Castle Acre Priory

Castle Acre Priory

Benedictine
Established	1089
Disestablished	1537
People
Founder(s)	William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey
Site
Location	Castle Acre, Norfolk, England
Coordinates	52°42′1.9″N 0°41′0.8″E / 52.700528°N 0.683556°E / 52.700528; 0.683556

Castle Acre Priory was a

, but this proved too small and inconvenient for the monks; hence, the priory was relocated to the present site in the castle grounds about one year later.

The priory was dissolved in 1537, and its ruins are in the care of

and Castle Acre Castle.

Description

The church itself was

, who was in fact buried there. Like other Cluniac houses, Castle Acre Priory was directly subject to the authority of the Abbot of Cluny; for practical reasons, however, the Prior of Lewes was usually instructed to act for the abbot when any problems arose at Castle Acre. However, this obedience owed to a foreign abbot caused difficulties when the kings of England were at odds with France and/or Burgundy. In the mid 14th century the English Cluniacs settled this difficulty by buying a special legal recognition from the king as 'native' religious houses. The priory was home to some 20 to 30 monks.

The

estates

, the remaining monks were turned out.

The estates eventually passed to Sir Edward Coke, whose descendant, the Earl of Leicester now owns the ruins and Castle Acre Castle.

The ruins today are very impressive, the great west front of the building is almost complete, and the prior's lodging is in a similar condition.^[2]

Media appearances

Scenes throughout The Tomb of Ligeia classic horror movie (1964, directed by Roger Corman, starring Vincent Price), were shot at Castle Acre Priory ruins.

The priory was also used in the award-winning Children's TV Show Knightmare as "The Ruins of Dungarth". It also features prominently in the film Glorious 39.

See also

• List of monastic houses in Norfolk
• List of monastic houses in England

References

External links

• Castle Acre Priory page at English Heritage
• Information for teachers from English Heritage^{[dead link]}