Charley Priory facts for kids
 Location in Leicestershire
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Established | Before 1190 |
| Disestablished | c.1465 (united with nearby Ulverscroft Priory) |
| Diocese | Diocese of Lincoln |
| Site | |
| Location | Charley, Leicestershire, England |
| Coordinates | 52°43′41″N 1°17′29″W / 52.728184°N 1.291409°W |
| Grid reference | SK47951474 |
Charley Priory was a small religious house in Leicestershire, England. It was a type of monastery where monks lived and prayed. This priory existed for many centuries before it closed down.
Contents
History of Charley Priory
When was Charley Priory built?
We don't know the exact year Charley Priory was built. But it was definitely there before the year 1190. In 1190, a noblewoman named Petronilla de Grandmesnil, Countess of Leicester gave the priory to a large abbey in France. This abbey was called Abbey of Saint-Evroul in Normandy. For a while, Charley Priory was controlled by another priory called Ware Priory. Ware Priory was like a branch of Saint-Evroul.
Becoming Independent
By 1220, Charley Priory became independent. It was no longer controlled by the French abbey. At this time, it was known as a hermitage. A hermitage is a quiet place where religious people live alone or in small groups. They focus on prayer and simple living.
The priory also owned the right to choose the priest for a church in Ratcliffe on the Wreake. This right is called an advowson. In 1220, three monks lived at the priory. It's not clear if they followed the rules of the Augustinians or Benedictine orders. As a hermitage, they might not have followed any strict rules.
Later Years and Closure
By the late 1200s, the priory was considered to be Augustinian. This means the monks followed the rules of Saint Augustine. In 1291, the priory was valued at about £9. This was not a lot of money, showing it was quite small.
By 1444, the priory was in financial trouble. The buildings had fallen into ruins because there wasn't enough money for repairs. In 1465, a man named Sir John Bourchier asked the Bishop of Lincoln for permission. He wanted Charley Priory to join with a nearby Augustinian priory. This priory was called Ulverscroft Priory.
Charley Priory was closed soon after this request. It became part of Ulverscroft Priory. Ulverscroft Priory itself was later closed in 1539.
What remains today?
Sadly, nothing remains of the original priory buildings. However, you can still see the old dyke. This dyke shows where the walls of the priory grounds used to be.
