Edington Priory

Edington Priory in Wiltshire, England, was founded by William Edington, the bishop of Winchester, in 1332 in his hometown of Edington. The priory church was built between 1352 and 1361. [ [http://www.nashfordpublishing.co.uk/cathedrals/edington_priory.html Edington Priory, Wiltshire] , Nash Ford Publishing 2005]

History

What was originally a college for priests later became a monastery for Augustinian canons. The Catholic Encyclopedia claims that it was granted by Edward the Black Prince to the Brothers of Penitence. ["who (says Leland) "had a great favour to the Bones-homes beyond the Se". from [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02672b.htm Boni Homines] - Catholic Encyclopedia article]

The first rector, brought from Ashridge Priory was John de Aylesbury, the last John Ryve. Edward VI granted the property to Lord St. John; it since belonged to the Watson-Taylor family. [Little, the Friars of the Sack, in English Historical Review, 1894, 33, 121., cited in [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02672b.htm Boni Homines] - Catholic Encyclopedia article]

During Jack Cade's rebellion in 1450, William Ayscough, Bishop of Salisbury and confessor to Henry VI, was forced to flee Salisbury. Seeking refuge in the church at Edington, he was discovered on June 29, dragged from the high altar during mass and murdered in the fields outside the church.

The church still stands today, a good example of the transition between the decorated and perpendicular style of church-building. It contains the burial monuments of several local notables.

Every August a festival of church music is held there. [ [http://www.paulwigmore.co.uk/edington.html The festival] ] [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2006/01/26/edington_priory_feature.shtml The festival on BBC] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/image_galleries/edington_priory_gallery.shtml Images from BBC]