Isleham Priory Church (Cambridgeshire)

Summary 13th century buildings (or older)

Introduction

 The best example in England of a small Norman Benedictine priory church, surviving in a surprisingly unaltered state despite later conversion into a barn.

History to the present day

Isleham is a small Benedictine priory church in the classic Romanesque style and built around 1090. Alan of Brittany gave this church which was dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch to monks from the abbey of St. Jacut de la Mer in Brittany.

The rector of Linton also acted as prior of Isleham, although there was no set of monastic buildings. The prior probably had one or two monks to assist them but that would have been the extent of the community here. Problematically for Isleham it would have been seen as an alien priory, because the prior was nominated by the abbot of the French mother house.

The church plan is very simple and composed of a nave, chancel, and sanctuary. The original lancet windows of the sanctuary were replaced with the larger windows in around 1200. A consecration cross is visible in the sanctuary and further outlines of crosses in the nave. The chancel arch is original, but the arched doorway in the choir was added in about 1300.

The priory had ongoing legal disputes with the parish church. Henry V seized the priory during the Hundred Years War as the estate was accused of contributing to the French war chest. Then in 1414 the priory, along with all the other remaining 'alien priories' were seized by the crown, and Isleham was granted to Pembroke College, Cambridge. 

Arrival information and how to find us

Opening times:

 

All year

Any reasonable time

Mon - Sun

Contact the keykeeper, Mrs R Burton, 18 Festival Road, Isleham – 5 min walk

Admission prices:

 

Adult:Free

Children:Free

Concession:Free

 

Photographs courtesy of English Heritage Photographic Library.