The following is a list of the monastic houses in Somerset, England.
Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names | width=10% | Online References[4] & Location[5] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Athelney Abbey # | possible early hermitage or monastery founded c.878?; Benedictine? monks founded c.888 by King Alfred (possibly enlarging pre-existing establishment); Benedictine monks (re)founded c.960; dissolved 8 February 1539; granted to John Clayton 1544/5; now on private land, the site of church is marked by a monument erected 1801 | The Abbey of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Athelwine, Athelney | [6] [7] Athelney 51.0598°N -2.9339°W | ||
Bablew Grange | Cluniac monks grange and chapel | Bablew Priory | Tintinhull 50.9727°N -2.7207°W | ||
Banwell Monastery | Saxon monastery granted to Asser by Alfred c.888; St Andrew's Church, Banwell, possibly on site (alternative possible sites) | 51.3282°N -2.8622°W (alleged) 51.3221°N -2.8661°W (possible) 51.3281°N -2.8632°W (possible) | |||
Barlynch Priory | Augustinian Canons Regular founded between 1154 and 1189 (between 1174(?) and 1220), reputedly by William de Say; dissolved before July 1537; granted to Sir John Wallop 1538/9; remains now on site of Barlynch Farm; now in ownership of Working for Wildlife | The Priory Church of Saint Nicholas, Barlinch ____________________ Barlinch Priory | [9] [10] Brompton Regis 51.0501°N -3.5296°W | ||
Barrow Gurney Nunnery | Benedictine nuns founded c.1200 by ___ Gurney, Lord of Stoke Hamden; dissolved 1536; granted to William Clerke 1544/5; incorporated into Barrow Court | The Blessed Virgin Mary and St Edmund, King and Martyr ____________________ Minchin Barrow Priory; Minchinbarrow Priory Bearwe Priory; Borrow Gurney Priory | [11] [12] Barrow Gurney 51.4059°N -2.6721°W | ||
Bath Abbey + | Saxon nuns founded c.676, reputedly by King Osric, who granted land to Bertana, abbess; destroyed and rebuilt several times; monks refounded before 758; secular? 775; Benedictine? monks refounded 963/4; episcopal diocesan cathedral 1090; dissolved 1539; granted to Humphrey Colles 1542/3; conventual church now in parochial use | The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath | [13] [14] [15] [16] Bath, Somerset 51.3813°N -2.3585°W | ||
Bedminster Monastery | Historical county location. See entry under | ||||
Brent Cell ~ | Benedictine monks purported cell dependent on Glastonbury | East Brent Cell | 51.2626°N -2.9415°W (very approx) | ||
Bridgwater Greyfriars ^ | Franciscan Friars (under the Custody of Bristol) founded c.1245 by William Bruer (Briwere); church consecrated 1445 (after rebuilt/extended); dissolved 13 September 1538 | Bridge Water Friary | [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] Bridgwater 51.1258°N -3.0069°W | ||
Bristol Austin Friars | Historical county location. See entry under | ||||
Bristol Eremites Friars | Historical county location. See entry under | ||||
Bristol Preceptory | Historical county location. See entry under | ||||
Bruton Abbey | Benedictine monks abbey(?) founded c.1005 by Algar, Earl of Cornwall; dissolved before 1086(?); Augustinian Canons Regular refounded 1127-1135 by William de Mohun raised to abbey status 1511; dissolved 1 April 1539; granted to Maurice Berkely 1545/6 | [22] Bruton 51.1085°N -2.4506°W | |||
Buckland Priory | Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1166 by William de Arlegh (Erlegh), Lord of Durston; dissolved c.1180; Knights Hospitaller preceptory refounded c.1180; dissolved 1433 together with priory of Sisters of St John of Jerusalem (see immediately below); refounded c.1180; dissolved after 1500; Augustinian Canons Regular priory or hospital; refounded after 1500; dissolved 10 February 1539; granted to Alexander Popham and William Halley 1544/5; site now occupied by Buckland Farm | John the Baptist ____________________ Minchin Buckland Preceptory Buckland Sororum | [23] [24] [25] Durston 51.052°N -3.0065°W | ||
Buckland Sisters of St John Priory | Sisters of St John of Jerusalem transferred from Carbrooke, Clanfield, Gosford, Hampton, Hogshaw, Shingay, Standon and Swingfield; refounded c.1180; together with Knights Hospitaller Preceptory on the site of former Augustinian Canons Regular priory (see immediately above); dissolved after 1500; Augustinian Canons Regular priory or hospital founded on site (see immediately above); site now occupied by Buckland Farm | St Mary and St Nicholas | |||
