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List of monastic houses in Suffolk facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The following is a list of monastic houses in Suffolk, England.


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
Status of remains
Symbol Status
None Ruins
* Current monastic function
+ Current non-monastic ecclesiastic function (including remains incorporated into later structure)
^ Current non-ecclesiastic function (including remains incorporated into later structure) or redundant intact structure
$ Remains limited to earthworks etc.
# No identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains
~ Exact site of monastic foundation unknown
Identification ambiguous or confused

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.

Trusteeship
EH English Heritage
LT Landmark Trust
NT National Trust



Foundation Image Communities & Provenance Formal name or dedication
and alternative names
References and location
Alnesbourne Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1200, probably by Alberte de Neville, who granted endowments;
appropriated to Woodbridge probably c.1466;
dissolved before 1514; granted to Sir John Wingfield 1541/2
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Alnesbourne
____________________
Alnesbourn Priory;
Alnesborn Priory;
Alensborne Priory


52°01′08″N 1°11′35″E / 52.0187757°N 1.1929339°E / 52.0187757; 1.1929339 (Alnesbourne Priory)
Babwell Greyfriars Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Cambridge)
transferred from earlier foundation at Bury St Edmunds;
founded 19 November 1262;
dissolved December 1538, surrendered to Richard Yngworth, Bishop of Dover; granted to Anthony Harvey May 1541

52°15′43″N 0°42′38″E / 52.2618374°N 0.7104582°E / 52.2618374; 0.7104582 (Babwell Greyfriars)
Battisford Preceptory Knights Hospitaller
preceptory/hospital
founded c.1154, benefactions from Henry II; dissolved 1540


52°08′56″N 0°59′22″E / 52.1489648°N 0.9895232°E / 52.1489648; 0.9895232 (Battisford Preceptory)
Blakenham Priory Benedictine monks
alien house: dependent on Bec-Hellouin Abbey;
manor granted to Bec-Hellouin by Walter Giffard, 'Earl of Buckingham'
founded before 1092;
dissolved before 1230, apparently reduced to grange; transferred as a parcel to Ogbourne St George; granted to Eton College 1460
Great Blakenham Priory

52°06′29″N 1°04′47″E / 52.1080587°N 1.0798332°E / 52.1080587; 1.0798332 (Blakenham Priory)
Blythburgh Blackfriars Dominican Friars
licence obtained 1384 to move from Dunwich, when that location was threatened by the sea but transfer never implemented
Blythburgh Priory The Chapel at The Priory, Blythburgh 1377199.jpg Augustinian Canons Regular — from St. Osyth's Abbey, Essex
ependent on St Osyth; founded before 1135, assisted by Henry I and the Clavering family; dissolved 12 February 1537 and granted to Sir Arthur Hopton 1538/9
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Blythburgh
____________________
Bliburgh Priory


52°19′18″N 1°35′47″E / 52.3217°N 1.5965°E / 52.3217; 1.5965 (Blythburgh Priory)
Bruisyard Abbey secular college
(community founded at Campsey Ash 1347);
transferred here 1354;
dissolved 4 October 1366;
Franciscan nuns — from Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire
founded 1364-7 by Lionel, Duke of Clarence;
dissolved 1359; granted to Nicholas Hare 1539
Brusyard Priory

52°14′40″N 1°25′03″E / 52.2444555°N 1.417467°E / 52.2444555; 1.417467 (Bruisyard Abbey)
Bungay Priory + BungayPriory.jpg Benedictine nuns
founded 1183 by Roger de Glanvill and his wife, Countess Gundreda;
dissolved 1336; nuns appear to have abandoned the house before April 1536; granted to Thomas, Duke of Norfolk 1537/8;
most of conventual buildings destroyed by fire 1688;
rebuilt 1699; reopened 1701 for parochial use as the Parish Church of St Mary
The Priory Church of Saint Mary and the Holy Cross, Bungay

