List of monastic houses in Northamptonshire facts for kids

This article is about the monastic houses that once existed in Northamptonshire, England. Monastic houses were places where groups of people, like monks or nuns, lived together under religious rules. They dedicated their lives to prayer, study, and work. These communities played a big role in medieval society. They often ran schools, cared for the sick, and helped the poor.

Over time, many of these houses were closed down, especially during the 1530s. This period is known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when King Henry VIII took control of church lands and wealth. Today, only ruins or new buildings remain at most of these historic sites.

Alien houses are included, as are smaller establishments such as cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks), and also camerae of the military orders of monks (Knights Templars and Knights Hospitaller). Monastic hospitals are included where they had the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary or preceptor/commandery.

Abbreviations and key

Locations with names in italics indicate possible duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented) or ecclesiastical establishments with a monastic name but lacking actual monastic connection.

Monastic Houses in Northamptonshire

Brackley Blackfriars

This was meant to be a hospital for Dominican Friars around 1420. However, the plan to turn the hospital into a friary never happened.

Brixworth Abbey

All Saints' Church, Brixworth, which was once part of Brixworth Abbey.

This ancient Saxon monastery was likely home to Benedictine monks. It was founded after 675 AD and was connected to Peterborough Cathedral. Sadly, it was probably destroyed around 870 during raids by the Danes (Vikings). Today, part of it is the All Saints' Church, Brixworth.

Canons Ashby Priory

The front of Canons Ashby Priory.

This priory was founded between 1147 and 1151 by Stephen de Leye for Augustinian Canons Regular. It was dissolved in 1536. After that, it became a private home, and some of its church building is still used as a local church today.

Castor Priory

This priory was home to Saxon nuns and was founded before 664–665. It was destroyed by the Danes around 870 AD.

Catesby Priory

Catesby Priory started around 1175, first for Benedictine nuns, then Cistercian nuns. It also had Augustinian Canons Regular. The priory was closed in 1536. A house was built on the site in the 16th century, but it was later torn down in 1863.

Chacombe Priory

The house known as 'The Priory' in Chacombe.

Augustinian Canons Regular founded this priory between 1216 and 1272. It was dissolved in 1536. A house called 'Chacombe Priory' was built on the site in the 17th century.

Daventry Priory

Holy Cross Church, Daventry.

This priory was for Cluniac monks. It was first founded around 1090 at Preston Capes, then moved to Daventry in 1107–1108. It was an alien house, meaning it was controlled by a foreign monastery in France. Later, it became independent in 1405. The priory was dissolved in 1525. The Holy Cross church, which was connected to the priory, was rebuilt in the 19th century.

Deene Priory

Deene Priory was a small Benedictine monastery that existed before 1066. It was a "cell," or a smaller part, of Westminster Abbey. It closed down after 1086.

Delapré Abbey

Delapré Abbey.

This abbey was founded around 1145 for Cluniac nuns by Simon de St Liz II. It was dissolved on December 15, 1538. Today, the site is a historic building and park.

Dingley Preceptory

This was a home for the Knights Hospitallers, a military and religious order. It was founded before 1154. It closed in 1540.

Everdon Priory

This priory housed Benedictine monks. It was an alien house, meaning it was a small farm or property belonging to a foreign monastery in France. It was founded around 1100 and closed before 1399. Its remains were recorded in 1720 but are no longer visible.

Fineshade Priory

The site of Fineshade Abbey.

Augustinian Canons Regular founded this priory before 1208. It was dissolved in 1536. The priory buildings were later converted into a country home, which was demolished in 1749. Another house was built there, but it was also demolished in 1956.

Fotheringhay Nunnery

This nunnery for Cluniac nuns was founded around 1141. The nuns later moved to Delapré Abbey around 1145. A new college and church were built on the site in the 15th century, which closed in 1548.

Grafton Regis Priory

This was a small community or hermitage for Augustinian Canons Regular, founded between 1180 and 1205. It joined with the Abbey of St James's in Northampton before 1400.

Guilsborough Preceptory

This was a small house or hospital for the Knights Hospitaller. It was founded before 1285 and closed before 1338.

