More information : SE 70728620) The Priory on site of (NAT) Keldholme Priory (NR) (Cistercian Nuns Founded circa AD 1120) (NAT). (1)
The Cistercian nunnery of Keldholme or Duna, founded by Robert de Stuteville in the reign of Henry I (1100-1135) (3 a and b), fully established in 1142-3 (2) and suppressed in 1535 (3).
Keldholme Hall was built on the site before 1695 (possibly with materials from the priory) (c). The foundations of the priory were cleared away in 1818 when several stone coffins, a tessellated pavement and fragments of pillars were found but remains of the priory were visible in 1824. No trace remained in 1949 beyond a stone coffin lid or grave cover built into a wall and a stone coffin now used as a trough on Deepdale Farm 8SE 71728642) which was brought from the priory in 1926. Today (1965) a modern building carries the Priory name and the only visible remains are a few stone fragments, two burial slabs and a few vague earthworks. (2-5)
The site of the priory is believed by the present occupier of the house (named "The Priory") to be to N. of the present building, but there is no evidence of this. The stone coffin lid, carrying an incised cross design, is built into a garden wall to E. fo the house. No other remains are visible. (6) |