52°27′20″N 1°26′17″E / 52.4555321°N 1.4380234°E / 52.4555321; 1.4380234 (Bungay Priory)
Bury St Edmunds Abbey StEdmundsburyAbbeyPanorama.jpg Saxon (Benedictine?) monks
founded 633 by Sigeberht, King of the East Angles; destroyed in raids by the Danes c.870
secular (collegiate)
founded 903;
refounded c.925, endowed by King Athelstan;
Benedictine monks
founded 1020-2; dissolved 4 November 1539; granted to John Eyre 1559/60;
subsequently granted to Thomas Badyby;
abbot's palace in use as a house until 1720; other buildings incorporated into houses 17th and 19th century: extant; remains now within a public park; (EH)
episcopal diocesan Bury St Edmunds Cathedral in precinct
The Abbey Church of Saint Edmund, (Bury Saint Edmunds)
Beordicsworth Abbey;
Bury St Edmond Abbey


52°14′38″N 0°43′09″E / 52.2438905°N 0.7190466°E / 52.2438905; 0.7190466 (Bury St Edmunds Abbey)
Bury St Edmunds Greyfriars, earlier site Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Cambridge)
foundation attempted 1233, but discouraged by the legate and monks of the Abbey;
founded shortly after 22 June 1257: bull obtained from the Pope to establish their community;
expelled by Abbey officials;
re-established at a new site (see immediately below)
Bury St Edmunds Greyfriars Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Cambridge)
(previous, unsuccessful foundation at earlier site (see immediately above));
founded 1258, with the assistance of Henry III;
Pope Urban IV ordered the friars to demolish their buildings;
re-established at Babwell


52°15′09″N 0°41′39″E / 52.2523739°N 0.6941718°E / 52.2523739; 0.6941718 (Bury St Edmunds Greyfriars)
Butley Priory ^ Remains of Butley Priory near Abbey Farm (geograph 2578345).jpg Augustinian Canons Regular
founded 1171 by Sir Ranulph de Glanvill;
dissolved 1 March 1538;
remains incorporated into later buildings
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butley
Butleigh Priory


52°05′24″N 1°27′55″E / 52.089968°N 1.4652398°E / 52.089968; 1.4652398 (Butley Priory)
Campsey Ash Priory Augustinian Canonesses
founded c.1195 by Theobald de Valoines, who granted land to his sisters Joan (subsequently the first prioress) and Agnes;
(also given as Benedictine);
dissolved 1536; granted to Sir William Willoughby 1543/4;
post-medieval house and barn occupy site
The Priory Church of Saint Mary, Campsey Ash
The Blessed Virgin Mary
Campsey Priory;
Campess Priory

52°08′24″N 1°23′10″E / 52.1401242°N 1.3860852°E / 52.1401242; 1.3860852 (Campsey Ash Priory)
Cavenham Preceptory Knights Templar
founded before 1311?;
dissolved 1308-12(?)
Togrynd Preceptory;
Caveham Preceptory
Coddenham Preceptory


52°19′06″N 0°33′58″E / 52.3181991°N 0.5661151°E / 52.3181991; 0.5661151 (Cavenham Preceptory)
Chipley Priory # Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before 1291 (before 1235);
dissolved 1468; annexed to the college of Stoke by Clare 1468;
farmhouse occupies site, incorporating part of the west range of the monastic buildings, though no remains identifiably as early as 13th century
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chipley

52°07′06″N 0°34′20″E / 52.1184308°N 0.572142°E / 52.1184308; 0.572142 (Chipley Priory)
Clare Friary * Clare Priory, geograph.jpg Augustinian Friars (under the Limit of Cambridge)
founded 1248/9 by Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hereford;
cell dependent on Bec-Hellouin;
reconstituted 1326 by Edward II as a cell dependent on Westminster, Middlesex;
refounded as a college 1490 by Edmund, Earl of March
dissolved 1538; granted to Richard Friend 1539/40;
Augustinian Friars — from Ireland
refounded 1953; extant;
former infirmary/barn in use as friars' chapel
The Priory Church of Our Lady, Saint Peter and Saint Paul and Saint Augustine, Clare
____________________
Clare Priory


52°04′30″N 0°34′53″E / 52.0750881°N 0.5813473°E / 52.0750881; 0.5813473 (Clare Friary)
Clare Priory secular collegiate founded c.1045
Benedictine monks
alien house: dependent on Bec-Hellouin;
founded 1090: collegiate church of St John the Baptist granted to Bec by Gilbert de Clare;
transferred to new site at Stoke by Clare
Coddenham Camera Knights Hospitaller
a member of Battisford

