Winchester Cathedral Priory facts for kids
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Benedictine |
| Established | 964 |
| Disestablished | 1539 |
| Mother house | Abingdon Abbey |
| Dedicated to | Holy Trinity, Saint Peter and Saint Paul; Saint Swithun |
| Diocese | Diocese of Winchester |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Bishop Æthelwold and King Edgar |
| Important associated figures | Swithun |
| Site | |
| Location | Winchester, Hampshire, England |
The Winchester Cathedral Priory was a special kind of monastery connected to Winchester Cathedral. It was home to the monks who served the church.
Long ago, in the 640s, a king named Cenwealh built the first church, called the Old Minster, in Winchester. Later, in the 660s, a new church leader, a bishop named Wine, was appointed there. Even though Vikings attacked the monastery in 860 and 879, it managed to survive and get back on its feet.
How the Priory Started
In the year 964, a big change happened. Bishop Æthelwold decided to replace the priests at the Minster with Benedictine monks. These monks came from Abingdon Abbey. This is how the cathedral priory officially began.
The priory was first planned to have 70 monks. However, the number of monks slowly went down over the years. By 1262, there were 62 monks, and by 1495, only 29. The number went up a bit in the next century. When the monastery was closed down on November 15, 1539, there were either 33 or 45 monks living there.
What the Monks Did
The monks at Winchester Cathedral Priory did more than just pray. They also managed a special hospital in Winchester called the Sister Hospital. This hospital helped people who were sick or in need. The priory also ran a school, where young people could get an education.
Who the Priory Was Dedicated To
The priory was originally dedicated to the Holy Trinity, along with Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Later, another dedication was added for Saint Swithun. He was a bishop from the 800s who was very important to Winchester.
