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List of monastic houses in Essex facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts


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

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 (Knights Templars and Knights Hospitaller). Monastic hospitals are included where they had the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary or preceptor/commandery.

Abbreviations and key
Status of remains
Symbol Status
None Ruins
* Current monastic function
+ Current non-monastic ecclesiastic function (including remains incorporated into later structure)
^ Current non-ecclesiastic function (including remains incorporated into later structure) or redundant intact structure
$ Remains limited to earthworks etc.
# No identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains
~ Exact site of monastic foundation unknown
Identification ambiguous or confused

Locations with names in italics indicate possible duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented) or ecclesiastical establishments with a monastic name but lacking actual monastic connection.

Trusteeship
EH English Heritage
LT Landmark Trust
NT National Trust


Alphabetical listing

Foundation Image Communities & Provenance Formal Name or Dedication
& Alternative Names
Online References & Location
Assandun Minster ~(/+) monastic or secular community
founded 1020 by Canute;
usually identified as Ashingdon, but also Hadstock
Ashingdon Minster?;
possibly Hadstock Minster (Ashdon beside Hadstock)


51°36′37″N 0°41′36″E / 51.6103151°N 0.6933832°E / 51.6103151; 0.6933832 (Assandun Minster (probable location))
or52°04′45″N 0°16′24″E / 52.079114°N 0.273306°E / 52.079114; 0.273306 (Assandun Minster (possible location)) (possible)
Bedemans Berg Priory hermitage
founded before 1135 (during the reign of Henry I);
Benedictine monks
cell dependent on Colchester
founded before 1135;
dissolved 1536
dedication unknown

51°41′36″N 0°21′41″E / 51.6934258°N 0.3614652°E / 51.6934258; 0.3614652 (Bedmans Berg Priory)
Beeleigh Abbey ^ BeeleighAbbey.jpg Premonstratensian Canons
transferred from Neasham via Parndon 1180;
founded before 1172 at Parndon by Robert Mantell;
dissolved 1536; granted to Sir John Gate 1540/1;
remains now incorporated into private house without public access
Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Nicholas, Beeleigh
____________________
Bileigh Abbey
(originally Maldon Abbey)


51°44′16″N 0°39′49″E / 51.7379°N 0.6635°E / 51.7379; 0.6635 (Beeleigh Abbey)
Berden Priory # Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 12th century, probably by a member of the Rocheford family;
apparently initially a hospital;
dependent on Walden 1343;
dissolved 1536; granted to Henry Parker 1537 (1538/9);
site now occupied by mansion named 'Berden Priory'
The Priory Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Berden

51°57′04″N 0°07′35″E / 51.9511987°N 0.1263723°E / 51.9511987; 0.1263723 (Berden Priory (site))
Bicknacre Priory BicknacrePriory.JPG hermitage of Jordan
founded before 1175;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 1175 by Maurice Fitz Jeffery and Tiretai, Sheriff of Essex (or Maurice FitzGeoffrey of Tiltey, former Sheriff of Essex): converted to priory late 1175;
dissolved 1507 on the death of the last prior, at which time no canons remained; granted to Henry Polsted 1539/40; granted to St Mary's Hospital without Bishopsgate, London
The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint John the Baptist, Bicknacre
____________________
Woodham Ferrers Priory;
Woodham Priory;
Wudeham Priory


51°41′40″N 0°34′57″E / 51.694523°N 0.582427°E / 51.694523; 0.582427 (Bicknacre Priory)
Blackmore Priory + BlackmorePriory.jpg Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 1152-62 by Adam and Jordan de Samford;
dissolved 1525 for Wolsey's college at Oxford; granted to John Smith 1540/1;
priory church now in parochial use as the Parish Church of St Laurence
The Priory Church of Saint Lawrence, Blackmore
____________________
Jericho Priory


51°41′25″N 0°19′04″E / 51.690355°N 0.317834°E / 51.690355; 0.317834 (Blackmore Priory)
Bradwell Minster + St Peter-on-the-Wall ext.jpg Roman Saxon Shore fort of Othona reused as monastery
Celtic-style community
founded c.654 by St Cedd;
St Peter's Cathedral built at fort gatehouse;
becoming a minster within Diocese of London shortly after October 664 (when Cedd died);
believed destroyed in raids by the Danes 9th century;
dependent on St Valery on the Somme 1068;
sold to William of Wykeham 1391;
in use as a barn 1750;
restored as a chapel 1920;
continuing as ecumenical place of worship and pilgrimage
St Cedd's Monastery;
St Peter-on-the-Wall;
Ithancester Monastery;
Ythancester Monastery


