Abbeys and priories in England

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Abbeys and priories in England is a link page for any abbey, priory, friary or other monastic religious house in England.

Contents

1 Abbreviations and Key
2
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26.1

30.1

41.1

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46
47 Monastic Glossary
48 See also

Abbreviations and Key

The sites listed are ruins unless indicated thus:-
*	indicates current monastic function
+	indicates current non-monastic ecclesiastic function''
^	indicates current non-ecclesiastic function''
#	indicates no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains''
~	indicates exact site of monastic foundation unknown''

Trusteeship denoted as follows:-
NT	National Trust
EH	English Heritage
LT	Landmark Trust

Other abbreviations
trns	transferred
rmv	removed
c.	circa (about)
ante	before
post	after

Foundation Communities/provenance Alt. Name Formal Name
Beadlow Priory Benedictine monks 12thC Beaulieu Priory
Greyfriars, Bedford Franciscan 1238
Bushmead Priory Augustinian 1195-1536, mansion built on site (EH) The Priory Church of Saint Mary, Bushmead
Caldwell Priory Augustinian 1153-1536 Cauldwell Priory
Chicksands Priory Gilbertine monks and nuns 1147-1538, then private house, now in grounds of Military base
Dunstable Priory+ Augustinian Canons 1131 (or ante1125?)-1540, part of church now in parochial use The Priory Church of Saint Peter, Dunstable
Elstow Abbey+ Benedictine nuns 1078-1539, part now in use as parish church The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and Saint Helena, Elstow
Grovebury Priory, Leighton Buzzard Benedictine (a cell of Fontévrault) post1189-1414, farmhouse built on suite La Grave Priory
Harrold Priory Augustinian nuns 1138-dissolution, site occupied by farmhouse and a mansion named 'Harrold Hall'
Markyate Priory Benedictine nuns 1145-1566, site now occupied by a manor house named 'Markyate Cell' built on priory remains
Melchbourne Priory Knights Hospitaller
Newnham Priory Augustinian (from the collegiate church of St. Paul, Bedford) 1247-1539/1541
Old Warden Abbey Cistercian 1136-1538, Elizabethan house built on site Warden Abbey The Abbey Church of Saint Leonard, Old Warden
Turvey Abbey* As of 2005 in use Priory of Our Lady of Peace (Benedictine nuns)
Monastery of Christ our Saviour
Woburn Abbey# Cistercian (from Fountains) 1145-1538, site now occupied by a mansion, estate and safari park The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Woburn

Foundation	Communities/provenance	Alt. Name	Formal Name
Beadlow Priory	Benedictine monks 12thC	Beaulieu Priory
Greyfriars, Bedford	Franciscan 1238
Bushmead Priory	Augustinian 1195-1536, mansion built on site (EH)		The Priory Church of Saint Mary, Bushmead
Caldwell Priory	Augustinian 1153-1536	Cauldwell Priory
Chicksands Priory	Gilbertine monks and nuns 1147-1538, then private house, now in grounds of Military base
Dunstable Priory+	Augustinian Canons 1131 (or ante1125?)-1540, part of church now in parochial use		The Priory Church of Saint Peter, Dunstable
Elstow Abbey+	Benedictine nuns 1078-1539, part now in use as parish church		The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and Saint Helena, Elstow
Grovebury Priory, Leighton Buzzard	Benedictine (a cell of Fontévrault) post1189-1414, farmhouse built on suite	La Grave Priory
Harrold Priory	Augustinian nuns 1138-dissolution, site occupied by farmhouse and a mansion named 'Harrold Hall'
Markyate Priory	Benedictine nuns 1145-1566, site now occupied by a manor house named 'Markyate Cell' built on priory remains
Melchbourne Priory	Knights Hospitaller
Newnham Priory	Augustinian (from the collegiate church of St. Paul, Bedford) 1247-1539/1541
Old Warden Abbey	Cistercian 1136-1538, Elizabethan house built on site	Warden Abbey	The Abbey Church of Saint Leonard, Old Warden
Turvey Abbey*	As of 2005 in use		Priory of Our Lady of Peace (Benedictine nuns) Monastery of Christ our Saviour
Woburn Abbey#	Cistercian (from Fountains) 1145-1538, site now occupied by a mansion, estate and safari park		The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Woburn

