Upholland Priory, Medieval Benedictine priory in Up Holland, England
Upholland Priory is a medieval Benedictine monastery whose stone ruins now stand within the grounds of the Church of St Thomas the Martyr. The remains include architectural features from both Romanesque and Gothic periods, reflecting different construction phases of the religious complex.
Robert de Holland founded the priory in 1319 after converting a college of secular canons that had been established nine years earlier. This transformation reflected broader efforts during the 14th century to strengthen monastic life and religious discipline in the region.
The priory served as a monastic community where monks gathered daily for prayer and spent time copying religious manuscripts. The monks were also known for caring for the poor and sick in the surrounding area, making it a place of both spiritual life and practical charity.
The ruins are located within the grounds of an active church and are freely accessible to visitors on weekends and during church holidays. It is worth checking ahead or asking locally about access conditions, as the grounds are occasionally reserved for private events.
King Edward II visited the priory for two weeks in 1323 during a tour of northern England, an event that created tensions within the community. The royal visit was an unusual honor for a monastic house, but it disrupted the normal rhythm of daily life and obligations of the monks.
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