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Castle Acre Priory was a Cluniac priory in the
The estates eventually passed to Sir Edward Coke, whose descendant, the Earl of Leicester now owns the ruins and Castle Acre Castle.
The ruins today are very impressive, the great west front of the building is almost complete, and the prior's lodging is in a similar condition.
Castle Acre Priory page at English HeritageInformation for teachers from English Heritage
{{Authority control 1089 establishments in England Christian monasteries established in the 1080s 1537 disestablishments in England Benedictine monasteries in England English Heritage sites in Norfolk Monasteries in Norfolk Grade I listed buildings in Norfolk Museums in Norfolk Religious museums in England Monasteries dissolved under the English Reformation
village
A village is a human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a population typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Although villages are often located in rural areas, the term urban v ...
of Castle Acre, Norfolk, England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
, dedicated to St Mary, St Peter, and St Paul. It is thought to have been founded in 1089 by William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey (the son of the 1st Earl of Surrey who had founded England's first Cluniac priory at Lewes in 1077). The order originated from Burgundy. Originally the priory was sited within the walls of Castle Acre Castle
Castle Acre Castle and town walls are a set of ruined medieval defences built in the village of Castle Acre, Norfolk. The castle was built soon after the Norman Conquest by William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey, William de Warenne, the Earl of ...
, but this proved too small and inconvenient for the monks; hence, the priory was relocated to the present site in the castle grounds about one year later.
The priory was dissolved in 1537, and its ruins are in the care of English Heritage, along with the nearby Castle Acre Bailey Gate and Castle Acre Castle.
Description
The church itself was consecrated sometime between 1146 and 1148. While the Warenne family may have been the main benefactors of the priory, others also gave generously to it, for example Scolland of Bedale, steward of Alan Earl of Richmond, who was in fact buried there. Like other Cluniac houses, Castle Acre Priory was directly subject to the authority of the Abbot of Cluny; for practical reasons, however, the Prior of Lewes was usually instructed to act for the abbot when any problems arose at Castle Acre. However, this obedience owed to a foreign abbot caused difficulties when the kings of England were at odds with France and/or Burgundy. In the mid 14th century the English Cluniacs settled this difficulty by buying a special legal recognition from the king as 'native' religious houses. The priory was home to some 20 to 30 monks. The nave of the church is one of the oldest parts of the ruin. Subsequent additions continued to be added until the priory was dissolved in 1537 under Henry VIII, and when theKing
King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...
gave the dissolved priory to the Duke of Norfolk complete with its estates, the remaining monks were turned out.
The estates eventually passed to Sir Edward Coke, whose descendant, the Earl of Leicester now owns the ruins and Castle Acre Castle.
The ruins today are very impressive, the great west front of the building is almost complete, and the prior's lodging is in a similar condition.
Media appearances
Scenes throughout '' The Tomb of Ligeia'' classic horror movie (1964, directed by Roger Corman, starring Vincent Price), were shot at Castle Acre Priory ruins. The priory was also used in the award-winning Children's TV Show '' Knightmare'' as "The Ruins of Dungarth". It also features prominently in the film '' Glorious 39''.See also
* List of monastic houses in Norfolk * List of monastic houses in EnglandReferences
External links
Castle Acre Priory page at English Heritage
{{Authority control 1089 establishments in England Christian monasteries established in the 1080s 1537 disestablishments in England Benedictine monasteries in England English Heritage sites in Norfolk Monasteries in Norfolk Grade I listed buildings in Norfolk Museums in Norfolk Religious museums in England Monasteries dissolved under the English Reformation