List of monastic houses in Cambridgeshire

The following is a list of monastic houses in Cambridgeshire, England.

Anglesey Priory

Barham Friary

CAMBRIDGE
(see below)

Chatteris Abbey

Chippenham Preceptory

Denny Abbey

Duxford Preceptory

Eltisley Priory

Ely Cathedral Priory

Fordham Priory

Great Wilbraham Preceptory

Horningsea Monastery (site)

Holme Friary

HUNTINGDON (see below)

Ickleton Priory

Isleham Priory

Linton Priory

Marmont Priory

Newnham Whitefriars

Oxney Priory

Peterborough Cathedral Abbey

Ramsey Abbey

St Ives Priory

St Neots Priory

Sawtry Abbey

Shingay Preceptory

Soham Monastery (reputed site)

Spinney Abbey

Stamford — St Michael's Priory

Stonley Priory (site)

Swaffham Bulbeck Priory

Swavesey Priory

Thirling Cell (approx.)

Thorney Abbey

Waterbeach Abbey (site)

Wittering Priory (suggested site)

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Locations of monastic houses in Cambridgeshire

Barnwell Priory

Chesterton Whitefriars

Austin Friary

Augustinian Priory

Blackfriars

Blackfriars

Buckingham College Priory (site)

Greyfriars (site)

Pied Friars

Whitefriars

Friars of the Sack

St. Edmund's Priory

St. Radegund's Priory

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Locations of monastic houses in Cambridge

Hinchinbrook Priory (site)

Austin Friars

Huntingdon Priory (early site)

Huntingdon Priory

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Locations of monastic houses in Huntingdon

Alien houses are included, as are smaller establishments such as cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks), and also camerae of the military orders of monks (Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller). Monastic hospitals are included where they had the status or function of an abbey, priory, or preceptor/commandery.

Abbreviations and key

Status of remains

Symbol	Status
None	Ruins
*	Current monastic function
+	Current non-monastic ecclesiastic function (including remains incorporated into later structure)
^	Current non-ecclesiastic function (including remains incorporated into later structure) or redundant intact structure
$	Remains limited to earthworks etc.
#	No identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains
~	Exact site of monastic foundation unknown
≈	Identification ambiguous or confused

Locations with names in italics indicate possible duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented) or ecclesiastical establishments with a monastic name but lacking actual monastic connection.

Trusteeship

EH	English Heritage
LT	Landmark Trust
NT	National Trust

Foundation	Image	Communities and provenance	Formal name or dedication and alternative names	References and location
Anglesey Priory ^, Lode, Cambridgeshire		Augustinian Canons Regular founded 1135 by Henry I; initially established as a hospital; apparently becoming a priory c.1212 when endowed by Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester; dissolved before 7 August 1536; granted to John Hynde c.1538; remains incorporated into private house named 'Anglesey Abbey' 1591; (National Trust)	The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Nicholas, Anglesey	52°14′14″N 0°14′20″E
Barham Friary		Crutched Friars founded before 1272 (or c.1293) apparently from Welnetham, Suffolk; later dependent on London; dissolved 1538; granted to Philip Paris c.1539, and later to John Millecent, Esq. chapel remained in use until house named 'Barham Hall' built on site 1830	St Margaret ____________________ Barkham Priory; Bercham Priory	52°05′25″N 0°17′47″E
Barnwell Priory, Cambridge		Augustinian Canons Regular transferred from St Giles, Castle Hill, Lode; refounded c.1112 by Pain Peverel; plundered by townsmen 1381 dissolved 11 November 1538; granted to Anthony Brown c.1546; granted to Edward, Lord Clinton c.1552; ruins thoroughly destroyed 1810	St Giles and St Andrew	52°12′32″N 0°08′19″E
Cambridge Austin Friars		Augustinian Friars (under the Limit of Cambridge) founded before 1289; transferred to new site (see immediately below) 1290
		Augustinian Friars (under the Limit of Cambridge) transferred from earlier site (see above) 1290 by Geoffrey de Picheford		52°12′13″N 0°07′11″E
Cambridge Augustinian Priory, Castle Hill, Lode		Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1092 by Picot, Lord of Bourn, Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, and Hugolina, his wife; transferred to new site at Barnwell Priory c.1112	St Giles	52°12′32″N 0°08′19″E
Cambridge, Bethlehemite Friary (?)		Bethlehemite Friars documented 1257 — probably never established
Cambridge Blackfriars		Dominican Friars (under the Visitation of Cambridge) founded before 1238 (or 1237-42/c.1258); dissolved 1538; granted to Edward Erlington and Humphrey Metcalf c.1543; Emmanuel College built on site 1584 (see Cambridge University)		52°12′14″N 0°07′26″E
Blackfriars, Cambridge *		Dominican Friars founded 1938; extant	The Priory of Saint Michael the Archangel, Cambridge	52°12′50″N 0°06′33″E
Cambridge, Buckingham College Priory		Benedictine monks dependent on Crowland, Lincolnshire; transferred from Ely Hostel 1428; dissolved c.1540; refounded 1542 as the College of St Mary Magdalene	Monk's College	52°12′37″N 0°06′58″E
Cambridge, Ely Hostel Priory		Benedictine monks dependent on Ely & others; founded 1321 for brothers studying at Ely; transferred to new site at Spaldyngs Inn (see immediately below)
Cambridge, Border Hostel Priory		Benedictine monks dependent on Ely & others; transferred from Ely Hostel (see immediately above) 1350 to Spaldyngs Inn (later renamed Border Hostel); transferred to new site at Cambridge, Buckingham College 1428
Cambridge Greyfriars		Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual (under the Custody of Cambridge) founded c.1226, "by the bounty of Edward I", on the site of an old synagogue loaned to the Franciscans and adjoining land; rebuilt before 1330; dissolved 1538 (the friars departed prior to the enforcement); sold to the executors of Lady Frances Sidney 1544/5; granted to Trinity College, Cambridge 1546; Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge founded on site 1595		52°12′28″N 0°07′12″E
Cambridge Pied Friars		Pied Friars founded 1256(?) when some friars appear to have remained in the move of the Carmelites from Chesterton to Newnham; transferred to new site (see immediately below) 1273
		Pied Friars (community founded at earlier site (see immediately above) 1256(?)); transferred here between 1273 and 1279 on land bought 1273 by the proctor of the Order of Blessed Mary in England; dissolved after 1319		52°12′44″N 0°06′49″E
Cambridge White Friars		Carmelite Friars (community founded at Chesterton 1247 (or 1249)); transferred here 1249 via Newnham; dissolved 1538; granted to John Eyer c.1544		52°12′11″N 0°06′53″E
Cambridge — Friars of the Sack		Friars of the Sack founded 1258 at the house of John le Rus, mayor of Cambridge, from funding by Edward I; intended by the Pope to be passed to the Gilbertines 1290, but plan abandoned because the friars were still in residence; granted to Peterhouse 1307; site now occupied by Fitzwilliam Museum		52°12′02″N 0°07′05″E
Cambridge — St Mary's Friars		Friars of St Mary founded c.1279 dissolved after 1319
Cambridge — St Edmund's Priory		Gilbertine Canons founded before 1291, St Edmund's chapel granted by 'the bounty or gift of' B_ son of Walter; originally intended by the Pope to be located at the friary of the Sack, but it was still occupied; dissolved 1539; granted to Edward Ebrington (Erlington?) and Humphrey Metcalf c.1543	The Priory Church of Saint Edmund, Cambridge	52°11′58″N 0°07′12″E
Cambridge — St Radegund's Priory		Benedictine nuns cell founded c.1133-8 by John de Cranden, Prior of Ely with endowment confirmed by Stephen; destroye' 1313, 1376 and 1389; dissolved 1496 for the founded of Jesus College, Cambridge, which currently occupies the site	The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Radegund	52°12′33″N 0°07′29″E
Chatteris Abbey		Benedictine nuns founded 1006-16 by Ednoth, Bishop of Dorchester with his sister Aelfwen (or 980 by Alfwen, wife of Ethelstan, Earl of the East Angles); destroyed 1306-10; dissolved 3 September 1538; granted to Edward, Lord Clinton c.1551	The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chatteris ____________________ Chateris Abbey	52°27′11″N 0°02′56″E
