Polsloe Priory, also known as St Katherine's Priory, [1] was a Benedictine priory for women (a nunnery) in Devon, England. It was founded in around 1159 on land to the east of Exeter, on a site that is now part of the city's suburb of Polsloe. [2] At the time it was the only religious house for women in Devon, [3] but two others were founded later: at Cornworthy and Canonsleigh Abbey. [4] The first prioress of whom any record survives was Avelina in 1218. [5] Amongst the holdings of the priory was the Church of St Mary, Marston Magna in Somerset. [6]
In common with most other Catholic institutions, it was dissolved by Henry VIII, in 1539, [2] even though it had paid a fine of £400 for exemption from the Suppression of Religious Houses Act 1535. [7] At dissolution it had 14 nuns, including the prioress and subprioress. [8]
Most of the buildings have been demolished, but one remains, built of the local red sandstone and believed to date from around 1320. [2] English Heritage have designated it a Grade II* listed building. [1] As of 2016 it is used by the local community association for occasional events, having passed from private to City Council hands in 1934. [2]
Polsloe Priory, also known as St Katherine's Priory, [1] was a Benedictine priory for women (a nunnery) in Devon, England. It was founded in around 1159 on land to the east of Exeter, on a site that is now part of the city's suburb of Polsloe. [2] At the time it was the only religious house for women in Devon, [3] but two others were founded later: at Cornworthy and Canonsleigh Abbey. [4] The first prioress of whom any record survives was Avelina in 1218. [5] Amongst the holdings of the priory was the Church of St Mary, Marston Magna in Somerset. [6]
In common with most other Catholic institutions, it was dissolved by Henry VIII, in 1539, [2] even though it had paid a fine of £400 for exemption from the Suppression of Religious Houses Act 1535. [7] At dissolution it had 14 nuns, including the prioress and subprioress. [8]
Most of the buildings have been demolished, but one remains, built of the local red sandstone and believed to date from around 1320. [2] English Heritage have designated it a Grade II* listed building. [1] As of 2016 it is used by the local community association for occasional events, having passed from private to City Council hands in 1934. [2]