Beadlow Priory was a
monastic
Monasticism (from Ancient Greek , , from , , 'alone'), also referred to as monachism, or monkhood, is a religion, religious way of life in which one renounces world (theology), worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual work. Monastic ...
foundation established between 1140 and 1146 by
Robert D'Albini for a community of
Benedictine
, image = Medalla San Benito.PNG
, caption = Design on the obverse side of the Saint Benedict Medal
, abbreviation = OSB
, formation =
, motto = (English: 'Pray and Work')
, foun ...
monks.
History
Around 1140 the lands of
Beadlow Manor were granted to the priory at
Millbrook in
Hertfordshire, from where the community were moved upon the establishment of the new priory at
Beadlow,
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire (; abbreviated Beds) is a ceremonial county in the East of England. The county has been administered by three unitary authorities, Borough of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Borough of Luton, since Bedfordshire County Council ...
,
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
about 10 km south of
Bedford
Bedford is a market town in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 Census, the population of the Bedford built-up area (including Biddenham and Kempston) was 106,940, making it the second-largest settlement in Bedfordshire, behind Luton, whilst ...
. Initially referred to as Beaulieu Priory, it remained cell of the
Abbey
An abbey is a type of monastery used by members of a religious order under the governance of an abbot or abbess. Abbeys provide a complex of buildings and land for religious activities, work, and housing of Christian monks and nuns.
The con ...
at
St Albans.
Poverty made the community unsustainable and in 1428 the monks left the priory, which became absorbed into St Albans Abbey. In 1434 the ownership of the priory passed to the Crown, whilst the site was finally abandoned as a monastic settlement in 1435.
The decay of the buildings ensued after this time, and by 1908 there existed no intact above-ground remains.
From 1963 to 1965 archaeological excavations unearthed the foundations as well as artifacts dating to the 12th to 15th centuries.
The establishment was close to
Chicksands Priory
Chicksands Priory is a former monastic house at Chicksands in Bedfordshire.
History
The Gilbertine priory of Chicksands was founded about 1152 by Rohese, Countess of Essex, and her second husband Payn de Beauchamp, Baron of Bedford. Payn and R ...
.
The Old Priory House, nearby, was not a part of the priory.
Priors of Beadlow
*Walter de Standon, elected 1233;
*Roger, elected 1237;
*Roger de Thebrugg, elected 1281;
*John of Stopsley, elected 1285;
*John of Stagsden, transferred 1296;
*William de Parys, elected 1296;
*Peter de Maydenford, elected 1299;
*Gregory of Saint Albans, elected 1302;
*Richard of Northampton, elected 1305;
*William of Kirkby, elected 1310, transferred 1312;
*Richard of Hertford, elected 1312;
*Henry of Saint Neots, elected 1316;
*Adam of Newark, elected 1340;
*John of Caldwell, elected 1351;
*William of Winslow, elected 1374;
*John Warham, at least 1396 until at least 1401;
*Richard Smyth of Missenden, at least 1405 to 1428
Burials
*
Peter de Preaux
Peter de Preaux, known in his time in the Old French language as Pierre de Préaux, (died 1212) was a Norman knight in the service of the Angevin kings of England. Osbert, Peter's father, was a minor Norman baron in the Roumois (the neighborhood o ...
See also
*
Abbeys and priories in England
Monastic houses in England include abbeys, priories and friaries, among other monastic religious houses.
The sites are listed by modern ( post-1974) county.
Overview
The list is presented in alphabetical order ceremonial county. Foundations ...
*
List of monastic houses in Bedfordshire
The following is a list of the monastic houses in Bedfordshire, England.
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 ...
References
External links
Priory of Beaulieuon British History Online
{{Benedictine houses of England and Wales
1140s establishments in England
1435 disestablishments in England
Religious organizations established in the 1140s
Benedictine monasteries in England
History of Bedfordshire
Monasteries in Bedfordshire
Christian monasteries established in the 12th century