Burtle Priory | hermitage, endowed by William son of Godfrey of Eddington 1199; Augustinian Canons Regular priory cell dependent on Glastonbury 1267; refounded before 1270; independent from 1275; dissolved 1536; granted to John and James Bisse 1553/4: parochial church of St Philip and St James Church built on the site | The Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Stephen ____________________ Burtle Moor Priory; St Stephens Chapel, Sprauellissmede; Byrkley Priory; Burcle Priory; Bercle Priory; Brademers Priory | [26] Burtle 51.1857°N -2.8742°W | ||
Cannington Priory | Benedictine nuns — from Dorset founded c.1138 by Robert de Courcey; transferred to Colwich, Staffordshire; converted into a mansion; reverted to nunnery; dissolved 1536; granted to Edward Rogers 1538/9; remains incorporated into Cannington Court, built on site | Canyngton Nunnery | [27] [28] Cannington, Somerset 51.1504°N -3.0615°W | ||
Charterhouse on Mendip | Carthusian monks grange (purported cell) dependent on Witham; granted Robert May 1544/5 | ||||
Cheddar Monastery | reference to community 978; called a minster | ||||
Chewstoke Cell | cell(?) founded (?) by Elizabeth de Sancta Cruce; dissolved before 1500(?) | Holy Cross | [29] [30] | ||
Clevedon Friary * | Franciscan Friars Minor extant | Friary and Parish of the Immaculate Conception | [31] 51.4443°N -2.8597°W | ||
Cleeve Abbey | Cistercian monks — from Revesby founded between 1186 and 1191, land granted by William de Roumare (Romara), Earl of Lincoln (building apparently begun by 1198 - 24 or 25 June 1198); dissolved 1536; granted to Thomas, Earl of Sussex 1541/2; (EH | Vallis Florida; Clyve Abbey; Cliff Abbey | [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] Washford/Old Cleeve 51.1553°N -3.3648°W | ||
Dodlinch Priory ~ | Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine possibly initially dependent on Bristol; associated with the Victorine abbey at Bristol; founded c.1210 by William de Courtney; transferred to new site at Woodspring ?before 1226; dissolved 1230 | Dodelyng Priory | [40] | ||
Downside Abbey * | Benedictine monks (community founded at Douai 1607); transferred from Douai founded 1814 | The Abbey Church of Saint Gregory the Great, Downside, Stratton-on-Fosse | Stratton-on-the-Fosse 51.254°N -2.4936°W | ||
Dunster Priory + | Benedictine monks dependent on Bath; founded c.1100 (after 1090) by William de Mohun; dissolved 1539; granted to Humphrey Colles 1542/3; church in parochial use as the Priory Church of St George | Priory Church of St George | [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] Dunster 51.1822°N -3.4457°W | ||
Frome Monastery | Saxon (Benedictine?) monks — purportedly from Malmesbury; founded after 675 by St Aldhelm; dissolved before 690? | ||||
Glastonbury Abbey | Saxon monks founded c.6th century(?); Benedictine? monks founded c.705; secular 9th century? Benedictine monks (re)founded(?) c.960; dissolved 15 November 1539; granted to Edward, Duke of Somerset 1547/8; granted to Sir Peter Carew 1558/9; ruins purchased by the Bath and Wells Diocesan Trust 1908; now in ownership of the registered charity Glastonbury Abbey Trust with public access | The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Glastonbury | [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] Glastonbury 51.1458°N -2.714°W | ||
Green Ore Cell(?) | Benedictine monks 'cell of Glaston'; probable grange of Hinton Charterhouse | Green Oare | 51.2485°N -2.6075°W | ||
Haselbury Priory | hermitage to 1154; Augustinian Canons Regular William fitz Walter began house — apparently not completed; possibly destroyed in the contests of the barons | ||||
Hinton Priory | Carthusian monks (community founded 1222 at Hatherop, Gloucestershire 1222); transferred here May 1232; dissolved 1539; now in private ownership without public access | Hinton Charterhouse | [54] Hinton Charterhouse 51.3313°N -2.3196°W | ||
Ilchester Blackfriars # | Dominican Friars founded between 1221 and 1260; dissolved 1538; demolished early 19th century | [55] [56] Ilchester 51.0005°N -2.6848°W | |||
Ilchester Nunnery | hospital founded c.1217-1220 by William Dennis (Dacus); Augustinian Canonesses refounded before 1281; dissolved before 1463 | Whitehall Hospital of the Holy Trinity ____________________ Blanchesale Hospital; Whitehall Hospital | [57] [58] [59] [60] [61] Ilchester 51.0025°N -2.6829°W | ||
Ilminster | possible Saxon minster; land granted to Muchelney by King Ine; no record of community | ||||
Keynsham Abbey | Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1170 by William, Earl of Gloucester dissolved 1539; granted to Thomas Bridges, Esq 1552/3 | [62] [63] Keynsham 51.4131°N -2.4967°W | |||
