Welcome to our website
A brief introduction to Chicksands
Priory
What
is Chicksands Priory?
One
surviving cloister of two built for the Nuns and
Canons of the only English monastic Order called
Gilbertines.
The Priory was founded in 1147-53 by the Beauchamp
family of Bedford Castle. Tradition says that the
Church divided the two cloisters. The church and
one cloister were destroyed after
1538
I've
not heard of the Gilbertine
Order?
The
Gilbertine Order was founded by
Gilbert of
Sempringham
in
Lincolnshire, born circa 1083, he lived to be
106 years old and miracles were attributed to
him. He died in 1189 and was canonised a Saint
in 1202. The mother-house for the Order was at
Sempringham. At the time of his death there were
13 religious houses in England, with a total of
700 monks and 1300 nuns.
The nuns wore white like the Cistercians and the
canons (monks) the same but with a black cloak and
a fur lined hat.
Nine monasteries were for men and women together
and four were for men only. Chicksands was the
third largest of the
establishments.
Where
is Chicksands?
Situated
in Bedfordshire, between Hitchin and Bedford
(A600)
What's
so special about the Priory?
Of
the 25 monasteries/convents of the purely English
monastic Order, Chicksands has the most substantial
remains still standing in England. It still retains
13th century vaulting, medieval roof timbers and
stained glass. Family portraits, paintings and
other historic items relating to almost one
thousand years of history.
How
has Chicksands Priory
survived?
The
Priory was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538 and sold
by him in 1540 to a London grocer, Richard Snowe.
His son Daniel leased it and then bequeathed it to
the Osborn family, 1576. It remained in their
family until 1936. it has been Crown property since
1936 and fulfilled an important part during the
Second World War as RAF Chicksands and later
1950-1995 used by the USAF.The MOD restored the
Priory,
1997-98 and it is now lived in after a break of
twenty-seven years.
What
about the history of
Chicksands?
A
Timeline
forms part of this website, 1086 - to the present.
We also have a
Forum
for discussing the Priory's history. Our gallery
contains pictures before and after the renovations
and other art work.
I've
heard of a ghostly nun and tunnels
too.
Legend
speaks of a nun who was walled up in the cloisters.
Some claim to have seen her on the 17th day of the
month, the story was probably created in Victorian
times. And the same is true regarding the stories
of tunnels which are said to lead from the Priory
to various points beyond Chicksands. It is a small
part of the history of Chicksands. However there
have been ghosts seen at Chicksands, nuns, monks
and horsemen have all been
reported.
Who
are the "Friends of Chicksands
Priory"?
An
international group of people interested in
preserving the interest and history of the Priory.
Formed in 1974, actively involved 1975-96 in caring
for the building; researching the history of all
aspects of Chicksands'history and showing the
public around the interior of the
Priory.
I
am interested. Can I visit to learn
more?
Yes.
We open the Priory similar to other historic
buildings. You can make an appointment by
contacting
Julie Benson,
who will give you the details. We sell souvenirs
and after the tour serve refreshments during which
we will answer any questions you may
have.
Can
I become a Friend?
Indeed you
can.
The Priory needs more friends. We hold special
events during the year at Chicksands and publish
a newsletter at regular intervals.
Please
contact us for details if you want to visit the
Priory as you must arrange a tour through Mrs.
Julie Benson.
Tel : 044+ (0)1525-860497
or
Email for further information putting
"Tours"
in the message box.
* Emails without this will be rejected as
spam.
:
tours@chicksandspriory.co.uk