52°08′36″N 1°06′41″E / 52.1432106°N 1.1115047°E / 52.1432106; 1.1115047 (Coddenham Camera)
Coddenham Priory Eustace de Merch originally intended to found a house of Cistercian nuns from Nun Appleton during the reign of Henry II;
Augustinian Canons Regular
dependent on Royston, Hertfordshire;
founded before 1184 by Eustace de Merch, who granted the church to Royston;
dissolved 1537
Covenham Priory

Creeting St Mary Priory Benedictine monks
alien house: (probable) grange dependent on Bernay;
founded before 1156;
supervised by a prior from 1327;
dissolved before 1414; granted to Eton College 1462

52°08′36″N 1°06′41″E / 52.1432106°N 1.1115047°E / 52.1432106; 1.1115047 (Creeting St Mary Priory)
Creeting St Olave Priory Benedictine monks
alien house: cell or grange, under supervision of a prior, dependent on Grestein;
founded before 1087; monks have been suggested to have used the parish church of St Olave #;
dissolved 1360; sold privately

52°10′37″N 1°04′10″E / 52.1770495°N 1.0695429°E / 52.1770495; 1.0695429 (Creeting St. Olave Priory)
Dodnash Priory # Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1188 by Baldwin de Toeni and his mother Alda;
dissolved 1525, suppressed for Cardinal Wolsey's colleges at Oxford and Ipswich; granted to Thomas Alverde;
in use as a farmhouse 19th century;
some of the re-used masonry incorporated into the buildings of Dodnash Priory Farm
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dodnash
51°58′47″N 1°03′48″E / 51.9797458°N 1.063453°E / 51.9797458; 1.063453 (Dodnash Priory)
Dunwich Blackfriars Dominican Friars (under the Visitation of Cambridge)
founded before 1256 by Sir Roger de Holish;
licence granted 1384 to move to Blythburgh due to threat of incursion by the sea;
dissolved 1538; granted to John Eyre 1544/5;
destroyed by coastal erosion and submerged by the sea

52°16′19″N 1°38′22″E / 52.2720769°N 1.6394734°E / 52.2720769; 1.6394734 (Dunwich Blackfriars)
Dunwich, Greyfriars, earlier site Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Cambridge)
founded before 1277 (?before 1272: during the reign of Henry III) by Robert Fitz John;
transferred to new site (see immediately below) 1290, due to coastal erosion
Dunwich Greyfriars DunwichGreyfriars.jpg Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Cambridge)
(community founded at earlier site (see immediately above) before 1277 (?before 1272));
transferred here due to coastal erosion 1290;
dissolved 1538; surrendered to Ingworth, Bishop of Dover; granted to John Eyre

52°16′32″N 1°37′51″E / 52.2755169°N 1.6307294°E / 52.2755169; 1.6307294 (Dunwich Greyfriars)
Dunwich Preceptory Knights Templar
founded before 1199;
dissolved 1308-12
passed to Knights Hospitaller, who maintained a chaplain but no preceptory here;
destroyed by coastal erosion and submerged by the sea

