Prior of Christ Church facts for kids
The Prior of Christ Church was an important leader at Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, England. This person was in charge of the monastery known as Christ Church Priory, which was connected to the cathedral.
What Was a Prior?
Canterbury Cathedral started as a church for its city and region, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Later, it also became a monastery, a place where monks lived and prayed. This monastery was called Christ Church Priory.
When the cathedral became a monastery, a new leader was needed for the monks. This leader was called the Prior. Think of the Prior as the head teacher or principal of the monastery, making sure everything ran smoothly for the monks. The Archbishop of Canterbury was still the main leader, like the headmaster of the whole school.
Changes Over Time
In 1539, a big change happened in England called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Many monasteries, including Christ Church Priory, were closed down. Canterbury Cathedral then went back to being just a cathedral, without the monastery.
After this, the Prior's job was taken over by a new leader called a Dean. The very first Dean of Canterbury was a person named Nicholas Wotton. So, the role of the Prior was a special part of the cathedral's history when it was also a monastery.
List of Priors
Here is a list of some of the people who served as Prior of Christ Church:
- Henry 1080–1096
- Ernulf 1096–1107
- Conrad 1108–1126
- Gosford 1126–1128
- Elmer 1128–1137
- Jeremy / Jeremiah 1137–1143
- Walter Durdens 1143–1149
- Walter Parvus 1149–1153
- Wybert 1153–1167
- Odo 1167–1175
- Benedict 1175–1177
- Harlewine 1177–1179
- Alan 1179–1186
- Honorius 1186–1189
- Roger Norreis 1189–1190
- Osbern/Osbert de Bristow 1190–1191
- Geoffry (sic) 1191–1205
- John de Chatham 1205-c.1218
- Walter III c.1218–1222
- John of Sittingbourne 1222–1244
- Roger de Lee 1234–1244
- Nicholas de Sandwich 1244-1258
- Roger de St Elphege 1258–1263
- William (or Adam) Chillenden 1264–1274
- Thomas Ringmer(e) 1274–1284
- Henry de Eastry 1285–1331
- Richard Oxinden/Oxenden 1331–1338
- Robert Hathbrand 1338–1370
- Richard Gillingham 1370–1376
- Stephen Mongeham 1376–1377
- John Fynch 1377–1391
- Thomas Chillenden 1391–1411
- John Woodnesborough 1411–1428
- William Molash 1428–1438
- John Salisbury –1446
- John Elham 1446–1449
- Thomas Goldstone 1449–1468
- John Oxney 1468–1471
- William Petham 1471–1472
- William Sellynge 1472–1495
- Thomas Goldstone II 1495–1517
- Thomas Goldwell 1517–1539
