List of monastic houses in Worcestershire

The following is a list of the monastic houses in Worcestershire, England.

Astley Priory

Beckford Priory

Bordesley Abbey

Bredon Monastery

Bredon Monastery (alleged site)

Cook Hill Priory

Dodford Priory

Droitwich Austin Friars

Evesham Abbey

Great Malvern Priory

Hanbury Monastery

Little Malvern Priory

Pershore Abbey

Stanbrook Abbey

Whistones Priory

Witton Priory

WORCESTER
(see below)

Westwood Priory

Locations of monastic houses in Worcestershire

Blackfriars

Friars of the Sack

Greyfriars

Worcester Cathedral Priory

Worcester Cathedral St Peter's Priory
(former cathedral)

Locations of monastic houses in Worcester

Alien houses are included, as are smaller establishments such as cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks), and also camerae of the military orders of monks (Knights Templars and Knights Hospitaller). Monastic hospitals are included where they had the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary or preceptor/commandery.

Abbreviations and key

Status of remains

Symbol	Status
None	Ruins
*	Current monastic function
^+	Current non-monastic ecclesiastic function (including remains incorporated into later structure)
^	Current non-ecclesiastic function (including remains incorporated into later structure) or redundant intact structure
^$	Remains limited to earthworks etc.
^#	No identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains
^~	Exact site of monastic foundation unknown
^≈	Identification ambiguous or confused

Locations with names in italics indicate possible duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented) or ecclesiastical establishments with a monastic name but lacking actual monastic connection.

