West Ravendale Priory
| West Ravendale Priory | |
|
Lincolnshire | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TF22669967 |
| Location: | 53°28’46"N, 0°9’12"W |
| Order: | Premonstratensian |
| History | |
| Built 13th century | |
| Founded: | 1202 |
| Founder: | Alan of Brittany |
| Dissolved: | 1389 |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Bare ruins |
| Owned by: | English Heritage |
West Ravendale Priory was a Premonstratensian priory in Lindsey, the northern part of Lincolnshire: the site of the priory is seven miles south-west of Grimsby and a mile west of the A18 and its position is identified by earthworks and rubble, which are all that remain of it. The ruins are Grade II listed.[1]
The priory was founded in 1202 by Alan, son of Count Henry of Brittany, as a cell of the Premonstratensian abbey of Beauport in Brittany. In the Middle Ages, Lincolnshire was one of the most densely populated parts of England. Within the county stood no fewer than nine Premonstratensian houses. In addition to West Ravendale Priory, these were Barlings Abbey, Cammeringham Priory, Hagnaby Abbey, Newbo Abbey, Newsham Abbey, Orford Priory (for women), Stixwould Priory and Tupholme Abbey.
The buildings were described as ruinous and in disrepair in the early 14th century. The priory was dissolved and its possessions vested in the crown in 1389, the connection with Brittany severed by the wars with France. The estate was part of the dowry of Joan of Navarre, wife of King Henry IV. In 1439, after Queen Joan's death in 1437, the priory was assigned to the collegiate church of Southwell.
The remains of the chapel of the priory survived into the early 20th century.[2]
References
- ↑ National Heritage List 1346953: Ruins of West Ravendale Priory (Grade II listing)
- ↑ Cox, J. Charles (1916) Lincolnshire pp. 247, 248; Methuen & Co. Ltd