Boxgrove Priory

Boxgrove Priory
Sussex
Boxgrove Priory ruins
Location
Grid reference:	SU908075
Location:	50°51’36"N, -0°42’39"W
Village:	Boxgrove
Order:	Bendictine
History
Established:	1105
Founder:	Robert de Haye
Information
Owned by:	English Heritage
Website:	Boxgrove Priory

Boxgrove Priory, whose ruins stand in the village of Boxgrove in Sussex, was a monastery founded in the early years of the Norman conquest, and which lasted until the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

The abbey was founded soon after the Norman conquest of 1066. In 1105, Robert de Haye, bestowed on his foundation the church of St Mary of Boxgrove upon the Benedictine Abbey of Lessay. In about 1126 upon the marriage of Robert's daughter Cecily, to Roger St. John the number of monks living at Boxgrove was increased from the original three to six, and by 1187 there were a total of fifteen. The nineteenth monk was added to the priory in about 1230 by William de Kainesham, Canon of Chichester.

By 1535, the priory's possessions were worth £185 19s. 8d. gross, and £145 10s. 2½d. clear. It was dissolved and the abbey's estates seized by the Crown shortly after then,

The nave

Dissolution

The Priory was dissolved in 1536. At the time of the dissolution there were eight priests and one novice, as well as twenty-eight servants and eight children living in the priory.

Modern history

Boxgrove Priory Church

The Priory church is still in use as the parish church, known as the Church of St Mary and St Blaise.

The ruins today are a Grade I listed building and are in the care of English Heritage.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Boxgrove Priory)

• National Monuments Record: No. 249061 – Boxgrove Priory