51°44′07″N 0°56′24″E / 51.7353505°N 0.9398621°E / 51.7353505; 0.9398621 (Bradwell Minister — St Cedd's Monastery (St Peter-on-the-Wall))
Burstead Grange # Cistercian Monks
grange or cell dependent on Stratford;
during the flooding of Stratford the community transferred here until the re-edification of the abbey


51°36′20″N 0°25′56″E / 51.6056027°N 0.4321736°E / 51.6056027; 0.4321736 (Burstead Grange (site))
Castle Hedingham Priory Benedictine nuns
founded ?before 1190 by Aubrey de Vere, 1st Earl of Oxford (or by his wife Countess Lucia (Lucy), later the first prioress);
dissolved 1536; granted to John, Earl of Oxford 1536/7
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint James and the Holy Cross
____________________
Castlehedinhgam Priory;
Heningham Priory


51°59′24″N 0°35′18″E / 51.9900899°N 0.5883425°E / 51.9900899; 0.5883425 (Castle Hedingham Priory)
Chelmsford Blackfriars Dominican Friars (under the Visitation of London)
founded before 1277 (either at Chelmsford or originally at Fulsham);
dissolved 1538; granted to Antony Bonvixi 1542/3
Chelmesford Friary

51°43′52″N 0°28′22″E / 51.7311216°N 0.4726696°E / 51.7311216; 0.4726696 (Chelmsford Blackfriars)
Coggeshall Abbey + CoggeshallAbbey CapellaAntePortas.JPG Savignac monks — from Savigny
founded 3 August 1140 by King Stephen;
Cistercian monks
orders merged 17 September 1147;
dissolved 5 February 1538; granted to Sir Thomas Seymour 1537/8;
Little Coggeshall Abbey called 'Grange Barn';
site now occupied by a private house (re)built 1581 with limited public access; (NT)
The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and Saint John at Coggeshall
____________________
Coxhall Abbey;
Coggeshale Abbey



51°52′03″N 0°41′34″E / 51.8675284°N 0.6927878°E / 51.8675284; 0.6927878 (Coggeshall Abbey)
Colchester Crutched Friary # Crutched Friars
founded before 1230-35 by William de Lanvelli;
by 1392 became a secular hospital or free chapel;
Crutched Friars
refounded 1496;
dissolved 1538; granted to Thomas, Lord Audley 1543/4;
location established during excavation 1928
Hospital of the Holy Cross and Saint Helen

51°53′15″N 0°53′30″E / 51.8875311°N 0.8916923°E / 51.8875311; 0.8916923 (Colchester Crutched Friars (site))
Colchester Greyfriars Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Cambridge)
founded before 1237 by Robert, Lord FitzWalter (who became a friar);
dissolved 1538; granted to Francis Jobson and Andrew Audley 1544/5
Colchester Greyfriars

51°53′30″N 0°54′24″E / 51.8916447°N 0.9065625°E / 51.8916447; 0.9065625 (Colchester Grey Friary (site))
Colchester — St Botolph's Priory StBotolph'sPriory Colchester.JPG secular
founded c.1093 by Ernulphus (later first prior);
Augustinian Canons Regular
refounded c.1100-6;
dissolved 1536; granted to Sir Thomas Audley 1536/7; (EH)
The Priory Church of Saint Julian and Saint Botolph, Colchester (from before 1106)

51°53′15″N 0°54′16″E / 51.887458°N 0.904334°E / 51.887458; 0.904334 (St Botolph's Priory, Colchester)
Colchester — St John's Abbey ^ StJohn'sAbbeyGatehouse Colchester.jpg Benedictine monks
founded 1096/7 by Eudo, courtier of William the Conqueror;
dissolved 1539; granted to John, Earl of Warwick 1547/8; (EH)
The Abbey Church of Saint John the Baptist, Colchester
____________________
Colchester Abbey;
Colchester Priory



51°53′06″N 0°54′05″E / 51.884991°N 0.901305°E / 51.884991; 0.901305 (St John's Abbey, Colchester)
Colne Minster founded before 1045;
subsequently site of Earl's Colne Priory


Cressing Preceptory CressingTemple.JPG Knights Templar
founded 1136 (1150) by King Stephen: donor, Maud (Matilda), queen of Stephen;
Knights Hospitaller
after 1312;
dissolved after 1381: plundered during peasants' revolt;
private farm 1515;
granted to Sir W. Hughes, Kt. 1543/4;
passed to Sir John Smyth and his family; 'The Granary' built 1623
Cressing Temple