Chesterton Whitefriars		Carmelite Friars founded 1247 (or 1249) by Edward I and other nobles; transferred to new site at Newnham 1249 (or 1251-6)		52°12′57″N 0°08′18″E
Cherry Hinton		Bridgettine monks and nuns charter for founded 1406 — house never established
Chippenham Preceptory		Knights Hospitaller — under Clerkenwell, Middlesex founded 1184 by William de Mandeville, Earl of Essex; apparently annexed to Carbrook before 1489; dissolved 1535; granted to Sir Edward North 1540/1		52°17′38″N 0°25′58″E
Denny Abbey		Benedictine monks cell dependent on Ely; founded 1159 by Robert, Chamberlain of Conan IV, Duke of Brittany; Knights Templar preceptory founded 1169; became hospital-preceptory c.1170; dissolved 1308; committed to Master Roger of Wingfield 3 June 1309; Franciscan nuns refounded 1423 by Mary de St Pol, Countess of Pembroke (Mary de St Paulo, widow of Adomare, Earl of Pembroke) on the site of a cell of Ely; dissolved before 28 October 1539; granted to Edward Erlington 1540, though nuns apparently continued to be in occupation to 1547; estate exchanged for other land owned by the King; in Crown ownership; passed to City of London 1628 to offset the debts of the King; converted to farmhouse 18th century; many changes of hands 17th-19th century; estate bought by Pembroke College and vested it into the care of the Ministry of Works 1947; part of the Farmland Museum since 1997; (EH)	The Abbey Church of Saint James and Saint Leonard, Denny (1159-69); The Nunnery of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Clare (1342-1539); ____________________ Denney Abbey; Denney Preceptory	52°17′40″N 0°11′13″E
Duxford Preceptory		Knights Templar founded 1273; committed to Master Roger of Wingfield 3 June 1309; passed to Knights Hospitaller by John le Clerk of Wilbraham 21 December 1313, though no preceptory or camera was maintained there; sacked 15 June 1381 during the Peasants' Revolt; 16th century Temple Farm on site	Duxford Temple	52°05′37″N 0°09′38″E
Eltisley Priory		Benedictine nuns founded 9th century(?); apparently destroyed in raids by the Danes c.870; Benedictine nuns founded before 1066; dissolved before 1087		52°13′13″N 0°08′39″W
Ely Cathedral Priory +		?nuns (/and monks? — double monastery?) founded c.673; destroyed by the Danes 870; secular canons refounded 9th century; Benedictine monks founded 970; dissolved 1539; episcopal diocesan cathedral founded 1109; extant	The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Etheldreda The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity and Saint Etheldreda	52°23′55″N 0°15′48″E
Fordham Priory #		Gilbertine Canons founded before 1227, built by Henry, Dean of Fordham with endowments by Hugh Malebisse; dissolved 1 September 1538; granted to Philip Parry 1540/1; site now occupied by private house named 'Fordham Abbey'	The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Mary Magdalene, Fordham	52°18′03″N 0°23′22″E
Great Wilbraham Preceptory		Knights Templar founded 1170; dissolved 1308-12; Knights Hospitaller founded 1312; dissolved c.1350 house named 'Wilbraham Temple' built on or near preceptory site 17th century	Wilbraham Temple	52°11′51″N 0°16′15″E
Hinchingbrook Priory		Benedictine nuns founded before 1087 purportedly by William the Conqueror to replace Eltisely; dissolved 1536; granted to Richard Williams (alias Cromwell) 1537/8; remains incorporated into 16th century Hinchingbrooke House built on site	The Priory Church of Saint James, Hinchinbrook The Priory of Saint James without Huntingdon	52°19′40″N 0°12′01″W
Horningsea Monastery		early Saxon monastery destroyed in raids by the Danes 870	Biggin Abbey	52°14′30″N 0°11′06″E
Holme Friary		unknown order documented 1260		52°29′39″N 0°12′16″W
Huntingdon Austin Friars #		Augustinian Friars (under the Limit of Cambridge) founded August 1258; destroyed 1286; rebuilt dissolved 1539; Cromwell House built on site: birthplace of Oliver Cromwell	St Mary	52°19′57″N 0°11′12″W
Huntingdon Priory, earlier site		Benedictine monks dependent on Thorney; founded before 973 by King Edgar; dissolved before 1086; transferred to new site out of the town (see immediately below); church granted to that new priory		52°19′49″N 0°11′05″W
Huntingdon Priory		Benedictine monks transferred from earlier site (see immediately above); Augustinian Canons Regular 1086-91; possible secular college 1087-1106; Augustinian Canons Regular refounded c.1108(?); dissolved 11 July 1538	St Mary	52°20′01″N 0°10′44″W
Ickleton Priory #		Benedictine nuns founded 1190 by Aubrey de Vere, Earl of Oxford (or by a member of the Valoignes family); dissolved 1536; granted to Thomas Goodrich, Bishop of Ely 1538/9 now on site of Abbey Farm	The Priory Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Ickleton ____________________ Ikelington Priory	52°04′13″N 0°10′23″E
Isleham Priory		Benedictine monks alien house: daughter of St-Jacut-de-Mer; founded 1086 (or c.1100); monks moved 1254 to sister cell at Linton; dissolved 1414; granted to Pembroke College, Cambridge which converted the church into a barn and demolished the monastery; (EH)	The Priory Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch, Isleham ____________________ Isleham Cell	& 52°20′34″N 0°24′34″E
Linton Priory		Benedictine monks alien house: daughter of St-Jacut-de-Mer: granted before 1163 "by gift of an ancestor of Alan, son of Ferlant"; monks transferred from Isleham, 1254; granted to Pembroke Hall, Cambridge; conventual until 1414; restored late-19th century	St Mary the Virgin	52°05′47″N 0°16′43″E
Marmont Priory		Gilbertine Canons founded before 1204 (before c.1203) by Ralph de Hauvill; referred to as a cell of Watton 1535; dissolved 1538; granted to Percival Bowes and John Mosyer 1567/8;	The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Marmont ____________________ Mirmaud Priory; Marmonde Priory; Welle Priory; Welles Priory; Upwell Priory	52°35′19″N 0°12′14″E
