Leez Priory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leez Priory |
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| General information | |
| Location | Leez Ln, Hartford End |
| Town or city | Chelmsford |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°50′22″N 0°28′02″E / 51.839473°N 0.467235°E |
| Client | Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich |
Leez Priory is a beautiful old mansion built in the 1500s. It's located in a small area called Little Leighs, near Chelmsford in Essex, England. This historic building is so important that it's listed as a Grade I building, which means it's very special and protected. Part of the priory actually sits across two different local areas: Felsted and Great and Little Leighs.
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The Story of Leez Priory
From Monastery to Mansion
The story of Leez Priory began a long time ago, in 1220. A person named Sir Ralph Gernon decided to build a religious house there. He chose a quiet spot by the River Ter. This house became a priory for Augustinian canons, who were a type of Christian religious group. For over 300 years, the priory was a busy and important place.
However, things changed during the time of King Henry VIII. The King decided to close down many monasteries across England. This period was known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. King Henry VIII sent a man named Sir Richard Rich to close Leez Priory.
After the priory was closed, Sir Richard Rich decided to build his own grand house on the same land. This is the mansion we now know as Leez Priory. You can still see parts of the old Augustinian Priory in the grounds today. There are old walls and even underground drainage systems from those early days. The area was once called "Delicious Leez" because of its beautiful rose-brick buildings, old garden walls, and fish ponds.
Famous Visitors and Big Changes
Over the years, Leez Priory became home to important families, like the Earls of Warwick. Many famous people visited the mansion. These visitors included Queen Elizabeth I and Princess Mary, who later became Queen Mary I.
In the 1600s, Leez Priory was known as a place where people discussed ideas that went against the King. Robert Rich, the 2nd Earl of Warwick, owned the priory at this time. Historians believe Leez Priory was a central place for those who opposed the King's rule in 1640.
Much of the mansion was taken down in 1753. At that time, a hospital in London called Guy's Hospital bought the property. Guy's Hospital owned Leez Priory for many years, often renting it out as a private home.
Leez Priory Today
Leez Priory was officially recognized as a Grade I listed building in 1952. This means it's a very important historic site that needs to be protected.
In 1995, Leez Priory became the first country house in the United Kingdom to be allowed to hold civil ceremonies. Today, it is a popular place for weddings and other special events.
Images for kids
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Leez Priory, a historic mansion in Essex.
