Breamore Priory facts for kids
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | The Priory Church of the Holy Trinity, Saint Mary and Saint Michael, Breamore |
| Other names | Bromere Priory |
| Order | Austin Canons |
| Established | pre. 1135 |
| Disestablished | 1536 |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Baldwin de Redvers and Hugh de Redvers |
| Site | |
| Location | Breamore, Hampshire, England |
| Coordinates | 50°58′15″N 1°47′03″W / 50.97085°N 1.78419°W |
| Visible remains | none visible |
| Public access | to Breamore House and Breamore Countryside Museum |
Breamore Priory was an old monastery in England. It was home to a group of monks called Austin canons. This priory was located in a village called Breamore in Hampshire, England.
Contents
What Was Breamore Priory?
A priory is a type of monastery. Monasteries are places where monks or nuns live, pray, and work together. The monks at Breamore Priory were called Austin canons. They followed the rules of Saint Augustine. These rules guided their daily lives, focusing on prayer, study, and community.
How Breamore Priory Started
Breamore Priory was founded a long time ago, before the year 1135. It was started by two important people: Baldwin de Redvers and his uncle, Hugh de Redvers. They decided to build this religious house during the time of King Henry I.
Life at the Priory
For over 400 years, monks lived and worked at Breamore Priory. They spent their days in prayer and study. They also managed the priory's lands and helped the local community. Life in a priory was very structured and focused on religious devotion.
The End of the Priory
In the 1530s, big changes happened in England. King Henry VIII decided to close down many monasteries. This event is known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Breamore Priory was one of the places that closed.
The priory was not very rich. Its yearly income was about £154. Because of this, it was chosen to be closed in the first wave of dissolutions. The last leader of the priory, Prior Finch, tried to save it. He wrote to Thomas Cromwell, a powerful advisor to the King. But his efforts were not successful. Breamore Priory was officially closed on July 10, 1536.
What Happened After?
After the priory closed, its land and everything it owned went to the King. In November 1536, the site was given to Henry, Marquis of Exeter, and his wife Gertrude.
Later, in 1583, a large manor house was built on the same spot. This house is called Breamore House. It is still there today.
What Remains Today?
Sadly, there are no parts of the original Breamore Priory still standing above ground. You cannot see any old walls or buildings. However, if you look at satellite pictures of the area, you can sometimes see marks on the ground. These "cropmarks" show where the old buildings used to be. They are like faint outlines of the priory's foundations.
Famous Burials
One notable person was buried at Breamore Priory. This was Isabella de Forz, Countess of Devon. She lived from 1237 to 1293. She was a very important noblewoman in her time.
