List of monastic houses in West Sussex
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of monastic houses in West Sussex
, England.
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
, England.
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names |
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| Arundel Blackfriars Arundel Friary -References:... |
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Dominican Friars (under the Visitation of London) founded before 1253; dissolved 1538 |
Arundel Blackfriars 50.8540146°N 0.552476°W |
| Arundel Priory, earlier site ~ | Benedictine monks alien house, dependent on Séez; land granted to Séez by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury and Sussex before 1094; monastery established 1102; transferred to site of secular canons (see immediately below) 1177 |
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| Arundel Priory Arundel Priory -References:... |
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secular canons before 1177; Benedictine monks (community founded 1094 at earier site (see immediately above)); transferred from earlier site 1177, replacing secular canons; alien house, dependent on Séez; monks withdrawn by 1379 secular college 1380 dissolved 1544; remains of the collegiate buildings of the Holy Trinity incorporated into St Winifred's Priory, a 19th century convent of Servite Nuns which currently occupies the site |
The Parish and Priory Church of Saint Nicholas, Arundel 50.8557857°N 0.5571324°W |
| Atherington Priory Atherington Priory -References:... |
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Benedictine monks cell or grange, dependent on Séez; founded after 1102 dissolved; granted to Syon after 1414; only chapel remains on site, subsequently in use as sanctuary for the ashes of the Moynes family; reproduction medieval-style structures built on site |
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| Boxgrove Priory Boxgrove Priory Boxgrove Priory, in the village of Boxgrove in Sussex, was founded in about 1066 by Robert de Haye, who in 1105 bestowed the church of St. Mary of Boxgrove upon the Benedictine Abbey of Lessay. In about 1126 upon the marriage of Robert's daughter Cecily, to Roger St... + |
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secular college before 1066 Benedictine monks alien house, dependent on Lessay founded c.1117 by Robert de la Haye (Haya), Lord of Halnaker; independent 1339; dissolved 1539; granted to Henry, Earl of Arundel 1560/1; part of church now in parochial use |
The Priory Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Blaise, Boxgrove Boxgrave Priory 50.8599966°N 0.7109034°W |
| Calcetto Priory, Lyminster Lyminster Lyminster is a village and civil parish in the Arun District of West Sussex, England. It is located on the outskirts of the built-up area of Littlehampton, two miles north of the town centre. The civil parish covers an area of and has a population of 351 persons... |
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Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1150 by Queen Adelisa, widow of Henry I; dissolved 1525; suppressed by Cardinal Wolsey; granted to Antony Lord Monage 1607/8; remains incorporated into a farmhouse called 'Calcetto' |
The Priory Church of Saint Bartholemew, Pynham The Priory Church of Saint Bartholemew and Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Pynham Pynham Priory; Pyneham Priory; Priory de Calceto (Priory of the Causeway) 50.8474629°N 0.5457249°W |
| Chichester Austin Friars | Augustinian Friars former house of the Franscicans, infra, conditionally granted to the Augustinians 1269, but never implemented (v Chichester Greyfriars, earlier site, infra) |
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| Chichester Blackfriars | Dominican Friars founded before 1280; dissolved 1538; granted to the Mayor and citizens of Chichester 1540/1 |
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| Chichester Greyfriars, earlier site | Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of London) founded before 1232; transferred to new site (see immediately below) 1269; site conditionally granted to the Augustinian Friars (v Chichester Austin Friars, supra), but was deemed too close to the Franciscans' new site; granted to St Mary's Hospital 1285; site now occupied by St Mary's Hospital, established here 1269-90, infirmary cubicles converted into apartments |
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| Chichester Greyfriars |  |
Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of London) (community founded before 1232 at earlier site (see immediately above)); transferred here 1269; dissolved 8 October 1538; chancel, now located in Priory Park, currently in use as part of the City Museum |
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| Chichester Priory | secular (collegiate) founded before 956, monastery implied from charter by King Edwy, 956; Benedictine? nuns refounded before 1066; nuns removed for canons 1075 when see removed from Selsey to Chichester; |
St Nicholas |
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| Crawley Down Monastery * | Anglican; extant | The Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Crawley Down, Crawley 51.1342492°N 0.0772449°W |
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| Dureford Abbey Dureford Abbey Dureford Abbey, in Sussex, England, was a Premonstratensian monastery. It was founded by Henry Hussey who in 1161 granted land to the abbot of Welbeck Abbey, to establish the new community near Rogate, Sussex.- A History of Disaster:... ^ |
