Boxgrove Priory Ruins
Boxgrove Priory Church
The nave

Boxgrove Priory is a ruined priory in the village of Boxgrove in Sussex, England. It was founded in the 12th century.

History

Origins

The Priory was founded in the reign of Henry I, about 1123[1] by Robert de Haia (or de la Haye), Lord of Halnacre by gift of the king. A Saxon church had existed on the site before the Conquest. The Priory was founded for three Benedictine monks, and was a dependency by the Lessay Abbey in Normandy.[2][3][4]

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. Robert had died by 1165. By 1187 there were 15 monks. A 19th 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.[3]

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. After the dissolution, the Priory church became the parish church.[2]

Modern history

The Priory church is still in use as the Church of St Mary and St Blaise.[5] The Battle of Britain Pilot Billy Fiske is buried in the churchyard.[6]

The ruins are a Grade I listed building.[7]

Burials

  • Thomas Poynings, 5th Baron St John

See also

References

  1. ↑ "British History Online: La Manche: Part 4". Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Boxgrove Priory: History". Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  3. 1 2 Richard Dally (1828). The Bognor, Arundel and Littlehampton Guide. W. Mason. pp. 152–159. Retrieved 20 February 2018. Robert de Haia.
  4. ↑ Dudley George Cary Elwes (1876). A History of the Castles, Mansions, and Manors of Western Sussex. Longmans. pp. 41–44. Retrieved 20 February 2018. Robert de Haia.
  5. ↑ Reading Room Manchester. "404". Cwgc.org. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  6. ↑ "Find a Grave: William Fiske". Find a Grave. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  7. ↑ Historic England. "Ruins of the Monastic Building of Boxgrove Priory (1026436)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 July 2007.
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