Trusteeship

EH	English Heritage
LT	Landmark Trust
NT	National Trust

Foundation	Image	Communities & Provenance	Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names	OnLine References & Location
Alderminster		Saxon minster	Aldermannestun
Astley Priory		Benedictine monks alien house: dependent on St-Taurin; founded before 1086 by Ralph de Todeni; dissolved 1414; granted to secular college of Westbury-upon-Trym; granted to Sir Ralph Sadler by Henry VIII	The Priory Church of Saint Peter, Astley	[1][2] 52°18′03″N 2°19′26″W
Beckford Priory		Saxon minster monks or secular collegiate founded before 803; probably absorbed into Worcester late-9th century; Augustinian Canons Regular alien house: dependent on Ste-Barbe-en-Auge, Normandy founded between 1128 and 1135, granted to Ste-Barbe-en-Auge by Henry I Rabellus, the chamberlain of Normandy; dissolved 1414; lands granted to Eton College 1443; granted to Sir Richard Lee 1547; known as 'The Manor'; mansion named 'Salesian House' (also known as 'Beckford Hall') built on site 17th century; now in use as Roman Catholic College; crypt alone remains of the monastic founded	St Barbara ____________________ Beckford Cell; Beccanford Priory	[3][4] 52°01′18″N 2°02′09″W
Blockley Monastery	Former county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in Gloucestershire
Bordesley Abbey		Savignac monks — from Garendon, Leicestershire founded 22 November 1138-1147 by Waleran de Beaumont, Count of Meuland and Worcester land apparently granted by Queen Matilda 1136; Cistercian monks orders merged 17 September 1147; dissolved 17 July 1538; now in ownership of Borough of Redditch		[5][6] 52°19′00″N 1°56′02″W
Bredon Monastery ^~		Benedictine? monks founded c.717: land granted to Eanulf (grandfather of King Offa) by King Ethelbald before 717; apparently under Worcester by 844; destroyed in raids by the Danes late-9th century; mansion built 17th century allegedly on site	St Peter	[7][8] 52°01′21″N 2°07′05″W or 52°01′56″N 2°07′00″W (alleged)
Cookhill Priory ^		Cistercian nuns founded c.1180 (before 1198); founded(/rebuilt(?)) purportedly by Isabel, Countess of Warwick; dissolved 1538/9 remains incorporated into farmhouse and chapel 15th century		[9][10] 52°12′47″N 1°55′26″W
Daylesford Monastery	Former county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in Gloucestershire
Dodford Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular priory cell founded 1184–6; incorporated into Premonstratensian house at Halesowen 1332; dissolved 1464; Premonstratensian Canons daughter house of Halesowen founded 1464, annexed by Halesowen; dissolved 1538	Blessed Virgin Mary	[11] 52°21′12″N 2°06′04″W
Droitwich Austin Friars ^#		Augustinian Friars (under the Limit of Lincoln) founded 1331, licence granted to Thomas Alleyn to build an oratory; dissolved 1538		[12] 52°16′14″N 2°08′37″W
Dudley Priory	Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in the West Midlands
Evesham Abbey ^+		Benedictine monks founded after/c.701 by St Egwyn, Bishop of Worcester; collegiate 941 to c.970; Benedictine monks restored c.970 to c.975; collegiate c.975 until c.995; Benedictine nuns with regular priests or brethren attached to the abbey from unknown date until after c.1086; Benedictine monks restored c.995 dissolved 17 November 1539 (January 1540); now within a public park	St Mary and St Egwin	[13][14] 52°05′28″N 1°56′48″W
Fladbury Monastery ^#		land granted to Oftfor, Bishop of Worcester by King Ethelred between 691 and 693); later under Evesham until 714; under Worcester until early-9th century; parochial c.888?; parish church of St John the Baptist built on site
Great Malvern Priory ^+		Benedictine monks cell traditionally founded c.975 by Werstan; hermit settlement? founded before 1066; Benedictine monks founded c.1075 (1085); dependent on Westminster, Middlesex; dissolved 1539–40	The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Michael, Great Malvern ____________________ Malvern Priory; Malvern Major	[15][16] 52°06′38″N 2°19′43″W
Halesowen Abbey	Historical county location. See entry under List of monastic houses in the West Midlands
Hanbury Monastery		Saxon monastery land granted to Abbot Colman by King Wulfhere (657-674); merged into Worcester c.888?		[17] 52°15′55″N 2°03′36″W
Kempsey Monastery		Saxon monastery founded before 799 (?802); under Worcester by 799 (?802); manor granted to the bishop of Worcester 847
Kidderminster		Saxon minster founded c.735, land granted to Cynebert by Æthelbald, King of Mercia 735; under Worcester by 777; dissolved after 816	Stour-in-Usmere Minster; Stourbridge Monastery
