Hempton Priory

Hempton Priory
The Priory Church of Saint Stephen, Hempton

Priory ruins, 2012
Hempton Priory
52°49′N 0°50′E / 52.82°N 0.83°E / 52.82; 0.83Coordinates: 52°49′N 0°50′E / 52.82°N 0.83°E / 52.82; 0.83
Location Hempton, Norfolk
Country England
Denomination Roman Catholic
Architecture
Years built 1135
Demolished 1536


Hempton Priory was a priory in Norfolk, England. Very few surface remains can be found, although substantial earthworks can be seen and the foundations of a long building have been noted as incorporated into a later building.

History

Hempton Priory was founded as a hospital before 1135 (during the reign of Henry I) by Roger de St Martin (St Martins), with Richard Ward (who became the first prior when the hospital became a priory). It was an Augustinian church, and was alternatively referred to as Fakenham, Damsend or Hampton Priory.

King John granted rights to a fair to Hempton Priory,[1] later rising to three fairs a year.[2] The prior claimed a market on Tuesday, which was noted as being long obsolete in White's Directory of 1854, with no vestiges of the priory being seen at that time.[3] The net income from its estates in 1535 was £32 14s. 8d.[4]

The priory continued to be used as a hospital after 1200, being dissolved 1536 with the land granted to Sir William Fermer in 1545/6.[5] The land was subsequently passed to Lord Viscount Towsnhend.

Priors

Priory seal

The seal of the priory was oblong in shape, of red wax, showing an image of St Stephen standing under an arch between two tapers, with the legend 'SIGILLUM COMMUNE SANCTI STEPHANI DE HEMPTON'. Under this was an image of the prior kneeling under an arch.

References

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