Lanercost Priory, North West England

Lanercost Priory is located in the border region of England and Scotland.  The Normans captured Carlisle in 1092 but much of the region stayed within the Scottish realm.  The English did not finally gain control of the area around Lanercost until 1157, when Henry II took control from the Scots. Henry gave the lands to Hubert de Vaux and his son Robert founded the Augustinian Priory of Lanercost in his father’s memory.  The Priory’s lands ran north and came to an end at Hadrian's Wall. The wall itself was used as a source of building materials for the Priory.

The Augustinian order originated in Italy and southern France in 1059.  They believed the clergy should live communally, according to monastic principles.  Augustinians were Canons - priests serving in a church rather than monks.  They used the Rule of St Augustine of Hippo, which was a more flexible code. 

Once the war broke out with Scotland in 1296, Lanercost found itself on the front lines. The Scottish army crossed the border and stayed overnight at the Priory as unwelcome guests, burning some of the buildings while passing.

It was normal for English Kings to stay a night or two in monasteries as they moved around the country but Lanercost became a Royal Palace for more than five months in 1306-7. Edward I by now was 67 years of age and in poor health when he arrived on a litter. He brought with him his household of around 200 and while they came with supplies, it was still extremely costly to host the King. Lanercost not only was not prepared but did not have the accommodation required, carpenters were called in to build separate suites for the King and Queen, a bathhouse was erected for the Queen and several fireplaces were added for warmth. All of which was built within the precinct walls for security.  Edward I moved on to Carlisle in March of 1307, leaving the Priory almost impoverished. Edward I died later that year and the border region returned to lawlessness. 

In 1311 the Scottish King, Robert the Bruce, led an army to the Lanercost Priory. He and his army spent three days there leaving the priory damaged.  In 1346, another Scottish army plundered the church at Lanercost.  In 1384 war broke out again and Lanercost was captured and held for ransom by the Scots. 

The foundations are all that remain of the medieval cloister at Lanercost but their obvious square form make it clear that they once stood on the south side of the Priory Church, with the domestic buildings on all sides of them. 

Although the refectory has gone, the undercroft, which supported it, still stands, dating from the mid 13th Century.  This area also contained the warming room - this is where the Canons were allowed to keep warm in front of a fire.