Location: https://w3w.co/grows.purple.zoom
As you drive into Southend-on-Sea on the main road you will pass Priory Park, the location of the historic Prittlewell Priory. This is a noteworthy building hidden in plain sight in the middle of a well-trodden public park, sitting between the formal gardens and the bandstand. Although likely to have originated just after the Anglo-Saxon period its history is entwined with the Southend’s rich past and offers a fascinating glimpse into the area.
The exact date of its foundation is unknown but occurred sometime between when the Doomsday book appeared in 1086 and its first mention by Ralph, the archbishop of Canterbury in 1121. It was a minor Priory housing as it did only for 18 monks of the Clunic order. That order had started at the Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy in 910 and which was founded by William of Aquatine. Even though it may not be from the exact period of focus of the blog it is a good place to start our investigation from. To the North is the burial ground that had graves from both the Anglo-Saxon and Roman period, and which was first discovered in 1923 and later provided the Princely Burial. While to the south is St Mary’s Church that was likely built in the 7th century. In Saxon time the area was known as ‘Prittleuuella’. Interestingly the main town itself was originally only referred to as the Stratende, Sowthende or South-End of Prittlewell!
Throughout its existence, Prittlewell Priory has undergone numerous changes, mirroring the turbulent history of Essex and the country itself. From the internal conflict of the monks to the damage it suffered because of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, and then to its transformation into a family home it offers a tangible connection to the past.
Links:
- Wikipedia page – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prittlewell_Priory
- Local History Blogger page – https://fortheloveofhistoryhome.wordpress.com/2019/03/25/the-clunic-monks-of-prittlewell-priory/
Anglo-Saxon Essex 