List of monastic houses in Herefordshire

Aconbury Priory

Belmont Abbey

Bosbury (Upleadon) Preceptory

Clifford Priory

Colwall Priory

Craswall Priory

Dinmore Preceptory

Dore Abbey

Ewyas Harold Priory

Flanesford Priory

Garway Preceptory

Hentland Monastery

HEREFORD (see below)

Kilpeck Priory

Kinsham Monastery, supposed site

Kinsham Monastery, poss. site

Leominster Priory

Limebrook Priory

Ocle Priory

Shobdon Priory

Titley Priory

Wigmore Abbey

Wormsley Priory

Locations of monastic houses in Herefordshire

Hereford Cathedral Priory

Hereford Priory, earlier site

Hereford Priory

Blackfriars, earlier site (approx. loc.)

Blackfriars

Locations of monastic houses in Hereford

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

In this article 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 (Templars and Hospitallers). The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary or preceptory/commandery.

The name of the county is given where there is reference to an establishment in another county. Where the county has changed since the foundation's dissolution the modern county is given in parentheses, and in instances where the referenced foundation ceased to exist before the unification of England, the kingdom is given, followed by the modern county in parentheses.

The geographical co-ordinates provided are sourced from the details provided by Historic England PastScape and Ordnance Survey publications.

A Monastic Glossary follows the listing, which provides links to articles on the particular monastic orders as well as other terms which appear in the listing.

