Upholland Priory

Scheduled Ancient Monument - Upholland Priory

District: West Lancashire
Name: Upholland Priory.
Description : Priory church of a Benedictine Priory founded in 1319 and dissolved in 1536. Some remains of the priory buildings are visible in adjacent PRIVATE grounds.

The Priory was founded originally as a college for a Dean and twelve secular priests, by Sir Robert de Holland. It was dedicated to St Thomas the Martyr. Charges of misbehaviour led Walter, Bishop of Lichfield to convert it to a Priory with twelve monks in 1319.

On the Dissolution in 1536 there were five monks and twenty-six servants with an income around L78. Little can be said of the remains of the monastic buildings, they were to the south of the church but did not join it except in the western range of claustral buildings. Part of the western wall is standing, it was of two storeys with a row of windows on the west. In 1546 a chamber was mentioned at the west end of the chancel, which may be that on the south face of the tower, the roof corbels of which still remain. By 1948 only two walls of the domestic ranges still remained, but the church was retained for the use of the inhabitants and much of the old fabric still remains.

The original plan for the Priory Church was not finished in the 14th century, a smaller tower than planned being added in the 15th century.

SD: 52290,05060