Newnham Whitefriars		Carmelite Friars (community founded at Chesterton 1247 (1249)); transferred 1249 (or 1251-6) from Chesterton; site granted by Michael Malherb; occupied until c.1292; transferred to new site in Milne Street, Cambridge		52°11′33″N 0°06′19″E
Oxney Priory		Benedictine monks priory cell dependent on Peterborough; founded before 1272; dissolved 1538	St Mary	52°35′33″N 0°11′35″W
Peterborough Abbey +		Saxon monastery founded c.655, built by Saxulf, a monk, and Peada, King of Mercia and his brother Wulfhere; monks 655-6; Benedictine? monks refounded? c.673 destroyed in raids by the Danes 870, derelict to c.966; Benedictine monks refounded c.966; rebuilt 966-72 by Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester with King Edgar and St Dunstan dissolved 29 November 1539; episcopal diocesan cathedral founded 1540; extant	The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew, Peterborough ____________________ Medeshamstede Abbey Peterburgh Abbey	52°34′21″N 0°14′22″W
Ramsey Abbey		Benedictine monks founded 969, site offered by Aethelwine to St Oswald, Bishop of Worcester; dissolved 22 November 1539; church modified and incorporated into mansion named 'Ramsey House' built c.1600; in use as a comprehensive school from mid-1980s; (NT)	The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and Saint Benedict, Ramsey	52°26′56″N 0°06′08″W
St Ives Priory		Benedictine monks priory cell dependent on Ramsey founded c1017 by Earl Adelmus; church dedicated by Bishop Siward dissolved 1539; house built on site	St Ive	52°19′19″N 0°04′18″W
St Neots Priory		Benedictine monks cell dependent on Ely; founded 974 by Earl Alric and his wife Ethelfleda; cell of Bec-Hellouin 1113; new church dedicated 1113; independent 1412; dissolved 1539; site currently occupied by Market Place car park	The Priory Church of St Neot, St Neots ____________________ Eynesbury Priory	52°13′39″N 0°16′14″W
Sawtry Abbey		Cistercian monks — from Warden, Bedfordshire; founded 1147 by Simon de Senlis, Earl of Huntingdon and Northampton; dissolved 1536-37	The Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ Sawtrey Abbey	52°25′38″N 0°14′24″W
Shingay Preceptory		Knights Hospitaller founded 1144-62 Walter, first prior of the Hospitallers in England on land purportedly granted by Sibylla de Raynes (daughter of the Earl of Montgomery) and the Earl of Gloucester; Sisters of St. John nuns' cell removed to Sisters of St John Priory, Buckland, Somerset c.1180; dissolved; granted to Richard Longe 1540/1	Shengay Preceptory	52°06′30″N 0°05′19″W
Soham Monastery		Saxon monks founded c.630 or 631 by St. Felix, first bishop of the East Saxons (who is purported to have had his see here); destroyed in raids by the Danes 870 or 871; parish church of St Andrew purportedly occupies the site	Seham Monastery	52°20′01″N 0°20′13″E
Spinney Abbey		Augustinian Canons Regular founded between 1216 and 1228 by Hugh de Malebisse and Beatrix his wife; dependent on Ely 1449; Benedictine monks 1449; dissolved 1538; granted to Sir Edward North 1544/5; site now occupied by a house and farm	Priory of St Mary and the Holy Cross, Spinney ____________________ Spinney Priory	52°19′20″N 0°16′47″E
Stamford — St Michael's Priory		Benedictine nuns dependent on Peterborough founded c.1155 by William of Waterville, Abbot of Peterborough; with regular priests or brethren until after 1323; appears to have claimed itself to be Cistercian before 1268; dissolved 1536	St Mary and St Michael ____________________ Stamford Baron Priory; Stamford St Michael's Priory	52°38′49″N 0°28′58″W
Stamford St Sepulchre Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular — Holy Sepulchre founded c.1170(?) until before 1189; Augustinian Canons Regular under patronage of Peterborough from before 1189; hospital founded, continuing until after 1227
Stonely Priory $		possibly initially a hospital Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1180 by William de Mandeville (according to Leland, but more likely William, Earl of Essex, possibly hospital until after 1220; dissolved 1536; leased to Oliver Leder of Great Staughton in 1538; granted to him and his wife Frances 1544	The Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Stonely	52°17′40″N 0°22′05″W
Swaffham Bulbeck Priory		Benedictine nuns founded c.1150-63 by Isabel the Bolebec; dissolved 1536; granted to the Thomas Goodrich, Bishop of Ely 1538/9	The Nunnery of Saint Mary, Swaffham ____________________ Swaffham Nunnery; Swafam Nunnery	52°14′31″N 0°16′51″E
Swavesey Priory		Benedictine monks alien house: dependent on St Serge Abbey, Angers: granted by Count Alan Rufus; founded before 1086; granted to the Carthusians of Coventry 1411; a private residence named 'The Priory' is supposedly situated on or near the site	St Andrew	52°18′21″N 0°00′12″W
Thirling Cell		Augustinian Canons Regular — grange or cell	Thirling Priory	52°35′45″N 0°11′01″E (approx)
Thorney Abbey +		anchorites or hermits before 972; Benedictine monks founded 972 by the first abbot of Peterborough; dissolved 1539; granted to John, Earl of Bedford 1549/50; church now in parochial use	The Priory Church of Saint Mary and Saint Botulph, Thorney	52°37′14″N 0°06′26″W
Trokenholt Priory		hermitage Benedictine monks cell dependent on Thorney; founded 1154-69 (during the reign of Henry II): hermitage and chapel granted to Thorney by Nigel, Bishop of Ely; dissolved 14th century(?)
Waterbeach Abbey		Franciscan nuns founded 1294 by Denise Munchensey; gradually removed to Denny 1351 due to flooding; dissolved 1351	The Nunnery of the Piety of Our Lady and Saint Clare The Nunnery of Our Lady of Pity and Saint Clare	52°15′46″N 0°11′38″E
Whittlesey Mere Friary		hermit friars; apparently not Austin friars; uncertain order and foundation, no further reference
Wittering Priory		order and foundation unknown — priory recorded extant 1308; reference to documentary evidence of its existence 1273 possibly refers to Southorpe Hospital		52°36′20″N 0°27′03″W (suggested)

