Leonard Stanley Priory facts for kids

St Swithuns church Leonard Stanley - formerly the Priory Church dedicated to St Leonard

Leonard Stanley Priory was a special religious building, like a monastery, located in Gloucestershire, England. For many years after it closed down, most of its original buildings were taken apart or destroyed.

What Was Leonard Stanley Priory?

Leonard Stanley is a small place about 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Stroud in Gloucestershire. A priory is a type of monastery where religious people, like monks or canons, live and pray. This priory was started around the year 1131 by the Berkeley family. It was named after a saint called St Leonard.

At first, the priory was home to a group called the Austin Canons. These were religious men who followed the rules of St. Augustine. Later, in 1146, the priory became part of Gloucester Abbey. It then became a smaller "cell" for Benedictine monks. This means it was like a branch of the main abbey.

The Priory Church Today

The priory stayed open until 1538. This was when many monasteries in England were closed down by the king, an event known as the dissolution.

The main church of the priory was very important. It served as both the church for the monks and the church for the local villagers. Today, this old priory church is known as St Swithun's Church. It is still used as a local parish church.

If you visit the church, you can still see some old parts. On the western wall of the south transept (a part of the church), you can spot special stones called corbels. These stones once held up the roof of the cloister, which was an open courtyard where the monks walked.

Other Remains

Near the church, to the southwest, there is an even older chapel. This building is still standing and is now used as a farm building. To the west of the church, there is also a pond. People think this pond might have been a fishpond used by the priory to keep fish for food.

Images for kids

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  The old chapel in use as a farm building

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  Leonard Stanley Priory site map

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  Priory church 1786

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  Priory Kitchen with louvered roof and old chapel 1787

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  Dragon head label stop, north doorway

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  Capital, north chancel

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  Capital, south chancel

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  The Temptation above aumbry, south chancel

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  Bull's Head Carving