Markby Priory facts for kids
Markby Priory was an old monastery in the village of Markby, Lincolnshire, England. It was a home for Augustinian monks, who were part of a Christian religious group.
History of Markby Priory
The Markby Priory is thought to have been started during the time of King Henry II. However, it wasn't officially mentioned until the year 1204. The person who founded it, Ralf Fitz Gilbert, had already passed away. His grandson, Hugh, then owned the land.
Another important supporter was Alan of Mumby. He gave the monks churches in Mumby and also in Wycliff, which is in Yorkshire. These gifts helped the priory to grow and become established.
Challenges and Changes
In 1438, a church leader named Bishop Alnwick visited the priory. He found that it was not in good shape. He noted that the monks were not following their rules very well. There were also problems with money, and the priory was in debt. The bishop said that the monks were not living as they should.
The leader of the priory, called the prior, agreed that they owed a lot of money. He also said that the monks were not keeping quiet as they were supposed to. They were not spending enough time in prayer or quiet thought. Many monks were also leaving the priory without permission. They would go into the nearby town.
Because of these problems, the prior decided to step down from his role. Things did get better later on. By 1819, when Bishop Atwater visited, he found only small issues, not major ones.
End of the Priory
The last prior of Markby Priory was John Penketh. In 1534, there were eight monks and the prior living there. The priory was officially closed down in 1536. This happened during a time when many monasteries in England were being closed.
What Remains Today
Today, the site where Markby Priory once stood is home to a farmhouse. This farmhouse was built in the 1500s and is considered a historic building.
It is believed that the stone used to build the local church in Markby came from the old priory. Also, the bell in the church is thought to be the same bell that was once used in the priory's dining hall.
