Chipley Priory facts for kids
Chipley Priory was a small religious house where Augustine monks lived and prayed. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This priory was located about 1 mile (2 km) north-west of the village of Poslingford in Suffolk, England.
We don't know exactly when Chipley Priory was started. The first time it is mentioned in old records is in the year 1235. It was never a very large or rich place. A record from 1291, which listed how much money different places made, showed that Chipley Priory earned less than £5 each year. This was a very small amount even back then.
By 1455, the buildings of the priory were already falling apart and were in ruins. Later, in 1468, the Bishop of Norwich allowed the land and what was left of the priory to be joined with the College at Stoke-next-Clare. This meant the priory stopped existing as a separate religious house.
What Happened to the Priory?
Today, a farmhouse from the 1600s stands on the old priory site. This farmhouse actually uses some of the old building materials that are thought to have come from the original priory buildings.
People believe that the priory's church was destroyed in 1818. Over the years, many interesting things have been found at the site. These include old bones and other artifacts, which are historical objects. A stone coffin and a bell found there are now kept safely at Poslingford Church.
Remembering Chipley Priory
In 1990, a special plaque was put up at the site by the Clopton Family Association. This plaque shares information about the people who lived there, those who were buried there, and the leaders (called priors) of Chipley Priory. It helps us remember the history of this small but important religious site.
