St Gregory's Priory, Canterbury facts for kids
St Gregory's Priory was an old religious building in Canterbury, England. It was home to a group of Canons Regular, who were a type of Augustinian monk. Think of it like a special community where these monks lived, prayed, and worked together.
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The Start of St Gregory's Priory
The priory was believed to be started by Lanfranc, who was the archbishop of Canterbury way back in the 11th century. An archbishop is a very important leader in the church. So, this priory has a very long history!
What Was a Priory?
A priory was a type of monastery, which is a place where monks or nuns live under religious vows. The Canons Regular who lived at St Gregory's Priory followed the rules of St. Augustine. They spent their days in prayer, study, and helping the local community.
Why Did the Priory Close?
St Gregory's Priory was closed down in 1535. This happened during a big change in England called the English Reformation. The king at the time, Henry VIII, wanted to make some major changes to the church in England.
How the Priory Was Dissolved
The closing of the priory was part of a larger event known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was when many monasteries and priories across England were shut down. It was made official by laws like the Act of Supremacy, which said the king was the head of the church in England, not the Pope.
The Last Leader of the Priory
The very last leader of St Gregory's Priory was a man named John Symkyns. He was chosen to be the prior in the same year the priory was closed, 1535.
