List of monastic houses on the Isle of Wight facts for kids
Monastic houses are special places where groups of people, often called monks or nuns, live together. They dedicate their lives to religious practices, prayer, and sometimes work like farming or teaching. These communities have existed for hundreds of years, and many old buildings on the Isle of Wight were once homes to these monks and nuns. This article explores some of these fascinating historical sites.
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Appuldurcombe House
Appuldurcombe House, located in Wroxall, was once home to Benedictine monks. It was founded around the year 1100. The land was given to Montebourg Abbey, a monastery in France, even before 1090. This meant it was a "dependent" house, linked to the larger abbey.
The monastery was closed down in 1414. Later, in the 16th century, a grand Elizabethan house was built on the same spot. Over the years, it became a hotel and even a college for young gentlemen. Interestingly, Benedictine monks returned to the site for a short time between 1901 and 1908.
During the two World Wars, the house was used to house soldiers. It was badly damaged by a mine in 1943. Today, Appuldurcombe House is mostly a ruin inside, but its history is still very clear.
Barton Priory
Barton Priory was a home for Augustinian Canons Regular. These were priests who lived in a community under a strict rule. This priory was founded in 1275 by John Insula and Thomas de Winton. They were both rectors, which means they were in charge of churches.
The priory was dedicated to The Holy Trinity. It was also known as Barton Oratory or Burton College. The community was closed in 1439, and the property was then given to Winchester College, a famous school.
St Mary's Priory, Carisbrooke
St Mary's Priory in Carisbrooke had a long and interesting history with different groups of monks. It started around 1156 as a home for Cistercian monks. This priory was also an "alien house," meaning it was connected to Lire Abbey in France. The land was originally given to Lire Abbey by William fitz Osbern, a powerful figure during the time of William the Conqueror.
Later, the priory was given to Mount Grace Priory in Yorkshire by Richard II of England. Then, under Henry IV of England, the Benedictine monks restored it. However, it was closed again in 1414. Finally, Henry V of England gave it to the Carthusian monks at Sheen in Surrey. The church here was dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin.
Carisbrooke Priory
Carisbrooke Priory is a modern monastic house, home to Dominican nuns. Unlike many of the older priories that are now ruins, this one is still active today. It is owned by the Carisbrooke Priory Trust, which is a registered charity. The priory is also known as The Open Door.
Quarr Abbey
The original Quarr Abbey was founded on April 27, 1132, by Baldwin de Redvers. It was first home to Savignac monks. These monks followed a specific set of rules. However, in 1147, their order merged with the Cistercian monks, so Quarr Abbey became a Cistercian monastery.
The abbey was dedicated to Our Lady of the Quarry, and was sometimes called Quarrer Abbey. Like many monasteries in England, it was closed down in 1536 during the time of King Henry VIII. The land was later given to John and George Mills. Today, you can still see the ruins of this ancient abbey.
Quarr Abbey (New)
A new Quarr Abbey was founded on May 24, 1907, by Benedictine monks. These monks came from Appuldurcombe House, which they had briefly re-established. The current abbey building was constructed using stones from the ruined old Quarr Abbey. This new abbey is still active today, continuing the long tradition of monastic life on the Isle of Wight.
St Cecilia's Abbey, Ryde
St Cecilia's Abbey in Ryde is a home for Benedictine nuns. The community originally started in Ventnor in 1882. They were a "daughter" house of Liege Abbey in Belgium.
In 1922, the nuns moved to Appley House in Ryde. Their priory became an abbey in 1926, which means it gained more independence. In 1950, they joined the Solesmes Community, a larger group of Benedictine monasteries. This abbey is still active and is known as the Priory or Abbey of the Peace of the Heart of Jesus.
St Cross Priory
St Cross Priory was an "alien house" for Tironensian monks, meaning it was connected to Tiron Abbey. It was founded before 1132, possibly around 1120. The church was established by Robert Colaws.
This priory was closed in 1391 and later given to Winchester College. Today, the original site of St Cross Priory is believed to be covered by a viaduct and railway lines, so there are no visible remains.
St Helen's Priory
St Helen's Priory was home to Cluniac monks. It was another "alien house," dependent on Wenlock Priory in Shropshire. The priory was founded around 1090, or before 1155. It operated for many years before being closed down in 1414.
Ventnor Priory
Ventnor Priory was a community of Benedictine nuns. It was founded in 1882 and was a "daughter" house of Liege Abbey in Belgium. This was the first home for the nuns who later moved to St Cecilia's Abbey in Ryde.
The original house in Steephill View, Ventnor, has since been demolished. A new building called Priory Lodge was built on the site in 1970. The priory was known by the name Pax Cordis Jesu, which means "Peace of the Heart of Jesus".
Images for kids
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Appuldurcombe House today
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Barton Manor, near the site of Barton Priory
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St Mary's Priory, Carisbrooke
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Carisbrooke Priory today
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The ruins of the old Quarr Abbey
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The new Quarr Abbey
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St Cecilia's Abbey, Ryde
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St Helen's Church, near the site of St Helen's Priory
See also
