Davington Priory facts for kids
Davington Priory was a special kind of religious building called a priory. It was home to a group of nuns. This priory was located on the north Kent coast in England. It sat on Davington Hill, which is now part of the town of Faversham. Back then, it was a quiet, countryside spot.
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A Look Back in Time
A Benedictine nunnery, which is a place where nuns live and pray, was built at Davington in the year 1153. This priory managed to avoid the big changes of the dissolution of the monasteries. This was a time in the 1500s when many religious houses in England were closed down. Davington Priory slowly became less active. The last nun living there passed away in 1535.
Passing to the Crown
After the last nun died, the priory became property of the King. The King then sold it to a man named Sir Thomas Cheney. Sir Thomas Cheney was a close friend of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. In 1536, he was given an important job. He became the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. This meant he was in charge of defending several important port towns along the coast.
The Priory Church
The main part of the old Norman church is still used today. It serves as the local parish church. This church is dedicated to St Mary Magdalene and St Lawrence. It was quite unusual because it was privately owned for a long time. The Church of England finally bought it in 1931. Part of the church, called the choir, was taken down by 1580. Its stones were used to build other things. Also, one of the church's two towers was gone by 1692.
Modern Times at the Priory
Over time, some parts of the old priory were changed into a house. This included parts of the cloister, which was a covered walkway, and the nuns' living areas. The Church of England bought this house in 1931. Later, in 1972, it was sold to an antiques dealer named Christopher Gibbs. He was also a collector.
Bob Geldof's Home
Christopher Gibbs sold the house in 1982. It was bought by his friend, Bob Geldof. Bob Geldof is a well-known musician and activist. By 2023, he had lived at Davington Priory for 40 years. People in the local area say he is very friendly. A retired local pub owner, Terence Boulton, said that Bob Geldof "doesn't act like a superstar." He often talks to people and is seen walking around the town.
