Llanthony Secunda Priory facts for kids
Llanthony Secunda Priory was a special religious house in Gloucester, England. It was home to a group of monks called Augustinian canons. These canons were like priests who lived together under strict rules. The priory was founded in 1136 by a powerful man named Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford. He was a very important leader in western England and the Welsh border areas. He also served as the King's Constable and Sheriff of Gloucestershire.
Miles built this priory as a safe place for canons from another priory. That first priory was called Llanthony Priory and was located in Wales. The Welsh priory was often attacked by local people. Today, the remains of Llanthony Secunda Priory are a Grade I listed site. This means it's a very important historical building. The wider area is also a protected ancient monument. In 2013, money was raised to fix up the priory. The restoration work finished in 2018, and it is now open to visitors.
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History of Llanthony Secunda Priory
Around 1135, the monks from Llanthony Priory in Wales faced many attacks. Because of this, they moved to Gloucester to find safety. There, they started a new, smaller religious house. They named it Llanthony Secunda, which means "Llanthony the Second."
The monks at Llanthony Secunda Priory were known for sending special gifts to the King. In 1530, the head of the priory sent "cheese, carp, and baked lampreys" to King Henry VIII at Windsor. It was a tradition to send the first lamprey caught in the river to the King. This custom might have started with King Henry I. He loved lampreys and often spent Christmas in Gloucester.
Later, around the 1530s, King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries in England. This event is known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. After this, Llanthony Secunda Priory and its lands were given to a man named Arthur Porter.
The Humpty Dumpty Story
During the Siege of Gloucester, a big battle happened in 1643. This was part of the English Civil War. The King's army, led by King Charles I, wanted to take control of Gloucester. They brought a large cannon from Holland. This cannon was placed on the walls of Llanthony Secunda Priory. The King hoped it would break through Gloucester's city walls.
However, on its first shot, the cannon misfired and exploded! Some people believe this event is the origin of the famous nursery rhyme, "Humpty Dumpty." The rhyme talks about someone who falls and cannot be put back together. While this story is often told as fact, the true origins of "Humpty Dumpty" are actually unknown.
Llanthony Weir and Lock
Llanthony has also given its name to a weir on the River Severn. A weir is like a small dam that controls the flow of water. This weir marks where the river's tides usually stop. There is also a disused lock nearby, called Llanthony Lock. Both were built around 1870.
A lock is a part of a canal or river that helps boats move between different water levels. Llanthony Lock was bought in 2008 by a group called the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust. They plan to restore it. This will help connect the canal back to Gloucester Docks, allowing boats to travel there again.
Important Burials at Llanthony Secunda Priory
Many important people were buried at Llanthony Secunda Priory. These burials often took place in the priory's chapter house.
- Miles of Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford: He was the founder of the priory.
- Sibyl de Neufmarché: She was the wife of Miles of Gloucester.
- Roger Fitzmiles, 2nd Earl of Hereford: He was Miles's son.
- Mahel de Hereford: Another son of Miles.
- Henry FitzMiles: Another son of Miles.
- Margaret of Hereford: She was Miles's eldest daughter. She inherited the right to support Llanthony Secunda Priory.
- Henry de Bohun: An important noble.
- Humphrey de Bohun, 2nd Earl of Hereford: Another important noble from the Bohun family.
- Anne of Gloucester: She was the eldest daughter of Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester. She was buried here in 1438.
- William Bourchier, 1st Count of Eu: He was the husband of Anne of Gloucester.
- Eleanor de Braose: She was married to a member of the Bohun family. Her family was also connected to the priory's founder.
