List of monastic houses in Warwickshire

Alcester Abbey

Alvecote Priory

Arbury Priory

Atherstone Austin Friars

Bretford Priory

Cawston Grange

Coombe Abbey

Kenilworth Abbey

Maxstoke Priory

Merevale Abbey

Monks Kirby Priory

Nuneaton Priory

Oldbury Priory

Pinley Priory

Polesworth Abbey

Stoneleigh Abbey

Studley Priory, Warwickshire

Thelsford Priory

Warmington Priory

WARWICK

Wolston Priory

Wootton Wawen Priory

Wroxall Priory

Locations of monastic houses in Warwickshire

The following is a list of monastic houses in Warwickshire, England.

In this article alien houses are included, as are smaller establishments such as cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks), and also camerae of the military orders of monks (Templars and Hospitallers). The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary or preceptory/commandery.

The name of the county is given where there is reference to an establishment in another county. Where the county has changed since the foundation's dissolution the modern county is given in parentheses, and in instances where the referenced foundation ceased to exist before the unification of England, the kingdom is given, followed by the modern county in parentheses.

The geographical co-ordinates provided are sourced from the details provided by Historic England PastScape ^[1] and Ordnance Survey publications.

A Monastic Glossary follows the listing, which provides links to articles on the particular monastic orders as well as other terms which appear in the listing.

Abbreviations and key

The sites listed are ruins unless indicated thus: * indicates current monastic function + indicates current non-monastic ecclesiastic function (including remains incorporated into later structure) ^ indicates current non-ecclesiastic function (including remains incorporated into later structure) or redundant intact structure $ indicates remains limited to earthworks etc. # indicates no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains ~ indicates exact site of monastic foundation unknown ≈ identification ambiguous or confused Locations with names in italics indicate probable duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented) or ecclesiastical establishments with a monastic appellation but lacking monastic connection.

Trusteeship denoted as follows: EH English Heritage LT Landmark Trust NT National Trust

