Stixwould Priory facts for kids
Stixwould Priory was an old religious building in Lincolnshire, England. It was first built for a group of nuns called Cistercian nuns in 1135 by a lady named Lucy, Countess of Chester. Some old maps describe it as a Gilbertine priory, but many historians today think it was for a different group of nuns called Premonstratensian canonesses.
The priory was first closed down in 1536. However, the King then moved Benedictine nuns from another place called Stainfield into Stixwould. In 1537, the priory was opened again for Premonstratensian canonesses. But it was finally closed down for good in 1539.
Priories in Lincolnshire
In the Middle Ages, Lincolnshire was a very busy part of England with many people living there. There were at least nine religious houses for Premonstratensian groups in the area. Besides Stixwould Priory, some of these included Barlings Abbey, Cammeringham Priory, and Newsham Abbey.
Today, a small part of the old gatehouse, which was where the porter lived, still stands. It is now part of a modern farmhouse in the village of Stixwould and Woodhall.
Prioresses of Stixwould
The prioress was the leader of the nuns at Stixwould Priory. Here are some of the women who held this important role:
- Margaret Gobaud, chosen in 1274
- Eva, who passed away in 1304
- Isabel de Dugby, chosen in 1304, and was still prioress in 1317
- Elizabeth, who was prioress in 1327 and 1328
- Elizabeth de Swylington, chosen in 1346
- Isabel Mallet, who passed away in 1376
- Eustace Ravenser, who was prioress in 1393 and passed away in 1403
- Katharine Roose, chosen in 1403
- Eleanor Welby, who was prioress in 1440
- Helen Key, who was prioress before 1536
- Mary Missenden, the last prioress, appointed in 1537
