Priory of Le Plessis-Grimoult

The Priory of Le Plessis-Grimoult, located in Le Plessis-Grimoult in the Calvados department of Normandy, France, was an Augustinian monastery founded in the 12th century. The site holds historical significance, with its ruins designated as a monument historique in 1928, and its nearby archaeological site and fortified garden remains recognized in 1996. While the original establishment dates to the 12th century, the primary church building and priory structure were erected in the late 13th century.

History and Establishment

The origins of the priory are intertwined with local baronial history. In 1047, Grimoult du Plessis was executed for an attempted coup against William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, and his lands were subsequently granted to Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux. The local church was dedicated to Saint Stephen in 1131. Around 1135, Richard Samson, also known as Richard of Dover, a former chaplain to William, established a community of canons regular at Le Plessis-Grimoult, becoming its first prior.

Subsequent moves of the canons occurred, with the church and priory in their current location being built under Prior Guillaume Causson in the late 13th century. However, only the priory's gate remains standing today.

Notable Priorship and Later History

In 1671, Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, a prominent theologian and bishop, was appointed as the prior of Le Plessis-Grimoult by Louis XIV. This position provided Bossuet with a necessary income while he served as tutor to the Grand Dauphin, without demanding excessive time commitment. During his tenure, Bossuet was involved in a dispute over tithes with Julian de Saint-Germain, the priest of Maisoncelles-la-Jourdan, which was settled by a trial in 1677. The priory had a succession of 35 priors from its foundation until the nationalization of church property during the French Revolution.

Architectural Remains

By 1830, the priory's structures were largely in disrepair. Descriptions from that era note a transept with an apse, 13th-century columns with capitals, and a choir older than the tower. The roof was absent, and the western wall of the cloister, along with two doors opening onto its gallery, were still standing. Capitals of columns in other ground-floor rooms were estimated to be from the 14th century, and a fireplace in a room believed to be the kitchen was noted. The priory also served a significant number of surrounding parishes.