Beeston Priory
HISTORY OF ST. MARY'S PRIORY IN THE MEADOW
The Priory remains are situated just next to the grounds of The Priory Maze and Gardens Ltd.
The Augustinian Friary of St. Mary was founded at the end of King John's reign or at the beginning of Henry 111 (circa) 1216 by Margaret de Cressy (there is also reference to her daughter-in-law Isabel de Rye, and was dissolved during the regin of Henry VIII in about 1539.
The Priory Gatehouse was probably not added until the late 14th or early 15th Century and the remains of this were recently uncovered in excavation within our Garden in May 2005.
Although there is no doubt that the inmates of Beeston Priory were Canons, there was some confusion during the Middle Ages as to the status and order to which they belonged. They have been described as Friars and also Hospitallers, however there were probably never more than six Austin Canons in residence at any one time.
After the Dissolution, the building served as a source of limestone and most of the ashlars dressing was robbed.