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List of monastic houses in Somerset facts for kids

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The following is a list of the monastic houses in Somerset, 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



Foundation Image Communities & Provenance Formal Name or Dedication
& Alternative Names
Online References & Location
Athelney Abbey # Stone obelisk surrounded by railings set in green fields and trees 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

Athelney
51°03′35″N 2°56′02″W / 51.059753°N 2.933878°W / 51.059753; -2.933878 (Athelney Abbey)
Bablew Grange Cluniac monks
grange and chapel dependent on Montacute
Bablew Priory
Tintinhull
50°58′22″N 2°43′15″W / 50.9727°N 2.7207°W / 50.9727; -2.7207 (Bablew Priory)
Banwell Monastery Saxon monastery
granted to Asser by Alfred c.888;
St Andrew's Church, Banwell, possibly on site (alternative possible sites)


51°19′42″N 2°51′44″W / 51.3281983°N 2.8622335°W / 51.3281983; -2.8622335 (Banwell Monastery (alleged site)) (alleged)
51°19′19″N 2°51′58″W / 51.3220536°N 2.8661066°W / 51.3220536; -2.8661066 (Banwell Monastery (possible site)) (possible)
51°19′41″N 2°51′48″W / 51.3281111°N 2.8632313°W / 51.3281111; -2.8632313 (Banwell Monastery (possible site)) (possible)
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


Brompton Regis
51°03′00″N 3°31′47″W / 51.050134°N 3.5295886°W / 51.050134; -3.5295886 (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


Barrow Gurney
51°24′21″N 2°40′19″W / 51.405947°N 2.672061°W / 51.405947; -2.672061 (Barrow Gurney Nunnery)
Bath Abbey + Large floodlight stone building with tower 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

Bath, Somerset
51°22′53″N 2°21′30″W / 51.381253°N 2.358458°W / 51.381253; -2.358458 (Bath Abbey)
Bedminster Monastery Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in Bristol
Brent Cell ~ Benedictine monks
purported cell dependent on Glastonbury
East Brent Cell 51°15′45″N 2°56′30″W / 51.2625728°N 2.9415357°W / 51.2625728; -2.9415357 ((purported) Brent Cell (very approx. loc.)) (very approx)
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


Bridgwater
51°07′33″N 3°00′25″W / 51.125828°N 3.006872°W / 51.125828; -3.006872 (Bridgwater Greyfriars)
Bristol Austin Friars Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in Bristol
Bristol Eremites Friars Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in Bristol
Bristol Preceptory Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in Bristol
Bruton Abbey BrutonAbbey.jpg 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


Bruton
51°06′31″N 2°27′02″W / 51.108478°N 2.450619°W / 51.108478; -2.450619 (Bruton Abbey)
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



Durston
51°03′07″N 3°00′23″W / 51.051956°N 3.006481°W / 51.051956; -3.006481 (Buckland Priory)
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


Burtle
51°11′08″N 2°52′27″W / 51.18566°N 2.8742°W / 51.18566; -2.8742 (Burtle Priory)
Cannington Priory CanningtonPriory.JPG 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


Cannington, Somerset
51°09′01″N 3°03′41″W / 51.150386°N 3.061522°W / 51.150386; -3.061522 (Cannington 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

51°26′39″N 2°51′35″W / 51.444295°N 2.8597444°W / 51.444295; -2.8597444 (Clevedon Friary)
Cleeve Abbey Long red brick building with grey roof. 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



Washford/Old Cleeve
51°09′19″N 3°21′53″W / 51.155333°N 3.364781°W / 51.155333; -3.364781 (Cleeve 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 * Ornate building with central tower. To the right is a stone building with green roof and to the left a new building with large glass windows. Benedictine monks
(community founded at Douai 1607);
transferred from Douai
founded 1814
The Abbey Church of Saint Gregory the Great, Downside, Stratton-on-Fosse

Stratton-on-the-Fosse
51°15′14″N 2°29′37″W / 51.253975°N 2.493594°W / 51.253975; -2.493594 (Downside Abbey)
Dunster Priory + DunsterPriory.JPG 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


Dunster
51°10′56″N 3°26′45″W / 51.182239°N 3.445697°W / 51.182239; -3.445697 (Dunster Priory)
Frome Monastery Saxon (Benedictine?) monks — purportedly from Malmesbury;
founded after 675 by St Aldhelm;
dissolved before 690?
Glastonbury Abbey GlastonburyAbbey Somerset.JPG 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


