- Artists' Ways - North Somerset
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-
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-
THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN QUITE WISELY LEFT BEHIND WERE STEPPING-
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-
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
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
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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
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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-
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
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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
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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 -
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-
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-
Augustinian Canonesses
refounded before 1281;
dissolved before 1463 Whitehall Hospital of the Holy Trinity
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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-
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 Bristol — no 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-
Knights Hospitaller
granted 1312
dissolved 1539; granted to Richard Andrews and
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)
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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
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Worspring Priory
Worminster Saxon minster Wormester
Wyrall Nunnery alleged early nunnery St Peter
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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
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