Davington Priory facts for kids
Davington Priory was once a monastery for nuns located on the north Kent coast in England. It sits on Davington Hill, which is now a part of Faversham. Back when it was built, it was a quiet, isolated place in the countryside.
Contents
The Priory's Story
Building a Home for Nuns
A Benedictine nunnery, which is a type of monastery for women, was built at Davington in the year 1153. This was a place where nuns lived, prayed, and worked together.
Changes Over Time
The priory avoided the big changes of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was a time in the 1500s when King Henry VIII closed many monasteries in England. Davington Priory became empty because the number of nuns slowly went down. The last nun passed away in 1535.
After this, the priory became the property of the King. He then sold it to Sir Thomas Cheney. Sir Thomas Cheney was a trusted person to King Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. He was also given an important job as the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in 1536.
The Church Today
The front part of the old Norman church, called the nave, is still used today. It is now the local parish church. This church is dedicated to two saints: St Mary Magdalene and St Lawrence.
It's quite unusual because this church was privately owned for a very long time. The Church of England finally bought it in 1931. The back part of the church, called the choir, was taken down by 1580. Its stones were used for other buildings. Also, one of the church's two towers was gone by 1692.
Davington Priory Now
From Priory to Home
Over time, some parts of the old priory, like the cloister and the nuns' living areas, were turned into a house. The Church of England bought this house in 1931. Later, in 1972, it was sold to an antiques dealer and collector named Christopher Gibbs. He then sold it again in 1982.
A Famous Owner
Today, Davington Priory is owned by the famous musician and activist Bob Geldof. He bought it from his friend Christopher Gibbs. By 2023, Bob Geldof had lived there for 40 years. People in the local area say he is very friendly and acts like a normal person. He often talks to people and is seen walking around the town.
