Butley Priory, sometimes called Butley Abbey, was a religious house of Canons regular (Augustinians, Black canons) in Butley, Suffolk, dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary.[1][2] It was founded in 1171 by Ranulf de Glanville (c. 1112-1190), Chief Justiciar to King Henry II (1180-1189),[3] and was the sister foundation to Ranulf's house of White canons (Premonstratensians) at Leiston Abbey, a few miles to the north, founded c. 1183.[4] Butley Priory was suppressed in 1538.
Although only minor fragments of the priory church and some masonry of the convent survive at Abbey Farm, the underground archaeology was expertly investigated and interpreted in 1931-33, shedding much light on the lost buildings and their development.[5] The remaining glory of the priory is its 14th-century Gatehouse, incorporating the former guest quarters. This exceptional building, largely intact, reflects the interests of the manorial patron Guy Ferre the younger (died 1323), Seneschal of Gascony to King Edward II 1308-1309,[6] and was probably built in the priorate of William de Geytone (1311–32). Having fallen into decay after 1538, it was restored to use as a private house about 280 years ago.
Near-complete lists of the priors survive from 1171 to 1538,[7] together with foundation deeds, deeds of grant, and records pertaining to the priory's manors, holdings and visitations.[8] In addition there is a Register or Chronicle made in the last decades of the priory,[9] and there are sundry documents concerning its suppression. Its post-Dissolution history has also been investigated.[10] In private ownership in the area of the Suffolk Heritage Coast, the Gatehouse is now a Grade I listed building[11] and is used as a venue for private functions, corporate events or retreats.[12]
- ^ R.J. Day, 'Butley Priory, in the Hundred of Loes', Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and Natural History Vol. IV, Part 7 (1874), pp. 405-13 (Suffolk Institute pdf).
- ^ 'Houses of Austin canons: Priory of Butley', in W. Page (ed.), A History of the County of Suffolk, Vol. 2 (VCH, London 1975), pp. 95-98 (British History Online, accessed 20 May 2018).
- ^ E. Foss, The Judges of England: with sketches of their lives, Volume I (London, 1848), pp. 185-86.
- ^ 'House of Premonstratensian canons: Abbey of Leiston', in W. Page (ed.), A History of the County of Suffolk Vol. 2, ed. William Page (V.C.H., London 1975), pp. 117-19 (British History Online accessed 12 May 2018).
- ^ J.N.L. Myres, W.D. Caröe and J.B. Ward Perkins, ‘Butley Priory, Suffolk,’ Archaeological Journal XC (1933), pp. 177–281 (archaeology data service pdf).
- ^ See 'The Gascon Rolls Project, 1317-1468', Research Tools, "Principal Office Holders in the Duchy: Seneschals of Gascony" (gasconrolls.org).
- ^ Good lists of the Priors are given by Day, 'Butley Priory, in the Hundred of Loes', at pp. 412-13; Page, 'Houses of Augustinian Canons' (VCH); and (with fuller accounts) by Myres, 'I. The History of the Priory', in Myres et al., Archaeological Journal, at pp. 179-212 and p. 222. See also Bishop Tanner's list of priors in W. Bowyer, An History of the Mitred Parliamentary Abbies, and Conventual Cathedral Churches, 2 Vols (Robert Gosling, London 1719), II, pp. 221-22 (Google).
- ^ For texts of charters, Bishop Tanner's evidences etc., see W. Dugdale, Monasticon Anglicanum New Edition (James Bohn, London 1846), Vol. VI Part 1, pp. 379-81 (Google).
- ^ A.G. Dickens (ed.), The Register or Chronicle of Butley Priory, Suffolk, 1510-1535 (Warren and Son, Winchester 1951).
- ^ V. Fenwick and V. Harrup, Untold Tales from the Suffolk Sandlings (Butley Research Group, Woodbridge, 2009).
- ^ Historic England. "BUTLEY ABBEY AND PRIORY GATE HOUSE (1030850)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
- ^ Vogue feature (www.Vogue.com webpage)
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