Wenlock Priory – The Infirmary

CherryPie — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:13:53 +0000

The infirmary was built in the twelfth-century and was originally a single storey. It was the place where the sick, old and infirm monks and lay brothers were housed. The second storey was added later and formed part of a quadrangle of buildings, not all of which survive:

In the fifteenth century, Prior Richard Singer built a fine new prior’s lodging of Alveley sandstone, which still abuts the infirmary and formed the left side of the quadrangle. There is no record of what buildings were demolished to make way for this fine building. It still retains most of its original features including its roof which can be seen from the cloister. The opulence of the building reflects the status of the priory and of the prior, as well as the fact that the community had become extremely wealthy.

The infirmary and the prior’s lodging were converted into a private residence after the priory was closed in 1540, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and remain as such to this day. *

*From the English Heritage guidebook.

Wenlock Priory – St Michael’s Chapel

CherryPie — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:06:07 +0000

The chapel is on the first floor and is not open to the public. Like first-floor chapels at other priories it is dedicated to St Michael and would have been used by the prior for private worship. The chapel is above the remains of the church which can be seen in the last photo.

In the nineteenth century a garden was created to enhance the ruins. Part of the garden can still be seen in the cloister.

Cherie's Place » Ruins

Wenlock Priory – The Infirmary

Wenlock Priory – St Michael’s Chapel