Leeds Priory

The Priory of St Mary and St Nicholas, also known as Leeds Abbey, was founded in 1119. Its founders were Robert de Crevequer and his son Adam. The priory was occupied by Augustinian canons. In 1177, Robert de Crevequer's son, also named Robert, bequeathed a fulling mill on the River Len to the priory in his will. The mill remained in the ownership of the priory until its dissolution. As well as Brandescombe Mill, the priory also possessed Abbey Mill at its dissolution. In 1198, Pope Innocent III confirmed the priory as falling under the See of Canterbury. In 1368, the donations of the de Crevequers were confirmed by King Edward III, who also confirmed his patronage of the priory. In 1384,…

The original priory church was built in the Norman style. Materials used in the construction were Kentish Ragstone, with Caen stone corners. It had a vaulted porch, similar to that to be seen today at Snettisham church, Norfolk. In the 1320s, the nave was rebuilt, and the north transept was enlarged in the Decorated style. The south transept may have been rebuilt at this time. At a later date, probably in the late 1380s or early 1390s, the presbytery was replaced. This was a reversal of the normal process, where the presbytery was rebuilt before the nave and transepts. A probable cause was the sharply rising ground immediately east of the church presenting a barrier to extension. The…