Abbreviations and key

Alphabetical listing of establishments

Foundation	Image	Communities & Provenance	Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names	Online References & Location
Aconbury Priory		Sisters of St John of Jerusalem with brethren founded 13th century (c.1200) by Margery (Margaret), wife of Walter de Lacy on a site granted by King John; with a hospital, and attached to the preceptory of Dinmore; Augustinian Canonesses refounded 1237 with Papal permission; dissolved 1539 (?); granted to Hugh de Harry 1541/2; priory church (restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott 1863) in pariochial use as the Parish Church of Saint John until 1967	The Priory Church of the Holy Cross, Aconbury St John the Baptist ____________________ Acornbury Priory	51°59′53″N 2°42′19″W / 51.9979463°N 2.7052304°W / 51.9979463; -2.7052304 (Aconbury Priory) [1]
Acton Beauchamp Monastery		grant of land 718 (727?) as "perpetual dwelling of servants of God", otherwise unknown
Archenfield Monastery		founded before 914-917, when Cyfeiliog, 'Bishop of Archenfield' was captured by Norsemen
Aymestrey Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine transferred from Shobdon; founded c.1150(?); dissolution unknown: transferred to Wigmore		[2]
Barton Priory?		Benedictine monks founded before 1199 (recorded by Gervase of Canterbury — possibly Brockbury (Colwall))
Belmont Abbey *		Benedictine monks founded 1859; extant Roman Catholic priory-cathedral founded 1859 status raised to abbey-cathedral 1917; dissolved 1920; see transferred to St David's Cathedral, Cardiff	The Abbey Church of Saint Michael and All Angels, Belmont	[3][4] 52°02′22″N 2°45′23″W / 52.039333°N 2.7564096°W / 52.039333; -2.7564096 (Belmont Abbey, Herefordshire)
Beodune Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine transferred from Wigmore c.1155; founded c.1155(?); dissolution unknown; transferred to Shobdon after 1155?	Byton Priory?
Bosbury Preceptory		Knights Templar founded c.1217-19 by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke; dissolved 1308-12; Knights Hospitaller founded 1312; dissolved 1410; merged with Dinmore and Garway 1410; house named 'Temple Court' possibly built on site 18th century	Upleadon Preceptory	[5] 52°05′14″N 2°27′09″W / 52.0872792°N 2.4523732°W / 52.0872792; -2.4523732 (Bosbury Preceptory (Upleadon Preceptory))
Cheleburne Priory?		Augustinian Canons Regular (possibly Chirbury Priory, Shropshire)	Chalborn Priory; possibly Pynkney Priory possibly Chirbury Priory
Clifford Priory ^		Cluniac monks alien house: dependent on Lewes, Sussex founded 1129-30 by Simon fitz Richard; becamedenizen: independent from sometime between 1351 and 1374; dissolved 1536; granted to William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke 1553; site occupied by Priory Farm, which probably incorporates monastic remains	The Blessed Virgin Mary	[6] 52°05′39″N 3°05′29″W / 52.0942139°N 3.0913317°W / 52.0942139; -3.0913317 (Clifford Priory)
Colwall Priory		Benedictine monks cell dependent on Great Malvern, Worcestershire; founded before 1199; dissolved ?	Brockbury Priory	[7] 52°04′33″N 2°23′43″W / 52.0757079°N 2.395336°W / 52.0757079; -2.395336 (Colwall Priory)
Craswall Priory		Grandmontine monks alien house: dependent on Grandmont; founded c.1225 by Walter de Lacy; dissolved 1462; granted to God's House College, Cambridge 1462	St Mary's Priory	[8][9][10][11] 52°01′57″N 3°03′43″W / 52.0324986°N 3.0620688°W / 52.0324986; -3.0620688 (Craswall Priory)
Dinmore Monastery (?)		order and foundation unknown; small monastic community apparently existed prior to the arrival of the Knights (see immediately below)
Dinmore Preceptory		Knights Hospitaller founded before 1189; chapel 14th century; dissolved before 1535: privately leased; granted to Sir Thomas Palmer in 1548; chapel restored 1886 by H F St John	Chapel of St John of Jerusalem; Dynmore Preceptory	[12] 52°08′55″N 2°45′10″W / 52.1485962°N 2.7528906°W / 52.1485962; -2.7528906 (Dinmore Preceptory)
Dore Abbey +, Abbey Dore		Cistercian monks — from Morimond founded 26 April 1147 by Robert Ewyas; dissolved 1537; granted to John Scudamore 1539/40; church restored 1633 and now in parochial use	Abbey Dore	[13][14][15][16][17] 52°02′20″N 2°45′22″W / 52.03899°N 2.756018°W / 52.03899; -2.756018 (Dore Abbey)
Dulas Monastery		Benedictine monks purportedly founded here; transferred to Ewyas Harold
Ewyas Harold Priory		Benedictine monks cell dependent on Gloucester; founded after 1100 by Harold son of Ralph of the Vexin: church of St Michael granted by Harold, Lord of Ewyas, purportedly first established at Dulas; dissolved 1358 monks withdrawn due to lack of revenue	St James and St Bartholomew	[18] 51°57′10″N 2°53′40″W / 51.9528518°N 2.8944066°W / 51.9528518; -2.8944066 (Ewyas Harold Priory)
