Deeping St James Priory facts for kids
The Deeping St James Priory was once a special home for a group of monks in a village called Deeping St James in Lincolnshire, England. It was founded in 1139 by a person named Baldwin Fitz Gilbert.
This priory was a "cell" of a larger abbey called Thorney Abbey. A "cell" means it was like a smaller branch or outpost of the main abbey. The monks who lived here were part of the Benedictine order, a very old group of monks known for their quiet and prayerful lives. They dedicated their priory to Saint James.
The priory continued until 1539. At that time, many monasteries in England were closed down by the king, an event known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Even though the priory itself was closed, its church still stands today. It is now the main Church of England parish church for Deeping St James and is considered a very important historical building, known as a Grade I listed building.
What Was Inside the Priory Church?
The church has a long history. It once had a large organ built in 1902 by a company called Abbot & Smith. Organs like this are huge musical instruments that make sound using many pipes.
The Priory's Old Buildings
Near the churchyard, there used to be a large building called a tithe barn. This barn was where farmers would store a part of their crops or produce, called a "tithe," which was given to the church to support it. This barn was quite big, measuring about 90 feet long and 20 feet wide inside!
Historians aren't completely sure exactly when the tithe barn was built. Some think it was from the 13th century, others say the late 15th century, and some even suggest the 17th century. Sadly, this historic barn was taken down in 1963.
Today, if you visit Deeping St James, you won't see any signs or remains of the old monastic living areas of the priory. Only the church building itself remains as a reminder of its past.
Who Were the Priors of Deeping?
The "prior" was the head monk in charge of the priory. We don't have a complete list of all the priors who lived and worked at Deeping St James, but here are some of the known ones:
- Jocelyn: He was a prior sometime in the 12th century.
- James Nassington: He was prior around the year 1299.
- Thomas of Gosberkirk: He served as prior for many years, from 1329 to 1347.
- John de Charteris: He was prior in 1358 and again in 1365.
- William Lee: He was the very last prior of Deeping St James before the priory was closed down in 1539.