Little Malvern Priory		Benedictine monks dependent on Worcester; founded c.1171 by Jocelin and Edred; dissolved c.1537; site now occupied by house named 'Little Malvern Court'	The Priory Church of Saint Giles, Little Malvern St Egidius ____________________ Malvern Minor Priory	[18][19] 52°03′41″N 2°20′13″W
Pershore Abbey ^+		secular canons collegiate founded c.689 by Oswald, nephew of Æthelred, King of Mercia; then secular canons and nuns; Benedictine monks founded 972, King Edgar replaced the seculars and nuns with Benedictines c.970, confirmed 972; dissolved 1539 (1539–40); granted to William and Francis Sheldon 1544/5; transepts and choir of conventual church retained for parochial use, continuing as the Parish Church	The Priory Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Pershore The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Eadburga, Pershore parochial portion also dedicated to the Holy Cross	[20][21] 52°06′37″N 2°04′39″W
Stanbrook Abbey		Benedictine nuns founded 1838; transferred to Wass, North Yorkshire 2009	The Abbey Church of Our Lady of Consolation, Callow End, Stanbrook	[22][23] 52°08′49″N 2°14′33″W
Westwood Priory		Fontefralt Benedictine nuns and brothers — double house alien house: cell dependent on Fontévrault; founded after 1154 (early in the reign of Henry II), land and other endowments granted by Osbert FitzHugh and his mother Eustacia de Say; Benedictine nuns appears to have become a regular Benedictine community after c.1374; became denizen: independent from before 1412(?); dissolved 1553; granted to John Pakinton 1538/9	The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Westwood	[24][25] 52°16′23″N 2°11′05″W
Whistones Priory, Barbourne		Cistercian nuns founded 1537-40 (before 1255) by Walter de Cantilupe, Bishop of Worcester; dissolved 1536; granted to Richard Callowhile 1543/4; largely demolished soon after dissolution	The Priory Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Barbourne ____________________ The White Ladies, Aston House of Mary Magdalene; White Ladies Nunnery	[26][27] 52°12′01″N 2°13′27″W
Witton Priory ^+(?) Droitwich		Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1135 (late in the reign of Henry I or early in the reign of Stephen) by Peter Corbezun (later de Studley); transferred to Studley c.1151 by Peter Corbezun; conventual church possibly in parochial use as the Parish Church of St Peter-de-Witton	St Mary the Virgin ____________________ Witton St Peter by Droitwich Priory	[28] 52°15′38″N 2°08′41″W
Worcester Blackfriars		Dominican Friars (under the Visitation of Oxford) founded 1347 by William Beauchamp, Lord of Emley; dissolved 1538; surrendered to Richard Ingworth, Bishop of Dover; granted to the bailiffs and citizens of Worcester 1539/40		[29][30] 52°11′37″N 2°13′28″W
Worcester Friars of the Sack		Friars of the Sack founded before 1272; dissolved 1284		[31][32] 52°11′03″N 2°13′15″W
Worcester Greyfriars, earlier site		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Worcester) founded c.1226 transferred to new site (see immediately below) 1236/9
Worcester Greyfriars		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Worcester) (community founded at earlier site (see immediately above) c.1226) transferred here 1236/9 by Charles of Warwick; dissolved 4 August 1538, surrendered to Richard Ingworth, Bishop of Dover; granted to the bailiffs and citizens of Worcester 1539/40; refectory/great hall in use as a gaol 1782		[33][34] 52°11′25″N 2°13′06″W
Worcester Penitent Sisters Friary		Penitent Sisters founded before 1240–1, oaks granted by Henry III; dissolution unknown		[35]
Worcester Trinitarians?		Trinitarians no evidence for Trinitarians in Worcester[note 1]		[36]
Worcester Cathedral Priory ^+		Benedictine? monks and Benedictine? nuns founded before 743, received a grant from Æthelbald, King of Mercia; secular canons collegiate 9th century; Benedictine monks founded 969; monastic and episcopal diocesan cathedral built 983 by St Oswald; see transferred from St Peter's (see immediately below); dissolved 18 January 1540, monks expelled, replaced by secular canons; episcopal diocesan cathedral founded 1540; extant	The Cathedral and Priory Church of Saint Mary, Worcester The Cathedral and Priory Church of Saint Mary, Saint Peter, Saint Oswald and Saint Wulfstan (1218) The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin of Worcester	[37][38][39] 52°11′19″N 2°13′15″W
Worcester Cathedral St Peter's Priory		Benedictine? monks and secular canons monastic and episcopal diocesan cathedral founded 680; secular canons 9th century to 969; see transferred to St Mary's (see immediately above) 969; Benedictine monks refounded 974–7		[37][40] 52°11′17″N 2°13′17″W

