVIDE THEM, FOR ONLY THEY HAD LIBRARIES ; AND SOME OF THE MONKS WERE ALWAYS BUSY MAKING COPIES OF BOOKS TO BE SOLD OR EXCHANGED FOR OTHERS THEY DID NOT POSSESS.

    

                                                         Athelney Abbey

possible early hermitage or monastery founded c.878   

Benedictine? Monks founded c.888 by King Alfred (possibly enlarging pre-existing establishment);
       Benedictine monks
                           (re)founded c.960; dissolved 8 February 1539; granted to John Clayton 1544/5; now on private land, the site of church is marked by a monument erected 1801 The Abbey of
Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Athelwine, Athelney

Bablew Grange  Cluniac monks
grange and chapel dependent on
Montacute Bablew Priory

Banwell Monastery  Saxon monastery granted to Asser by Alfred c.888; St Andrew's Church, Banwell, possibly on site (alternative possible sites)  

Barlynch Priory  Augustinian Canons Regular
founded between 1154 and 1189 (between 1174(?) and 1220), reputedly by William de Say;
dissolved before July 1537; granted to Sir John Wallop 1538/9;
remains now on site of Barlynch Farm;
now in ownership of Working for Wildlife The Priory Church of
Saint Nicholas, Barlinch
____________________
Barlinch Priory

Barrow Gurney Nunnery  Benedictine nuns
founded c.1200 by ___ Gurney, Lord of Stoke Hamden;
dissolved 1536; granted to William Clerke 1544/5;
incorporated into Barrow Court The Blessed Virgin Mary and St Edmund, King and Martyr
____________________
Minchin Barrow Priory;
Minchinbarrow Priory
Bearwe Priory;
Borrow Gurney Priory

Bath Abbey +  Saxon nuns
founded c.676, reputedly by
King Osric, who granted land to Bertana, abbess;
destroyed and rebuilt several times;
monks
refounded before 758;
secular? 775;
Benedictine? monks
refounded 963/4;
episcopal diocesan cathedral 1090;
dissolved 1539; granted to Humphrey Colles 1542/3;
conventual church now in parochial use The Abbey Church of
Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath

Bedminster Monastery Historical county location. See entry under Bristol    

Brent Cell  Benedictine monks
purported cell dependent on
Glastonbury East Brent Cell  

Bridgwater Greyfriars  Franciscan Friars (under the Custody of Bristol)
founded c.1245 by
William Bruer (Briwere);
church consecrated 1445 (after rebuilt/extended);
dissolved 13 September 1538 Bridge Water Friary  

Bristol Austin Friars Historical county location. See entry under Bristol    

Bristol Eremites Friars Historical county location. See entry under Bristol    

Bristol Preceptory Historical county location. See entry under Bristol    

Bruton Abbey  Benedictine monks
abbey(?) founded c.1005 by Algar, Earl of Cornwall;
dissolved before 1086(?);
Augustinian Canons Regular
refounded 1127-1135 by
William de Mohun
raised to abbey status 1511;
dissolved 1 April 1539; granted to Maurice Berkely 1545/6   

Buckland Priory  Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1166 by William de Arlegh (Erlegh), Lord of Durston;
dissolved c.1180;
Knights Hospitaller preceptory
refounded c.1180; dissolved 1433
together with priory of Sisters of St John of Jerusalem (see immediately below);
refounded c.1180; dissolved after 1500;
Augustinian Canons Regular
priory or hospital;
refounded after 1500;
dissolved 10 February 1539; granted to Alexander Popham and William Halley 1544/5;
site now occupied by Buckland Farm John the Baptist
____________________
Minchin Buckland Preceptory
Buckland Sororum  

Buckland Sisters of St John Priory  Sisters of St John of Jerusalem
transferred from Carbrooke, Clanfield, Gosford, Hampton, Hogshaw, Shingay, Standon and Swingfield;
refounded c.1180;
together with Knights Hospitaller Preceptory on the site of former Augustinian Canons Regular priory (see immediately above);
dissolved after 1500;
Augustinian Canons Regular priory or hospital founded on site (see immediately above);
site now occupied by Buckland Farm St Mary and St Nicholas  

