Bridgend Priory facts for kids

Bridgend Priory was a religious building in Horbling, Lincolnshire, England. It was a place where canons, who were a type of religious community, lived and worked.

Founding the Priory

Bridgend Priory was started around the year 1199. A wealthy man named Godwin the Rich from Lincoln founded it. He was a supporter of the Gilbertine Order, which was a special religious group from Sempringham Priory.

Godwin gave the canons a chapel called Saint Saviour. He also gave them land and buildings. This was meant to help them live and maintain their religious house.

A Big Responsibility

Along with the gifts, Godwin gave the canons a big job. They had to keep a long, raised road called a causeway in good repair. This causeway went through the wet fen lands. It was known as Holland Bridge and included several bridges. The road stretched all the way to a ditch near Donington.

The canons found this task very difficult and expensive. People often complained that the causeway was not being fixed properly. In 1333, the leader of the priory, called the prior, even spoke to the Parliament. He explained that the priory's money was barely enough to support the canons themselves. Fixing the causeway was a huge extra cost. It is thought that only about three or four canons and a few lay brothers lived at the priory.

Markets and Fairs

In 1356, King Edward III gave the priory special permission. They could hold a weekly market in Bridgend. This meant people could come and buy and sell goods there every week. The king also allowed them to hold a yearly fair on the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene. A year later, another fair was allowed on the Feast of Saint Luke. These markets and fairs would have helped the priory earn money.

The Fire of 1445

In February 1445, a terrible fire damaged Bridgend Priory. The church and other buildings where the canons lived were destroyed. The Bishop of Lincoln, named Alnwick, offered help. He said that anyone who gave money to help rebuild the priory before Michaelmas would receive a special spiritual benefit called an indulgence.

The End of the Priory

During the time known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries, many religious houses in England were closed down. By this time, Bridgend Priory had become a smaller part, or "cell," of Sempringham Priory. In September 1538, Bridgend Priory was officially closed as part of Sempringham's possessions.

After the priory was closed, its stones were used for other buildings. For example, some stones from the priory were used to build a nearby place called Priory Farm.