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Up Holland Priory
The Church of St Thomas the Martyr, Upholland - geograph.org.uk - 2056849.jpg
St Thomas the Martyr's nave used to be the chancel of the priory.
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OS grid reference SD 5229605070
Location Up Holland, Lancashire
Denomination Benedictine
History
Founded 1319
Architecture
Heritage designation Grade II

The Up Holland Priory was a special kind of religious house called a Benedictine priory. It was located in Up Holland, a village in Lancashire, England. This priory was first started way back in 1319.

Today, not much of the original priory building remains. What's left is protected as a very important historical site. It's listed as a Grade II listed building and also as a scheduled monument. A big part of the old priory, which was once its main church area (called the chancel), is now the main part (called the nave) of the Church of St Thomas the Martyr.

What Was a Priory?

A priory was a type of monastery, which is a place where monks or nuns live together. They dedicate their lives to religious study and prayer. Priories were usually smaller than abbeys, which were larger and more important monasteries.

The monks who lived at Up Holland Priory followed the rules of Saint Benedict. These rules guided their daily lives, focusing on prayer, work, and study. Monks often spent their days in quiet reflection and helping their local communities.

The Benedictine Order

The Benedictine Order is one of the oldest groups of monks in the Christian world. It was founded by Saint Benedict of Nursia in the 6th century. His rules for monastic life became very popular across Europe.

Benedictine monks were known for their learning and their hard work. They often copied books by hand, which helped to preserve knowledge. They also farmed the land and helped the poor.

How Up Holland Priory Began

Up Holland Priory was founded in 1319. It was built during a time when many religious buildings were being constructed across England. These places were important centers for both faith and community life.

Life at the priory would have been very structured. Monks would wake early for prayers, work in the priory's lands or library, and then gather for more prayers throughout the day. They lived a simple life, focused on their religious duties.

The Priory's Later Years

The priory continued to operate for over 200 years. However, a big change happened in England during the 1530s. This was called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. King Henry VIII decided to close down all monasteries and priories across the country.

When Up Holland Priory was closed, its lands and buildings were taken by the Crown. Many parts of the priory were either destroyed or sold off. This was a common fate for many religious houses at that time.

Up Holland Priory Today

Even though the priory no longer exists as it once did, its history lives on. The most important part of the old priory that remains is now part of the local church. The former chancel, where the monks once prayed, is now the nave of the Church of St Thomas the Martyr.

This means that when you visit the church, you are walking in a place that has been used for worship for hundreds of years. It's a direct link to the past and the monks who lived there long ago.

Protecting History

The remains of Up Holland Priory are protected by law. Being a Grade II listed building means it's a building of special historical or architectural interest. A scheduled monument is an even higher level of protection for nationally important archaeological sites.

These protections help to make sure that this important piece of history is preserved for future generations. It allows people to learn about what life was like in a medieval priory.

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