Burtle Priory  hermitage, endowed by William son of Godfrey of Eddington 1199;
Augustinian Canons Regular
priory cell dependent on
Glastonbury 1267;
refounded before 1270;
independent from 1275;
dissolved 1536; granted to John and James Bisse 1553/4:
parochial church of St Philip and St James Church built on the site The Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Stephen
____________________
Burtle Moor Priory;
St Stephens Chapel, Sprauellissmede;
Byrkley Priory;
Burcle Priory;
Bercle Priory;
Brademers Priory  

Cannington Priory  Benedictine nuns — from Dorset
founded c.1138 by Robert de Courcey;
transferred to
Colwich, Staffordshire;
converted into a mansion;
reverted to nunnery;
dissolved 1536; granted to Edward Rogers 1538/9;
remains incorporated into
Cannington Court, built on site Canyngton Nunnery  

Charterhouse on Mendip  Carthusian monks
grange (purported cell) dependent on Witham;
granted Robert May 1544/5   

Cheddar Monastery  reference to community 978; called a minster   

Chewstoke Cell  cell(?)
founded (?) by Elizabeth de Sancta Cruce;
dissolved before 1500(?) Holy Cross  

Clevedon Friary *  Franciscan Friars Minor
extant Friary and Parish of the Immaculate Conception  

Cleeve Abbey  Cistercian monks — from Revesby
founded between 1186 and 1191, land granted by
William de Roumare (Romara), Earl of Lincoln (building apparently begun by 1198 - 24 or 25 June 1198;
dissolved 1536; granted to Thomas, Earl of Sussex 1541/2; (EH) Vallis Florida;
Clyve Abbey ;
Cliff Abbey  

Dodlinch Priory ~  Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine
possibly initially dependent on
Bristol;
associated with the Victorine abbey at Bristol;
founded c.1210 by William de Courtney;
transferred to new site at
Woodspring ?before 1226;
dissolved 1230 Dodelyng Priory  

Downside Abbey *  Benedictine monks
(community founded at Douai 1607);
transferred from
Douai
founded 1814 The Abbey Church of
Saint Gregory the Great, Downside, Stratton-on-Fosse  

Dunster Priory +  Benedictine monks
dependent on Bath;
founded c.1100 (after 1090) by
William de Mohun;
dissolved 1539; granted to Humphrey Colles 1542/3;
church in parochial use as the
Priory Church of St George Priory Church of St George  

Frome Monastery  Saxon (Benedictine?) monks — purportedly from Malmesbury;
founded after 675 by St Aldhelm;
dissolved before 690?   

Glastonbury Abbey  Saxon monks
founded c.6th century(?);
Benedictine? monks
founded c.705;
secular 9th century?
Benedictine monks
(re)founded(?) c.960;
dissolved 15 November 1539; granted to Edward, Duke of Somerset 1547/8;
granted to Sir Peter Carew 1558/9;
ruins purchased by the Bath and Wells Diocesan Trust 1908;
now in ownership of the
Church of England with public access The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Glastonbury  

Green Ore Cell(?)  Bendictine monks
'cell of Glaston';
probable grange of Hinton Charterhouse Green Oare  

Haselbury Priory  hermitage to 1154;
Augustinian Canons Regular
William fitz Walter began house — apparently not completed; possibly destroyed in the
contests of the barons   

Hinton Priory  Carthusian monks
(community founded 1222 at
Hatherop, Gloucestershire 1222);
transferred here May 1232;
dissolved 1539;
now in private ownership without public access Hinton Charterhouse  

Ilchester Blackfriars #  Dominican Friars
founded between 1221 and 1260;
dissolved 1538;
demolished early 19th century   

Ilchester Nunnery  hospital founded c.1217-1220 by William Dennis (Dacus);
Augustinian Canonesses
refounded before 1281;
dissolved before 1463 Whitehall Hospital of the Holy Trinity
____________________
Blanchesale Hospital;
Whitehall Hospital  

