Thetford Priory facts for kids
Thetford Priory was a special kind of monastery in Thetford, Norfolk, England. It belonged to a group of monks called the Cluniacs. This priory is different from another old religious building in Thetford, the Dominican Friary, which later became part of Thetford Grammar School.
Thetford Priory was one of the most important monasteries in East Anglia. It was started in 1103 by Roger Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk. The priory was dedicated to Our Lady, who is also known as the Virgin Mary. In the 1200s, people believed the Virgin Mary appeared in a vision and asked for a special chapel to be built for her at the priory. While building this chapel, an old statue of Mary was found. It had a secret hollow space in its head, holding relics (special items linked to saints). This made the priory a very popular place for pilgrims to visit.
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What Was Thetford Priory?
The priory was a very important place for many powerful families. It was the burial site for members of the Howard family. It also held the tombs of Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset, who was the son of King Henry VIII, and other important people from the early Tudor Dynasty.
The Priory's End
Even with these important burials, the priory could not escape the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was when King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries in England. Thetford Priory was one of the last to be closed in 1540. After it closed, the tombs of the Howard family were moved to St Michael the Archangel Church in Framlingham.
What You Can See Today
Today, you can visit the ruins of Thetford Priory. These ruins include the lower walls of the church and the cloister (a covered walkway). You can also see the impressive remains of the priors' lodging, which was where the head of the priory lived. A path leads to an almost complete gatehouse from the 1300s.
The priory and its gatehouse are protected as Grade I listed buildings, meaning they are very important historic sites. They are open to the public as an English Heritage site. Some people believe the ruins are haunted. They were even featured on a TV show called Ghosthunters.
Nearby Historic Sites
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is another Grade I listed building nearby. It was also part of a medieval monastery. It is about 300 meters south of Thetford Priory, right across the River Little Ouse.
Important People Buried Here
Many important people were originally buried at Thetford Priory, including:
