Nunkeeling Priory was a priory of

Benedictine nuns , image = Medalla San Benito.PNG , caption = Design on the obverse side of the Saint Benedict Medal , abbreviation = OSB , formation = , motto = (English: 'Pray and Work') , found ...

in the

East Riding of Yorkshire The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Riding or East Yorkshire, is a ceremonial county and unitary authority area in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It borders North Yorkshire to the north and west, South Yorkshire to t ...

, England founded by Agnes de Arches or de Catfoss in 1152 . It was dedicated to St.

Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene (sometimes called Mary of Magdala, or simply the Magdalene or the Madeleine) was a woman who, according to the four canonical gospels, traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was a witness to crucifixion of Jesus, his cru ...

and to St. Helen. The priory became well known and nearby Keeling was renamed Nunkeeling. The priory suffered from great poverty towards the end of the 13th century. In the early 14th century several cases of disobedience among the nuns became known, leading to disciplinary measures ordered by the archbishop of York (possibly

William Melton William Melton (died 5 April 1340) was the 43rd Archbishop of York (1317–1340). Life Melton was the son of Nicholas of Melton, and the brother of Henry de Melton, and John Melton. He was born in Melton in the parish of Welton, about ...

). Nunkeeling priory was not immediately dissolved in 1536, even being refounded in 1537. However, its remaining assets were finally surrendered in 1540. Once the land was confiscated and became crown property under

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...

, it was eventually sold as a manor. The last prioress was Christine Burgh, who moved to Catterick where she died in 1566. The church of the priory was rebuilt in 1810 using materials of the original structure, but has fallen into ruins since.

References

Monasteries in the East Riding of Yorkshire Benedictine nunneries in England {{UK-Christian-monastery-stub