Michelham Priory facts for kids
Michelham Priory
|
|
 Location in East Sussex
|
|
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Priory of the Holy Trinity |
| Order | Augustine |
| Established | 1229 |
| Disestablished | 1537 |
| Mother house | Hastings Priory |
| Dedicated to | Holy Trinity |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Gilbert de Aquila |
| Site | |
| Location | Upper Dicker, East Sussex |
| Coordinates | 50°51′45″N 0°12′50″E / 50.86250°N 0.21389°E |
| Public access | Yes |
Michelham Priory is a fascinating historic site in Upper Dicker, East Sussex, England. It used to be a home for a group of monks called Augustine canons. Today, the old buildings are looked after by the Sussex Archaeological Society. They are very important and are protected as Grade I and Grade II listed buildings.
The main building is shaped like a "T" and is made of stone. Some parts were built in the 1200s, and other parts were added in the 1500s. The northern part, which was once the Prior's (leader monk's) home, has three floors. The rest of the building has two floors. The roofs are covered with tiles. The entire site is surrounded by a moat, which is like a wide, deep ditch filled with water. This moat covers an area of almost 8 acres (about 3.2 hectares).
There's also an old watermill on the grounds. It has been fixed up and works again, so visitors can see it in action.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Priory
The Priory's Early Days
Michelham Priory was founded in 1229 by a man named Gilbert de Aquila. It was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. This priory was like a "daughter house" to Hastings Priory, meaning it was set up by monks from there.
Gilbert de Aquila lost all his lands in 1235. This happened because he traveled to Normandy without permission from King Henry III.
In the late 1200s, the leader of the priory, called the Prior, was fined a couple of times. This was for using special rights that weren't allowed. In 1283, a man named John de Kyrkeby decided not to become a bishop at Michelham Priory.
King Edward I even stayed overnight at the priory on September 14, 1302! Later, in 1353, the Prior was fined again. This time it was because a bridge at Rickney was broken and blocking the river. By 1398, reports said the priory was in bad condition.
Changes Over Time: After the Monks
The priory was taken over in 1537 by King Henry VIII during a time called the Dissolution of the monasteries. This was when many monasteries in England were closed down.
After this, the priory and its lands were given to Thomas Cromwell. When Cromwell was executed in 1540, the priory went to Anne of Cleves. Over the years, it was owned by several important families, including the Earls of Arundel and the Sackville family.
The church and some other buildings at the priory were pulled down between 1599 and 1601. The property was sold to Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset in 1601 for £4,700. It stayed in the Sackville family for many years.
In 1896, James Gwynne bought the priory. His children, including Rupert, Roland, and Violet, grew up there. In the 20th century, an architect named Walter Godfrey helped restore the property.
During World War II, Canadian troops used Michelham Priory as a base in the winter of 1941-42. They were getting ready for the Dieppe Raid. Later, it became the headquarters for the Auxiliary Territorial Service, a women's branch of the British Army.
In 1958, Mrs. R.H. Hotblack bought the priory to protect it for the future. With help from Kenneth Mackay, 3rd Earl of Inchcape, she gave the property to the Sussex Archaeological Society in 1959. This was to honor his friend John Fletcher Boughey, who died in the Second World War.
Who Lived Here? Priors of Michelham
The Priors were the leaders of the monastery. Here are some of the Priors who lived at Michelham:
- 1229 Roger
- 1239–c.1260 Peter
- 1248–68 Roger (II)
- 1273 William
- 1278 Nicholas
- 1287 Roger (III)
- 1290 Luke de la Gare
- 1302 John de Echingham†
- c.1322–34 William de Shelvestrode
- c.1376–c.1415 John Leem
- c.1434–38 William London
- 1438–c.1447 Laurence Wynchelse
- c.1450–83 Edward Marley
- 1482–c.1509 John West
- c.1518–37 Thomas Holbeme
- 1533 John
† Italics means this person might have been a Prior.