The following locations in Cambridgeshire lack known monastic connections:

• Barnwell Priory Abbey: (The Church of Saint Andrew-the-Less, Barnwell), built adjacent to former Priory Church, called 'The Abbey Church'
• Buckden Abbey: Elizabethan mansion

See also

• List of monastic houses in England

References

Bibliography

Bibliography

• Binns, Alison (1989) Studies in the History of Medieval Religion 1: Dedications of Monastic Houses in England and Wales 1066–1216, Boydell
• Cobbett, William (1868) List of Abbeys, Priories, Nunneries, Hospitals, And Other Religious Foundations in England and Wales and in Ireland, Confiscated, Seized On, or Alienated by the Protestant "Reformation" Sovereigns and Parliaments
• Knowles, David & Hadcock, R. Neville (1971). Medieval Religious Houses England & Wales. Longman. ISBN 0582112303.
• Morris, Richard (1979) Cathedrals and Abbeys of England and Wales, J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd.
• Thorold, Henry (1986) Collins Guide to Cathedrals, Abbeys and Priories of England and Wales, Collins
• Thorold, Henry (1993) Collins Guide to the Ruined Abbeys of England, Wales and Scotland, Collins
• Wright, Geoffrey N., (2004) Discovering Abbeys and Priories, Shire Publications Ltd.
• English Cathedrals and Abbeys, Illustrated, Odhams Press Ltd.
• Map of Monastic Britain, South Sheet, Ordnance Survey, 2nd edition, 1954