Yenston Priory facts for kids
Yenston Priory was a special kind of religious building called a Benedictine priory. It was located in a place called Henstridge in Somerset, England. A priory was like a smaller monastery, where monks lived and prayed.
The Story of Yenston Priory
How It Started
Yenston Priory was first set up by a powerful person named Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester. He was also known as Hugh Abrincus or Hugh Lupus. He died around the year 1100. The priory was connected to a larger abbey in Normandy, France, called the Abbey of Sever. In 1158, a very important leader, Pope Adrian IV, officially approved the abbey and its connections.
What Happened Later?
Over many years, things changed for Yenston Priory. Around 1468, the priory was given to Eton College, a famous school. The buildings of the priory were actually taken down even before 1450. Later, after a big event called the dissolution of the monasteries, the land where the priory stood was owned by Sir Thomas Bell. The dissolution of the monasteries was a time when many religious buildings in England were closed down by the king.
Where Did It Go?
Even though the priory buildings were demolished, their stones were not wasted! People used the stones from the priory to help build a house in the village called Monmouth House. You might still find some small parts or traces of the old priory buildings in the outhouses nearby. There are also some marks on the ground in the fields around the area. However, these marks might just be from where people dug up stones, not necessarily from the priory itself.