52°16′20″N 1°38′02″E / 52.272241°N 1.633755°E / 52.272241; 1.633755 (Dunwich Preceptory)
Dunwich Priory Benedictine monks
alien house: dependent on Eye (itself dependent on Bernay);
founded after 1080, church granted to Eye by William the Conqueror;
submerged by the sea between 1272 and 1307 (in/about the reign of Edward I)
St Felix?
52°16′34″N 1°38′56″E / 52.2762456°N 1.6489148°E / 52.2762456; 1.6489148 (Dunwich Priory)
East Bergholt Abbey * Benedictine nuns
land purchased 1857; extant
The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, East Bergholt
51°58′10″N 1°00′49″E / 51.969467°N 1.013529°E / 51.969467; 1.013529 (East Bergholt Abbey)
Edwardstone Priory # Benedictine monks
Priory cell dependent on Abingdon, Berkshire (Oxfordshire)
founded 1114, church granted to Abingdon by Hubert de Monchesney, confirmed 1115;
dissolved c.1160: community transferred to Earl's Colne by Abbot Walkelin
The Blessed Virgin Mary
52°03′31″N 0°49′43″E / 52.0585994°N 0.8285424°E / 52.0585994; 0.8285424 (Edwardstone Priory)
Eye Priory EyePriory.jpg Benedictine monks
alien house: dependent on Bernay;
founded c.1080 by Robert Malet;
became denizen: independent, refounded c.1385;
dissolved October 1534/1537
The Priory Church of Saint Peter, Eye
52°19′21″N 1°09′25″E / 52.3223765°N 1.1570084°E / 52.3223765; 1.1570084 (Eye Priory)
Felixstowe Priory, possible earlier site Benedictine monks
Priory cell dependent on Rochester Cathedral, Kent;
founded c.1105 (before 1107);
church of St Felix granted to Rochester by Roger Bigod;
possibly transferred from this site to a new location (see immediately below) 14th century
Felixstowe Priory Benedictine monks
Priory cell dependent on Rochester Cathedral, Kent;
founded c.1105 (before 1107) (possibly at earlier site (see immediately above));
church of St Felix granted to Rochester by Roger Bigod;
absence of a church infers the monks used the parish church of St Mary
dissolved 1538: suppressed for Wolsey's college at Ipswich (formal grant 30 December 1528);
granted to the Duke of Norfolk on the suppression of Ipswich College;
granted to Thomas Seckford (Sexford) 1576/7
Walton Priory;
Walton, St Felix;
Wilton St Felix Priory;
Fylstowe Priory;
Filstou Priory


51°58′24″N 1°20′35″E / 51.9732543°N 1.3430437°E / 51.9732543; 1.3430437 (Felixstowe Priory (Walton Priory))
Flixton Priory ^? Augustinian Canonesses
founded 1258 by Marjory (Margery) Harnes, widow of Bartholomew de Crek (Clerk/Creke);
dissolved 1537; granted to Richard Warton 1537;
granted to John Tasburgh 1544;
remains of conventual church possibly incorporated into Abbey Farmhouse, 16th/17th century
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Katharine, Flixton
52°25′34″N 1°24′15″E / 52.4261066°N 1.4041069°E / 52.4261066; 1.4041069 (Flixton Priory)
Gislingham Preceptory # Knights Templar
founded before 1228 by Sir Robert de Burgate;
dissolved before 1308(?);
destroyed 1338; granted to John Grene and Robert Hall 1553
Giselingham Preceptory
52°18′30″N 1°01′09″E / 52.3083933°N 1.0192555°E / 52.3083933; 1.0192555 (Gislingham Preceptory)
Great Bricett Priory + Great Bricett - Church of St Mary & St Laurence.jpg Augustinian Canons Regular
alien house: dependent on St-Léonard-de-Noblat
founded c.1110 (1114-9) by Ralph fitz Brien and his wife Emma;
destroyed by fire 1416; apparently re-occupied;
dissolved 1444(?); granted by Henry VI to his college in Cambridge;
remains of conventual church incorporated into current parish church of SS Mary and Lawrence
The Priory Church of Saint Leonard, Bricett
____________________
Bricett Priory;
Bresete Priory

52°07′01″N 0°58′34″E / 52.1168431°N 0.9759861°E / 52.1168431; 0.9759861 (Great Bricett Priory (church)) (church)
52°07′01″N 0°58′24″E / 52.1169188°N 0.9732181°E / 52.1169188; 0.9732181 (Great Bricett Priory)
Hadleigh Monastery supposed Saxon monastery
Hoxne Priory Farmhouse at Abbey Farm - geograph.org.uk - 349248.jpg Secular collegiate
founded before 951 by Theodred, Bishop of London
probably destroyed soon after;
joint cathedral with North Elmham before 1040 to 1072?;
Benedictine monks
church of St Peter and chapel of St Edmund, King and Martyr granted to Norwich, Norfolk by Bishop Herbert Losinga 1101;
chapel rebuilt, endowed and granted by Maurice of Windsor and his wife Egidis for a convent of monks 1130;
dissolved 1538; granted to Richard Gresham 1546/7
Hoxon Priory
52°20′32″N 1°12′12″E / 52.3421909°N 1.2032658°E / 52.3421909; 1.2032658 (Hoxne Priory)
Icanho Monastery ~ Saxon Benedictine? monks
founded 653-4 by St Botolph;
destroyed in raids by the Danes c.870;
also suggested to have been in Lincolnshire
Ikanho Monastery
Iken Monastery
Ipswich Austin Friars Augustinian Friars
founded during the reign of Henry III by Henry de Manesby and others; dissolved; granted to William Sabyne 1541/2
Ipswich Blackfriars Remains of St Mary, Blackfriars, Ipswich - geograph.org.uk - 750359.jpg Dominican Friars (under the Visitation of Cambridge)
founded 1263;
dissolved 1538

