Historic Monasteries and Priories of Yorkshire
The landscape of Yorkshire is rich with the remnants of medieval spirituality, from the early Saxon foundations to the grand abbeys of the Cistercians and Cluniacs. These religious houses served as centers of prayer, administration, and community life for centuries before the widespread dissolutions of the 16th century. By examining the provenance and architecture of these sites, we can trace the evolution of monastic life in England.
Monasticism in this region was diverse, encompassing various orders. The Cistercians, known for their austerity and agricultural skill, established several houses, while the Cluniacs and Augustinians brought different liturgical and communal structures. Additionally, the military orders—the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller—maintained preceptories, which were manor houses used to support their activities in the Holy Land.
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Key Facts
- Earliest Foundations: Saxon monasteries like Barwick-in-Elmete and Collingham date back to the 7th and 8th centuries.
- Major Orders: The region hosted Cistercian, Cluniac, Augustinian, Benedictine, and Dominican communities.
- Military Orders: Preceptories were established by both the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller.
- The Dissolution: Most of these institutions were dissolved between 1535 and 1540 during the English Reformation.
- Notable Survivals: Kirkstall Abbey remains a significant public site, while others, like Nostell Priory, have been converted into private mansions.
Detailed Listing of Monastic Sites
Saxon Foundations
The earliest religious footprints in the area include the Barwick-in-Elmete Monastery, founded before approximately 730 by Abbot Thrydwulf, though it was likely destroyed in the 9th century. Similarly, the Collingham Monastery (identified with Ingetlingum) was founded by Eanfled, daughter of King Edwin, and was destroyed around 875.
Cistercian and Cluniac Houses
The Cistercians established several influential houses. Kirkstall Abbey, founded on May 20, 1152, began as a hermit community at Barnoldswick before moving to its current site via a grant from William of Poictou and Henry de Lacy. Other Cistercian foundations included the nunneries at Esholt, Kirklees (founded before 1138), and Syningthwaite (founded c. 1160).
Cluniac influence is most evident at Pontefract Priory, an alien house (a monastery dependent on a mother house in France) founded c. 1090 by Robert de Lacy. It eventually became a denizen, or independent, in 1393. Arthington Priory, founded in 1154-5 by Peter de Ardington, also followed the Cluniac tradition for its nuns.
Augustinian and Dominican Communities
Nostell Priory was founded c. 1114 by Robert de Lacy for Augustinian Canons Regular, moving to its final site before 1120. Woodkirk Priory served as a dependent cell of Nostell. In the urban center of Pontefract, the Dominican Friars established the Pontefract Blackfriars in 1256, founded by Edmund de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln.
Military Orders and Preceptories
The Knights Templar maintained a presence at Temple Newsam (founded before 1181) and Wetherby (founded after 1240). Both were dissolved between 1308 and 1312. The Knights Hospitaller operated the Newland Preceptory, founded after 1199, where parts of the original chapel may still exist within a local barn.
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Summary of Monastic Sites
| Site Name | Order/Affiliation | Founded | Dissolved/Destroyed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barwick-in-Elmete | Saxon | Before c. 730 | 9th Century |
| Collingham | Saxon | Unknown | c. 875 |
| Pontefract Priory | Cluniac | c. 1090 | 1539 |
| Nostell Priory | Augustinian | c. 1114 | 1539/40 |
| Kirkstall Abbey | Cistercian | 1152 | 1540 |
| Arthington Priory | Cluniac | 1154-5 | 1539 |
| Newland Preceptory | Knights Hospitaller | After 1199 | 1540 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the sites after the dissolution?
Most sites were granted to private individuals. For example, Arthington Priory was granted to Thomas Cranmer in 1542/3, and Kirkstall Abbey is now owned by the Leeds Corporation with public access to its buildings.
What is an "alien house" in a monastic context?
An alien house was a monastery that remained dependent on a mother house located in another country, typically France. Pontefract Priory was an alien house dependent on La Charité before becoming independent in 1393.
Which sites were associated with the Knights Templar?
The Knights Templar were associated with Temple Newsam Preceptory and Wetherby Preceptory, both of which were dissolved between 1308 and 1312.
Are there any remaining Saxon monastic structures?
While many were destroyed, some Saxon remains are still present in the church at Barwick-in-Elmete.
Who founded Kirkstall Abbey?
The abbey was founded on May 20, 1152, by Cistercian monks from Fountains via Barnoldswick, with land granted by William of Poictou at the instance of Henry de Lacy.