Swine Priory, Medieval priory in Swine, England
The priory is a medieval monastic site in Swine with a church containing eight carved wooden misericords from the late 14th century, featuring religious and secular motifs. Around the ruins are earthworks, old fishponds, drains, and a moat that reveal the original layout of the entire complex.
Robert de Verli founded the priory before 1154, creating a double monastery where monks and nuns lived together under the supervision of Fountains Abbey. The original structure was maintained across generations until it was abandoned during the dissolution of monasteries in the 16th century.
The church shows features from both the monastic and parish sides of medieval religious life, as monks and nuns worshipped in the same building. The visible architecture reveals how two separate communities shared one structure.
The site is freely accessible and allows visitors to explore the church and surrounding earthworks and old water features. Expect uneven ground and damp conditions, especially after rain, so wear suitable footwear for walking.
The priory had an unusual floor plan with lay facilities at the east end and the nun's section west of the central bell tower. This reversal of typical church orientation is a rare example of how double monasteries organized their practical spaces.
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