List of monastic houses in Dorset
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of monastic houses in Dorset
, England.
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, England.
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbotsbury Abbey Abbotsbury Abbey The Abbey of St Peter was a Benedictine monastery in the village of Abbotsbury in Dorset, England. The abbey was founded in the eleventh century by King Cnut's thegn Orc and his wife Tola, who handsomely endowed the monastery with lands in the area. The abbey prospered and became a local centre of... + |
Benedictine monks founded c.1026 by Orcius, steward to Canute; dissolved 1539; granted to Sir Giles Strangwaies 1543/4; much in private ownership, partly in parochial use |
The Abbey Church of Saint Peter 50.6643562°N 2.5988647°W |
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| Beaminster | pre-conquest monastic or secular community founded before 862 | Bebingmynster 50.8080162°N 2.742092°W |
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| Bindon Abbey Bindon Abbey Bindon Abbey was a Cistercian monastery, of which only ruins remain, on the River Frome about half a mile east of Wool in the Purbeck District, Dorset, England.- History :... |
Cistercian monks - from Little Bindon, infra dependent on Forde, infra; founded 22 or 27 September 1172 by Robert de Burgo and his wife Maud; dissolved 1539; granted to Sir Richard Poynings 1540/1; now in private ownership |
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| Blackmoor Priory Hermitage Blackmoor Priory Hermitage -References:... |
order or foundation uncertain hermitage in existence by 1300, with brothers apparently following a rule similar to Augustinian Friars; dissolved/abandoned, becoming a free chapel after 1424 |
Hermitage 50.8610107°N 2.4793053°W (approx) |
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| Bridport Whitefriars (?) | purported foundation for Carmelite Friars founded 1261; probably ceased to exist before 1365 |
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| Bridport Priory Bridport Priory -References:... |
order uncertain 13thC; converted into a residence named 'St Jones' |
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| Cerne Abbey Cerne Abbey Cerne Abbey was a Benedictine monastery founded in 987 AD in the town now called Cerne Abbas by Æthelmær the Stout. Ælfric of Eynsham, the most prolific writer in Old English was known to have spent time at the abbey as a priest and teacher.... ^, Cerne Abbas |
monastic before 604; secular ? 9thC; Benedictine monks founded before 987 by Engleward; dissolved 1539; granted to John Dudley and others 1574/5; remains now incorporated into private house |
St Peter and St Edwold Cernell Abbey 50.8095043°N 2.4754858°W |
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| Charminster | pre-conquest monastic or secular community; parish church of St Mary (dating from 11thC) possible successor of minster on site |
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| Chilcombe Camera Chilcombe Camera -References:... |
Knights Hospitaller dissolved before 1308 |
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| Christchurch Priory Christchurch Priory Christchurch Priory is an ecclesiastical parish and former priory church in Christchurch in the English county of Dorset .-Early history:... + |
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secular canons' college founded before/c.1060; manor and church granted by Henry I Henry I of England Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106... to Richard de Redvers and Baldwin de Redvers, Earl of Devon; Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1150, by petition of Hilary, Bishop of Chichester, and the bishop of Winchester to Richard de Redvers; dissolved 1539; granted to Joseph Kirton 1545/6; on site of earlier church demolished 1094; priory church 1540, now in parochial use |
The Priory Church of Christ Christ Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach... , Christchurch Christchurch Priory Christchurch Priory is an ecclesiastical parish and former priory church in Christchurch in the English county of Dorset .-Early history:... Church of the Holy Trinity, Twyneham Twyneham Priory; Twinham Priory 50.7323673°N 1.7745562°W |
| Cranborne Priory Cranborne Priory -References:... |
tradition of early monastery Benedictine monks founded c.(?)980 by Haylward Snew (Aylward Sneaw (Snow)); becoming dependent on Tewkesbury (of which Cranborne was previously the mother house) in 11thC; abbot and 57 monks removed to Tewkesbury 1102, Cranborne reduced to priory status, becoming a cell of Tewkesbury; dissolved 31 January 1540; granted to Thomas Francis 1559/60 |
