Earl's Colne Priory
Christianity·United Kingdom·Ruins/Site of historical interest·12th century
Earl's Colne Priory was a Benedictine monastery founded in or before 1111 by Aubrey de Vere I and his wife Beatrice as a dependent cell of Abingdon Abbey. It served as a family mausoleum for the Earls of Oxford and became an independent priory in the 13th century. After its dissolution in the 16th century, the buildings were adapted as a manor house, and later a new house was constructed on the site, incorporating some original priory elements.
Key Facts
- ›Founded by Aubrey de Vere I and Beatrice in or before 1111.
- ›Initially a dependent cell of Abingdon Abbey, it became independent in the 13th century.
- ›Served as the primary burial place for the Earls of Oxford for 14 generations.
- ›Excavations between 1929 and 1934 revealed Roman debris and priory structures.
- ›The priory church was demolished prior to 1760, and the buildings were adapted as a manor house.
- ›A new house, also called Colne Priory, was built circa 1825, incorporating some priory and manor house sections.
- Family Mausoleum For the Earls of Oxford
- Believed To Have Been A Large Church With Twin Western Towers and A Central Bell Tower
- Chapels Added To the Presbytery To House Family Remains
- Priory of St Mary the Virgin and St John the Evangelist
- Priory of St Mary and St Andrew
Aubrey De Vere I, Beatrice, Faritius, Geoffrey, William De Vere, John De Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford
- Founding of the Priory
- Aubrey I and William De Vere Retired and Died At the Priory
- Became An Independent Priory
- Dissolution of the Monasteries
- Grant To John De Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford
- Demolition of the Priory Church
- Construction of A New Manor House On the Site
- Excavations By Archaeologists
- Removal of Surviving Tombs To St Stephen's Chapel
- Discovery of Three Early Priory Tombs
- Feature On Channel 4's Time Team
About Earl's Colne Priory
Earl's Colne Priory, located in Earls Colne, Essex, was a significant Benedictine monastery with a history closely tied to the influential De Vere family, the Earls of Oxford. Initially established as a dependent cell of Abingdon Abbey, it evolved into an independent priory and served for centuries as the principal burial site for the Earls of Oxford.
Founding and Early History
The priory was founded in or before 1111 by Aubrey de Vere I and his wife Beatrice. Their motivation was twofold: to establish a monastic presence of their favored abbey, Abingdon, closer to their Essex residences, and to create a final resting place for their family. Aubrey de Vere I himself retired to the priory around 1112 and died there shortly thereafter, as did his youngest son, William de Vere. The priory's early existence was marked by occasional discord with its parent abbey, leading to its eventual establishment as an independent priory in the 13th century.
Role as a Family Mausoleum
For 14 generations, Earl's Colne Priory was the primary burial place for the Earls of Oxford. The priory church, described as a magnificent building with towers, became filled with their elaborate monuments. Archaeological evidence suggests additions were made to the medieval church, including chapels specifically designed to house the remains of De Vere family members. Even after the priory’s dissolution, some De Vere family remains are still interred beneath the lawns of the modern site.
Dissolution and Later History
Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, the priory's property was granted to John de Vere, the 15th Earl of Oxford. The priory buildings were subsequently adapted for use as a manor house. The priory church itself was demolished at an unknown date before 1760. A new house, also known as Colne Priory, was constructed on the site around 1825, after the demolition of the earlier manor house. This current dwelling incorporates elements from both the original priory and the post-dissolution mansion. Extensive archaeological excavations have taken place on the site, notably between 1929 and 1934, and more recently in 2011-2012, revealing Roman debris and important priory structures and tombs.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Earl's Colne Priory founded?
Earl's Colne Priory was founded in or before the year 1111 by Aubrey de Vere I and his wife Beatrice. Some research suggests an Abbot was appointed as early as 1101.
Who founded Earl's Colne Priory and why?
Aubrey de Vere I and his wife Beatrice founded Earl's Colne Priory. They established it as a Benedictine cell of Abingdon Abbey to have monks closer to their primary residence in Essex and as a family mausoleum.
What was the significance of Earl's Colne Priory for the Earls of Oxford?
The priory church was the principal burial place for the Earls of Oxford and their families for 14 generations. Many elaborate monuments were housed there until the Dissolution.
What happened to Earl's Colne Priory after the Dissolution of the Monasteries?
Following the Dissolution in the 16th century, the Crown granted the priory to John de Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford. The buildings were later adapted as a manor house, and the priory church was demolished before 1760.
What remains of the original Earl's Colne Priory today?
A house called Colne Priory, built around 1825, stands on the site and incorporates sections of the original priory and the later manor house. Some de Vere family remains are still believed to be buried under the lawns, and three tombs from the priory's early years were discovered in 2011 or 2012.
Related Monasteries
Bentley Priory
Bentley Priory began as a medieval priory for Augustinian Canons in Middlesex, though no remnants of the original structure survive. The current stately home, designed by Sir John Soane, was built in the late 18th century and expanded over the following decades. It later served as the final residence for Queen Adelaide, a hotel, and a girls' school before becoming the crucial headquarters for RAF Fighter Command during World War II. Today, parts of the building house a museum dedicated to its wartime role, while the grounds function as a nature reserve.
Biddlesden Abbey
Biddlesden Abbey was a Cistercian monastery founded in 1147. Initially facing legal challenges over land ownership, it experienced periods of internal strife and disputes over tithes. Despite not being a wealthy institution, it narrowly avoided early dissolution by petitioning for its continuation, only to be finally surrendered in 1538. The abbey's buildings were later converted into a house and eventually demolished and replaced by a new estate, Biddlesden Park.
Bruern Abbey
Bruern Abbey was founded in 1147 as a Cistercian monastery, facing financial difficulties throughout its history and notable for a scandal involving the purchase of the abbacy. Dissolved in 1536, its site later saw the construction of a Baroque country house. While no longer an active monastic community, remnants of the original abbey may exist within the grounds of the later estate.