Foundation Communities/provenance Alt. Name Formal Name
Ascot Priory, Winkfield Anglican Nuns 1861+
Bisham Abbey Knights Templar preceptory 1260-1307, Augustinian priory 1337-1536, Benedictine abbey 1537-1538. Extant preceptory & demolished priory/abbey site now headquarters of the National Sports Council
Bradfield Abbey Documented 1066, included monks, status and site otherwise unknown
Bromhall Priory#, Sunningdale Benedictine nuns pre 1200-1535 The Priory Church of St. Margaret, Bromhall
Cookham Abbey 8th century, probably double monastery on site occupied by present parish church
Donnington Priory Crouched Friars pre 1404-1538, site now occupied by country house of the same name
Douai Abbey, Woolhampton Benedictine (rmv* from Douai), 1903-present The Abbey Church of Saint Edmund, King and Martyr, Upper Woolhampton
Greenham Preceptory~ Knights Hospitaller 1199-1540
Hurley Priory+ Benedictine 1065-1536, part of church now in parochial use The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hurley
Kintbury Holy Place Documented 931, site and status unknown
Poughley Priory^ Augustinian c.1160-1524, remains now incorporated into farmhouse The Priory Church of St. Margaret, Poughley
Reading Abbey Cluniac 1121-c. 1210, Benedictine c. 1210-1539, quarried and dismantled c.1550-1643. Ruins extant. The Abbey Church of Our Lady and St. John the Evangelist, Reading
Reading Nunnery 979-1016, apparently on the site occupied by St. Mary's Minster Church
Greyfriars, Reading Franciscan 1233-1538
Sandleford Priory^ Augustinian c.1200-1478, remains converted to a country house, now an Anglican Convent School The Priory Church of St. John the Baptist, Sandleford
Steventon Priory Alien Benedictine 12th century-1400. Officially a priory, but really a grange. No monastic church. Prior's house now in private ownership with public access by appointment (NT)
Stratfield Saye Priory Alien Benedictine 1170-1399, site now occupied by 'The Priory' at Beech Hill in the Berkshire part of Stratfield Saye.

Foundation	Communities/provenance	Formal Name
Ascot Priory, Winkfield	Anglican Nuns 1861+
Bisham Abbey	Knights Templar preceptory 1260-1307, Augustinian priory 1337-1536, Benedictine abbey 1537-1538. Extant preceptory & demolished priory/abbey site now headquarters of the National Sports Council
Bradfield Abbey	Documented 1066, included monks, status and site otherwise unknown
Bromhall Priory#, Sunningdale	Benedictine nuns pre 1200-1535	The Priory Church of St. Margaret, Bromhall
Cookham Abbey	8th century, probably double monastery on site occupied by present parish church
Donnington Priory	Crouched Friars pre 1404-1538, site now occupied by country house of the same name
Douai Abbey*, Woolhampton	Benedictine (rmv from Douai), 1903-present	The Abbey Church of Saint Edmund, King and Martyr, Upper Woolhampton
Greenham Preceptory~	Knights Hospitaller 1199-1540
Hurley Priory+	Benedictine 1065-1536, part of church now in parochial use	The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hurley
Kintbury Holy Place	Documented 931, site and status unknown
Poughley Priory^	Augustinian c.1160-1524, remains now incorporated into farmhouse	The Priory Church of St. Margaret, Poughley
Reading Abbey	Cluniac 1121-c. 1210, Benedictine c. 1210-1539, quarried and dismantled c.1550-1643. Ruins extant.	The Abbey Church of Our Lady and St. John the Evangelist, Reading
Reading Nunnery	979-1016, apparently on the site occupied by St. Mary's Minster Church
Greyfriars, Reading	Franciscan 1233-1538
Sandleford Priory^	Augustinian c.1200-1478, remains converted to a country house, now an Anglican Convent School	The Priory Church of St. John the Baptist, Sandleford
Steventon Priory	Alien Benedictine 12th century-1400. Officially a priory, but really a grange. No monastic church. Prior's house now in private ownership with public access by appointment (NT)
Stratfield Saye Priory	Alien Benedictine 1170-1399, site now occupied by 'The Priory' at Beech Hill in the Berkshire part of Stratfield Saye.