Exploring the Buildings
The Great Barn
| Barn at Michelham Priory | |
|---|---|
The barn.
|
|
| General information | |
| Status | In use as a function room |
| Type | Barn |
| Location | Michelham Priory |
| Estimated completion | 1587-1610 |
| Owner | Sussex Archaeological Society |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Timber frame |
| Material |
|
| Floor count | One |
| Other information | |
| Parking | Nearby |
The barn was built between 1587 and 1610. It has a wooden frame covered with dark, tarred boards. The roof is arched and covered with pegtiles. This barn is a Grade II listed building. Today, it is used for events and meetings.
The Old Dovecot
| Dovecot | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Address | Michelham Priory |
| Estimated completion | C18th |
| Owner | Sussex Archaeological Society |
| Technical details | |
| Material |
|
| Floor count | One |
| Other information | |
| Parking | Nearby |
The dovecot, also known as a pigeon house, was built in the 1700s. It's a single-story building made of sandstone with a tiled roof. This building is also a Grade II listed building. Today, it has been changed into a shop and a tearoom for visitors.
The Impressive Gatehouse
| Michelham Priory Gatehouse | |
|---|---|
The gatehouse
|
|
| General information | |
| Completed | Early C15th |
| Owner | Sussex Archaeological Society |
| Height | c.50 feet (15 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Material |
|
| Floor count | Four |
| Other information | |
| Parking | Yes |
The gatehouse was built in the early 1400s. It was built when John Leem was the Prior. The lowest part, at the moat level, might have been a cellar or even a prison. The building is about 50 feet (15 meters) tall and has four floors, including the cellar.
In the 1500s, a stone bridge was built over the moat leading to the gatehouse. Both the gatehouse and the bridge are very important and are Grade I listed buildings.
The Main Priory Building (Refectory)
| Refectory, Michelham Priory | |
|---|---|
The surviving refectory (right) with Prior's house (centre) and post-monastic additions (right)
|
|
| General information | |
| Status | Museum |
| Estimated completion | C13th (refectory & Prior's house) C16th (post-monastic addition) |
| Owner | Sussex Archaeological Society |
| Technical details | |
| Material |
|
| Floor count | One, later two (refectory) Three (post-monastic house) |
| Other information | |
| Parking | Nearby |
The building that remains today was once the refectory, which was the monks' dining hall. It was originally a large hall about 40 feet (12 meters) long. There was a big window at one end, and its outer frame can still be seen. This building and the Prior's House are made of sandstone.
When the priory was closed, the refectory had no roof. Later, a second floor was added, and the building was divided into many rooms. Next to the refectory is the Prior's House and a crypt. The crypt was built above ground because the priory was in a low area and could flood. There's also a stone extension built after the monks left. The whole building has a tiled roof.
By 1848, the refectory had become a farmhouse. The crypt was split into four rooms and used as a dairy in the 1850s. This entire building is a Grade I listed building.
The Working Watermill
| Priory Mill | |
|---|---|
Priory Mill
|
|
| General information | |
| Status | Preserved in working order |
| Location | Michelham Priory |
| Owner | Sussex Archaeological Society |
| Technical details | |
| Material |
|
| Other information | |
| Parking | Yes |
The moat around the priory was created by building a dam on the River Cuckmere. The watermill gets its power from this moat. A watermill was first mentioned at Michelham Priory around 1260. In 1478, the priory had two mills, but both were reported to be "in ruins." When the priory was closed, the mill was still making a profit.
The mill building you see today was built in the mid-1500s. It has an oak frame and is covered with wooden boards, with a tiled roof. A porch on the mill has the date 1714. The front of the mill was updated around 1800. A cast iron waterwheel was put in in 1896.
The mill stopped grinding commercially in 1924, and the waterwheel was removed in 1924-25. The building was then used as a storage space. A turbine was installed to create electricity for the main house. This turbine was still working in 1939.
The mill was restored to working order in 1972. New machinery and a new wooden waterwheel were installed. The mill is a Grade II listed building. In 1996, the waterwheel was rebuilt again, and other parts of the machinery were fixed or replaced. This work was partly paid for by a £42,000 grant from the National Lottery.
