Edith Weston Priory facts for kids
Where the Alien cell once stood is now this shallow bay in Rutland Water
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 Location in Rutland
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| Monastery information | |
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| Order | Benedictine |
| Established | 1114 |
| Disestablished | 1394 |
| Mother house | Abbey of Saint-Georges, Boscherville, France |
| Diocese | Diocese of Lincoln |
| Site | |
| Location | Edith Weston, Rutland, England |
| Coordinates | 52°38′26″N 0°38′05″W / 52.6405°N 0.6347°W |
Edith Weston Priory was a small religious house in Edith Weston, Rutland, England. It was home to Benedictine monks. These monks were part of a larger monastery in France. This type of monastery, linked to a foreign parent house, was called an alien priory.
The main monastery was the Abbey of Saint-Georges, Boscherville in France. It was started around 1050. In 1114, a nobleman named William gave land and a church in Edith Weston to this French abbey. A small group of monks then came to live there. Their job was to manage the land and pray for the person who donated it.
What Was an Alien Priory?
An alien priory was like a branch office of a larger monastery. The main monastery was usually in another country. In this case, it was in France. These smaller priories helped collect money and manage lands for their parent house.
Why Did It Close?
During times of war between England and France, the English king would often take control of alien priories. This was because their money and loyalty were linked to France. Edith Weston Priory closed during one of these wars.
The last known leader of the priory was in 1361. By 1394, the church and land were sold. They went to another religious house called St. Anne's Priory in Coventry. This sale marked the end of Edith Weston Priory.
Where Is It Now?
Today, you won't find any buildings from Edith Weston Priory. The area where it likely stood is now underwater. It is covered by the waters of Rutland Water, a large reservoir.
