Ulverscroft Priory facts for kids
Ulverscroft Priory
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 Location in Leicestershire
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| Monastery information | |
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| Order | Augustinian |
| Established | Hermitage Founded: 1139 Monastery Founded: before 1174 |
| Disestablished | 1539 |
| Dedicated to | St Mary |
| Diocese | Diocese of Lincoln |
| Controlled churches | Charley Priory |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester |
| Site | |
| Location | Ulverscroft, Leicestershire, England |
| Coordinates | 52°42′36″N 1°15′35″W / 52.709889°N 1.259861°W |
| Visible remains | Partial Ruins remain |
| Public access | NO: Private Property |
Ulverscroft Priory was once a religious building in Ulverscroft, Leicestershire, England. It started as a quiet place for hermits and later became a priory, which is a type of monastery where Augustinian canons lived and prayed. Today, only parts of the old priory remain as ruins.
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What is Ulverscroft Priory?
Ulverscroft Priory was founded by Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester. He set it up in 1139 as a hermitage. A hermitage is a place where a hermit (a person who lives alone for religious reasons) can live. The hermits belonged to the Order of St Augustine.
Later, before 1174, the hermitage became a full priory. This change happened after an order from the Pope. A priory is a community of religious people, in this case, Augustinian canons, who live together under religious rules.
How did the Priory Grow?
The priory grew over time, gaining more land and rights. For example, before 1174, it gained the right to choose the priest for a church in Stanford on Soar. This right is called an advowson. However, they lost this right by 1280 after a disagreement.
In 1323, a man named William de Ferrers gave the priory 70 acres of land near Groby. He also gave them the right to choose the priest for Syston Church. Later, in 1345, Thomas de Ferrers gave them the advowson for Bunny church. These gifts helped the priory become richer and more important.
What were the Buildings Like?
The very first buildings at Ulverscroft Priory, built in the 1100s, were probably made of wood. As the priory grew, new buildings were added in the 1200s and 1300s. These later buildings were made from a strong local stone called Charnwood Forest Stone.
How Many Canons Lived There?
The number of canons (the religious men living at the priory) changed over the years. Around 1220, there were only three canons. By 1438, the number had grown to eight. In 1532, just before the priory closed, there were nine canons and the prior, who was the head of the priory.
Around 1465, a smaller nearby priory called Charley Priory joined with Ulverscroft. This meant Ulverscroft became even larger.
Why Did the Priory Close?
In 1535, the government looked at how much money all the monasteries in England made. Ulverscroft Priory had an income of about £83 per year. This meant it was considered a "smaller priory" and was supposed to be closed down. This event was part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when King Henry VIII closed many religious houses in England.
However, Ulverscroft Priory had a very good reputation. Because of this, it was allowed to stay open for a little longer. The priory had to pay a large fine of £166, 13 shillings, and 4 pence to continue. But this was only a delay. Ulverscroft Priory was finally closed in September 1539. The last Prior, Geoffrey Whalley, was given a yearly payment of £20.
In 1543, the land and remaining buildings of the priory were given to Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland.
What Remains Today?
Today, you can still see parts of the priory church and its tower. Some of the old priory buildings, like the prior's living area and the dining hall (refectory), were used to build a farmhouse on the site. Even the priory's old door was moved and used at Thornton Church.
The priory ruins were bought in 1927 by Sir William Lindsay Everard. He helped save the old buildings from falling apart completely. It is important to know that the priory ruins are on private land. This means they are not open for the public to visit.
Who Was Buried at Ulverscroft Priory?
Some important people were buried at Ulverscroft Priory. These include members of the Ferrers family, who were powerful nobles.
- Henry Ferrers, 2nd Baron Ferrers of Groby
- William Ferrers, 3rd Baron Ferrers of Groby
- William Ferrers, 5th Baron Ferrers of Groby
- Isabel de Verdun, Baroness Ferrers of Groby