Flanesford Priory ^		Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1346/47 by Richard, Lord Talbot; dissolved 1537; granted to George, Earl of Shrewsbury 1538/39; converted into a farm; remains now incorporated into a private house	The Priory Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint John the Baptist, Flanesford	[19][20] 51°52′17″N 2°36′44″W / 51.871523°N 2.6123214°W / 51.871523; -2.6123214 (Flanesford Priory)
Garway Preceptory		Knights Templar founded 1185-88: grant made by Henry II; dissolved 1308-12; Knights Hospitaller refounded after 1312; merged with Dinmore before 1489; dissolved before 1535 with Dinmore		[21] 51°53′54″N 2°47′36″W / 51.8982308°N 2.7934349°W / 51.8982308; -2.7934349 (Garway Preceptory)
Garway Clas		Celtic monks — clas to 11th century?
Hentland Monastery		Celtic monks purportedly founded 6th century by St Dubricius		[22] 51°56′03″N 2°39′58″W / 51.9342575°N 2.6660514°W / 51.9342575; -2.6660514 (Hentland Monastery)
Hereford Cathedral Priory		secular episcopal diocesan cathedral founded 669 (680); extant; Benedictine monks — abbey? founded c.1025 built early 11th century; destroyed 1055; dissolved before 1066; rebuilt 12th century by Bishop Renhelm	The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Ethelbert in Hereford	[23] 52°03′15″N 2°42′58″W / 52.0542586°N 2.7159727°W / 52.0542586; -2.7159727 (Hereford Cathedral Priory)
Saint Guthlac's Priory, Hereford		probable Saxon minster secular collegiate: St Guthlac's Collegiate Church founded before 1066; Benedictine monks — monastic church or chapel founded c.1101; united with Hereford priory; badly damaged in the Baron's War c.1143; and amalgamated with Hereford Priory 1143; transferred to new site outside the town (see immediately below)	St Guthlac's in the Castle	[24] 52°03′07″N 2°42′45″W / 52.0518291°N 2.7124482°W / 52.0518291; -2.7124482 (Hereford Priory — earlier site)
Hereford Priory		secular collegiate: St Peter's Collegiate Church founded before 1084; Benedictine monks transferred from earlier site (see immediately above); dependent on Gloucester; granted to Gloucester Abbey by Hugh de Lacy 1100; dissolved 1538; granted to John ap Rice 1542/43	St Guthlac St Peter, St Paul and St Guthlac	[25] 52°03′29″N 2°42′30″W / 52.0579793°N 2.7083176°W / 52.0579793; -2.7083176 (Hereford Priory)
Hereford Blackfriars — earlier site		Dominican Friars (under the Visitation of Oxford) founded 1246 by Sir John Daniel; transferred to new site 1322 (see immediately below)		52°03′27″N 2°43′23″W / 52.0575835°N 2.7230215°W / 52.0575835; -2.7230215 (Hereford Blackfriars, earlier site (approx. loc.)) (approx)
Hereford Blackfriars		Dominican Friars (under the Visitation of Oxford) founded 1246 at earlier site (see immediately above); transferred to new site 1322; dissolved; granted to Elizabeth Wynne 1562/63		52°03′36″N 2°42′50″W / 52.0598825°N 2.7138859°W / 52.0598825; -2.7138859 (Hereford Blackfriars)
Hereford Greyfriars		Franciscan Friars Minor (under the Custody of Bristol) founded before 1228; dissolved 1538
Hereford Preceptory		Knights Hospitaller
Holme Lacy	projected house of Premonstratensian Canons c.1235; daughter of Lavendon; establishment never implemented		St Mary and St Thomas Martyr
Kilpeck Priory #		Benedictine monks founded c.1134 by Hugh, son of William the Norman who granted the church to Gloucester; dissolved 1428 when the cell was united to Gloucester; granted to the Bishop of Gloucester	Kilpecke Priory	[26] 51°58′06″N 2°48′21″W / 51.9684144°N 2.8057891°W / 51.9684144; -2.8057891 (Kilpeck Priory)
Kinsham Grange		Benedictine monks alien house;[note 1]		[27][28] 52°16′53″N 2°54′37″W / 52.2814476°N 2.910237°W / 52.2814476; -2.910237 (Kinsham Monastery supposed site) (supposed) 52°16′14″N 2°56′22″W / 52.2704274°N 2.9393175°W / 52.2704274; -2.9393175 (Kinsham Monastery, possible site) (possible)
Leominster nunnery
Leominster Priory +		Saxon nuns (possibly also monks) purportedly built c.660 by Merwald, King of West Mercia; destroyed in raids by the Danes 9th century; secular canons collegiate refounded 9th century; nuns 9th century; destroyed 1046; Benedictine monks founded after 1123: ruined monastery granted to Reading by Henry I, confirmed by Richard, Bishop of Hereford; rebuilt 12th century, fully conventual by 1139; dissolved 1539and granted to the bailiffs and burgesses of Leominster	St Peter (660); The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Leominster (12th century)	[29] 52°13′46″N 2°44′08″W / 52.2293569°N 2.7356708°W / 52.2293569; -2.7356708 (Leominster Priory)
