Orford Priory was a priory of Premonstratensian

canonesses Canoness is a member of a religious community of women living a simple life. Many communities observe the monastic Rule of St. Augustine. The name corresponds to the male equivalent, a canon. The origin and Rule are common to both. As with the c ...

in Stainton le Vale,

Lincolnshire Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs.) is a Counties of England, county in the East Midlands of England, with a long coastline on the North Sea to the east. It borders Norfolk to the south-east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south-we ...

, England. The priory of Orford, in Stainton-le-Vale, was probably built some time during the reign of King Henry II by Ralf d'Albini, in honour of the Virgin Mary. In the Middle Ages,

was one of the most densely populated parts of England. Within the historical county there were no less than nine Premonstratensian houses. Other than Orford Priory, these were: Barlings Abbey, Cammeringham Priory,

Hagnaby Abbey Hagnaby Abbey was an abbey and former priory in Hagnaby, Lincolnshire, England. It was founded as a house for Premonstratensian canons around 1175, by Agnes, widow of Herbert de Orreby. The priory was a dependency of Welbeck Abbey and named in ...

Newbo Abbey Newbo Abbey was a Premonstratensian house of canons regular in Lincolnshire, England, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. In the Middle Ages, Lincolnshire was one of the most densely populated parts of England. Within the historical county there ...

, Newsham Abbey, Stixwould Priory,

Tupholme Abbey Tupholme Abbey was a Premonstratensian abbey close to the River Witham some east of the city of Lincoln, England. The Witham valley in Lincolnshire is notable for its high concentration of monasteries—there were six on the east bank and th ...

and

West Ravendale Priory West Ravendale Priory was a Premonstratensian priory in North East Lincolnshire, England. The site of the priory lies south-west of Grimsby, and west of the A18. Its previous position is defined by earthworks and rubble. The ruins are Grade ...

. A nun from Orford was

excommunicated Excommunication is an institutional act of religious censure used to end or at least regulate the communion of a member of a congregation with other members of the religious institution who are in normal communion with each other. The purpose ...

in 1491 by Bishop Redman for breach of her vow of chastity, her partner being a canon of Newsham. There were seven nuns and a prioress when the priory was Dissolved in 1539. The remains of the priory, and Post-medieval house and garden lie immediately south of the now derelict Priory farm.

References

Monasteries in Lincolnshire Premonstratensian monasteries in England {{UK-Christian-monastery-stub