Alphabetical listing of establishments

Foundation	Image	Communities & Provenance	Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names	OnLine References & Location
Alcester Abbey $		Benedictine monks founded c.1138/1140 by Ralph Pincerna le Boteler; reduced to priory cell dependent on Evesham, Worcestershire 1466; dissolved 1536; granted to William and John Sewester; demolished and quarried for the remodelling of the manor house named 'Beauchamp Court'	The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Anne, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist ____________________ Alencester Abbey
Alvecote Priory		Benedictine monks dependent on Great Malvern; founded 1159: granted to Great Malvern by William Burdet; dissolved 1536; granted to Thomas, Lord Audley and Sir Thomas Pope	St Blase ____________________ Avecote Priory
Arbury Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian founded after 1154 (early in the reign of Henry II) by Ralph de Sudley; Augustinian Canons Regular independend from 1235; dissolved 1534; granted to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk 1538/9; site now occupied by an Elizabethan house named 'Arbury Hall'; in private ownership, used for corporate events	The Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ Erbury Priory; Erdbury Priory; Ordbury Priory
Atherstone Austin Friars +		Augustinian Friars (under the Limit of Lincoln) founded 1374 by Ralph, Lord Basset of Drayton; dissolved 1538; granted to Henry Cartwright 1543/4; nave of friary church retained for parish, chancel used as a grammar school which discontinued 1863, becoming ruinous; house built on site, demolished; house named 'Atherstone House' built on site late-18th century, extant; nave and aisles rebuilt 1849 and 1888 and chancel restored to the church	Atherston Austin Friars
Atherstone Priory		Benedictine nuns daughter house of St Benedict's, Colwich, Staffordshire; foundations laid May 1859; dissolved 1967: amalgamated with Colwich	St Scholastica
Balsall Preceptory	Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in the West Midlands
Bretford Priory		Benedictine nuns cell founded before 1154 (during the reign of Henry II), land granted by Geoffrey de Clinton; appropriated by Kenilworth (during the incumbency of Richard, Abbot of Leicester until c.1167) with the consent of Geoffrey de Clinton; dissolved before 1167
Cawston Grange		Cistercian monks grange dependent on Pipewell, Northamptonshire; in possession of Turchis of Warwick 1086; founded after 1201: granted to Pipewell by Ingleram Clement and his son William; confirmed 1235; built by the time of Edwin the Confessor; destroyed by fire 1307; rebuilt; dissolved 1538; mansion built 16th century; demolished 1829; farmhouse built on site 19th century
Coombe Abbey		Cistercian monks — from Waverley, Surrey founded 10 July 1150 by Richard de Camvilla; dissolved 1539; granted to John, Earl of Warwick 1547/8; mansion named 'Combe Abbey House' built on site by 1581 John (afterwards Lord) Harrington; converted into a hotel, with its grounds now the country park of Coombe Country Park in the ownership of Coventry City Council	Combe Abbey
Coventry Greyfriars	Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in the West Midlands
Coventry Priory	Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in the West Midlands
Coventry — St Anne's Priory	Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in the West Midlands
Coventry Whitefriars	Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in the West Midlands
Grafton Preceptory		Knights Hospitaller founded c.1189, land granted by Henry de Grafton; dissolved before/c.1476, jointly with Balsall	Temple Grafton; Balsall and Grafton Preceptory
Henwood Priory	Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in the West Midlands
Holywell Cell		Augustinian Canons Regular cell dependent on Rocester, Staffordshire; founded 1240-70; dissolved 1325
Holywell Cell		Cistercian monks 'cella', grange(?) dependent on Stoneleigh; founded before 1291
Kenilworth Abbey		Augustinian Canons Regular priory founded c.1125 by Geoffrey de Clinton, chamberlain and treasurer to Henry I: licence dated 1125; raised to abbey status after 1439; dissolved 14 April 1539; granted by Henry VIII to Sir Andrew Flamock; masonry used at Kenilworth Castle	The Blessed Virgin Mary
Maxstoke Priory		Sir William de Clinton purchased parish church 1330, initially intending to found a chantry/college; licensed 1331; Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1336/7 by Sir William de Clinton, Earl of Huntingdon; dissolved 1536; granted to Charles, Duke of Suffolk 1538/9; remains incorporated into Priory Farm; now in private ownership; church suffered substantial collapse January 1986	The Holy Trinity, The Blessed Virgin Mary, St Michael and All Saints ____________________ Mackstoke Priory
Merevale Abbey		Cistercian monks — from Bordesley, Worcestershire daughter of Bordesley; founded 10 October 1148 by Robert de Ferrers II, Earl of Derby; dissolved 13 October 1538; granted to Walter, Lord Ferrers 1540/1; gatehouse chapel now in parochial use
Monks Kirby Priory		Benedictine monks alien house: dependent on Angers; founded 1077 by Geoffrey de Wirche (Gosfred de Wirchia); granted to Axholme after 1396; restored to Angers 1399; dissolved 1414; again granted to Axholme; granted to Trinity College, Cambridge 1545/6; remains incorporated into St Mary and St Edith's Church	The Priory Church of Saint Nicholas, Kirkbury ____________________ Kirkbury Priory