Ilminster  possible Saxon minster; land granted to Muchelney by King Ine; no record of community   

Keynsham Abbey  Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1170 by
William, Earl of Gloucester
dissolved 1539; granted to Thomas Bridges, Esq 1552/3   

Kilve Chantry  founded 1329 by Simon de Furneaux;
dissolved late 14th century
damaged by fire in 1848   

Langley Priory  uncertain order and foundation
house of St Mary, brothers or canons, short-lived establishment 12th century   

Martock Priory  granted to Humphry Colles 1542/3   

Moorlynch Cell  Benedictine monks
cell dependent on Glastonbury   

Montacute Priory  

Cluniac monks
founded between c.1078 and 1102 by
William, Count of Mortain

dissolved 1539; granted to Robert, Earl of Leicester 1573/4;
remains now part of
Abbey Farmhouse Montecute;
Mons Acutus  

Muchelney Abbey  Benedictine? monks
founded before 693 traditionally by
King Ine;
destroyed in raids by the Danes(?)c.878
secular collegiate?
founded 939 by
King Athelstan;
Benedictine monks
founded c.950 (959);
dissolved 3 January 1538; granted to Edward, Earl of Hertford 1537/8;
(EH) Michelney Abbey  

Pennard Minster  Saxon minster   

Pitminster  possible Saxon minster   

Potbury Priory  Augustinian Canons Regular
possible priory dependent on
Bristolno record of cell   

Regil Grange  Cistercian monks
grange? dependent on Flaxley;
founded before 1200(?)   

Stavordale Priory  Augustinian Canons Regular — Vitorine
founded before 1243 by a member of the Lovel family;
merged with Taunton 1533;
granted to John, Earl of Oxford 1544/5;
conventual church converted into a private house, renovated and extended in 1905 Slaverdale Priory  

Steep Holme Cell  Augustinian Canons Regular
cell dependent on
Studley, Oxfordshire;
founded before 1260;
dissolved before 1300   

Taunton Priory #  secular collegiate
founded before 904;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1120 (c.1115) by
William Giffard, Bishop of Winchester;
dissolved 1539; granted to Mathew Colehurst 1544/5;
part of remains now called 'Priory Barn';
converted into a cricket museum The Priory Church of
Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Taunton  

Taunton Whitefriars  Carmelite Friars
licence
granted 1341; revoked 1343; house never established   

Templecombe Preceptory  Knights Templar
granted by Serlo FitzOdo in 1185.
founded c.1185
dissolved 1308-12;
Knights Hospitaller
granted 1312
dissolved 1539; granted to Richard Andrews and
Leonard Chamberlayne Combe Templariorum;
Temple Comb Preceptory  

Witham Friary +  Carthusian monks
founded 1178/9 (1180/1);
dissolved 1539; granted to Ralph Hopton 1544/5;
church now in parochial use The Friary Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Witham

The Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John Baptist and All Saints, Witham Friary (former lay brothers' church)
____________________
Witham Abbey
Witham Charterhouse;
Selwood Friary  

Woodspring Priory ^  Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine
(community founded at Dodlinch c.1210);
transferred here before 1226;
dissolved 1539; granted to William and John Lacy 1559/60;
currently in use as an exhibuiltion centre for artwork;
(LT) The Priory Church of the honour of the Holy Trinity, Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Thomas the Martyr of Canterbury, Worspring
____________________
Worspring Priory  

Worminster  Saxon minster Wormester  

Wyrall Nunnery  alleged early nunnery St Peter
____________________
Wyrall Hill Nunnery  

Yenston Priory #  Benedictine monks
alien house: cell or grange(?) dependent on St Sever;
founded before c.1090 (before 1100) by Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester (Hugh Abrincis);
mentioned in the reign of Edward I;
doubtful it ever had status of priory;
granted to Eton College c.1468; exchanged for other lands; held by Sir Thomas Bell by 1548;
house possibly built on site 16th century;
adjacent fields called 'Priory Plot' and 'Priors' possibly associated with the grange