52°03′15″N 1°08′57″E / 52.0540607°N 1.1490691°E / 52.0540607; 1.1490691 (Ipswich Blackfriars)
Ipswich Greyfriars Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Cambridge)
founded before 1236;
dissolved 1535

52°03′18″N 1°09′02″E / 52.0549381°N 1.1504906°E / 52.0549381; 1.1504906 (Ipswich Greyfriars)
Ipswich — Holy Trinity Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1133, endowed largely by Norman Gastrode fitz Eadnoth, one of the first canons, before 1177;
dissolved 1537;
destroyed by fire and rebuilt 1194, by the bishop of Norwich;
dissolved 1537; granted to Sir Thomas Pope 1544/5
The Priory Church of the Holy Trinity, Ipswich
Christchurch


52°03′38″N 1°09′29″E / 52.0605602°N 1.1581403°E / 52.0605602; 1.1581403 (Ipswich — Holy Trinity Priory)
Ss Peter & Paul Priory, Ipswich Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1190 (late in the reign of Henry II) by [the ancestors of] Thomas Lacy and his wife Alice;
dissolved May 1528, suppressed for Wolsey's college at Ipswich; granted to Richard Percival and Edmund Duffield 1611/2
The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Ipswich

52°03′11″N 1°09′18″E / 52.0530925°N 1.1549719°E / 52.0530925; 1.1549719 (Ipswich — Ss Peter and Paul Priory)
Ipswich Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
founded during the reign of William the Conqueror by Gilbert Blund;
dissolved; granted to Richard Codington 1538/9
Ipswich Whitefriars Carmelite Friars
founded before c.1271 (1278);
rededicated 1477 after a probable major rebuild;
dissolved 1538; granted to John Eyre 1544/5

52°03′11″N 1°09′18″E / 52.0530925°N 1.1549719°E / 52.0530925; 1.1549719 (Ipswich Whitefriars)
Ixworth Priory, earlier site possible early projection c.1100 either failed or lapsed;
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1170 by a member of the Blunt family
destroyed during civil warfare;
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ixworth
Ixworth Priory ^ IxworthAbbey.jpg Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1170, on a different site from the original foundation; dissolved 1537; remains incorporated into house named 'Ixworth Abbey' built on site
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ixworth
Ixworth Abbey

52°17′53″N 0°49′44″E / 52.2980852°N 0.8288321°E / 52.2980852; 0.8288321 (Ixworth Priory)
Kersey Priory hospital founded 1218 by Thomas de Burgh
Augustinian Canons Regular
founded before 1219;
dissolved 1443-4; granted to SS Mary and Nicholas, Cambridge (afterwards King's College, Cambridge) (1533/4?)
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Anthony, Kersey
52°03′45″N 0°54′50″E / 52.0624°N 0.9139°E / 52.0624; 0.9139 (Kersey Priory)
Lavenham Priory ^ Benedictine monks
converted into mansion latterly open to public, now hotel accommodation


Leiston Abbey ^ LeistonAbbey.jpg Premonstratensian Canons from Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire
(community founded at Old Leiston 1183);
transferred here 1365; dissolved 1536; granted to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk 1537; parts of the conventual church incorporated into later buildings; remains incorporated into house named 'Abbey House' built on site 17th century; (EH)
Leyestone Abbey

52°13′17″N 1°34′41″E / 52.2214474°N 1.578016°E / 52.2214474; 1.578016 (Leiston Abbey)
Letheringham Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
dependent on SS Peter & Paul, Ipswich;
founded c.1194 by William de Bovile;
dissolved 1537; granted to Elizabeth Naunton, daughter of Sir Antony Naunton of Wingfield 1553;
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Letheringham
Letherington Priory


