List of monastic houses in Buckinghamshire
Aylesbury Friary
Aylesbury Monastery (poss. loc.)
Biddlesden Abbey
Bradwell Priory
Bulstrode Preceptory
Burnham Abbey
Chetwode Priory
Crawley Monastery (site)
Hogshaw Nunnery
Hogshaw Commandery
Lavendon Abbey
Little Marlow Priory
Luffield Abbey
Medmenham Abbey
Missenden Abbey
Newton Longville Priory
Notley Abbey
Ravenstone Priory
Risborough Priory
Snelshall Priory
Tickford Priory
Widmere Commandery
Wing Priory
Locations of monastic houses in Buckinghamshire
The following is a list of the monastic houses in Buckinghamshire, 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 Templar and Knights Hospitaller). Monastic hospitals are included where they had the status or function of an abbey, priory, or preceptor/commandery.
- Abbreviations and key
| 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.
| EH | English Heritage |
| LT | Landmark Trust |
| NT | National Trust |
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names |
Online References & Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aylesbury Greyfriars # | Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Oxford) founded 1387 by James Butler, Earl of Ormond; dissolved 1 October 1538 |
[1][2] 51°48′54″N 0°48′47″W / 51.814956°N 0.813117°W | ||
| Aylesbury Monastery # | possible nuns order and period unknown said to have been a nunnery or Trinitarian house — probably only a holding |
[3] 51°48′35″N 0°48′43″W / 51.809653°N 0.811993°W (possible) | ||
| Biddlesden Abbey # | Cistercian monks — from Garendon, Leicestershire founded 10 July 1147 by Ernald de Bosco, seneschal of the Earl of Leicester; dissolved 29 September 1538; granted to Thomas Wriothesley 1540/1; remains demolished c.1727; site now occupied by private house named 'Biddlesden Park' |
Saint Mary ____________________ Biddlesdon Abbey; Bittlesden Abbey |
[4][5] 52°02′52″N 1°04′43″W / 52.047704°N 1.078473°W | |
| Bradwell Priory | 
|
Benedictine monks cell, dependent on Luffield; founded before 1136-44 (before/c.1155) by Meinfelin, Lord of Wolverton; dissolved 1524-5 (or 1526) by Cardinal Wolsey for Christ Church, Oxford; granted to Arthur Longfield 1542/3; now in private ownership; currently an urban studies centre |
Saint Mary ____________________ Bradewell Priory |
[1][6][7] 52°02′54″N 0°47′42″W / 52.048215°N 0.795074°W |
| Bulstrode Preceptory $ | Knights Templar founded before 1276; dissolved 1308–1312; land passed to and leased on behalf of the Knights Hospitaller, though they had no commandery here; site identified through earthworks |
[8][9] 51°35′06″N 0°35′29″W / 51.5850832°N 0.591352°W | ||
| Burnham Abbey * | 
|
Augustinian canonesses founded 1265/66 by Richard, King of the Romans; dissolved 19 September 1539; granted to William Tyldesly 1544/5; Anglican Augustinian Society of the Precious Blood transferred from Birmingham 1916; extant |
Saint Mary | [10][11] 51°30′56″N 0°39′37″W / 51.515523°N 0.66036°W |
| Chetwode Priory + | Mar2006.jpg)
|
Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1244 or 1245 by Ralph de Norwich; dissolved, being reduced to the status of a cell, annexed to Notley 1460–1; dissolved 1535; priory church became parochial c.1480 as the Parish Church of St Mary and St Nicholas |
Saint Mary and Saint Nicholas ____________________ Chetwode Cell |
[12][13] 51°57′47″N 1°04′10″W / 51.963091°N 1.069469°W |
| Crawley Monastery | founded before 1042; (ref. as monasterium 1086) | St Firmin ____________________ North Crawley Monastery |
[14][15][16] 52°05′12″N 0°39′31″W / 52.0867287°N 0.6586808°W | |
| Gare Nunnery | Benedictine nuns founded 1163 in Stoke Goldington by Robert de Salcey, Peter de Goldington and Richard de Besseville; granted to Delapré, Northamptonshire, late 12th/early 13th centuries; apparently reduced to status of a grange by 1438; subsequently recorded as destroyed |
Gore Nunnery; Gorefields Nunnery Prioratus Gore, Sanctae Mariae Magdalenae, Moniales Nigrae |
[17][18][19] | |
| Hogshaw Nunnery # | St John of Jerusalem nuns cell foundation unknown transferred to Sisters of St John Priory, Buckland, Somerset c.1180; site occupied by Knights Hospitaller commandery (see immediately below) |
[20] 51°53′45″N 0°55′44″W / 51.8958077°N 0.9287632°W | ||
| Hogshaw Commandery # | Knights Hospitaller founded c.1180 on site of earlier nunnery (see immediately above), granted by William Peverel; dissolved 1470 becoming prior's possession; granted to Matilda Lane c.1543; church in use until 1650; ruined by 1700 |
[20][21] 51°53′45″N 0°55′44″W / 51.8958077°N 0.9287632°W | ||
| Lavendon Abbey $ | Premonstratensian Canons founded c.1154/5-1158 by John de Bidun, sheriff of Buckinghamshire; dissolved 1536; granted to Sir Edmund Peckham 1543; site now occupied by house named 'Lavendon Grange' (once the home of relatives of Sir Isaac Newton) |
The Abbey Church of Saint John the Baptist, Lavendon ____________________ Lavinden Abbey |
[1][22] 52°10′21″N 0°40′51″W / 52.1726355°N 0.6807178°W | |
| Little Marlow Priory | Benedictine nuns founded c.1195 or before 1218 (or 1244 by Jeffrey, Lord Spensar); dissolved in, or before 1536; granted to John Tiltey and E. Restwold 1540 |