Glastonbury
51°08′45″N 2°42′50″W / 51.145831°N 2.714022°W / 51.145831; -2.714022 (Glastonbury Abbey)
Green Ore Cell(?) Benedictine monks
'cell of Glaston';
probable grange of Hinton Charterhouse
Green Oare

51°14′55″N 2°36′27″W / 51.2485224°N 2.6074773°W / 51.2485224; -2.6074773 (Green Ore 'Cell')
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 HintonCharterhouse.JPG Carthusian monks
(community founded 1222 at Hatherop, Gloucestershire 1222);
transferred here May 1232;
dissolved 1539;
now in private ownership without public access
Hinton Charterhouse

Hinton Charterhouse
51°19′53″N 2°19′11″W / 51.3313356°N 2.3195931°W / 51.3313356; -2.3195931 (Hinton Charterhouse)
Ilchester Blackfriars # Dominican Friars
founded between 1221 and 1260;
dissolved 1538;
demolished early 19th century


Ilchester
51°00′02″N 2°41′05″W / 51.000467°N 2.684781°W / 51.000467; -2.684781 (Illchester Friary)
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



Ilchester
51°00′09″N 2°40′58″W / 51.002503°N 2.682886°W / 51.002503; -2.682886 (Illchester Nunnery)
Ilminster possible Saxon minster; land granted to Muchelney by King Ine; no record of community
Keynsham Abbey Low stone walls in grass, surrounded by trees with a house in the dissolvedtance. Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1170 by William, Earl of Gloucester
dissolved 1539; granted to Thomas Bridges, Esq 1552/3


Keynsham
51°24′47″N 2°29′48″W / 51.413117°N 2.496744°W / 51.413117; -2.496744 (Keynsham Abbey)
Kilve Chantry Stone wall with window of ruined building. founded 1329 by Simon de Furneaux;
dissolved late 14th century
damaged by fire in 1848



Kilve
51°11′21″N 3°13′22″W / 51.189278°N 3.222686°W / 51.189278; -3.222686 (Kilve Chantry)
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


Montacute
50°56′59″N 2°43′10″W / 50.949767°N 2.719553°W / 50.949767; -2.719553 (Montacute Priory)
Muchelney Abbey Stone building with square tower. In the foreground are low walls of the ruins amongst the grass. 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

Muchelney
51°01′00″N 2°49′13″W / 51.016544°N 2.820378°W / 51.016544; -2.820378 (Muchelney 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 Stavordale Priory.JPG 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

Charlton Musgrove
51°05′11″N 2°22′34″W / 51.086261°N 2.376161°W / 51.086261; -2.376161 (Stavordale Priory)
Steep Holme Cell Augustinian Canons Regular
cell dependent on Studley, Oxfordshire;
founded before 1260;
dissolved before 1300
Stogursey Priory StogurseyPriory.JPG Benedictine monks
alien house: dependent on Lonlay 1183;
founded 1100-07: church granted by William de Falaise and his wife Geva;
granted to Eton College 1440; last prior left 1442
Stoke Courcy Priory


Stogursey
51°10′52″N 3°08′27″W / 51.181111°N 3.140917°W / 51.181111; -3.140917 (Stogursey Priory)
Taunton Priory # Somerset cricket museum.jpg 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
51°01′05″N 3°05′54″W / 51.018083°N 3.098203°W / 51.018083; -3.098203 (Taunton Priory)
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


Templecombe
50°59′59″N 2°24′55″W / 50.999803°N 2.415361°W / 50.999803; -2.415361 (Templecombe Preceptory)
Witham Friary + WithamFriaryLayBrosChurch.jpg 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



Witham Friary
51°10′02″N 2°21′55″W / 51.167222°N 2.365378°W / 51.167222; -2.365378 (Witham Friary)
Woodspring Priory ^ WoodspringPriory.JPG 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


Weston-super-Mare
51°23′26″N 2°56′42″W / 51.390578°N 2.944908°W / 51.390578; -2.944908 (Woodspring 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


Henstridge
50°59′19″N 2°24′39″W / 50.988692°N 2.410748°W / 50.988692; -2.410748 (Yenston Priory)
or
50°59′15″N 2°24′52″W / 50.9876287°N 2.4145246°W / 50.9876287; -2.4145246 (Yenston Priory)

See also

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