{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox building | name = Monmouth Priory | native_name = | native_name_lang = | former_names = | alternate_names = | status = | image = 10 Monmouth Priory HTsmall.jpg | image_alt = | caption = The Priory, showing the oriel window | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_alt = | map_caption = | altitude = | building_type = [[Benedictine]] priory | architectural_style = | structural_system = | cost = | ren_cost = | client = | owner = | current_tenants = | landlord = | location = | address = Priory Street | location_town = [[Monmouth]] | location_country = [[Wales]] | coordinates = {{coord|51|48|48.8|N|2|42|50.9|W|type:landmark_region:GB-MON|display=inline,title}} | groundbreaking_date = | construction_start_date = | completion_date = | opened_date = | inauguration_date = | renovation_date = 2002 | demolished_date = | destruction_date = | height = | diameter = | roof = | top_floor = | other_dimensions = | floor_count = | floor_area = | main_contractor = | awards = | designations = | ren_architect = Keith Murray | ren_firm = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_awards = | url = | embedded = }} '''Monmouth Priory''', in Priory Street, [[Monmouth]], Wales, is a building that incorporates the remains of the monastic buildings attached to [[St Mary's Priory Church, Monmouth|St Mary's Priory Church]]. The priory was a [[Benedictine]] foundation of 1075, and parts of the mediaeval buildings remain.<ref name="p397"/> The buildings were substantially redeveloped in the nineteenth century for use as St Mary's [[National school (England and Wales)|National School]],<ref name="p397"/> and now form a community centre. The complex is a [[Grade II*]] listed building as of 27 June 1952. It is one of 24 sites on the [[Monmouth Heritage Trail]].
==History== The priory was founded by [[Withenoc]] (or Gwethenoc), a [[Breton people|Breton]] who became lord of Monmouth in 1075.<ref name=ggatlandscape>[http://www.ggat.org.uk/cadw/historic_landscape/wye_valley/english/wyevalley_features.htm Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Historic Landscape Characterisation: Lower Wye Valley]. Accessed 11 January 2012</ref> There is evidence in the [[Book of Llandaff]] of an earlier 8th century [[Celtic Christianity|Celtic]] church, and it has been tentatively suggested that this may have been on the site of the later priory.<ref name=zaluckyj>Sarah and John Zaluckyj, ''The Celtic Christian Sites of the Central and Southern Marches'', Logaston Press, 2006, {{ISBN|1-904396-57-7}}, p.377</ref> The priory was granted to the Abbey of St Florent at [[Saumur]], and was consecrated in 1101. The priory church was extended and became the [[parish church]] later in the twelfth century.<ref name=ggatlandscape/> The priory was [[Dissolution of the Monasteries|dissolved]] in 1536.<ref name=history>[http://www.monmouthparishes.org/index.php?page=St-Mary-s-Church-History Monmouth Group of Parishes: St Mary's Church History]</ref> [[File:Monmouth Priory Gate - geograph.org.uk - 1558097.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Monmouth Priory entrance gate]] {{wide image|Monmouth Priory Back.jpg|500px|The back of the priory|230px|right}} [[File:Monmouth Priory, Monmouth 2.JPG|thumb|The side of the priory, showing the garden]] [[File:Window of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Study.jpg|thumb|right|View of the window of "Geoffrey of Monmouth's Study" (in fact built well after his time).]] The monastic buildings were located on the north side of the [[St Mary's Priory Church, Monmouth|priory church]]. Traces of an [[Hospital#Medieval Europe|infirmary]] were discovered in 1906, when the site of the [[Monmouth Baptist Church|Baptist Church]] was being prepared for building. The surviving buildings were the prior's lodgings.<ref name="p397">John Newman, ''The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire'', Penguin Books, 2000, {{ISBN|0-14-071053-1}}, p.397</ref> The only recognisable surviving medieval feature is the "sumptuous mid-C15 oriel window"<ref name="p397"/> which is often erroneously described as having a connection with [[Geoffrey of Monmouth]] who lived over three centuries earlier,<ref>{{Coflein|num=31982|desc=Old Priory Buildings, Monmouth|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> and which in fact is likely to have formed part of the priory gatehouse.<ref name="p397"/> The window contains three [[corbels]] in the form of carved heads of high quality, although there is some uncertainty as to exactly what they depict: Newman describing them as representing "an angel between a civilian and what may be a [[bedesman]]",<ref name="p397"/> whilst [[Keith Kissack|Kissack]] is more empathic in suggesting they portray "a knight, an angel and a miller."<ref>Kissack, K. The Lordship, Parish and Borough of Monmouth, page 13</ref> The prior's lodgings were extended on several occasions in the nineteenth century when they were used as St Mary's National School.<ref name="p397"/>
The building was restored with the help of funding from the [[Heritage Lottery Fund]]. Architect Keith Murray was commissioned to draw up plans for the renovation of the building, which was completed in 2002. It is now available for community use for events such as weddings, conferences and exhibitions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://monmouthpriory.net/ |title=Monmouth Priory |access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> The Priory is a [[Listed building|Grade II* listed building]].<ref>{{NHAW|num=2323|desc=Monmouth Priory|grade=II*|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref>
==The Geoffrey Tapestry== In December 2000 it was suggested that a [[embroidery|wallhanging]] might be produced to illustrate the life of [[Geoffrey of Monmouth]]. Research, design and preparation took six months and the first stitches were worked in July 2001, at the festivities to celebrate the Priory's 900th anniversary. The work, measuring {{convert|1.5|m|ft}} by {{convert|1.6|m|ft}}, was completed in May 2003, after a combined effort by the 14 volunteers of 2,750 hours.<ref>''Stitches and Stories- the Geoffrey Wall Hanging and How it Came to Be"'', colour booklet, published by Monmouth Priory, 2005.</ref>
[[File:Monmouth Priory - Corbels.JPG|thumb|right|Corbels below "Geoffrey's Window"]]
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
==References== *Newman J., ''The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire'', (2000) Penguin Books *Kissack, K., ''The Lordship, Parish and Borough of Monmouth'', (1996) Lapridge Publications
==External links== * [http://www.monmouthpriory.net/ Monmouth Priory homepage]
{{Buildings in Monmouth}}
[[Category:History of Monmouthshire]] [[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Monmouth]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Monmouthshire]] [[Category:1075 establishments in Europe]] [[Category:11th-century establishments in Wales]]