Durham Priory facts for kids
The cloister of Durham Cathedral
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Benedictine |
| Established | 1083 |
| Disestablished | 1539 |
| Mother house | Independent |
| Dedicated to | St Cuthbert |
| Diocese | Durham |
| Site | |
| Location | Durham, County Durham, England |
| Visible remains | Intact |
| Public access | Yes |
Durham Priory was a very important Benedictine monastery connected to Durham Cathedral. It was located in Durham, in the north-east of England. The leader of the priory was called the Prior of Durham. It started in 1083 as a Roman Catholic monastery. However, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1540, the priory was closed down. The cathedral then became part of the Church of England.
Contents
What Was Durham Priory?
Durham Priory was one of the biggest landowners in County Durham. It shared power with the Bishop of Durham. This was true until Henry VIII closed down many monasteries. The priory was home to about 50 to 100 Benedictine monks. Durham was the largest and wealthiest of the monasteries linked to Durham. It also had smaller "cells" or branches in other places. These included Coldingham Priory, Jarrow and Monk Wearmouth, Finchale, and Durham College, Oxford.
Power Struggles in Durham
The Bishop of Durham was like a powerful ruler in the area. This was because he was a "Prince-bishop," meaning he had both religious and political power. However, the Prior of Durham also had a lot of power. The Prior even had his own courts for people who rented land from the priory. Around 1229, an agreement called Le Convenit was made. This agreement helped to set rules for how the Bishop and the Prior would share power.
The End of the Priory
After the Benedictine monastery was closed down, the last leader, Hugh Whitehead, got a new role. He became the first "dean" of the cathedral. This meant he was in charge of the cathedral's new, non-monastic group of clergy.
Ancient Books and Modern Technology
Durham Priory had a huge collection of old books and writings. These important documents date from the 6th to the 16th century. Today, Durham University and Durham Cathedral are working together. They are making digital copies of these ancient books. This project helps people around the world study the priory's history.
Images for kids
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Vault of the prior's kitchen