Premonstratensian Canons - from Welbeck Welbeck Abbey Welbeck Abbey near Clumber Park in North Nottinghamshire was the principal abbey of the Premonstratensian order in England and later the principal residence of the Dukes of Portland.-Monastic period:... daughter of Welbeck; founded before 1183 (or 1169, or by 1161) by Henry Husey (Hosat) II, confirmation probably granted March 1161; dissolved 1534-6; granted to Sir William Fitz Williams 1537/8; fragmentary remains incorporated into farmhouse and stable block |
The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist, Dureford Durford Abbey 51.0044625°N 0.8921912°W |
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| Easebourne Priory Easebourne Priory -References:... ^+ |
Benedictine nuns founded c.1238 purportedly by Sir John de Bohun of Midhurst; Augustinian Canonesses refounded(?) 15thC; dissolved 1536; granted to Sir William Fitz Williams 1536/7; claustral remains incorporated into house; restored frater now in parochial use |
St Mary the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (early 16thC) 50.9950335°N 0.7258487°W |
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| Farnham Minster | land granted by King Caedwalla for a minster 688; no evidence establishment was founded |
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| Ferring Monastery (?) | possible Saxon church/chapel or monastery (?) 757-96 (in the reign of Offa) | ||
| Hardham Priory Hardham Priory Hardham Priory was a priory in West Sussex, England. It was founded around 1248, but fell into disrepair in the late 15th century and was disbanded during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Its remains stand in an area of water meadows next to the River Arun, southwest of the village of Hardham.... |
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Augustinian Canons Regular founded after 1248(?); dissolved 1534; site currently occupied by farmhouse and garden |
St Cross |
| Hassocks Priory * | Canonesses Regular of Windesheim; extant | The Priory Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel |
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| Lyminster Priory |  |
possible Saxon royal minster (Nonnaminstre) Benedictine nuns or canonesses alien priory, cell dependent on Almeneches; founded c.1082 by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Sussex, who granted land to St Peter's Abbey, Almenesches; (now The Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene) dissolved c.1414 |
St Mary Nonnaminstre? 50.8334639°N 0.549075°W |
| Poling Preceptory Poling Preceptory -References:... |
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Knights Hospitaller land granted by Ralph fitz Savarac, Gergaga de Palinges and his son, confirmed by by King John; last prior died 1442; dissolved 1445: became part of the holding of the Prior of England 1445 |
St John's Priory 50.8409441°N 0.5144316°W |
| Runcton Priory | Benedictine monks founded before 1086; alien house, cell dependent on Troarn: manor granted to Troarn by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury after 1100(?); dissolved 1260: made over to Bruton Priory in Somerset Somerset The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the... |
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| Rusper Priory | Benedictine nuns founded before 1200, probably by a member of the de Braose family: William de Braose was a patron when confirmation granted by Seffrid Seffrid II -Life:Little is known of Seffrid's ancestry, but given the unusual name he shared with Seffrid I, bishop of Chichester from 1125 to 1145, the two were probably related. He probably studied law at Bologna, for there was a Seffrid the Englishman at Bologna at the proper time, and Pope Celestine III... , Bishop of Chichester; dissolved 1537; granted to Sir Robert Southwell 1537/8; site currently occupied by a house |
The Priory Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Rusper Ruspur Priory 50.8126135°N 0.746617°W |
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| Saddlescombe Preceptory | Knights Templar founded c.1228: manor granted by Geoffrey de Say; dissolved 1308-12; Knights Hospitaller c.1308-12 (in retention of the Earl of Surrey until 1397) possibly merely a camera of Shipley after the suppression of the Knights Templar; extant house named 'Saddlescombe Manor' possibly occupies site |
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| Sele Priory Sele Priory Sele Priory was a medieval monastic house in West Sussex, England.It was a Benedictine Order priory founded before 1126 and was dedicated to St Peter... |
Secular canons collegiate church founded before 1073 by William de Braose (Braiosa); Benedictine monks alien house, dependent on St-Florent-de-Saumur: granted to St-Florent 1080 by William de Braose; founded before 1126; independent 1396; granted to Magdalene College, Oxford 1459: permission obtained by William Waynflete William Waynflete William Waynflete , born William Patten, was Bishop of Winchester from 1447 to 1486, and Lord Chancellor of England from 1456 to 1460. He is best remembered as the founder of Magdalen College and Magdalen College School in Oxford.... , Bishop of Winchester; dissolved 1480; buildings occupied by Carmelite Friars 1483 (see immediately below) |
St Peter; Beeding Priory 50.8875277°N 0.3056538°W |
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| Sele Whitefriars | Carmelite Friars founded 1493: Carmelites occupied the vacant buildings of the Benedictines (see immediately above); dissolved 1538; remains probably incorporated into vicarage built on site 1792 |