Nuneaton Priory		Fontevrault Benedictine nuns and monks double house — from Kintbury, Berkshire alien house: dependent on Fontevrault; founded c.1155 by Robert Bossu, Earl of Leicester; Benedictine nuns denizen: apparently independent of Fontevrault from after 1442; dissolved 1539; granted to Sir Marmaduke Constable 1540/1; remains incorporated into St Mary's Church, built on site 1876	St Mary the Virgin
Oldbury Priory		Benedictine nuns manor belonged to Polesworth; founded c.1066-70: nuns purportedly transferred from Polesworth upon expulsion by Robert Marmion I; transferred to Polesworth by Robert Marmion II; dissolved c.1130; continued as a cell and chapel until c.1272	St Laurence ____________________ St Lawrence's Chapel
Penitanham Monastery (?)		land granted by Oshere, King of the Hwicce 693; no further reference nor identification
Pinley Priory		Cistercian nuns founded before 1135 (during the reign of Henry I) by Robert de Pillarton (Pilardinton); also given as Benedictine nuns dissolved 1536; granted to William Wigstone, Esq. 1544/5	St Mary
Polesworth Abbey		Benedictine nuns founded before 839(?) by King Egbert; possibly refounded c.980; purportedly expelled by Robert Marmion I and transferred to Oldbury 1066-70; transferred from Oldbury c.1130 by Robert Marmion II and his wife Milicent; dissolved 31 January 1539; granted to Francis Goodyere, Esq. 1544/5; conventual church in parochial use as the Parish Church of St Editha	St Editha ____________________ Pollesworth Abbey
Shuttington Monastery		hermit friars, no order given — apparently not Austin Friars founded 1260; no later record; church under Benedictines at Alvecote
Stoneleigh Abbey		Cistercian monks daughter of Bordesley, Worcestershire; (community founded at Radmore, Staffordshire 1143-7); transferred from Radmore 19 December 1154, with the consent of Henry II, foundations laid 13 April 1155; dissolved 1536; granted to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk 1538/9; remains incorporated into country house named 'Stoneleigh Abbey House' built on site after 1561, altered 18th & 19th century	Stonely Abbey
Stratford-on-Avon Monastery		Saxon monks apparently founded 693-717 (during the incumbency of Ecgwine, Bishop of Worcester) dissolved after 872
Studley Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular (community founded at Witton, Worcestershire (West Midlands) c.1135); transferred from Witton by Peter Corbezon c.1151; conventual church rebuilt, consecrated 1309; dissolved 1536; granted to Sir Edmund Knightly; site now occupied by a farmhouse	The Priory Church of Saint Mary, Studley
Thelsford Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular — Holy Sepulchre priory(?) possibly founded after 1170 (1200-1212); Trinitarians refounded c.1214: land granted by Sir William Lucy of Charlecote (William de Cherlecote), or 1224-40(?); dissolved 26 October 1538; granted to William Whorwood, Esq. and William Walter 1543/4	St John the Baptist and St Radegund ____________________ Thelesford Priory
Warmington Priory		Benedictine monks alien house: dependent on St-Pierre, Préaux; founded before 1123 by Paul de Prattelles, granted by Henry de Newburgh, Earl of Warwick; dissolved c.1387(?); under Toft Monks, Norfolk by 1380; dissolved 1387; granted to the Carthusians at Witham, Somerset 1428; granted to William and Francis Seldon Esqrs. 1543/4
Warwick Blackfriars #		Dominican Friars (under the Limit of Oxford) founded before 1263, site obtained for the friars by Ralph Boteler, Baron of Wem; dissolved 20 October 1538
Warwick Monastery		Saxon monks destroyed 1016 by Cnut
Warwick Nunnery		Saxon nuns purportedly destroyed c.1016 by Cnut; subsequently site of "St Nicholas's churchyard"
Warwick St Sepulchre Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular — Holy Sepulchre founded c.1119-23, begun by Henry Newburgh (Henry de Beaumont) probably before 20 June 1119, completed by his son Earl Roger 1123; indistinguishable from mainstream Augustinian Canons Regular after 1188; independent from after 1280 (recorded as Holy Sepulchre Canons 1280); dissolved 1536; granted to Thomas Hawkins 1546/7; remains incorporated into mansion built on site 1556, largely dismantled 1925 and removed to Virginia
Warwick Preceptory #		Knights Templar founded c.1135 (between 1123 and 1142) purportedly by Roger, Earl of Warwick; possibly superseded as preceptory by Balsall, becoming a member thereof c.1142; dissolved 1308-12; passed to Knights Hospitaller who maintained there a chaplain, bailiff and pensioner
Wolston Priory		Benedictine monks alien house: dependent on St-Pierre-sur-Dives; founded 1086-94: chapel and other endowments granted by Hubert Boldran dissolved 1394; sold to Carthusians at Coventry;
Wootton Wawen Priory		Saxon minster land granted by King Ethelbald of Mercia between 723 and 737; no further reference to that establishment; Benedictine monks alien house: dependent on Conches; founded after 1086: church and other endowments granted by Robert de Tony soon after the Norman Conquest; granted to the Carthusians at Coventry 1398; restored to Conches 1400; dissolved 1447; granted to King's College, Cambridge
Wroxall Priory		Benedictine nuns founded c.1135(?) (1141?) by Hugh, Lord of Hatton and Wroxall; dissolved 1536; granted to Robert Burgoin and John Scudamore 1544; some claustral buildings demolished and house built on site 16th century by Burgoyne family; site sold to James Dugdale 1861; more claustral buildings demolished 1864; house named 'Wroxall Abbey' built on site 1866, in use as a school; school closed 1995 and reopened as a hotel; St Leonard's church closed 1995(?) and reopened as a chapel known as 'Wren's Chapel' for an independent Christian church	St Leonard ____________________ Wroxhall Priory

