Beadlow Priory facts for kids
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Beaulieu Priory |
| Order | Benedictine |
| Established | 1140-1146 |
| Disestablished | 1435 |
| Dedicated to | Mary Magdalene |
| Site | |
| Location | Beadlow, Bedfordshire, England |
| Coordinates | 52°02′02″N 0°23′26″W / 52.03391°N 0.39059°W |
Beadlow Priory was a monastery (a special home for monks) built between 1140 and 1146. It was started by Robert D'Albini for a group of Benedictine monks.
Contents
What Was Beadlow Priory?
Beadlow Priory was a place where Benedictine monks lived and prayed. Monks are religious men who dedicate their lives to God. They often live together in communities called monasteries or priories.
History of the Priory
How It Started
Around the year 1140, the land for Beadlow Priory was given to another priory in Millbrook, Hertfordshire. The monks from Millbrook then moved to this new place. The new priory was built in Beadlow, Bedfordshire, England. This is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Bedford.
At first, the priory was called Beaulieu Priory. It was like a smaller branch, or "cell," of the much larger Abbey in St Albans. An abbey is a very large monastery.
Why It Closed
Over time, the priory became very poor. It didn't have enough money to keep going. Because of this, the monks left Beadlow Priory in 1428. The priory then became part of the bigger St Albans Abbey.
In 1434, the King took ownership of the priory's land. By 1435, the site was completely empty. No monks lived there anymore.
What Happened to the Buildings?
After the monks left, the buildings slowly fell apart. By 1908, there were no parts of the priory left standing above the ground.
However, between 1963 and 1965, archaeologists dug up the area. They found the old foundations of the buildings. They also found many old items from the 12th to the 15th centuries. These items help us learn about what life was like at the priory.
Beadlow Priory was also quite close to another old religious site called Chicksands Priory. A house nearby, called Beadlow Cottage, was not part of the old priory.
Leaders of Beadlow Priory
The leader of a priory was called a Prior. These Priors were in charge of the monks and the daily life at Beadlow Priory. The last known Prior was Richard Smyth of Missenden, who was in charge until the priory closed in 1428.
Burials
One person known to be buried at Beadlow Priory was Peter de Preaux.
