Buckland Priory facts for kids
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Augustinian |
| Established | c. 1167 |
| Disestablished | 1539 |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | William de Erleigh |
| Site | |
| Location | Durston, Somerset, England |
Buckland Priory was an important religious building in Somerset, England. It was first built around 1167 in a place called Lower Durston. It had a few different names over the years, like Minchin Buckland Preceptory.
Contents
The Priory's Beginnings
Buckland Priory was started by a person named William de Erleigh. He built it for a group of religious people called Augustinian Canons. These canons were like monks who followed the rules of Saint Augustine.
The priory had a special spring nearby. This spring helped fill fishponds, which were called vivarium. It also gave the priory fresh water and helped with drainage. Sadly, these ponds were filled in by the year 1725.
Changes Over Time
In 1234, the buildings at Buckland Priory burned down. After this, the priory was closed down, and its lands were given to another group. This new group was called the Knights Hospitaller.
The Knights Hospitaller were a famous Christian military order. They were known for helping pilgrims and caring for the sick. Buckland Priory became their only house in England specifically for women. These women were called Canonesses of St. Augustine. The Knights Hospitaller stopped appointing leaders for this house after 1433.
Land and Wealth
Over the years, the priory received many gifts of land and money. These gifts are called endowments. By 1358, the priory's land, known as its estate, was quite large. It included about 268 acres of land for farming and 42 acres of grassy meadows.
Who Was Buried Here?
Some important people were buried at Buckland Priory. One of them was Robert Hill (died 1423) and his wife, Isabel Fitchet.
The Priory Closes Down
Buckland Priory was officially closed in 1540. This happened during a time in England called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was when King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries and priories across the country.
Before it closed, the Knights Hospitaller had rented out their lands in 1539 to a man named William Hawley. After the priory was closed, Hawley rented the property from the King. Then, in 1545, he bought the land completely with another person, Alexander Popham. They called it "the manor and late preceptory of Buckland Priors."
Later in 1545, William Hawley bought out Popham's share. By 1548, he owned 300 acres of the former priory land. The property later became the home of Sir Gabriel Hawley, who was the Sheriff of Somerset in 1584.
Buckland Priory Today
Today, the place where one of the old priory buildings stood is now Buckland Farm. This farm is a listed building, which means it's an important historical building protected by law.