Foundation Communities/provenance Alt. Name Formal Name
Black Friary, Bristol Dominican 1227/8-1538, then The Friars Quaker meeting house, now Bristol Register Office
St James' Priory, Bristol Benedictine 1120s The Priory Church of Saint James, Bristol
Bristol Cathedral Abbey+ Augustinian Canons 1140-1538/9, diocesan cathedral 1542-present The Abbey Church of Saint Augustine, Bristol
The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Bristol

Foundation	Communities/provenance	Formal Name
Black Friary, Bristol	Dominican 1227/8-1538, then The Friars Quaker meeting house, now Bristol Register Office
St James' Priory, Bristol	Benedictine 1120s	The Priory Church of Saint James, Bristol
Bristol Cathedral Abbey+	Augustinian Canons 1140-1538/9, diocesan cathedral 1542-present	The Abbey Church of Saint Augustine, Bristol The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Bristol

Foundation Communities/provenance Alt. Name Formal Name
Ankerwycke Priory, Wraysbury Benedictine nuns 12thC Ankerwick Priory
Biddlesden Abbey# Cistercian from Garendon 1147-1538, remains demolished c.1727, site now occupied by private house named 'Biddlesden Park' Biddlesdon Abbey
Bradwell Priory Benedictine 1155-1526, now in private ownership
Bulstrode Preceptory Knights Templar
Burnham Abbey Augustinian nuns 1266
Chetwode Priory+ Augustinian 1244-1460, annexed to Notley, part of priory church now in parochial use
Lavendon Abbey Premonstratensian/Benedictine -1547, site now occupied by house named 'Lavendon Grange' (once the home of relatives of Sir Isaac Newton)
Little Marlow Priory Benedictine nuns 14thC
Medmenham Abbey Cistercian (from Woburn Abbey) 1201/4-1547, converted into a manor house
Great Missenden Abbey Augustinian/Arroasian 1133-1538, now a residential college Missenden Abbey The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Great Missenden
Muresley Priory, nr Ivinghoe Benedictine nuns ante1135
Newton Longville Priory Cluniac c.1150-1442, granted to New College, Oxford, 1442, manor house built on site from priory remains 1550
Notley Abbey^ Augustinian 1162-1542, site now occupied by a private house without public access
Ravenstone Priory Augustinian 1255-1544
Snelshall Priory Benedictine 12thC-1535
Tickford Priory Benedictine-Cluniac 1140-1524 Newport Pagnel Priory
Wing Priory 7thC
Wycombe Abbey

Foundation	Communities/provenance	Alt. Name	Formal Name
Ankerwycke Priory, Wraysbury	Benedictine nuns 12thC	Ankerwick Priory
Biddlesden Abbey#	Cistercian from Garendon 1147-1538, remains demolished c.1727, site now occupied by private house named 'Biddlesden Park'	Biddlesdon Abbey
Bradwell Priory	Benedictine 1155-1526, now in private ownership
Bulstrode Preceptory	Knights Templar
Burnham Abbey	Augustinian nuns 1266
Chetwode Priory+	Augustinian 1244-1460, annexed to Notley, part of priory church now in parochial use
Lavendon Abbey	Premonstratensian/Benedictine -1547, site now occupied by house named 'Lavendon Grange' (once the home of relatives of Sir Isaac Newton)
Little Marlow Priory	Benedictine nuns 14thC
Medmenham Abbey	Cistercian (from Woburn Abbey) 1201/4-1547, converted into a manor house
Great Missenden Abbey	Augustinian/Arroasian 1133-1538, now a residential college	Missenden Abbey	The Abbey Church of Saint Mary, Great Missenden
Muresley Priory, nr Ivinghoe	Benedictine nuns ante1135
Newton Longville Priory	Cluniac c.1150-1442, granted to New College, Oxford, 1442, manor house built on site from priory remains 1550
Notley Abbey^	Augustinian 1162-1542, site now occupied by a private house without public access
Ravenstone Priory	Augustinian 1255-1544
Snelshall Priory	Benedictine 12thC-1535
Tickford Priory	Benedictine-Cluniac 1140-1524	Newport Pagnel Priory
Wing Priory	7thC
Wycombe Abbey

