Shelford Priory, Augustinian monastery in Shelford, England
Shelford Priory was an Augustinian monastery located on the south bank of the River Trent, consisting of multiple buildings dedicated to religious services and agricultural operations. The complex spread across a substantial property with outbuildings for farming, residential quarters for monks, and a church serving as the center of religious life.
Ralph Haunselyn founded the priory between 1160 and 1180, and it was closed during Henry VIII's dissolutions in 1536. The transformation of the religious site marked the end of an important spiritual institution in the region.
The priory maintained religious relics including the reported girdle of the Virgin Mary and oil from the True Cross.
Visitors should be aware that little remains of the original complex today, with remnants scattered across the site. Getting oriented beforehand helps in exploring the various locations and archaeological remains effectively.
King Edward II visited the site twice during his reign, demonstrating its significance for the royal family. These visits in 1317 and 1319 are recorded in historical documents.
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