51°50′16″N 0°36′38″E / 51.8378161°N 0.6105244°E / 51.8378161; 0.6105244 (Cressing Preceptory)
Earl's Colne Priory EarlsColnePriory.JPG Benedictine monks
dependent on Abingdon, Berkshire (Oxfordshire)
founded before/c.1107 by Albericus de Vere (later a monk there) with consent of Henry I and Maurice, Bishop of London; on or near the site of an earlier minster extant 1045;
practically independent from 1311;
dissolved 1536; granted to John, Earl of Oxford 1536/7;
17th-century house built on site, incorporated into 1865 house currently on site
Earls Colne Priory;
Monks Colne Priory;
Colne Priory;
Colum Priory;
Colun Priory


51°55′36″N 0°42′36″E / 51.926732°N 0.710029°E / 51.926732; 0.710029 (Earl's Colne Priory)
Frating Abbey

51°50′46″N 1°02′56″E / 51.846006°N 1.048824°E / 51.846006; 1.048824 (Frating Abbey)

Hadstock Minster? Church of St Botolph, site of important late-Anglo-Saxon church, belonging to Ely, identified by some as Assunden Minster built c.1020 by Canute

52°04′45″N 0°16′24″E / 52.0791137°N 0.2733064°E / 52.0791137; 0.2733064 (Hadstock Minster? (possible location)) (possible)
Halstead Cell Benedictine monks
founded late 11th century (during the reign of William the Conqueror) by Ingelrica, wife of Ranulf Peverell;
dissolved; granted to Giles Leigh 1537/8
Halstede Cell

Hatfield Broad Oak Priory + HatfieldBroadOakPriory.jpg Benedictine monks
alien house: cell dependent on St-Melaine, Rennes;
founded c.1135 by Aubrey de Vere, father of the 1st Earl of Oxford;
dissolved 1534; granted to Sir Edward North 1543
The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Melaine, Hatfield Broad Oak
____________________
Hatfield Regis Priory;
Hatfield Broadoak Priory



51°49′37″N 0°14′35″E / 51.826876°N 0.242963°E / 51.826876; 0.242963 (Hatfield Broad Oak Priory)
Hatfield Peverel Priory + Benedictine monks secular college
founded before 1087;
converted into priory as a cell of St Albans by William Peverel before 1100;
dissolved 1536;
priory church in parochial use as the Parish Church of St Andrew
The Priory Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Hatfield Peverel

51°46′08″N 0°36′10″E / 51.768942°N 0.6028962°E / 51.768942; 0.6028962 (Hatfield Peverel Priory)
Hockley alternative possible location of Assandun Minster
Latton Priory ^ LattonPriory.jpg Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before 1292;
abandoned 1534; granted to Sir Henry Parker 1536/7
remains now incorporated into farm buildings
The Priory Church of Saint John the Baptist, Latton

51°44′20″N 0°07′15″E / 51.738794°N 0.120935°E / 51.738794; 0.120935 (Latton Priory)
Leez Priory # LeezPriory.JPG Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before 1200 (13th century) by Sir Ralph Gernoun;
dissolved 1536; granted to Sir Richard Rich 1536;
site now occupied by 16th-century mansion named 'Leez Priory'
Leighs Priory;
Leigh Priory;
Little Leighs Priory


51°50′23″N 0°28′02″E / 51.8397484°N 0.4673374°E / 51.8397484; 0.4673374 (Leez Priory)
Little Dunmow Priory + LittleDunmowPriory.JPG Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 1106 (1104) by Lady Juga;
dissolved 1536; granted to Robert, Earl of Sussex 1536/7;
part of conventual church now in parochial use as the Parish Church of St Mary
Dunmow Parva Priory

51°51′54″N 0°24′14″E / 51.8650838°N 0.4038227°E / 51.8650838; 0.4038227 (Little Dunmow Priory)
Little Horkesley Priory Cluniac monks
alien house: daughter house of Thetford, Norfolk (dependent on Lewes, Sussex)
founded before 1127 by Robert Fitz Godebald (Robert of Horkesley) and his wife Beatrice;
became denizen: independent from 1376;
dissolved 1525;
church destroyed by bombing in 1940
The Priory Church of Saint Peter, Horkesley
____________________
Horkesley Priory;
Horkesley Parva Priory