SS Peter and Paul | |
| Selsey Abbey Selsey Abbey Selsey Abbey was almost certainly built at Church Norton, Selsey, Sussex, England. It was founded in 683AD, and became the seat of the Sussex bishopric, until it was moved in 1075AD to Chichester.-Historical Context :... |
Benedictine? monks founded after c.681 by St Wilfrid episcopal-abbatial diocesan cathedral 709; secular episcopal diocesand cathedral after c.750; see and community transferred to Chichester c.1075 precise location of abbey not known, possibly Church Norton St Wilfrid's Chapel, Church Norton St Wilfrid's Chapel, also known as St Wilfrid's Church and originally as St Peter's Church, is a former Anglican church at Church Norton, a rural location near the village of Selsey in West Sussex, England... , or submerged by the sea |
Selsey Cathedral 50.7549004°N 0.7651699°W or 50.7213854°N 0.7973886°W |
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| Shipley Preceptory | Knights Templar founded c.1128(?): manor and church granted by Philip de Harcourt c.1125 (possibly) or (probably) c.1128; dissolved 1308-12 manor passed to Knights Hospitaller |
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| Shoreham Camera (?) | Knights Templar manor or camera | ||
| Shoreham Whitefriars | church granted to St-Florent-de-Saumur 1075-6; rebuilt by the monks of Sele; referred to as collegiate Carmelite Friars founded before 1317; dissolved 1493: transferred to Sele, supra; land granted by Sir John de Mowbray in 1348 for the foundation to be extended to the north due to the threat of incursion by the sea; "The Marlipins" have been suggested as the extant remains of the friary |
New Shoreham Friary 50.831359°N 0.2767999°W 50.8319816°N 0.2761616°W |
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| Shulbrede Priory Shulbrede Priory -References:... |
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Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1200 by Ralph de Arden; dissolved 1536; granted to Antony Brown 1544/5; site now occupied by private house with limited public access |
Wolinchmere Priory; Shulbred Priory 51.0616776°N 0.7509381°W |
| Sompting Preceptory Sompting Preceptory -References:... |
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church associated with Knights Hospitaller priory mentioned 1425/6 |
Sompting Priory 50.838606°N 0.351821°W |
| Steyning Priory | secular collegiate founded before 858?; Benedictine monks (purportedly alien house(?), cell of Fécamp(?) refounded(?) c.1042 (or in the reign of William the Conqueror); evidence of Benedictine foundation lacking; continuing in collegiate use until 1283-90; 12thC church possibly built on site of Saxon minster; ruinous by 1577-8 rebuilt and refurbished; in parochial use as the Parish Church of St Andrew |
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| Storrington Priory * | Premonstratensian Canons Regular Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th Duke of Norfolk invited canons to build a monastic house c.1882; foundation stone laid 1902 by Cardinal Bourne, Bishop of Southwark; extant |
Our Lady of England Priory, Storrington 50.9165544°N 0.4599103°W |
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| Tortington Priory ^, Storrington Storrington Storrington is a village in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England, and one of two in the civil parish of Storrington and Sullington. Storrington lies at the foot of the north side of the South Downs. As of 2006 the village has a population of around 4,600. It has one main shopping street... |
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Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1180 (or in the reign of King John), possibly by Lady Hadwissa Corbet; dissolved 1536; granted to Sir John Spencer 1599/1600; remains incorporated into a barn on a farmyard |
The Priory Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Tortington 50.8442434°N 0.5717665°W |
| Warminghurst Grange | Benedictine monks alien grange, dependent on Fécamp founded c.1085; dissolved 1414 |
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| Worth Abbey Worth Abbey The Abbey of Our Lady, Help of Christians, commonly known as Worth Abbey, is a community of Roman Catholic monks who follow the Rule of St Benedict near Turners Hill village, in West Sussex, England.... * Turners Hill, Crawley |
Benedictine monks from Downside Downside Abbey The Basilica of St Gregory the Great at Downside, commonly known as Downside Abbey, is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery and the Senior House of the English Benedictine Congregation. One of its main apostolates is a school for children aged nine to eighteen... priory founded 1933; raised to abbey status 1957; extant |
The Abbey of Our Lady, Help of Christians 51.092544°N 0.118310°W |
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| Worth Minster (?) | possible minster; Saxon church, possibly from before c.1050, size and layout suggests an establishment with more than a parochial function; Parish Church of St Nicholas on site |
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| Wythering Monastery (?) | evidence from possibly spurious charters of 680 and 685 referring to lands owned by Selsey monastery, including St Andrew's Church on the East side of 'uedringmutha' (Wittering Haven, later called Pagham Harbour) implying a community at Wythering (Pagham) rather than West Wittering, as previously inferred | Pagham Monastery 50.765905°N 0.7535452°W |