The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Bartholomew The Priory Church of The Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Bartholomew, Cranborne Cranbourne Priory; Cranburn Cell 50.9186529°N 1.9237849°W |
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| Dorchester Greyfriars # | Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Bristol) founded before 1267 by "the ancestors of Sir John Chidiock"; dissolved 1538 (1536); granted to Sir Edmund Peckham 1543/4 |
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| Forde Abbey Forde Abbey Forde Abbey is a privately owned former Cistercian monastery in Dorset, England. The house and gardens are run as a tourist attraction while the estate is farmed to provide additional revenue... ^ |
Cistercian monks daughter of Waverley; (founded at Brightley, Devon 1136 or 1138) transferred from Brightley 1146/8?; dissolved 1539; claustral remains now incorporated a mansion with public access |
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| Frampton Priory Frampton Priory -References:... |
Benedictine monks alien house, daughter of St-Etienne, Caen, Normandy; founded before 1077 by William the Conqueror; dissolved before 1414; granted to St Stephen's College, Westminster 1437; granted to Sir Christopher Hatton 1571/2, who sold it to John Brown, Esq. |
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| Fryer Mayne Preceptory | Knights Hospitaller founded before 1275; shared single preceptor with Baddesley 15thC; formally merged with Baddesley 1471; dissolved; granted to William Pole and Edward Downing 1563/4 |
Friary Mayne Preceptory; Friar Mayne Preceptory; Freyer Mayne Preceptory; Mayne Preceptory; Mayne Ospitalis 50.717877°N 2.4121803°W |
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| Gillingham Friary Gillingham Friary -References:... |
possible Dominican Friars founded 1267 |
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| Gillingham Minster | Saxon minster 19thC St Mary's Parish Church possibly on site |
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| Hilfield Friary * | Franciscan Friars founded 1921 in farm buildings; extant |
The Friary of Saint Francis, Hilfield 50.8383255°N 2.5253105°W |
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| Holme Priory Holme Priory -References:... |
Cluniac monks alien priory, dependent on Montacute founded 1142 (mid 12thC or c.1107) by Robert de Lincoln; denizen 1407; dissolved 1539; granted to John Hannon 1547; parish church -1746; mansion named 'Holme Priory House' built on site of remains |
The Blessed Virgin Mary East Holme Priory; Holne Priory; Holme Cell 50.6732505°N 2.1440305°W |
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| Horton Priory Horton Priory Horton Priory was a priory at Horton in Dorset, England.It was founded as a Benedictine abbey around 970 by Ordgar, Earl of Devon, or his son, Ordulph, and dedicated to Olfrida, the mother of Saint Edith of Wilton by King Edgar the Peaceful... |
Benedictine monks' abbey founded 961 (960 or (c.)970) by Ordgar, Earl of Devonshire or his son Ordulph (Edulph); probably destroyed in raids by the Danes 997; refounded c.1050; reduced to priory cell status 1122 under Henry I, dependent on Sherborne Abbey Sherborne Abbey The Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin at Sherborne in the English county of Dorset, is usually called Sherborne Abbey. It has been a Saxon cathedral , a Benedictine abbey and is now a parish church.- Cathedral :... ; dissolved 1539; granted to Edward, Duke of Somerset 1547; then to William, Earl of Pembroke; 18thC church built on site of ruins of previous parochial church on the site of the priory |
St Wolfrida Horton Abbey; Horton Cell 50.8665449°N 1.9585222°W |
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| Iwerne Minster | pre-conquest monastic or secular community; parish church of St Mary possible successor of minster on site |
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| Kingston Camera Kingston Camera -References:... |
Knights Hospitaller member of Fryer Mayne, with Stinsford church |
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| Little Bindon Abbey | Cistercian monks - from Forde Forde Abbey Forde Abbey is a privately owned former Cistercian monastery in Dorset, England. The house and gardens are run as a tourist attraction while the estate is farmed to provide additional revenue... , supra founded 1149 by William de Glastonia; transferred to Bindon, supra, 1172 |