51°57′06″N 0°51′06″E / 51.9515524°N 0.8517408°E / 51.9515524; 0.8517408 (Little Horkesley Priory)
Little Maplestead Preceptory Knights Hospitaller
probably founded ?before 1186 by Juliana, daughter and heiress of Robert Dorsnell;
dissolved c.1463; granted to George Harper
The Church of Saint John the Baptist, Maplestead
____________________
Maplestead Preceptory;
Maplestead Commandery


51°58′29″N 0°39′04″E / 51.9746769°N 0.651058°E / 51.9746769; 0.651058 (Little Maplestead Preceptory)
Maldon Whitefriars Carmelite Friars
founded 1293 (14th century) by Richard Gravesend, Bishop of London, and Richard Isleham, rector of South Hanningfield;
dissolved 1538; granted to George Duke and John Sterr 1544/5
Panfield Priory PanfieldPriory.JPG Augustinian Canons Regular
alien house: dependent on St-Etienne, Caen;
founded 1069/70 (1070–77) by Waleran Fitz Ranulph;
dissolved 1413 (1414); granted to Sir Giles Caple 1538/9
Paunsfield Priory

51°54′16″N 0°31′20″E / 51.904364°N 0.522325°E / 51.904364; 0.522325 (Panfield Priory)
Parndon Abbey # Premonstratensian Canons Regular — from Newhouse
founded before 1172 by Robert Mantell;
transferred to Beeleigh 1180;
traditional site now occupied by buildings of Harlow Newton Golf Club
Abbey Church of Saint Mary and Saint Nicholas, Great Parndon
____________________
Great Parndon Abbey


51°46′24″N 0°04′33″E / 51.7733437°N 0.0757778°E / 51.7733437; 0.0757778 (Parndon Abbey)
Prittlewell Priory ^,
Southend-on-Sea
PrittlewellPriory.JPG Cluniac monks
alien house: dependent on Lewes, Sussex;
founded between 1086 and 1121 by Robert Fitz Swain;
became denizen: independent from sometime between 1351 and 1374;
dissolved 1536; granted to Thomas Audley 1537/8;
granted to Sir Richard Rich 1551;
acquired by the Earl of Nottingham 1678; then the Scratton family; sold by Daniel Scratton 19th century; bought by Robert Jones 1917;
given to Southend Borough 1920;
site now within public Priory Park, now in ownership of Southend Corporation
The Priory Church of Saint Mary, Prittlewell

51°33′14″N 0°42′21″E / 51.5540156°N 0.7058582°E / 51.5540156; 0.7058582 (Prittlewell Priory)
St Osyth's Abbey ^ StOsyth'sPrioryGatehouse.jpg Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before 1118 by Richard de Belmeis, Bishop of London and St Osyth, on the site of an earlier Saxon nunnery, established as Priory
raised to Abbey status;
dissolved; granted to Thomas, Lord Cromwell 1539/40
then to Sir Thomas Darey 1551/2;
after reformation incorporated into a mansion;
now in private ownership with public access
The Abbey Church of Saint Osyth, Saint Osyths
____________________
St Osyth's Priory;
Chich Abbey


51°47′59″N 1°04′31″E / 51.799655°N 1.075193°E / 51.799655; 1.075193 (St Osyth's Abbey)
Southminster Saxon minster
Stansgate Priory Cluniac monks
alien house: cell dependent on Lewes, Sussex;
founded 1122 by the predecessors of Lewes Priory;
became denizen: independent from sometime between 1351 and 1374;
in parochial use as the parish church for Steeple until closure 9 February 1525;
dissolved 1525; granted to Cardinal's College Oxford;
granted to the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem 1531;
sold to Edmund Mordaut 1544
St Mary Magalen
____________________
Stanesgate Priory


51°43′03″N 0°47′37″E / 51.7175307°N 0.7934833°E / 51.7175307; 0.7934833 (Stansgate Priory)
Takeley Priory Benedictine monks
alien house: dependent on St Valery, Picardy;
founded 1066–86;
dissolved c.1391;
now in grounds of Warish Hall
The Priory Church of Saint Valery, Takeley

51°52′32″N 0°16′36″E / 51.8754709°N 0.2767235°E / 51.8754709; 0.2767235 (Takeley Priory)
Thoby Priory ThobyPriory.jpg Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 1141-51 by Michael Capra, his wife and son;
dissolved 1525; granted to Sir Richard Page, Kt. 1530/1; granted to Wolsey's college at Oxford
Thobey Priory;
Ginges Priory


