Barnwell Priory
Barnwell Priory was an Augustinian priory at Barnwell in Cambridgeshire, founded as a house of Canons Regular. The only surviving parts are 13th-century claustral building, which is a Grade II* listed,[1] and remnants found in the walls, cellar and gardens of Abbey House.[2][3]
The priory was home to the Barnwell chronicler, an anonymous chronicler who wrote about the reign of King John.
History
The priory was founded in 1092 by Picot of Cambridge, High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, as a house of Canons Regular in a church of St. Giles by Cambridge Castle. Having strong links with Colchester priory the monks of Cambridge followed Colchester's lead in adopting Augustinian rule. Picot endowed the six brethren with an income from tithes and with a number of rectories. After his death the monastery fell into the hands of the king, who then gave it to Pain Peverel. [4]
Pain gave land at Chesterton on which the monks built a new priory, Barnwell Priory, whose lands increased by donations from local landowners. Over time the priory itself grew in size and strength until there were 30 canons in residence.
The priory was finally dissolved on 11 November 1538 as part of the general Dissolution of the Monasteries and granted to Anthony Brown c.1546 and Edward, Lord Clinton c.1552. The buildings became ruinous and were almost thoroughly destroyed in 1810.
References
- Proceedings of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, ..., Volume 7, Cambridge Antiquarian Society (Cambridge, 1893). See pages 222-251. John Bowtell recorded the final description of the priory remains in 1812.
External links
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