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| Loders Priory Loders Priory -References:... |
Benedictine monks alien house, daughter of St-Mary-de-Montebourg Abbey, Normandy founded c.1107 (in the reign of Henry I Henry I of England Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106... ) by Richard Re Redveriis; Carthusian monks under the monastery of St Anne at Coventry 1399-1414; Priory Church now in parochial use; Brigetine nuns (under Syon Syon Abbey Syon Monastery , was a monastery of the Bridgettine Order founded in 1415 which stood until its demolition in the 16th c. on the left bank of the River Thames within the parish of Isleworth, in the county of Middlesex on or near the site of the present Georgian mansion of Syon House... , Isleworth) 1414 |
St Mary Magdalen Lodres Priory 50.7458653°N 2.7225387°W |
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| Lulworth Abbey Lulworth Abbey Lulworth Abbey was an abbey in Dorset, England. It was inhabited by Trappist monks.... |
Trappist monks - from Val Sainte, Switzerland founded 1795 by Mr Thomas Weld; raised to abbey status 1813; forced to leave England and returned to Melleray 1817 |
The Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity, Lulworth |
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| Lyme Friary (?) | Carmelite Friars - to be licensed to William Darre, chaplain - apparently never established | ||
| Lytchett Minster | pre-conquest monastic or secular community | ||
| Melcomb Friary Melcomb Friary Melcombe Priory was a Dominican priory in Melcombe Regis, Dorset, England.-History:This, the last Dominican foundation in England, was founded in 1418 by Sir Hugh Deverell and John Rogers of Bryanston, with the license of Pope Martin V, on the basis that the town of Melcombe Regis was at that time... , Milton Abbas |
Dominican Friars (under the Visitation of London) founded 1418 by Rogers Esq. of Brianton; dissolved 1538; granted to Sir John Rogers 1543/4 |
Milton Friary; Melcombe Regis Friary 50.6151416°N 2.4584699°W |
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| Milton Abbey Milton Abbey Milton Abbey School is a British independent school in the Dorset countryside. It has 227 pupils in six boarding Houses, called Athelstan, Bancks, Damer, Hambro, Middleton and Tregonwell. Founded in 1954, it welcomes boys from 13 to 16 years and is coeducational in the sixth form.The school has a... ^, Milton Abbas |
secular college founded 938 (or 933) by Athelstan; Benedictine monks founded 964; destroyed by fire 1309; rebuilt 1322; dissolved 1539; granted to Sir John Tregonwall 1539/40; restored 1789 and 1865; remains incorporated into a mansion 1771; in use as a chapel for Milton Abbey School, without public access |
The Priory Church of Saint Michael St Michael St Michael was a brand that was owned and used by Marks & Spencer from 1928 until 2000.-History:The brand was introduced by Simon Marks in 1928, after his father and co-founder of Marks & Spencer, Michael Marks. By 1950, virtually all goods were sold under the St Michael brand... and Saint Mary, Milton Milton Abbey Milton Abbey School is a British independent school in the Dorset countryside. It has 227 pupils in six boarding Houses, called Athelstan, Bancks, Damer, Hambro, Middleton and Tregonwell. Founded in 1954, it welcomes boys from 13 to 16 years and is coeducational in the sixth form.The school has a... The Abbey Church of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Samson and Saint Branwalader, Milton Middleton Abbey 50.8198488°N 2.2876132°W |
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| Muckleford Grange | possible Tironensian monks alien cell (grange?) on estate granted to Tiron Abbey, Normandy Normandy Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:... , de facto controlled by Andwell Andwell Priory Andwell Priory is an alien priory of Benedictine monks in Andwell, Hampshire, England.This small priory was founded as a cell of the great Benedictine abbey of Tiron in the twelfth century by Adam de Port of nearby Mapledurwell... in Hampshire |
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| Piddletrenthide Priory Piddletrenthide Priory -References:... |
Benedictine monks cell, dependent on Hyde, Winchester founded unknown; dissolved 1354 (1345?); chapel demolished after 1382 |
Piddletrenthide Cell 50.7988829°N 2.4269485°W |
