Address
Brampton
Brampton
CA8 2HQ
United KingdomTelephone: +44 (1697) 73030
Websites
- Official Homepage
- Hotels nearby
Description
This Augustinian Priory was founded in 1166 by Robert de Vaux and has a violent history. In the 13th and 14th centuries it was at the centre of wars
[more]This Augustinian Priory was founded in 1166 by Robert de Vaux and has a violent history. In the 13th and 14th centuries it was at the centre of wars between Scotland and England and was sacked several times. Edward I (the "Hammer of the Scots") stayed here on his way to battles. Eventually it was one of the first to suffer under the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in the 1530s and it passed into the hands of the Dacre family who turned part of it into a private residence. When the family died out it fell into a ruin.
The nave and north aisle were roofed and converted into a parish church in the 1740s and the church is still in use today. There is some notable stained glass, including some 16th century pieces from the private residence and three by Burne-Jones. The rest of the buildings are ruins but parts of the transepts, choir, cloister and the vaulted undercroft can be seen. Hadrian's Wall and Hadrian's Wall Path run close by and the Priory was originally constructed from stone from the Wall. Roman inscriptions and pieces of sculpture are still visible in the stonework.
The site, but not the parish church, is managed by English Heritage. There is a car park, picnic area and shop. Opening times vary and are listed on the website.
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