Studley Priory, Warwickshire facts for kids

Priory Farm, Studley at the former site of the priory

Studley Priory, Warwickshire, was a type of priory located in Studley, Warwickshire, England. A priory is a religious house where monks or nuns live and pray. This one was home to a group of religious men called Augustinian Canons.

What Was Studley Priory?

Studley Priory was founded in the 12th century. It was started by a man named Peter Corbizun, who later became known as Peter de Studley. He had first set up a similar religious house in Witton, Worcestershire, and then moved it to Studley.

Important People at the Priory

In the early 1200s, an important family helped support Studley Priory. William I de Cantilupe was a patron, meaning he gave money and support to the priory. He lived nearby and was even buried at Studley Priory when he died in 1239.

His grandson, William III de Cantilupe, was also buried there. Later, William III's son, Sir George de Cantilupe, who was a very young heir, was also laid to rest at the priory. These burials show how important the priory was to these powerful families.

The Priory's Closure

Studley Priory was closed around 1536. This happened during a time in English history called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. King Henry VIII ordered many monasteries and priories to be shut down.

At the time it closed, Studley Priory was home to the prior (the head of the priory) and eight other religious brothers. After it closed, the priory and its land were given to Sir Edmund Knightley. He used the priory buildings as a source of stone for other construction projects.

What Remains Today?

Sadly, not much of the original Studley Priory buildings are left today. Most of the stone was taken away and reused. However, the name "priory" is still used in some local places.

For example, Priory Farm is a building that stands on the former site of the priory. Even though it has been changed a lot over the years, it still has a few small parts of the old priory structure within it. You can see parts of a 14th-century window and some old carved stone pieces built into its walls. Priory Farm is considered a Grade II* listed building, which means it's an important historical building.