See also

• List of monastic houses in England

Notes

1. Worcester Trinitarians - cited by W. Dugdale, Monasticon Anglicanum, vi p.1565; Victoria County Histories, A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2, p. 173 indicates there is no evidence of Trinitarians in the city, Dugdale's reference in appears to be to the chantry of the Holy Trinity

References

1. Pastscape — Detailed Result: ASTLEY PRIORY
2. British History Online — Alien house: Priory of Astley — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.180-182)
3. "Pastscape — Detailed Result: SALESIAN HOUSE". Pastscape.english-heritage.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
4. Alien houses — The priory of Beckford | A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 2 (pp. 102)
5. Pastscape — Detailed Result: BORDESLEY ABBEY
6. British History Online — Houses of Cistercian monks: Abbey of Bordesley — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.151-154)
7. Pastscape — Detailed Result: MONUMENT NO. 117896
8. Pastscape — Detailed Result: MONUMENT NO. 117889
9. Pastscape — Detailed Result: COOKHILL PRIORY
10. British History Online — Houses of Cistercian nuns: Priory of Cookhill — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.156-158)
11. Pastscape — Detailed Result: DODFORD PRIORY
12. Pastscape — Detailed Result: DROITWICH AUSTIN FRIARY
13. Pastscape — Detailed Result: EVESHAM ABBEY
14. British History Online — Houses of Benedictine monks: Abbey of Evesham — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.112-127)
15. Pastscape — Detailed Result: GREAT MALVERN PRIORY
16. British History Online — Houses of Benedictine monks: Priory of Great Malvern — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.136-143)
17. Pastscape — Detailed Result: MONUMENT NO. 118413
18. Pastscape — Detailed Result: LITTLE MALVERN PRIORY
19. British History Online — Houses of Benedictine monks: Priory of Little Malvern — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.143-147)
20. Pastscape — Detailed Result: PERSHORE ABBEY
21. British History Online — Houses of Benedictine monks: Abbey of Pershore — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.127-136)
22. English Benedictine Congregation - Stanbrook Abbey Archived 23 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
23. Stanbrook Abbey
24. Historic England. "WESTWOOD PRIORY (1303739)". PastScape. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
25. British History Online — Houses of Benedictine nuns — Priory of Westwood — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.148-151)
26. Pastscape — Detailed Result: WHISTONES PRIORY
27. British History Online — Houses of Cistercian nuns: Priory of Whistones — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.154-156)
28. Pastscape — Detailed Result: WITTON PRIORY
29. Pastscape — Detailed Result: WORCESTER BLACKFRIARS
30. British History Online — Friaries: Worcester — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.167-173)
31. Pastscape — Detailed Result: WORCESTER FRIARY OF FRIARS OF THE SACK
32. British History Online — Friaries: Worcester — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.167-173)
33. Pastscape — Detailed Result: WORCESTER GREYFRIARS
34. British History Online — Friaries: Worcester — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.167-173)
35. British History Online — Friaries: Worcester — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.167-173)
36. British History Online — Friaries: Worcester — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.167-173)
37. Worcester Cathedral welcomes you to their Website
38. Redirecting Archived 14 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
39. British History Online — Houses of Benedictine monks: Priory of St Mary, Worcester — Victoria County History: A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 2 (pp.94-112)
40. Pastscape — Detailed Result: WORCESTER CATHEDRAL

Bibliography

• Binns, Alison (1989) Studies in the History of Medieval Religion 1: Dedications of Monastic Houses in England and Wales 1066–1216, Boydell
• Cobbett, William (1868) List of Abbeys, Priories, Nunneries, Hospitals, And Other Religious Foundations in England and Wales and in Ireland, Confiscated, Seized On, or Alienated by the Protestant "Reformation" Sovereigns and Parliaments
• Knowles, David & Hadcock, R. Neville (1971). Medieval Religious Houses England & Wales. Longman. ISBN 0582112303.
• Morris, Richard (1979) Cathedrals and Abbeys of England and Wales, J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd.
• Thorold, Henry (1986) Collins Guide to Cathedrals, Abbeys and Priories of England and Wales, Collins
• Thorold, Henry (1993) Collins Guide to the Ruined Abbeys of England, Wales and Scotland, Collins
• Wright, Geoffrey N., (2004) Discovering Abbeys and Priories, Shire Publications Ltd.
• English Cathedrals and Abbeys, Illustrated, Odhams Press Ltd.
• Map of Monastic Britain, South Sheet, Ordnance Survey, 2nd edition, 1954