Saint Mary ____________________ Little Merlow Priory; Minchin Marlow Priory |
[23][24] 51°34′53″N 0°43′05″W / 51.5814299°N 0.7180971°W | |
| Luffield Priory | Benedictine monks founded after 1118 (c.1123 or 1124, or 1133) by Robert II le Bossu, Earl of Leicester; suppression authorised by the Pope 1494; dissolution stayed until 1504, after the death of the serving prior |
The Blessed Virgin Mary | [25][26] 52°04′16″N 1°01′34″W / 52.071°N 1.026°W | |
| Medmenham Abbey | Cistercian monks — from Woburn, Bedfordshire founded 1201/4, or in 1202 by Hugh de Bolbec; house built 1213; dissolved before 8 July 1536 (delayed from 1524); granted to Robert Mone and others 1547; converted into a manor house |
The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Medmenham ____________________ Mendham Abbey |
[27][28] 51°32′52″N 0°50′17″W / 51.547696°N 0.838104°W | |
| Missenden Abbey ^ | 
|
Augustinian/Arroasian Canons alien house: daughter house of St Mary de Bosco, or de Nemore, Ruisseauville, France; founded 1133 by William de Missenden; the house acknowledged royal supremacy 1536; dissolved 1538; granted to the Duke of Northumberland; now a residential college rarely open to general public |
The Abbey Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Great Missenden ____________________ Great Missenden Abbey |
[29][30] 51°42′02″N 0°42′10″W / 51.700571°N 0.702674°W |
| Newton Longville Priory | Cluniac monks alien house: daughter house of Longville Ste Foi Abbey founded c.1150 or before 1102 by Walter Giffard, Earl of Buckingham; dissolved 1414; granted to New College, Oxford 1441; Manor House purportedly built on site 1550; St Faith's Church incorporates 12th-century church remains, possibly originally part of the priory church and may have been the conventual church of the priory |
St Faith ____________________ Newington-Longaville Priory; Newton-Longville Cell |
[31][32][33] 51°58′28″N 0°46′03″W / 51.9743464°N 0.7675999°W | |
| Notley Abbey ^ | Augustinian Canons Regular founded before 1162 by Walter Giffard, Earl of Buckingham, and Lady Ermgard; dissolved 9 December 1538; granted to Sir William Paget 1547; site now occupied by a private house without public access |
The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin and Saint John the Baptist, Notley ____________________ abbey de parco Crendon; Crendon Parc Abbey abbey de parco super Thamam; Nuctele Abbey; Noctele Abbey; Nuttley Abbey; Nutley Abbey |
[34][35] 51°46′37″N 0°57′51″W / 51.7770148°N 0.9642112°W | |
| Ravenstone Priory | Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1255 by Peter de Chaseport (Chaceport), Keeper of the Royal Wardrobe; dissolved 1525 (or 1544); granted to Sir Francis Byran 1548; site now occupied by 19th century 'Abbey Farm' |
The Priory Church of St Mary ____________________ Ravinston Priory |
[36][37][38] 52°09′01″N 0°45′32″W / 52.1501893°N 0.7590249°W | |
| Risborough Priory (?) | Benedictine monks — doubtful establishment; reputedly pre-Conquest cell of Canterbury Cathedral | Monks Risborough Priory | [39] 51°43′57″N 0°49′30″W / 51.7323924°N 0.8249214°W | |
| Snelshall Priory $ | _-_geograph.org.uk_-_216962.jpg)
|
Premonstratensian Canons cell, dependent on Lavendon; founded before 1166, granted to Lavendon by Sybil de Aungervill (Dangerville); abandoned after 1203-4 Benedictine monks founded 1203/4-1219 by Ralph Mortel (grandson of Sybil de Aungervill); dissolved 1535; granted to Francis Piggot 1538; site currently comprises earthworks |
St Leonard ____________________ Snellshall Priory |
[40][41] 52°00′10″N 0°48′46″W / 52.0027665°N 0.8127737°W |
| Tickford Priory | Benedictine-Cluniac monks alien house: cell of Marmoutier founded 1140 or c.1100 by Fulk Paynell; dissolved 1524; sold to Henry Atkins, MD by James I |
Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ Newport Pagnel Priory; Tyxford Priory |
[42][43] 52°05′10″N 0°42′54″W / 52.0861617°N 0.7148677°W | |
| Widmere Commandery | Knights Hospitaller founded before 1248; dissolved before 1338 |
Widmere Camera; Widmere Preceptory |
[44][45] 51°35′43″N 0°48′03″W / 51.595315°N 0.8007789°W | |
| Wing Priory # | Saxon monastery 7th century Benedictine monks alien house: cell, dependent on St Nicholas, Angers founded before 1086; granted by Empress Matilda to Angers; land and later, chapel, granted to Angers by Bodin de Ver; in ownership of the Crown 1342-1361 and 1393–1423; dissolved 1416; granted to St Mary de Pré, Hertfordshire by St Albans, Hertfordshire; granted to Sir Robert Dormer by King Henry VIII |
Wenge Priory | [46][47][48] 51°53′21″N 0°43′14″W / 51.889107°N 0.7204628°W |
The following location in Buckinghamshire lacks known monastic connection:
- Wycombe Abbey: Independent girls' school