Glossary

Orders: Augustinian Augustinian Canons Regular / Austin Canons / Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) - Arrouasian / (Arroasian) - Victorine - Holy Sepulchre Austin Friars (Augustinian Friars) Augustinian Recollects Benedictine / Order of St Benedict (O.S.B.) Bonshommes Bridgettine / Briggittine Carmelites Carmelites (White Friars) Carthusians Cistercian Cluniac Crutched Friars / (Crouched Friars / Crossed Friars / Fratres Cruciferi / Brethren of the Holy Cross) Culdee Dominican (Black Friars) / Ordinis Praedicatorum (Order of Preachers) (O.P.) / Friars Preachers Franciscan (Grey Friars) Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (The Order of Friars Minor (O.F.M.) / Ordo Fratrum Minorum) Capuchin (Order of Friars Minor Capuchin) Franciscan Observants Franciscan, Third Order Regular Franciscan Recollects Minoresses (Poor Clares) Friars of the Order of Blessed Mary (Friars of St Mary / Fratres Beatae Mariae) Friars of Penitence of Jesus Christ (Friars of the Sack) Gilbertine Grandmontine Military Orders Knights Hospitaller / Hospitallers / Order of Hospitallers / Knights of Saint John / Order of Saint John Order of the Holy Sepulchre Knights Templar / Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon / Order of the Temple / Templars Order of Saint Lazarus

St. Lazarus Hospitallers Premonstratensian Savignac Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Sisters of St John of Jerusalem Tironensian Trappist Trinitarian (Maturines) Valliscaulian General terms: Abbots / Abbesses / Abbey Alien House Anchorites Camera (pl. Cameræ) Canons Canons Regular cell Commandery Double monastery Friars / Friary Friars Eremites / anchorites Hermits Mendicants Monks Nuns / Nunnery Preceptor / Preceptory Priors / Prioresses / Priory Secular canons

Map link to lists of monastic houses in England by county

Northumberland Durham Lancashire Cheshire Derbs. Notts. Lincolnshire Leics. Staffs. Shropshire Warks. Northants. Norfolk Suffolk Essex Herts. Beds. Bucks. Oxon. Glos. Somerset Wiltshire Berkshire Kent Surrey Hampshire Dorset Devon Cornwall Heref. Worcs. Bristol East Riding of Yorkshire Rutland Cambs. Greater London Tyne & Wear Cumbria North Yorkshire South Yorks. West Yorkshire Greater Manc. Merseyside East Sussex West Sussex Isle of Wight West Midlands

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See also

• List of monastic houses in England

References

• Binns, Alison (1989) Studies in the History of Medieval Religion 1: Dedications of Monastic Houses in England and Wales 1066-1216, Boydell
• Cobbett, William (1868) List of Abbeys, Priories, Nunneries, Hospitals, And Other Religious Foundations in England and Wales and in Ireland, Confiscated, Seized On, or Alienated by the Protestant "Reformation" Sovereigns and Parliaments
• Knowles, David & Hadcock, R. Neville (1971) Medieval Religious Houses England & Wales. Longman
• Morris, Richard (1979) Cathedrals and Abbeys of England and Wales, J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd.
• Thorold, Henry (1986) Collins Guide to Cathedrals, Abbeys and Priories of England and Wales, Collins
• Thorold, Henry (1993) Collins Guide to the Ruined Abbeys of England, Wales and Scotland, Collins
• Wright, Geoffrey N., (2004) Discovering Abbeys and Priories, Shire Publications Ltd.
• English Cathedrals and Abbeys, Illustrated, Odhams Press Ltd.
• Map of Monastic Britain, South Sheet, Ordnance Survey, 2nd edition, 1954