Dover Priory

Dover Priory, officially the Priory of St. Mary the Virgin and St. Martin of the New Work, commonly known as Newark, was a prominent monastic institution situated in Dover, southeast England. Its history is marked by evolving religious affiliations, initially established for secular canons, then Augustinian canons regular, and finally becoming a Benedictine monastery as a dependent cell of Christchurch Monastery, Canterbury. The priory's existence spanned several centuries, contributing to the religious and social fabric of Dover before its cessation during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

History and Significance

The origins of a monastic community in Dover can be traced back to the early 7th century with secular canons instituted by King Eadbald of Kent. By the end of the 7th century, these canons were transferred to a new church dedicated to St. Martin. Following the Norman Conquest, this church was granted to Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, who rebuilt it on a larger scale.

A significant transformation occurred in 1130 when Archbishop William de Corbeil, with King Henry I's charter, established a new priory to extend his influence. This new foundation, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Martin, began construction in 1131 and was partially occupied by canons regular within five years. Archbishop Theobald later confirmed its Benedictine Rule and its status as a cell of Canterbury Cathedral. This led to considerable disputes over the following centuries between the monks of the cathedral and the canons of Dover Priory.

The priory was repaired and extended after a fire in 1201 and suffered from a French raid in 1295, during which a monk was murdered. The priory church was described as exceptionally large and impressive. A notable feature was its scriptorium and library, from which parts of its collection, including the significant Dover Bible, later reappeared in Cambridge colleges.

Dissolution and Later Use

Dover Priory was suppressed in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Following its dissolution, many of its buildings were plundered for materials, leaving only a few structures standing, including barns, a gatehouse, the refectory, and a large hall. These remaining buildings were adapted for agricultural use, with the 'Priory Barn' sometimes serving as a refuge for vagrants, reflecting a folk memory of the priory's past role as a place of hospitality.

The lands were eventually granted to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and subsequently leased out. In the 18th and 19th centuries, illustrations depict the priory farm as a picturesque ruin. Much of the remaining structures were demolished in the mid-19th century. However, the site found new purpose when Dover College was established in 1871, leasing and eventually acquiring parts of the priory buildings. The Strangers' Refectory continues to be used for concerts, and the priory guesthouse has been consecrated as the school chapel, preserving some of the priory's medieval architecture within an educational setting.