# Binham Priory

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[52°55′12″N 0°56′43″E / 52.91997°N 0.94523°E / 52.91997; 0.94523](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Binham_Priory&params=52.91997_N_0.94523_E_type:landmark_region:GB)

Binham Priory Binham Priory Interactive map of Binham Priory Monastery information Order Benedictine Dedicated to St Mary Diocese Norwich Site Location Binham, Norfolk, England Grid reference NZ617160 Public access Yes (English Heritage) Website binhampriory.org

**St Mary's Priory, Binham**, or **Binham Priory**, is a ruined [Benedictine](/source/Benedictine) [priory](/source/Priory) located in the village of [Binham](/source/Binham) in the [English](/source/England) county of [Norfolk](/source/Norfolk).

The [nave](/source/Nave) of the priory church is the *Church of St. Mary and the Holy Cross*, which is used as a place of worship. The remains of the priory are in the care of [English Heritage](/source/English_Heritage). According to English Heritage, Binham Priory's "history is one of almost continuous scandal."[1] Many of its priors proved to be unscrupulous and irresponsible.

## History

Binham Priory was founded in 1091 as a cell of [St Albans Abbey](/source/St_Albans_Abbey) at the behest of [Peter de Valognes](/source/Peter_de_Valognes), who was granted the [manor](/source/Manorialism) of [Binham](/source/Binham) after the [Norman Conquest](/source/Norman_Conquest).[2] The Priory took around 150 years to be completed and was finished in the mid-Thirteenth Century.[3] Originally it had 8 monks, rising to 13 or 14 in the 14th century before falling back to 6 immediately before its suppression 1539.[4]

In 1212, Binham Priory was besieged by [Robert Fitzwalter](/source/Robert_Fitzwalter) over an argument between Fitzwalter and the Abbey of St. Albans. The siege was lifted by the forces of [King John](/source/John%2C_King_of_England).[3]

In 1285, [King Edward I](/source/Edward_I_of_England) visited the priory.[3]

In 1381, the records of the priory were burned during the [Great Revolt](/source/Peasants'_Revolt), this action was led by a local man, John Lister, who was an organiser of the rebellion in [Norfolk](/source/Norfolk).[3]

A [Ley tunnel](/source/Ley_tunnel) is said to run from the buildings to an unknown destination and it is reported that many years ago a fiddler decided to explore these passages; he could be heard for some distance before suddenly ceasing. The fiddler was never seen again.[5]

In 1539, most of the priory was destroyed under the orders of [Henry VIII](/source/Henry_VIII) in the [dissolution of the monasteries](/source/Dissolution_of_the_monasteries). The wealth of the priory was gifted to a local nobleman, [Sir Thomas Paston](/source/Thomas_Paston), who dismantled some of the buildings to provide stone for a house in [Wells-next-the-Sea](/source/Wells-next-the-Sea). Further demolitions were made by Paston's grandson, Edward, who planned to build a new house in Binham but eventually gave up on the project.[1]

## Architecture

The priory's west face is the first example in England of [gothic bar tracery](/source/Tracery#Bar_tracery), predating [Westminster Abbey](/source/Westminster_Abbey) by a decade.[6]

## Archaeology

During the 1920s and 1930s the [Office of Works](/source/Office_of_Works) acquired castles and monasteries that were subsequently protected and opened to the public. Norfolk Archaeological Trust raised the funds required for the site at Binham to be purchased before passing guardianship of the Office of Works in October 1933. Henry Neville supervised the clearance of debris from the newly-revealed cloisters, and the east end of the site from 1934 to 1938, with the work being completed prior to the start of World War Two. The work done during this period also revealed the existence of included the chapter house, the monks’ parlour, the warming room, and an upstairs dormitory, toilets, the refectory, kitchens, storerooms, and accommodation.[7]

The 1930s excavation work did not match current standards; much valuable archaeology was lost when rubble was removed to expose the original plan of the priory.[7]

## Present day

The ruins of the Priory

The priory church continues to be used as the parish church. As the priory was dedicated to Mary and the church to the Holy Cross, it is called The Priory Church of St Mary and the Holy Cross.[8]

The Priory ruins are in the care of [English Heritage](/source/English_Heritage) and is Grade I listed.[9] Further buildings in the area, such as the priory gatehouse, are also Grade I listed.[10]

## Priors

*Data from the Binham Priory website.[11]*

Date Name of prior 1106 Osgod after 1121–before 1135 Robert c. 1133 – c. 1143/6 Enisandus recorded 1189,1193, and 1197 Peter recorded 1189 Ralph Gubion recorded 1199{{ndash}1207 Thomas recorded 1214, 1220 Richard le Rus Richard de Kancia Miles William de Gedding 1227 (resigned 1244) Richard de Parco recorded 1244 Richard de Selford recorded 1262 William recorded 1264, 1267 Adam de Motu Milo Peter recorded 1279, 1289 Robert de Waltham recorded 1296 Walter 1317 William de Somerton 1323 Nicholas de Flamstede 1326 William de Somerton 1337 John de Caldewell recorded 1354 Adam recorded 1396 Robert Stoke 1425 Michael Cheyne 1430 William Bryt 1436 William Spygon 1438 Nicholas Wellys 1454 Henry Halstead 1461 William Dixwell 1464 John Peyton 1465–1476 William Dixwell 1480 Richard Whitingdon 1481 Thomas Sudbury 1485 William Fresell 1509 John Albon 1539 Thomas Williams

## Other notable people associated with the priory

- [Reginald de Warenne](/source/Reginald_de_Warenne)

- [Simon Binham](/source/Simon_Binham)

