Kirklees Priory

Kirklees Priory was a Cistercian nunnery whose site is in the present-day Kirklees Park, Clifton near Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England. It was originally in the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Dewsbury. The priory dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St James was founded by Reiner le Fleming, Lord of the manor of Wath upon Dearne, in 1155 during the reign of Henry II.[1]

Kirklees Priory Gate House, all that remains of the original priory

Nuns from the priory were involved in scandals between 1306 and 1315. Archbishop of York William Greenfield wrote to the prioress about rumours concerning Alice Raggid, Elizabeth Hopton, and Joan Heton. Rumours implied they had been seeing religious and secular men in the nunnery and their behaviour led to the house being considered one of disrepute.[1]

The priory was not dissolved by the Dissolution of the Lesser Monasteries Act in 1535, but continued for worship and hospitality. Cecilia Topcliffe was the prioress, and the convent consisted of the nuns who had been there on 4 February 1536, who continued as before the passing of the Act. In 1539, after the Second Act of Dissolution, Joan Kyppes surrendered the priory, which had eight inmates. At the date of surrender the whole property was worth £29 18s. 9d.[1] The site was granted to John Tasburgh and Nicholas Savill; the church and priory buildings were demolished, and the stone was used to build Low Hall, now known as Old Farm. It was extended in the 18th century by architects Robert Adam and John Carr.

A local inn, The Three Nuns, was named after Cecilia Topclife, Joan Leverthorpe and Katherine Grace, who sought refuge at the site of a guesthouse of the priory and ran it as a hostelry.[2] The present inn was built in 1939 and the site of the guest house is buried under the car park.[3]

All that remains of Kirklees Priory are the long double-aisled barn, and parts of the Old Farm House, calf house and the gatehouse; all are still standing as Old Farm. They are all Grade I listed buildings.[4] The gatehouse was on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register, but following extensive repair work was removed from the list.[5]

The landscaping of Kirklees Park is after Francis Richardson. The area can trace its history to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Archaeological investigation has identified finds along with Samian ware evidencing a Roman villa, fragments of fourth-century marble statuary, and ruins of a Roman fortification, the site of which is still visible.

Kirklees Park is known for its collection of rhododendrons and camellias which grow throughout the ancient woodlands and border the ornamental ponds and gardens. Kirklees Park is of international historical importance due to its collection of medieval buildings preserved by the Armytage family over several hundred years.

The priory is connected with the medieval legend of Robin Hood. A monument in the woods near the River Calder claims to be Robin Hood's Grave.[2][3][6]