Foundation Communities/provenance Alt. Name Formal Name
Anglesey Priory, Lode Augustinian 1135-1535, remains incorporated into private house named 'Anglesey Abbey' 1591, (NT) The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin and Saint Nicholas
Barnwell Priory Augustinian Canons (from St. Giles, Castle Hill, Lode) 1112-1538
Barnwell Priory Abbey built adjacent to Priory Church (above), not a monastic foundation, in use as a parish church The Abbey Church The Church of Saint Andrew-the-Less, Barnwell
Buckden Abbey Elizabethan mansion
Augustinian Friary, Cambridge Augustinian 1092, trns to Barnwell 1112
Black Friary, Cambridge Dominican c.1258
Blackfriars, Cambridge* Dominican 1938-present
Chatteris Abbey Benedictine nuns c.980-1536
Chippenham Preceptory Knights Hospitaller (under Clerkenwell) 1184
Denny Abbey Benedictine priory (a cell of Ely) 1159, Knights Templar preceptory 1169, then Franciscan nuns, 1308-1536, currently part of the Farmland Museum (EH) Denney Abbey The Abbey Church of Saint James and Saint Leonard, Denny
Duxford Preceptory Knights Templar 1273
Ely Cathedral Priory+ ?nuns/double monastery c.673, secular canons 9thC, Benedictine 970-1540, diocesan cathedral 1109-present The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Etheldreda The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity and Saint Etheldreda
Fordham Priory# Gilbertine ante1227, site now occupied by private house named 'Fordham Abbey' The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Mary Magdalene, Fordham
Great Wilbraham Preceptory Knights Templar 13thC
Isleham Priory Benedictine 1086-1414, granted to Pembroke College, Cambridge which converted the church into a barn and demolished monastery (EH) The Priory Church of Saint Margaret, Isleham
Hinchinbrook Priory Benedictine nuns, site now occupied by Hinchinbrooke House
Ickleton Abbey Cistercian, remains now part of Abbey Farm
Ickleton Priory Benedictine nuns 1190, now on site of Abbey Farm
Linton Priory (confusion with Linton, N.Yorks?)
Marmont Priory
Peterborough Cathedral Abbey+ c.655, Benedictine c.966-1539, diocesan cathedral 1540-present The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew, Peterborough
Ramsey Abbey Benedictine 969-1539 (NT)
St Ives Priory Benedictine (from Ramsay Abbey) 1017-dissolution, house built on site
St Neots Priory Benedictine cell of Ely 974, cell of Bec 1113-dissolution The Priory Church of Saint Neot, St Neots
Sawtry Abbey Cistercian (from Warden Abbey) 1147-1536 Sawtrey Abbey
Shingay Preceptory Knights Hospitaller
Spinney Abbey Augustinian, founded between 1216 and 1228, absorbed into Ely 1449. Site now occupied by a house and farm. Spinney Priory; Priory of St Mary and the Holy Cross
Stonely Priory Augustinian c.1180 The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Stonely
Swaffham Bulbeck Priory Benedictine nuns Swaffham Nunnery The Nunnery of Saint Mary, Swaffham
Swavesey Priory Benedictine, a private residence named 'The Priory' is supposedly situated on or near the site
Thorney Abbey+ anchorites or hermits -ante972, Benedictine monks 972-1539, church now in parochial use The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Botulph, Thorney
Waterbeach Abbey Benedictine