Leominster Priory		Cluniac monks
Limebrook Priory		Augustinian Canonesses (or Benedictine nuns?[note 2]) founded c.1189 (during or before the reign of Richard I) by Robert de Lingen or a member of the Mortimer family; Augustinian Canonesses 1516 (in the time of Bishop Booth); dissolved 28 December 1539; granted to John West and Robert Gratwick 1553	St Mary ____________________ Lymbroke Priory	[30] 52°17′20″N 2°55′10″W / 52.288928°N 2.9194692°W / 52.288928; -2.9194692 (Limebrook Priory)
Moccas Clas		Celtic monks reputedly founded 6th century by St Dubricius from Hennland on Wye; dissolved before 1066?	Mochros
Monkland Priory		Benedictine monks alien house: cell dependent on Conches founded before 1100; dissolved c.1414
Much Dewchurch Clas		monks of St David founded 6th century; parochial? before 1066
Ocle Priory		Benedictine monks alien house: cell dependent on Lyre; founded c.1100) by the ancestors of Robert Chandos; granted to the Carthusians at Sheen, Surrey c.1414; granted to Sir Philip Hobby 1541/42; site now occupied by Livers Ocle farmhouse	Acley Priory; Livers Ocle Priory	52°06′53″N 2°37′08″W / 52.1147678°N 2.6189196°W / 52.1147678; -2.6189196 (Ocle Priory)
Shobdon Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine dependent on Bristol; founded between 1131 and 1135 (during the reign of Henry I and tenure of Robert de Bethune, Bishop of Hereford) by Oliver de Merlimound, steward for (and on behalf of) Hugh Mortimer; transferred to [Eye, nr.] Aymestrey c.1150; transferred from Beodune (?Byton) after 1155; transferred to north of Wigmore		52°15′38″N 2°52′44″W / 52.260494°N 2.878968°W / 52.260494; -2.878968 (Shobdon Priory)
Sutton Camera		Knights Hospitaller under Dinmore
Titley Priory #		Tironensian monks apparent alien house: cell dependent on Tiron; founded 1120-21; dissolved 1391; granted to Winchester College c.1535; church rebuilt 1865; house named "Priory Cottage" built on site 16th century	St Peter	[31][32] 52°14′09″N 2°58′50″W / 52.2357406°N 2.9806745°W / 52.2357406; -2.9806745 (Titley Priory)
Welsh Bicknor Clas		dissolved before 1100
Wigmore Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine (community founded at Shobdon 1131-35); transferred from [Eye, nr.] Aymestry; transferred to Beodune (? Byton)
Wigmore Abbey ^		Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine — from Shobdon; (community founded at Shobdon between 1131 and 1135); transferred here 1172-79 by Hugh Mortimer, Baron Wigmore; dissolved 1538; granted to Sir Thomas Palmer 1548/49; remains now incorporated into farm and buildings	St James	[33][34] 52°20′11″N 2°52′00″W / 52.3362929°N 2.8665707°W / 52.3362929; -2.8665707 (Wigmore Abbey)
Wormsley Priory		possibly originally a hermitage; Augustinian Canons Regular — Victorine founded after 1200 (13th century) (late in the reign of John or early in the reign of Henry III) by Gilbert Talbot; dissolved 1539; granted to Edward Lord Clinton 1545/46	The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Leonard, Wormsley ____________________ Priory of St Leonard de Pyon; Wormeley Abbey[note 3]	[35] 52°07′54″N 2°49′32″W / 52.131644°N 2.8255999°W / 52.131644; -2.8255999 (Wormsley Priory)

Glossary

Map link to lists of monastic houses in England by county

Northumberland Durham Lancashire Cheshire Derbs. Notts. Lincolnshire Leics. Staffs. Shropshire Warks. Northants. Norfolk Suffolk Essex Herts. Beds. Bucks. Oxon. Glos. Somerset Wiltshire Berkshire Kent Surrey Hampshire Dorset Devon Cornwall Heref. Worcs. Bristol East Riding of Yorkshire Rutland Cambs. Greater London Tyne & Wear Cumbria North Yorkshire South Yorks. West Yorkshire Greater Manc. Merseyside East Sussex West Sussex Isle of Wight West Midlands

Bedfordshire Berkshire Bristol Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Cheshire Cornwall Cumbria Derbyshire Devon Dorset County Durham Essex Gloucestershire Greater Manchester Hampshire Herefordshire Hertfordshire Isle of Wight Kent Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire London Merseyside Norfolk Northamptonshire Northumberland Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire Rutland Shropshire Somerset Staffordshire Suffolk Surrey Sussex, East Sussex, West Tyne and Wear Warwickshire West Midlands Wiltshire Worcestershire Yorkshire, East Riding Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West

See also

• List of monastic houses in England
• List of monastic houses in Wales

Notes

References

• 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
• 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