## Notable burials

- [Peter de Valognes](/source/Peter_de_Valognes) and wife Albreda de Saint-Saveur

- [Roger de Valognes](/source/Roger_de_Valognes) (their son) and his wife Agnes FitzJohn

## See also

- [List of English abbeys, priories and friaries serving as parish churches](/source/List_of_English_abbeys%2C_priories_and_friaries_serving_as_parish_churches)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Eng1_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Eng1_1-1) ["History of Binham Priory"](https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/binham-priory/history). [English Heritage](/source/English_Heritage). Retrieved 24 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Beg_2-0)** Begley, Michael. ["Foundation of the Priory"](https://binhampriory.org/history-2/articles-documents-registers-burial-memorials/foundation-of-the-priory/). *Binham Priory*. Retrieved 3 November 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bin1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bin1_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Bin1_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Bin1_3-3) ["Historical Notes"](https://binhampriory.org/history-2/historical-notes/). *Binham Priory*. Retrieved 3 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-norfarch_4-0)** ["Binham Priory"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121026025008/http://www.norfarchtrust.org.uk/binham). The Norfolk Archaeological Trust. Archived from [the original](http://www.norfarchtrust.org.uk/binham) on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWestwood1985400_5-0)** [Westwood 1985](#CITEREFWestwood1985), p. 400.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEChampion2015104–108_6-0)** [Champion 2015](#CITEREFChampion2015), pp. 104–108.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Nor1_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Nor1_7-1) ["A short history of Binham Priory"](https://norfarchtrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Binham-Priory-Guide.pdf) (PDF). Norfolk Archaeological Trust. Retrieved 1 June 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bin2_8-0)** ["External History"](https://binhampriory.org/history-2/external-history/). *Binham Priory*. Retrieved 24 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-His1_9-0)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Binham Priory, Binham (1014862)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1014862?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 3 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-His2_10-0)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Gatehouse at Binham Priory, Binham (1049509)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1049509?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 3 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bin3_11-0)** ["Priors and Incumbents to the Dissolution"](https://binhampriory.org/history-2/priors-and-incumbents-to-the-dissolution/). *Binham Priory*. Retrieved 1 June 2026.

## Sources

- Champion, M. (2015). [*Medieval Graffiti: The Lost Voices of England's Churches*](https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Medieval_Graffiti/2B3zCQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0). Random House. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-09-196041-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-09-196041-4).

- Westwood, Jennifer (1985). *Albion: A Guide to Legendary Britain*. London: Grafton Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-246-11789-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-246-11789-2).

## Further reading

- Burstall, E.B. (1949). ["The Pastons and their Manor of Binham"](https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/library/browse/details.xhtml?recordId=3236932&recordType=Journal). *Norfolk Archaeology*. **30** (1): 101–129.

- Butler, Lionel Harry (1979). [*Medieval Monasteries of Great Britain*](https://archive.org/details/medievalmonaster0000butl/page/152/mode/1up?q=Binham). London: Joseph. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0718116143](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0718116143).

- Champion, Matthew J. (2011). ["Tracery Designs at Binham Priory"](https://www.academia.edu/32725558/Tracery_Designs_at_Binham_Priory_English_Heritage_Historical_Review_Vol_6_2011). *English Heritage Historical Review*. **6**: 6–21. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1179/1752016912Z.0000000001](https://doi.org/10.1179%2F1752016912Z.0000000001).

- Champion, Matthew J. (2021). ["Reconstruction of the West Front of Binham Priory, Norfolk"](https://www.academia.edu/76251941/Reconstruction_of_the_West_Front_of_Binham_Priory_norfolk). *Academia*. Retrieved 25 May 2026.

- Douglas, David Charles (1974). [*The Social Structure of Medieval East Anglia*](https://archive.org/details/socialstructureo0000doug/page/n5/mode/2up?q=Binham). Oxford Studies in Sicial and Legal History. New York: Octagon Books. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [987960845](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/987960845).

- [Pevsner, Nikolaus](/source/Nikolaus_Pevsner) (1962). [*North-East Norfolk and Norwich*](https://archive.org/details/northeastnorfolk0000pevs/page/89/mode/1up?q=Binham). London: Penguin Books.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Binham Priory](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Binham_Priory).

- [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Binham Priory (1014862)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1014862?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*.

- [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Gatehouse at Binham Priory (1049509)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1049509?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*.

- [Repair Work at Binham Priory](https://www.norfarchtrust.org.uk/?s=binham) from The Norfolk Archaeological Trust website

- [Norfolk Churches: Binham Priory](http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/binham/binham.htm) (self-published website)

- [Norfolk Heritage Explorer record](https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?MNF2081-Binham-Priory&Index=1886&RecordCount=64187&SessionID=a644ded4-bddd-4ff5-ab39-2489bd4e0b45) for the priory

- [National Churches Trust record](https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/binham-priory-blakeney) for the priory

- [Friends of Binham Priory](https://friendsofbinhampriory.weebly.com/) website

- [Information about the improved visitor facilities at Binham](https://www.wcp-architects.com/project/binham-priory/) from Whitworth (the architects involved in the project)

- [Photographs by Christopher Norton](https://discover.york.ac.uk/collections/christopher-norton-images/?manifest=809642&canvas=809643) from Discover York Digital Library ([University of York](/source/University_of_York))

- [Catalogue record for Binham Priory](https://nrocatalogue.norfolk.gov.uk/index.php/informationobject/browse?topLod=0&sort=relevance&query=Binham+priory&repos=) at the [Norfolk Record Office](/source/Norfolk_Record_Office)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Binham Priory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binham_Priory) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binham_Priory?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.