Foundation	Communities/provenance	Alt. Name	Formal Name
Anglesey Priory, Lode	Augustinian 1135-1535, remains incorporated into private house named 'Anglesey Abbey' 1591, (NT)		The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin and Saint Nicholas
Barnwell Priory	Augustinian Canons (from St. Giles, Castle Hill, Lode) 1112-1538
Barnwell Priory Abbey	built adjacent to Priory Church (above), not a monastic foundation, in use as a parish church	The Abbey Church	The Church of Saint Andrew-the-Less, Barnwell
Buckden Abbey	Elizabethan mansion
Augustinian Friary, Cambridge	Augustinian 1092, trns to Barnwell 1112
Black Friary, Cambridge	Dominican c.1258
Blackfriars, Cambridge*	Dominican 1938-present
Chatteris Abbey	Benedictine nuns c.980-1536
Chippenham Preceptory	Knights Hospitaller (under Clerkenwell) 1184
Denny Abbey	Benedictine priory (a cell of Ely) 1159, Knights Templar preceptory 1169, then Franciscan nuns, 1308-1536, currently part of the Farmland Museum (EH)	Denney Abbey	The Abbey Church of Saint James and Saint Leonard, Denny
Duxford Preceptory	Knights Templar 1273
Ely Cathedral Priory+	?nuns/double monastery c.673, secular canons 9thC, Benedictine 970-1540, diocesan cathedral 1109-present		The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Etheldreda The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity and Saint Etheldreda
Fordham Priory#	Gilbertine ante1227, site now occupied by private house named 'Fordham Abbey'		The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Mary Magdalene, Fordham
Great Wilbraham Preceptory	Knights Templar 13thC
Isleham Priory	Benedictine 1086-1414, granted to Pembroke College, Cambridge which converted the church into a barn and demolished monastery (EH)		The Priory Church of Saint Margaret, Isleham
Hinchinbrook Priory	Benedictine nuns, site now occupied by Hinchinbrooke House
Ickleton Abbey	Cistercian, remains now part of Abbey Farm
Ickleton Priory	Benedictine nuns 1190, now on site of Abbey Farm
Linton Priory (confusion with Linton, N.Yorks?)
Marmont Priory
Peterborough Cathedral Abbey+	c.655, Benedictine c.966-1539, diocesan cathedral 1540-present		The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew, Peterborough
Ramsey Abbey	Benedictine 969-1539 (NT)
St Ives Priory	Benedictine (from Ramsay Abbey) 1017-dissolution, house built on site
St Neots Priory	Benedictine cell of Ely 974, cell of Bec 1113-dissolution		The Priory Church of Saint Neot, St Neots
Sawtry Abbey	Cistercian (from Warden Abbey) 1147-1536	Sawtrey Abbey
Shingay Preceptory	Knights Hospitaller
Spinney Abbey	Augustinian, founded between 1216 and 1228, absorbed into Ely 1449. Site now occupied by a house and farm.	Spinney Priory;	Priory of St Mary and the Holy Cross
Stonely Priory	Augustinian c.1180		The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Stonely
Swaffham Bulbeck Priory	Benedictine nuns	Swaffham Nunnery	The Nunnery of Saint Mary, Swaffham
Swavesey Priory	Benedictine, a private residence named 'The Priory' is supposedly situated on or near the site
Thorney Abbey+	anchorites or hermits -ante972, Benedictine monks 972-1539, church now in parochial use		The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Botulph, Thorney
Waterbeach Abbey	Benedictine