52°10′44″N 1°18′57″E / 52.1788234°N 1.3157845°E / 52.1788234; 1.3157845 (Letherington Priory)
Little Welnetham Priory Trinitarian
Mendham Priory Remains of Mendham Priory Suffolk by Henry Davy.jpg Cluniac monks
alien house: dependent on Castle Acre Priory, Norfolk;
founded before 1155 by William Huntingfield;
became denizen: independent from sometime between 1351 and 1374;
dissolved 1537; granted to Richard Freston
All Saints
Mindham Priory

52°23′17″N 1°19′18″E / 52.3880403°N 1.3216934°E / 52.3880403; 1.3216934 (Mendham Priory)
Old Leiston Abbey Premonstratensian Canons
daughter house of Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire;
founded 1183 by Sir Ranulph de Glanvil;
obtained licence from pope Urban V to move to another site due to flooding; transferred to new site at Leiston 1365; old site continued in use as a cell
The Blessed Virgin Mary
Orford Austin Friars Augustinian Friars (under the Limit of Cambridge)
founded 1295-9, land granted by Robert Hewell 1205, building appears to have begun 1299;
dissolved December 1538

52°05′35″N 1°32′07″E / 52.0931131°N 1.5353125°E / 52.0931131; 1.5353125 (Orford Austin Friars)
Redlingfield Priory ^ Benedictine nuns
founded c.1120 by Manasses, Count of Giusnes (Ghisnes) and his wife Emma;
dissolved 10 February 1537; granted to Edmund Bedingfield 1536/7; house rebuilt 1875; monastic remains incorporated into barn
The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Andrew, Redlingfield
52°17′26″N 1°12′16″E / 52.2906556°N 1.2044138°E / 52.2906556; 1.2044138 (Redlingfield Priory)
52°17′28″N 1°12′16″E / 52.2910657°N 1.2044889°E / 52.2910657; 1.2044889 (Redlingfield Priory)
Ringshall Cell (?) Benedictine monks
purportedly a cell; free chapel belonging to Norwich granted to Hoxne


52°07′12″N 0°57′50″E / 52.1200349°N 0.9637821°E / 52.1200349; 0.9637821 (Ringshall Cell (purported))
Rumburgh Priory + St Michael Rumburgh - geograph.org.uk - 1778638.jpg possible site of Saxon minster or monastery, 11th century;
Benedictine monks
Priory dependent on St. Benet's Abbey, Norfolk
founded between 1047 and 1064 by Æthelmær, Bishop of Elmham and Thurston, Abbot of St Benet of Hulme and Oxenedes
possibly subsequently dependent on St Mélanie, Rennes;
cell dependent on St Mary's Abbey, York, York c.1137: granted to York by Stephen, Earl of Brittany 1135;
dissolved 1528; suppressed for Wolsey's college at Ipswich;
conventual church in parochial use as the Parish Church of St Michael
ThePriory Church of Saint Michael and Saint Felix, Rumburgh
Wisseta Priory


52°23′04″N 1°26′48″E / 52.3845616°N 1.4467943°E / 52.3845616; 1.4467943 (Rumburgh Priory)
St. Olaves Priory, Herringfleet StOlave'sPriory.jpg Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1216 by Roger fitz Osbert;
dissolved 1537;
purchased by Sir Henry Jerningham, who built house on site 1547, incorporating monastic remains;
demolished 1784, and stone removed to repair Herringfleet church;
refectory undercroft converted to a cottage 1825 in use until 1902
The Priory Church of Saint Olave, Heringfleet

St Mary and St Olave, King and Martyr
Herringfleet Priory


52°32′17″N 1°37′27″E / 52.5380897°N 1.6240481°E / 52.5380897; 1.6240481 (St Olave's Priory (Herringfleet Priory))
Sibton Abbey Remains of Sibton Abbey.jpg Cistercian monks from Warden Abbey, Bedfordshire
founded 22 February 1150 (1149) by William de Cayneto (Cheyney);
dissolved 1536; granted to Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk; sold to John Scrivener 1610; house built on the site, demolished later 18th century;
site currently within the estate of 19th century house named 'Sibton Abbey', without public access
The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Sibton Abbey
52°16′32″N 1°27′56″E / 52.2755784°N 1.465555°E / 52.2755784; 1.465555 (Sibton Abbey)
Snape Priory # Benedictine monks
cell dependent on St John's Abbey Colchester, Essex
founded 1155 by William Martel, his wife and son;
dependent on Butley, granted by Henry VIII;
dissolved 19 January 1525;
Abbey Farm possibly occupies the site, though buildings appear not to incorporate monastic remains
St Mary
52°10′01″N 1°29′24″E / 52.1668218°N 1.4900315°E / 52.1668218; 1.4900315 (Snape Priory)
South Elmham Monastery apparent religious centre 7th century
Stoke by Clare Priory Benedictine monks
alien house: dependent on Bec-Hellouin Abbey;
(community founded at Clare before 1090);
transferred here 1124 from Clare;
dissolved 1415;
became a secular college;
enlarged 1897 by Lutyens;
dissolved 1548, converted into a mansion;
present house currently in use as a school named 'Stoke College';
church rebuilt and in parochial use as the Parish Church of St John the Baptist;


