Horstead Priory facts for kids
Horstead Priory was a special kind of religious building in Norfolk, England. It was a small monastery where monks lived and prayed. This priory was connected to a larger church group called the Benedictines.
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What Was Horstead Priory?
Horstead Priory was known as an "alien priory". This means it was owned and controlled by a bigger monastery located in another country. In this case, Horstead Priory belonged to the Abbey of Sainte-Trinité (which means "Holy Trinity Abbey") in Caen, France.
How Horstead Priory Started
The land for Horstead Priory was given by William II of England, who was also known as William Rufus. He was a king of England. King William II gave the Horstead manor (a large estate with land and buildings) to the Abbey of Sainte-Trinité. This abbey in France was very important because it had been founded by William's own mother, Matilda of Flanders.
Money and Resources
Records from the year 1291 show how much money and resources the priory and its estate brought in. At that time, its income was about £20, 10 shillings, and 6 pence. This was a good amount of money for that period.
The End of Horstead Priory
Horstead Priory, along with many other alien priories, was officially closed down in 1414. This happened because of a decision made by King Henry V. He decided to close these priories, often because England was at war with France, and he didn't want English land and money going to French monasteries.
What Happened to the Land?
After the priory was closed, the Horstead manor was given to a famous soldier named Thomas Erpingham. He was allowed to use the land for the rest of his life.
A few years after Thomas Erpingham passed away, in 1431, the manor was given to King's College, Cambridge. This is a well-known university college that still exists today.
What Remains Today?
Sadly, none of the original buildings from the medieval (Middle Ages) period of Horstead Priory are still standing today.
