Tickford Priory facts for kids
Tickford Priory was a special kind of religious building called a priory. It was built a very long time ago, during the Middle Ages, in a town called Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, England.
It was started in 1140 by a powerful local lord named Fulconius Paganel. This priory was like a branch of a bigger group of monks called the Cluniac Order, whose main home was in France. Because many of the monks came from France, it was sometimes called an alien monastery. This meant that when England and France were at war, kings like Edward III and Richard II would take the priory's money.
The Priory's Early Days
The monks at Tickford Priory did not have to pay taxes at the local market. They also earned a lot of money from the land they owned. However, the monks did not always follow the rules. In the 1200s and 1300s, some monks even argued with the local bishop and vicar.
Between 1278 and 1290, some monks were put in prison or kicked out because of their bad behavior. The last leader of the priory was named Thomas Brooke. In 1311, a fire destroyed all the important papers that listed the land and special rights the monks had. They had to get new papers from the King to confirm their ownership.
Changes and New Owners
In 1524, a very powerful church leader named Cardinal Wolsey took over Tickford Priory. He said it was a "superfluous house," meaning it was no longer needed. He gave its wealth to Christ Church College, which is part of Oxford University. The priory's value was estimated, with its bells and lead being worth a good amount of money.
When King Henry VIII officially closed down many monasteries in 1525, Tickford Priory and its land were given to Cardinal Wolsey again. But in 1530, the land was taken back by the King and later given to Christ Church College once more. Eventually, it went back to the Crown.
In 1621, King James I sold the old priory site to his doctor, Dr. Henry Atkins.
Tickford Abbey Today
The building that stands on the site today is a beautiful Georgian mansion. It was built by the Hooton family around 1767. People believe that many parts of this new house were made from the stones and materials of the old Tickford Priory.
There are some interesting features on the grounds. Behind the house, there is a family burial place and a tall stone monument called an Obelisk. Thomas Hooton built the Obelisk to remember his wife, Sarah. There is also a small, decorative building called a Gazebo by the River Ouse. It was fixed up in 1987 and is now a listed ancient monument, just like the Obelisk.
Over the years, Tickford Abbey has had many different owners. In 1846, George Lucas sold it to William Powell. William Powell created the beautiful Tickford Park and built two lodges at the entrance. The property changed hands many times in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
In 1930, Dr. Douglas Ernest Mannering Douglas-Morris opened a private hospital there, changing its name to Tykeford Abbey Nursing Home. Today, the building is a special care home for older people, run by a charity called Greensleeves Care. It is a Grade II listed building, meaning it is an important historic site.
Images for kids
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Tickford Abbey, a historic site in Newport Pagnell.