Kalendar Priory

This priory was for Premonstratensian canons and was connected to Sulby Abbey. It was founded after 1155 and likely stopped existing before 1291.

Luffield Priory, Syresham

This priory was partly in Northamptonshire and partly in Buckinghamshire. You can find more information about it in the List of monastic houses in Buckinghamshire.

Northampton Abbey

This abbey for Augustinian Canons Regular was founded around 1145-1150. It was dissolved in August 1538. Today, a housing estate stands where the abbey once was.

Northampton Austin Friars

This friary for Augustinian Friars was founded between 1275 and 1290. It was dissolved in 1538.

Northampton Blackfriars

This friary for Dominican Friars was founded before 1233. It was dissolved in 1538.

Northampton Friars of the Sack

This friary was for a group called the Friars of the Sack, founded before 1271. They left the site before 1303.

Northampton Greyfriars (Earlier Site)

This was the first home for Franciscan Friars in Northampton, founded in 1226. They moved to a new site around 1235.

Northampton Greyfriars

The Franciscan Friars moved to this new site around 1235. The friary was built by 1258 and dissolved in 1538.

Northampton — St Andrew's Priory

This priory was for Cluniac monks and was an alien house, dependent on a French monastery. It was founded between 1093 and 1100. It became independent in 1405 and was dissolved in 1538. The site was built over in the 19th century.

Northampton Whitefriars

This friary for Carmelite Friars was founded before 1265. It was dissolved in 1538.

Northampton Nunnery

This nunnery for Franciscan nuns was founded in 1252 and closed after 1272.

Oxney Priory

This priory was historically located in Cambridgeshire. You can find more information about it in the List of monastic houses in Cambridgeshire.

Peterborough Abbey

This abbey was historically located in Cambridgeshire. You can find more information about it in the List of monastic houses in Cambridgeshire.

Pipewell Abbey

This abbey for Cistercian monks was founded on September 13, 1143. It was dissolved on November 5, 1538. By 1548, it was in ruins and its stones were used for other buildings.

Preston Capes Priory

This priory for Cluniac monks was an alien house, dependent on a French monastery. It was founded around 1090 but moved to Daventry in 1107–1108.

Rothwell Priory

This priory for Augustinian canonesses (nuns) was founded before 1262. It was dissolved between 1537 and 1538. A farmhouse called 'The Nunnery' might have been built on its site.

Sewardsley Priory

This priory for Cistercian nuns was founded between 1216 and 1272. It was dissolved in 1538.

Stamford — St Michael's Priory

This priory was historically located in Cambridgeshire. You can find more information about it in the List of monastic houses in Cambridgeshire.

Stamford — St Sepulchre Priory

This priory was historically located in Cambridgeshire. You can find more information about it in the List of monastic houses in Cambridgeshire.

Sulby Abbey

This abbey for Premonstratensian Canons was founded in 1155. It was dissolved in 1538.

Weedon Monastery

This monastery, possibly for Benedictine nuns, was founded around 680 AD by St Werburgh. It might have been built on the site of an old Anglo-Saxon royal palace. It was destroyed during Viking raids in 870.

Weedon Beck Priory

This priory for Benedictine monks was an alien house, connected to monasteries in France. It was founded before 1086 and closed after 1329.

Weedon Pinkney Priory

This priory for Benedictine monks was founded before 1126. It was connected to a French monastery. The land was later given to All Souls College, Oxford, in 1440.

Wermundsey Monastery

This monastery is not clearly identified but was connected to Peterborough. It was founded after 675 and destroyed during Viking raids in 870. It might have been located in Northamptonshire.

Wittering Priory

This priory was historically located in Cambridgeshire. You can find more information about it in the List of monastic houses in Cambridgeshire.

Wothorpe Priory

This priory was for Benedictine nuns and was founded in the 12th century. It was already in ruins by 1292 and later merged with Stamford Priory in 1354. It was granted to Richard Cecil in 1540-1541.

Images for kids

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  All Saints' Church, Brixworth, which was once part of Brixworth Abbey.

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  The front of Canons Ashby Priory.

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  The house known as 'The Priory' in Chacombe.

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  Holy Cross Church, Daventry.

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  Delapré Abbey.

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  The site of Fineshade Abbey.

See also

• List of monastic houses in England