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| Poole — St George's Friary | Friars of St George - apparently a guild property | ||
| Povington Priory | Benedictine monks alien grange: manor granted to Bec-Hellouin in Normandy by Robert Fitz Gerold founded unknown; dissolved 1230; reckoned to be a parcel of Ogbourne by 1291 |
Povington Grange 50.6375201°N 2.1709666°W |
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| Shaftesbury Abbey Shaftesbury Abbey Shaftesbury Abbey was an abbey that housed nuns in Shaftesbury, Dorset. Founded in the year 888, the abbey was the wealthiest Benedictine nunnery in England, a major pilgrimage site, and the town's central focus... |
Benedictine nuns founded c.888 by Alfred Alfred the Great Alfred the Great was King of Wessex from 871 to 899.Alfred is noted for his defence of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England against the Vikings, becoming the only English monarch still to be accorded the epithet "the Great". Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself... (or by Alfred, his father Ethelbald Ethelbald Æthelbald may refer to:*Æthelbald of Mercia, King of Mercia, ?–757*Æthelbald of Wessex, King of Wessex, 856–860*Æthelbald of York, Archbishop of York, 900–904... and brothers Ethelbert Ethelbert Æthelberht, Aethelbert or Ethelbert, is an Anglo-Saxon male name, from the Old English eþel meaning "noble" and berht meaning "bright". It may refer to:*King Æthelbert of Kent Æthelberht, Aethelbert or Ethelbert, is an Anglo-Saxon male name, from the Old English eþel meaning "noble" and berht... and Ethelred) or before 860 in the reign of Edgar Edgar Edgar is a common name from Old English words ead + gar . Literally meaning "prosperity-spear" or "prosperous spearman." It may refer to:-Historical:... , possibly on site of 7thC Saxon minster (see immediately below); dissolved 2 March 1539; granted to William, Earl of Southampton 1547/8; remains now within a walled garden |
The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Shaftesbury The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Saint Edward, King and Martyr, Shaftesbury 51.0053014°N 2.1986148°W |
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| Shaftesbury Minster | Saxon nuns possibly founded before c.670; destroyed? before 888 in raids by the Danes; Benedictine nunnery possibly built on site (see immediately above) |
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| Shapwick Grange | purported priory uncertain order or foundation; acquired by Carthusian monks at Sheen after 1414; (limited corroboration for existence and status) |
Shapwick Priory 50.8132295°N 2.0849669°W |
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| Sherborne Abbey Sherborne Abbey The Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin at Sherborne in the English county of Dorset, is usually called Sherborne Abbey. It has been a Saxon cathedral , a Benedictine abbey and is now a parish church.- Cathedral :... ^ |
Saxon minster and bishop's see, cathedral priory founded 705 (granted by Cenwealh, King of Wessex, before 672); Benedictine monks founded c.993; (see transferred to Old Sarum 1075-8); raised to abbey status 1172; dissolved 18 March 1539; granted to Sir John Horsey 1546/7; church now in parochial use monastic buildings now incorporated into a public school |
The Blessed Virgin Mary Shireburn Abbey 50.9467121°N 2.5166363°W |
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| Spettisbury Priory Spetisbury Priory Spetisbury Priory, also Spettisbury Priory, was a medieval priory in Spetisbury or Spettisbury, Dorset, England.-History:The alien house of Benedictine monks at Spettisbury was a cell of the Abbey of St. Peter of Préaux in Normandy, under the priory of Toft in Norfolk... |
Benedictine nuns alien cell of abbey of St-Pierre-de-Préaux, Normandy founded before 1100 (in the reign of William II William II of England William II , the third son of William I of England, was King of England from 1087 until 1100, with powers over Normandy, and influence in Scotland. He was less successful in extending control into Wales... ) by Robert de Bellomonte, Earl of Mallent (Count of Meulan) and Earl of Leicester; annexed to Toft Monks 1324; privately leased 1390; granted to Witham Priory by Henry V Henry V of England Henry V was King of England from 1413 until his death at the age of 35 in 1422. He was the second monarch belonging to the House of Lancaster.... ; dissolved 1535; granted to Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy 1543/4 |
dedication unknown Spetisbury Priory; Spectesbury Priory 50.8187202°N 2.1266162°W |
