Clare Priory, Medieval priory in Clare, Suffolk, England
Clare Priory is a medieval friary in Suffolk with several buildings dating from different periods. A 14th-century house stands at the center of the grounds, surrounded by gardens along the banks of the River Stour.
Richard de Clare founded the first house of the Augustinian Friars in England here in 1248. Henry VIII dissolved the priory in 1538, following the dissolution of monasteries across the kingdom.
The priory holds the remains of Joan of Acre, daughter of Edward I, and other medieval nobility in its burial grounds. It served as a burial place for important figures across several centuries.
The site functions today as a retreat center with spaces for meditation, prayer, and spiritual guidance for individuals and groups. It is best visited during daylight hours, and the location is easily reached via the roads through Clare.
The grounds host an annual Craft Fair where artisans and visitors gather together. This event brings a living modern aspect to the site amid its medieval structures.
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