Shouldham Priory
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| Shouldham Priory | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Christianity |
| Sect | Gilbertine Order |
| Location | |
| Country | England |
  Shown within Norfolk | |
| Geographic coordinates | 52°39′27.04″N 0°28′59.62″E / 52.6575111°N 0.4832278°E grid reference TF 68054 09540 |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex |
| Date established | c. 1190 |
| Demolished | c. 1831 |
| Designated | 23 October 1970 |
| Reference no. | 1010572 |
Shouldham Priory was a priory in the village of Shouldham, Norfolk, England. It was founded about 1190, and was surrendered in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
The priory, dedicated to the Holy Cross and the Blessed Virgin, was founded by Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex about 1190; it was a double house, for canons and nuns of the Gilbertine Order. It was one of the last of twelve double houses of the Gilbertine Order, later communities being for men only.[1]
On the foundation of the priory, Geoffrey Fitz Peter removed the body of his first wife Beatrice from Chicksands Priory to this priory. He died in 1212, and was buried by his first wife.[2]
The original endowment was the founder's manor of Shouldham, the churches of All Saints and St Margaret in Shouldham, and the churches of Carbaysthorp, Stoke Ferry, and Wereham. He later bestowed on the priory twelve shops in London. In 1291 the priory held property in 26 parishes in Norfolk and the shops in London, and its annual income was £207.[1][2]
The house was surrendered, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, in 1538. The document was signed by members of the priory: Robert Swift, prior, Richard Foster, sub-prior, and eight other canons; Elizabeth Fincham, prioress, Joan Plomstede, sub-prioress, and five other nuns. They afterwards received pensions. The house belonged to the Crown until 1553, when it was sold to Thomas Mildmay. It later passed to Sir John Hare.[1][2]
