Summary : St Leonard's Priory, an Austin nunnery, was founded before 1184, probably by Henry II, and dissolved in 1539. One of the poorest houses of the order, the buildings suffered from fire damage in 1311, and in 1459 it was burnt and flooded. |
More information : The Priory of St. Leonard, Grimsby, a House of Austin Nuns, was placed under the protection of Wellow Abbey (TA 20 NE 7) before 1184. It was dissolved in 1539. The nunnery stood outside Grimsby at the cross roads to Louth and Laceby, still called "The Nuns". The Nuns' Farm House, which stood on the site, was demolished about 1952. (1 - 4)
The site of the farm is now being developed as a College of Further Education by Messrs. F.A. Would who could add nothing further to the above information. On a map reconstructed from a Bailiff's extent book dated 1491, both of which are in the possession of the Grimsby Archives office, the Priory of St. Leonard is sited the same as authy 1, centred to TA 264 080. (5) TA 265079 area. Site of St Leonard's Priory of Augustinian Nuns. Authority a) records finding "no trace of the church except a single voussoir with dog-toothed ornament", this is now in Doughty Museum. (6) |