Kirkham Priory

Kirkham Priory was built sometime during the 1120s by Walter l,Espec, it was said that his son was killed close by when he fell from his horse, and that it was built as a lasting memorial to his son, at first it will have been a small church but by the end of the 12th century it had been greatly extended. The site has been excavated in recent times and the size and the different parts of the Priory can be seen if only through small walls just above ground level. Its suprising  so little is known about the Priory even though it had been such a large building, possibly it was overshadowed by other bigger more important priories in the nearby area such as Rievaulx. Something not to be seen at other priory sites is the gatehouse complete with carvings, some of heraldic shields, some of figures and also a carving of George and the Dragon.
More recent events is that the area that lies inbetween the Priory and the river Derwent was used as a practice area during the second world war for vehicles preparing for the D day landings of 1944 and was also visited by the then Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

                                                                                                 HOME