Tuesday, 1 November 2022

Priories (4) : Maxstoke

Maxstoke Priory in Warwickshire was an Augustine priory. It's origin was in a college for monks formed by Sir William de Clinton in 1330, which was changed into a priory in 1336. The buildings however were not consecrated until 1342. Although the priory was never that rich (compared to other priories) it did establish a choir school with an organ in the 15th century, organs being rare at the time. The priory was dissolved in 1536.

Not much of the priory remains today and what remains is often in poor condition, the remains of the priory church collapsing as recent as 1986. The walls of the outer gatehouse remain along with parts of the priory wall. The inner gatehouse survives in modified form as a farmhouse. It is possible Maxstoke's parish church was once the priory's capella ante portas or outside church.