Bromholm Priory facts for kids
Bromholm Priory was an old religious building called a priory. It was located near a village called Bacton in Norfolk, England, right by the coast. This priory followed the rules of the Cluniac order, which was a special group of monks.
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A Look Back at Bromholm Priory
Bromholm Priory was started in the year 1113. A powerful local lord named William de Glanville founded it. At first, it was connected to another priory called Castle Acre Priory. But in 1195, the Pope Celestine III made it independent.
A very important visitor came to the priory in 1223: King Henry III. He came to use the holy waters and honor some special religious items called relics.
The Holy Cross of Bromholm
Bromholm Priory became a very popular place for people to visit on a pilgrimage. This was because it claimed to have a piece of the True Cross. This was believed to be a part of the cross Jesus was crucified on.
This special relic was so famous that it was mentioned in well-known old English writings. It was called the 'holy cross of Bromeholme' in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Reeve's Tale. It also appeared in William Langland's Vision of Piers Plowman.
Later Years and Ruins
The priory was also connected to the Paston family. They were a famous family in Norfolk, and the priory is mentioned in their old letters, known as the Paston Letters.
Sadly, in 1536, the priory was closed down. This was part of a big event called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Today, only parts of the old buildings remain. You can still see the ruins of the gatehouse, the Chapter House, and a section of the main church.
A Modern Use for an Ancient Site
During World War Two, in 1940, the base of the priory church's central tower was changed. It was turned into a pillbox. This was a small, strong concrete shelter used by soldiers to defend against a possible German invasion.
You can learn more about the priory from an old book: "A Short History of Bromholm Priory" published in 1911.