51°39′48″N 0°21′02″E / 51.663381°N 0.3506°E / 51.663381; 0.3506 (Thoby Priory)
Thremhall Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1150 (11th century or mid-12th century) by Gilbert de Monefixo;
dissolved 1536; granted to John Carey 1536/7;
site now occupied by a modern house
The Priory Church of Saint James the Apostle, Thremhall

51°52′13″N 0°13′21″E / 51.8701915°N 0.2224302°E / 51.8701915; 0.2224302 (Thremhall Priory)
Tilbury Monastery Saxon monastery
founded c.654 (630) by St Cedd;
probably destroyed in raids by the Danes 9th century
Tilty Abbey + Tilty Abbey remains, Essex - geograph.org.uk - 130542.jpg Cistercian monks
founded 1153 by Robert Ferrers, Earl of Derby and Maurice FitzJeffery;
dissolved 1536; granted to Thomas Lord Audley 1543/4;
church now in parochial use
Tiltey Abbey

51°54′55″N 0°19′31″E / 51.9153974°N 0.3252715°E / 51.9153974; 0.3252715 (Tilty Abbey)
Tiptree Priory TiptreePriory.JPG Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 12th century by Ralph de Munchensi
dissolved;
16th-century house built on site
The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Nicholas, Tiptree

51°47′54″N 0°43′07″E / 51.7984079°N 0.7185128°E / 51.7984079; 0.7185128 (Tiptree Priory)
Tolleshunt Major Grange

51°46′33″N 0°46′59″E / 51.775754°N 0.783033°E / 51.775754; 0.783033 (Tolleshunt Major Grange (approx. loc.)) (approx)
Tolleshunt Knights — St John's Monastery * Orthodox monks and nuns
founded 1959; extant
Monastery of John the Baptist (1959)

Patriarchal Monastery of St John the Baptist (1965)

Patriarchal Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist


51°47′43″N 0°46′56″E / 51.795213°N 0.7823253°E / 51.795213; 0.7823253 (Tolleshunt Monastery)
Walden Abbey ^ AudleyEndHouse.JPG Benedictine monks
founded 1136 by Jeffrey (Geoffrey de) Mandevil[le], Earl of Essex;
raised to abbey status 1190;
dissolved 1538; granted to Sir Thomas Audley 1538;
site now occupied by Audley End House and St. Mark's College
The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint James the Apostle, Walden

The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and Saint James the Apostle, Walden
____________________
Saffron Walden Abbey;
Little Walden Abbey;
Walden Priory


52°01′15″N 0°13′16″E / 52.0207316°N 0.2209926°E / 52.0207316; 0.2209926 (Walden Abbey)
Waltham Abbey + WalthamAbbey.JPG secular canons
founded ?1016-1035 (during the reign of Canute);
refounded before c.1060 by Earl Harold;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 1177 by Henry II;
dissolved 23 March 1540; granted to Sir Antony Deny
part of church now in use as parish church
Holy Cross

51°41′15″N 0°00′13″W / 51.6875°N 0.0035°W / 51.6875; -0.0035 (Waltham Abbey)
West Mersea Priory Benedictine monks
alien house: dependent on St Ouen, Rouen;
founded c.1046(?) by Edward the Confessor;
dissolved 1400; granted to Higham Ferrer's collegiate church 1426;
granted to Robert Dacres, Esq. 1542/3;
conventual church now in parochial use as parish church of SS Peter & Paul
The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Mersea
____________________
Mercy Priory;
West Meresey Priory


51°46′31″N 0°54′39″E / 51.775176°N 0.9107387°E / 51.775176; 0.9107387 (West Mersea Priory)
Witham Preceptory founded 1138–48, manor granted by King Stephen, his wife Matilda and son Eustace of Boulogne;
dissolved before 1200(?), apparently united with Cressing and retained as a manor


51°48′16″N 0°37′26″E / 51.8043293°N 0.6238577°E / 51.8043293; 0.6238577 (Witham Preceptory)
Wix Priory + WixPrioryArches.JPG Benedictine nuns
founded 1123-33 by Walter and Alexander Mascherell;
dissolved 1525;
site now occupied by Abbey Farmhouse
blocked arches of priory church form north wall of the church of St Mary The Virgin
The Priory Church of Saint Mary, Wix
____________________
Wickes Priory;
Wikes Priory;
Sopwick Priory



51°55′04″N 1°08′41″E / 51.917768°N 1.144635°E / 51.917768; 1.144635 (Wix Priory)


See also

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List of monastic houses in Essex Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.