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society — Records of Bucks -index". Bucksas.org.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "AYLESBURY GREYFRIARS (1353067)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "Monument No. 344483". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ "Houses of Cistercian monks — The abbey of Biddlesden | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Medieval and Middle Ages History Timelines for kids and adults — Biddlesden Abbey". TimeRef. 27 March 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Houses of Benedictine monks — The priory of Bradwell | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Parks Trust — Bradwell Abbey". The Parks Trust. Retrieved 6 April 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "House of Knights Templars — The preceptory of Bulstrode | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "BULSTRODE TEMPLARS PRECEPTORY (251497)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ "House of Austin nuns — The abbey of Burnham | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Burnham Abbey". Burnham Abbey. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Houses of Austin canons — The priory of Chetwode | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "ViewFinder — Image Details". Viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "MONASTERY OF ST FIRMIN (346775)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ History of North Crawley, in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire | Map and description
- ^ Parishes — North Crawley | A History of the County of Buckingham: Volume 4 (pp. 327-338)
- ^ "Full text of "Memorials of old Buckinghamshire"". Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society — Records of Bucks -index". Bucksas.org.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ http://thehumanjourney.net/pdf_store/sthames/Bucks%20Med.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ a b Historic England. "HOGSHAW (342834)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "House of Knights Hospitallers — The commandery of Hogshaw | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "House of Premonstratensian canons — The abbey of Lavendon | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Houses of Benedictine nuns — The priory of Little Marlow | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "LITTLE MARLOW PRIORY (248280)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Parishes — Luffield Abbey | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "LUFFIELD PRIORY (341396)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ "Houses of Austin canons — The abbey of Medmenham | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "MEDMENHAM ABBEY (248637)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ "Houses of Austin canons — The abbey of Missenden | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Missenden Abbey Weddings and Meeting Rooms". Missendenabbey.co.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Alien houses — The Cluniac priory of Newton Longville | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "NEWTON LONGEVILLE PRIORY (344851)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "ST FAITHS CHURCH (869947)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "NOTLEY ABBEY (342553)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ "Country House Venues for Weddings — Notley Abbey | Bijou Wedding Venues Buckinghamshire, Thame Oxon". Notley Abbey. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Full text search | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Ravenstone". Ravenstone. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "RAVENSTONE PRIORY (345361)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "Monument No. 344346". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Houses of Benedictine monks — The priory of Snelshall | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "SNELSHALL PRIORY (344797)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ "House of Cluniac monks — The priory of Tickford or Newport Pagnel | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "The North Bucks Archaeological Society". NBAS. 22 October 2000. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "Monument No. 248333". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ Buckinghamshire County Council — Unlocking Buckinghamshire's Past
- ^ "Alien houses — The priory of Wing | British History Online". British-history.ac.uk. 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ Historic England. "WING PRIORY (1302899)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "Wing, Buckinghamshire". Britainexpress.com. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- Bibliography
- Binns, Alison (1989) Studies in the History of Medieval Religion 1: Dedications of Monastic Houses in England and Wales 1066–1216, Boydell [ISBN missing]
- 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. ISBN 0582112303.
- Morris, Richard (1979) Cathedrals and Abbeys of England and Wales, J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd.[ISBN missing]
- Thorold, Henry (1986) Collins Guide to Cathedrals, Abbeys and Priories of England and Wales, Collins [ISBN missing]
- Thorold, Henry (1993) Collins Guide to the Ruined Abbeys of England, Wales and Scotland, Collins [ISBN missing]
- Wright, Geoffrey N., (2004) Discovering Abbeys and Priories, Shire Publications Ltd. [ISBN missing]
- English Cathedrals and Abbeys, Illustrated, Odhams Press Ltd.
- Map of Monastic Britain, South Sheet, Ordnance Survey, 2nd edition, 1954