Kilve Chantry | founded 1329 by Simon de Furneaux; dissolved late 14th century damaged by fire in 1848 | [64] [65] [66] [67] Kilve 51.1893°N -3.2227°W | |||
Langley Priory | uncertain order and foundation house of St Mary, brothers or canons, short-lived establishment 12th century | ||||
Martock Priory | granted to Humphry Colles 1542/3 | ||||
Moorlynch Cell | Benedictine monks cell dependent on Glastonbury | ||||
Montacute Priory | Cluniac monks founded between c.1078 and 1102 by William, Count of Mortain dissolved 1539; granted to Robert, Earl of Leicester 1573/4; remains now part of Abbey Farmhouse | Montecute; Mons Acutus | [68] [69] Montacute 50.9498°N -2.7196°W | ||
Muchelney Abbey | Benedictine? monks founded before 693 traditionally by King Ine; destroyed in raids by the Danes(?)c.878 secular collegiate? founded 939 by King Athelstan; Benedictine monks founded c.950 (959); dissolved 3 January 1538; granted to Edward, Earl of Hertford 1537/8; (EH | Michelney Abbey | [71] Muchelney 51.0165°N -2.8204°W | ||
Pennard Minster | Saxon minster | ||||
Pitminster | possible Saxon minster | ||||
Potbury Priory | Augustinian Canons Regular possible priory dependent on Bristol — no record of cell | ||||
Regil Grange | Cistercian monks grange? dependent on Flaxley; founded before 1200(?) | ||||
Stavordale Priory | Augustinian Canons Regular — Vitorine founded before 1243 by a member of the Lovel family; merged with Taunton 1533; granted to John, Earl of Oxford 1544/5; conventual church converted into a private house, renovated and extended in 1905 | Slaverdale Priory | [72] [73] Charlton Musgrove 51.0863°N -2.3762°W | ||
Steep Holme Cell | Augustinian Canons Regular cell dependent on Studley, Oxfordshire; founded before 1260; dissolved before 1300 | ||||
Stogursey Priory | Benedictine monks alien house: dependent on Lonlay 1183; founded 1100-07: church granted by William de Falaise and his wife Geva; granted to Eton College 1440; last prior left 1442 | Stoke Courcy Priory | [74] [75] [76] Stogursey 51.1811°N -3.1409°W | ||
Taunton Priory # | secular collegiate founded before 904; Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1120 (c.1115) by William Giffard, Bishop of Winchester; dissolved 1539; granted to Mathew Colehurst 1544/5; part of remains now called 'Priory Barn'; converted into a cricket museum | The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Taunton | [78] [79] [80] Taunton 51.0181°N -3.0982°W | ||
Taunton Whitefriars | Carmelite Friars licence granted 1341; revoked 1343; house never established | [81] | |||
Templecombe Preceptory | Knights Templar granted by Serlo FitzOdo in 1185. founded c.1185 dissolved 1308–12; Knights Hospitaller granted 1312 dissolved 1539; granted to Richard Andrews and Leonard Chamberlayne | Combe Templariorum; Temple Comb Preceptory | [82] [83] [84] Templecombe 50.9998°N -2.4154°W | ||
Witham Friary + | Carthusian monks founded 1178/9 (1180/1); dissolved 1539; granted to Ralph Hopton 1544/5; church now in parochial use | The Friary Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Witham The Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John Baptist and All Saints, Witham Friary (former lay brothers' church) ____________________ Witham Abbey Witham Charterhouse; Selwood Friary | [86] [87] [88] [89] [90] [91] Witham Friary 51.1672°N -2.3654°W | ||
Woodspring Priory ^ | Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine (community founded at Dodlinch c.1210); transferred here before 1226; dissolved 1539; granted to William and John Lacy 1559/60; currently in use as an exhibuiltion centre for artwork; (LT | The Priory Church of the honour of the Holy Trinity, Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Thomas the Martyr of Canterbury, Worspring ____________________ Worspring Priory | Weston-super-Mare 51.3906°N -2.9449°W | ||
Worminster | Saxon minster | Wormester | |||
Wyrall Nunnery | alleged early nunnery | St Peter ____________________ Wyrall Hill Nunnery | |||
Yenston Priory # | Benedictine monks alien house: cell or grange(?) dependent on St Sever; founded before c.1090 (before 1100) by Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester (Hugh Abrincis); mentioned in the reign of Edward I; doubtful it ever had status of priory; granted to Eton College c.1468; exchanged for other lands; held by Sir Thomas Bell by 1548; house possibly built on site 16th century; adjacent fields called 'Priory Plot' and 'Priors' possibly associated with the grange | [96] Henstridge 50.9887°N -2.4107°W or 50.9876°N -2.4145°W |