Povington Priory facts for kids

Povington Priory was a special kind of religious house called a Benedictine priory. It was located in Tyneham, a village in Dorset, England.

It was set up as an "alien priory" by the Abbey of Bec, which was a very important monastery in France. An alien priory could be a large religious building, or sometimes just a piece of land owned by a foreign monastery. It didn't always mean monks lived there.

What Was an Alien Priory?

An "alien priory" was like a branch office of a main monastery located in another country. In this case, Povington Priory was connected to the Abbey of Bec in France. These priories helped manage the lands and money that the main abbey owned in England.

Bec Abbey's English Connections

The Abbey of Bec owned several priories in England during the 1400s. These included St Neots Priory, Stoke-by-Clare Priory, Wilsford Priory, Steventon Priory, Cowick Priory, and Ogbourne Priory. St Neots Priory was especially large. Bec Abbey also owned Goldcliff Priory in Monmouthshire, Wales.

You might have heard of Tooting Bec, a part of London today. Its name comes from the fact that this area was once owned by Bec Abbey!

What Did Povington Priory Produce?

Povington Priory was known for producing wool and a type of cheese made from ewe's milk (milk from female sheep). These products were very important! They were sent all the way to the main Abbey of Bec in France. The goods were shipped from the docks in Wareham, a town not far from Povington.

What Happened to Povington Priory?

Over time, the English kings decided to close down the "alien priories." This was called the "dissolution of the alien priories." After Povington Priory was closed, its lands were given to St. Anthony's Hospital, London, a hospital in London.

Reading

• Marjorie Chibnall, The English Lands of the Abbey of Bec, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1946.