Hurley Priory facts for kids
Hurley Priory was once a Benedictine monastery, a special kind of religious house. It is located in the quiet village of Hurley. This village sits right by the River Thames in the English county of Berkshire.
History of Hurley Priory
Hurley Priory was first built in 1086. It was founded by a powerful Norman lord named Geoffrey de Mandeville I. The priory was dedicated to St. Mary. It was like a smaller branch of the much larger Westminster Abbey in London.
In 1536, King Henry VIII decided to close down many monasteries in England. This event is known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Hurley Priory was one of the places affected. Its ownership was first given to Westminster Abbey.
However, in 1540, Westminster Abbey itself was closed down. So, the land and buildings of Hurley Priory then went to private owners. The main priory building became a grand house called Lady Place. Over time, it belonged to several important families, including the Barons Lovelace. Lady Place was once a very famous mansion. But it eventually fell apart and was pulled down in 1837.
What's Left Today
Even though the priory was mostly destroyed, some parts still stand! The long, narrow main part of the priory church, called the nave, is still used today. It is now the local parish church for Hurley village. You can still see its old Norman windows and doorways.
To the north of the church, there's a range of buildings. These once included the frater, which was the monks' dining hall. These old parts are now part of a private house. You can also find a round building that was probably a dovecote. This was a place where pigeons were kept. A large barn nearby also dates back to the early 1300s.
One of the most interesting surviving parts is the old guesthouse. This was where visitors to the priory would stay. Today, it is part of The Olde Bell Inn. This inn is one of the oldest pubs in Britain that is still open for business!
