Ruins of St Mary's Priory, High Street, Little Walsingham, Norfolk

These are the remains of an Augustinian Priory that was founded in c1150. Its chapel of the Holy House and the image of Our Lady made it one of the most notable places of pilgrimage in the medieval period. It was closed in 1538 as part of Henry VIII's Dissolution of the monasteries. Test excavations were carried out in 1853-4 by Canon J Lee Warner. In 1961 more extensive excavations were undertaken during which an thorough survey of the existing remains was made. Finds included metal and glass, shards of Thetford ware, a coin of Edward III (1360-9) and 30 burials.

Location

Norfolk Little Walsingham

Period

Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)

Tags

abbey priory monastery dissolution church religion faith ruin augustinian archaeology medieval (1066 - 1484)