Foundation Communities/provenance Alt. Name Formal Name
Chester Cathedral Priory+ ?Nuns -875, secular canons post907, Benedictine 1092-1540, diocesan cathedral 1541-present The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Chester (-875) The Abbey Church of Saint Werburgh, Chester The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chester (1541)
St. John the Baptist, Chester c.906?, secular canons -1547, diocesan cathedral 1072/5-1102 The Abbey Church of Saint John the Baptist, Chester The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Baptist, Chester 1072/5-1102
Combermere Abbey Savignac from Savigny 1133-1147, Cistercian 1147-1538 The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and Saint Michael, Combermere
Curzon Park Abbey, Chester Benedictine nuns trns* from Talacre 1988 The Abbey Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Curzon Park, Chester
Norton Priory Augustinian trns from Runcorn 1134-1536, Abbey 1391 part converted into private mansion 1545, demolished 1828, now in ownership of Norton Priory Museum Trust open to public as a museum
Runcorn Priory Augustinian 1115-1134 trns to Norton, poss. on site now occupied by All Saints parish church
Vale Royal Abbey ?1277-1545 Never completed; a project of King Edward I

Foundation	Communities/provenance	Formal Name
Chester Cathedral Priory+	?Nuns -875, secular canons post907, Benedictine 1092-1540, diocesan cathedral 1541-present	The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Chester (-875) The Abbey Church of Saint Werburgh, Chester The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chester (1541)
St. John the Baptist, Chester	c.906?, secular canons -1547, diocesan cathedral 1072/5-1102	The Abbey Church of Saint John the Baptist, Chester The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Baptist, Chester 1072/5-1102
Combermere Abbey	Savignac from Savigny 1133-1147, Cistercian 1147-1538	The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and Saint Michael, Combermere
Curzon Park Abbey*, Chester	Benedictine nuns trns from Talacre 1988	The Abbey Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Curzon Park, Chester
Norton Priory	Augustinian trns from Runcorn 1134-1536, Abbey 1391 part converted into private mansion 1545, demolished 1828, now in ownership of Norton Priory Museum Trust open to public as a museum
Runcorn Priory	Augustinian 1115-1134 trns to Norton, poss. on site now occupied by All Saints parish church
Vale Royal Abbey	?1277-1545 Never completed; a project of King Edward I

Foundation Communities/provenance Alt. Name Formal Name
St German's Priory+ secular canons, Augustinian 1184-1539, diocesan cathedral c.936-1042, now in use as parish church The Priory Church of Saint German, Saint Germans
St Michael's Mount Priory Benedictine 1135, used alternately as fortress and monastery and private residence with public access (NT)
Sclerder 'Abbey' 1843, Dames de la Retraite 1851-1852, Franciscan Recollects 1858-1864, Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary 1904-1910, Poor Clares from Rennes 1914-1920, Poor Clares from Bullingham 1922-1981, Carmelite from Quidenham 1981

Foundation	Communities/provenance	Formal Name
St German's Priory+	secular canons, Augustinian 1184-1539, diocesan cathedral c.936-1042, now in use as parish church	The Priory Church of Saint German, Saint Germans
St Michael's Mount Priory	Benedictine 1135, used alternately as fortress and monastery and private residence with public access (NT)
Sclerder 'Abbey'	1843, Dames de la Retraite 1851-1852, Franciscan Recollects 1858-1864, Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary 1904-1910, Poor Clares from Rennes 1914-1920, Poor Clares from Bullingham 1922-1981, Carmelite from Quidenham 1981

Monastic Glossary

Arrouasian \ Arroasian
Augustinian \ Augustinian Recollects
Benedictine
Bonshommes
Bridgettine Briggittine
Carmelites
Carthusian
Cistercian
Cluniac
Culdee
Dominican
Franciscan \ Franciscan Recollects \ Franciscan Observants
Gilbertine
Grandmontine
Knights Hospitaller
Knights Templar \ Preceptory
Poor Clares
Premonstratensian
St. Lazarus Hospitallers
Savignac
Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary
Tironensian
Trappist
Trinitarian
Valliscaulian

Abbots \ Abbey
Anchorites
Canons
Canons Regular
Double-monastery
Friar \ Friary
Friars Eremites \ anchorites
Hermits
Monks
Nuns
Priors \ Priory
secular canons

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Abbeys and priories in England

Abbreviations and Key

Monastic Glossary

See also