52°03′40″N 0°32′17″E / 52.0611061°N 0.5380565°E / 52.0611061; 0.5380565 (Stoke by Clare Priory (church)) (church)
52°03′34″N 0°32′20″E / 52.0595361°N 0.5387861°E / 52.0595361; 0.5387861 (Stoke by Clare Priory)
Stoke-by-Nayland Monastery (?) monks or secular college
founded before 946 (?) possibly during the reign of King Edmund by Alfgar who left bequest to the community of Stoke;
land granted to Ely by King Edgar
BlackFriars, Sudbury Dominican Friars (under the Visitation of Cambridge)
founded before 1247 by Baldwin de Shipling;
dissolved 1539; granted to Thomas Eden, Esq. 1539/40
demolished for a residential house; 'Priory Wall' is sleeper wall of 'Priory Gate', built shortly before dissolution


52°02′09″N 0°43′33″E / 52.0358351°N 0.725964°E / 52.0358351; 0.725964 (Sudbury Blackfriars)
Sudbury Augustinian Priory # Augustinian Canons Regular
Sudbury Benedictine Priory # Benedictine monks
cell dependent on Westminster Abbey Middlesex;
founded c.1115 by Wilfric;
chapel built early-15th century, but monastic buildings appear not to have been built;
dissolved c.1538; granted to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster 1542/3;
Priory house demolished 1779
St Bartholomew's Chapel
52°03′07″N 0°43′38″E / 52.0519924°N 0.7273266°E / 52.0519924; 0.7273266 (Sudbury Benedictine Priory)
Wangford Priory Cluniac monks
cell dependent on Thetford Priory, Norfolk;
founded before 1160 by Doudo Asini;
became denizen: independent from sometime between 1376 and 1393;
granted to Thomas, Duke of Norfolk 1540/1;
last remains demolished 19th century


52°21′15″N 1°37′10″E / 52.3542663°N 1.6195741°E / 52.3542663; 1.6195741 (Wangford Priory)
Welnetham Crutched Friars Crutched Friars
dependent on London, Middlesex;
chapel of St Thomas Martyr granted to London;
founded before 1274;
dissolved 1538
Wherstead Priory uncertain order and foundation; alleged 13th century monastery at Wervestede
52°01′00″N 1°07′55″E / 52.0167519°N 1.1319566°E / 52.0167519; 1.1319566 (Wherstead Priory (alleged)) (alleged)
Wickham Skeyth Priory Benedictine monks
dependent on St. John's Abbey, Colchester, Essex;
founded after 1135 (early in the reign of Stephen) by Robert de Salchovilla (Sakeville), later a monk at Colchester;
dissolved c.1164, transferred to Colchester by consent of Jordan, son of the founder
Wickham Skeith Priory

52°16′43″N 1°03′13″E / 52.27874°N 1.0536146°E / 52.27874; 1.0536146 (Wickham Skeyth Priory)
Woodbridge Priory Augustinian Canons Regular
founded c.1193 by Ernald Rufus (Ernaldus Ruffus);
dissolved 1534/7; granted to Thomas Seckford, Master of Requests 1576/7; building constructed on site 1547-64, now in use as school known as 'the Abbey'
The Blessed Virgin Mary
52°05′35″N 1°18′50″E / 52.0930703°N 1.3138881°E / 52.0930703; 1.3138881 (Woodbridge Priory)
Yenston Grange Benedictine monks
alien house: grange dependent on St-Sever;
foundation and dissolution unknown


See also

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List of monastic houses in Suffolk Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.