List of monastic houses in Worcestershire facts for kids

Have you ever wondered about old buildings where monks and nuns used to live, pray, and work? These places are called monastic houses. In Worcestershire, England, there were many such houses, including abbeys and priories. Monks are men who dedicate their lives to religious service, often living together in communities. Nuns are women who do the same. These communities played a big role in history, from teaching and farming to helping the poor. This list tells you about the different monastic houses that once existed in Worcestershire.

Monastic Houses in Worcestershire

Here is a list of the important monastic houses that existed in Worcestershire.

Name	Image	Who Lived There and When	Other Names or Details
Alderminster		This was a Saxon minster, a type of early monastery. It was known as Aldermannestun.	Aldermannestun
Astley Priory		Benedictine monks lived here. It was a "daughter house" of a monastery in France. It was started before 1086 by Ralph de Todeni. The priory closed in 1414.	The Priory Church of Saint Peter, Astley
Beckford Priory		This site had two different monastic groups. First, a Saxon minster for monks or priests was founded before 803. Later, Augustinian Canons Regular from France lived here, starting between 1128 and 1135. It closed in 1414. Today, only the crypt remains.	St Barbara Beckford Cell; Beccanford Priory
Bordesley Abbey	Excavations at Bordesley Abbey reveal its history.	This abbey was home to Savignac monks, who later joined the Cistercian monks order in 1147. It was founded around 1138. The abbey closed in 1538.
Bredon Monastery		This monastery was likely home to Benedictine monks. It was founded around 717. It was probably destroyed by Viking raids in the late 9th century.	St Peter
Cookhill Priory		Cistercian nuns lived here. It was founded around 1180. The priory closed in 1538 or 1539. Some parts of the original buildings are now part of a farmhouse.
Dodford Priory		This priory was first for Augustinian Canons Regular, founded between 1184 and 1186. Later, in 1464, it became a house for Premonstratensian Canons. It closed in 1538.	Blessed Virgin Mary
Droitwich Austin Friars		Augustinian Friars lived here. They were allowed to build a chapel in 1331. The friary closed in 1538.
Evesham Abbey	The bell tower of Evesham Abbey, a surviving part of the historic site.	This large abbey was home to Benedictine monks. It was founded around 701 by Saint Egwyn. For a time, it also had Benedictine nuns living nearby. The abbey closed in 1539. Today, it is a public park.	St Mary and St Egwin
Fladbury Monastery	Fladbury Church, built on the site of the former monastery.	Land for this monastery was given to the Bishop of Worcester between 691 and 693. It later came under Worcester Cathedral. A parish church now stands on the site.
Great Malvern Priory	The impressive Great Malvern Priory.	This priory was for Benedictine monks. It was founded around 1075 and was connected to Westminster Abbey in London. It closed between 1539 and 1540.	The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Michael, Great Malvern Malvern Priory; Malvern Major
Hanbury Monastery		This was a Saxon monastery. It was founded before 674. It later became part of Worcester Cathedral around 888.
Kempsey Monastery		Another Saxon monastery, founded before 799. It was also under Worcester Cathedral.
Kidderminster		This Saxon minster was founded around 735. It was under Worcester Cathedral by 777 and closed after 816.	Stour-in-Usmere Minster; Stourbridge Monastery
Little Malvern Priory	Little Malvern Priory, nestled among the hills.	Benedictine monks lived here. It was connected to Worcester Cathedral. It was founded around 1171 and closed around 1537. A house called 'Little Malvern Court' now stands on the site.	The Priory Church of Saint Giles, Little Malvern St Egidius Malvern Minor Priory
Pershore Abbey	The remaining parts of Pershore Abbey, still used as a church.	This abbey had a long history. It started with secular canons (priests who lived in a community but weren't monks) and nuns around 689. Then, in 972, Benedictine monks took over. The abbey closed in 1539. Parts of the church are still used as a parish church today.	The Priory Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Pershore The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Eadburga, Pershore
Stanbrook Abbey	Stanbrook Abbey, a modern monastic house for Benedictine nuns.	This abbey was home to Benedictine nuns. It was founded much later than the others, in 1838. The nuns moved to a new location in North Yorkshire in 2009.	The Abbey Church of Our Lady of Consolation, Callow End, Stanbrook
Westwood Priory		This was a "double house" for Fontefralt Benedictine nuns and brothers, meaning both men and women lived there, though usually in separate areas. It was founded after 1154 and was connected to a French abbey. It became independent around 1412 and closed in 1553.	The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Westwood
Whistones Priory, Barbourne		Cistercian nuns lived here. It was founded before 1255 by the Bishop of Worcester. The priory closed in 1536, and most of it was torn down soon after.	The Priory Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Barbourne The White Ladies, Aston; House of Mary Magdalene
Witton Priory, Droitwich		Augustinian Canons Regular founded this priory around 1135. The community later moved to Studley around 1151. The church here might have become a local parish church.	St Mary the Virgin Witton St Peter by Droitwich Priory
Worcester Blackfriars		This was a house for Dominican Friars. It was founded in 1347 and closed in 1538.
Worcester Friars of the Sack		This was a small community of Friars of the Sack, founded before 1272. They were a short-lived order and their house closed in 1284.
Worcester Greyfriars		Franciscan Friars Minor (also known as Greyfriars) lived here. They first settled in Worcester around 1226 and moved to this new site between 1236 and 1239. The friary closed in 1538.
Worcester Penitent Sisters Friary		This was a friary for Penitent Sisters, founded before 1241. We don't know exactly when it closed.
Worcester Cathedral Priory	The magnificent Worcester Cathedral, once a Benedictine priory.	This important site was first home to Benedictine monks and possibly nuns, founded before 743. It became a major cathedral and priory in 969. The monastic community closed in 1540, but the cathedral still stands and is used today.	The Cathedral and Priory Church of Saint Mary, Worcester The Cathedral and Priory Church of Saint Mary, Saint Peter, Saint Oswald and Saint Wulfstan (1218) The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin of Worcester
Worcester Cathedral St Peter's Priory		This was an early monastic and cathedral site, founded in 680, possibly for Benedictine monks and secular canons. The main cathedral moved to St Mary's (the current Worcester Cathedral) in 969.

See also

• List of monastic houses in England