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| St Monica's Priory, Spetisbury St Monica's Priory, Spetisbury St Monica's Priory, Spetisbury or Spettisbury, was a religious house in Spetisbury or Spettisbury, Dorset, England. Between 1800 and 1926 it passed through the hands of several different orders and was demolished in 1927.-History:... |
Augustinian Canonesses Regular of the Windesheim Congregation 1800; Bridgettine Nuns 1861; Canons Regular of the Lateran 1887; Ursuline Nuns 1907-1926; sold at auction to Thomas Oakley 9 June 1927 |
The Priory of Saint Monica, Spetisbury 50.8217839°N 2.1253395°W |
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| Stour Provost Grange | Benedictine monks alien grange of St-Leger, Preaux founded c.1070; dissolved c.1471 |
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| Sturminster Marshall | pre-conquest monastic or secular community | ||
| Sturminster Newton | pre-conquest monastic or secular community | ||
| Tarrant Abbey Tarrant Abbey Tarrant Abbey was an abbey in Tarrant Crawford, Dorset, England.The abbey was founded in the 12th century by Ralph de Kahaines as a Cistercian nunnery, later supposedly the richest in England.... |
Anchoresses of "no order" founded c.1186; Cistercian nuns founded c.1100 by Richard Power, Bishop of Chichester (Richard le Poor of Salisbury), built by Ralph de Kahaynes; raised to abbey status before 1228; dissolved 13 March 1539; granted to Sir Thomas Wyat 1541/2; site now occupied by Abbey Farm; Tarrant Abbey House possibly incorporates remains of the abbey |
St Mary and All Saints Tarrant Crawford Abbey; Tarrant Kains Abbey; Tarrent Abbey; Tarrant Cell; possibly 'Camesterne' ('Camestrum') (St Mary Magdalene) 50.831431°N 2.1222764°W |
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| Wareham Nunnery Wareham Nunnery -References:... |
Benedictine? nuns alien house, daughter of Lira, Normandy reputedly founded c.672 (late7th/early8thC); said to have been destroyed in raids by the Danes 876; traditionally refounded 915 by Elfleda ; dissolved 997-8 (again destroyed by the Danes; destroyed again 1015; monastic property in possession of St Wandrille Abbey (which held the minster) 1086; Benedictine priory built on site (see immediately below) |
The Blessed Virgin Mary monasterium of holy virgins 50.6842894°N 2.1077391°W |
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| Wareham Priory Wareham Priory -References:... |
Benedictine monks alien priory, cell of Lyre Abbey, Normandy founded 12thC (in the reign of Henry I) by Robert, Earl of Leicester on site of earlier nunnery (see immediately above); ownership passed to Mount Grace Mount Grace Priory Mount Grace Priory, in the parish of East Harlsey, North Yorkshire, England is today the best preserved and most accessible of the ten medieval Carthusian houses in England.... , Yorkshire 1398; dissolved 1414; Carthusian monks granted to Sheen after 1414; dissolved 1536; granted to Thomas Reve and George Cotton; house named 'The Priory of Lady St Mary House' ('The Priory') built on site 16thC, possibly incorporates remains of the priory |
Lady St. Mary Priory Warham Priory 50.6842896°N 2.1077389°W |
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| West Lulworth Priory West Lulworth Priory -References:... |
Cistercian monks - from Forde, supra founded 1149 (or 1171(?) by William de Glastonia); transferred to Bindon Bindon Abbey Bindon Abbey was a Cistercian monastery, of which only ruins remain, on the River Frome about half a mile east of Wool in the Purbeck District, Dorset, England.- History :... 1172; site close to 13thC Little Bindon chapel |
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| Wilcheswood monastery | order and foundation uncertain earliest dated charter 1295 (speculated to have followed Augustinian and Premonstratensian rules, or a small collegiate church apparently dissolved 1536 |
Wilcheswood Priory; Wilkswood Priory |
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| Wimborne Minster |  |
Benedictine? nuns and monks founded before 705 by St Cuthburga; destroyed ? 998; converted into a college of secular canons before 1066; dissolved 1547; granted to Edward, Duke of Somerset 1547; then to Giles Keylway and William Leonard; then to Edward, Lord Clinton |
Saint Cuthburga Winburn Priory; Twinborn Priory 50.798978°N 1.9880909°W |
| Winterborn Monkton Grange | Cluniac monks alien grange, dependent on Cluny founded before 1214; dissolved c.1450 |
Winterborn Grange; Winterborn Monckton 50.6906263°N 2.4687266°W |