Spalding Priory facts for kids
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Spalding Priory was a small religious house in the town of Spalding, Lincolnshire. It was home to Benedictine monks, who were a type of Christian religious order. The priory was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin and St Nicholas.
The Priory's Beginning
Spalding Priory was first started in 1052. It was set up as a smaller part, called a "cell," of Croyland Abbey. The priory was founded by Leofric, Earl of Mercia and his wife, Godiva, Countess of Leicester. You might know Lady Godiva from stories! Leofric's oldest son, Ælfgār, Earl of Mercia, also helped support the priory.
After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the monks at Spalding Priory had their property confirmed in 1074. This meant their ownership of land and buildings was officially recognized by the new Norman rulers.
Changes and Independence
For a while, another small priory called Alkborough Priory Cell depended on Spalding Priory, until 1220. After 1071, only one monk was left at Spalding. So, in 1074, the priory was restarted. This time, it became a dependent priory of St Nicholas's Abbey in Angers, a city in France. This meant it was controlled by the French abbey.
However, the monks at Spalding Priory wanted to be in charge of their own house. They worked hard and finally gained their independence from the French abbey in 1397. They remained independent until 1540. At that time, many religious houses in England were closed down by the king during an event called the Dissolution. Spalding Priory was one of them.
What Remains Today
During building work on Bridge Street, six human skeletons were found. It is believed that these skeletons show where the priory's burial ground used to be. This gives us a clue about the priory's exact location long ago.
Burials at the Priory
Some important people were buried at Spalding Priory, including:
- Thomas Moulton (knight) and his father, Lambert de Multon.
- Thomas de Moulton, who was the father of Thomas de Multon, 1st Baron Multon of Gilsland.
- Lucy Mercia Tailebois, who was the wife of Ivo Taillebois.
