Michelham Priory

Michelham Priory is the site of a former Augustine Priory in Upper Dicker, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom. The surviving buildings are owned and administered by the Sussex Archaeological Society and are Grade I and Grade II listed. A T-shaped stone-built structure, the east and north wings date from the 13th century and the west wing from the 16th century. The north wing, originally the Priors Lodging, comprises three storeys with an attic and the other two wings two storeys. The roof is tiled. The whole is surrounded by a moat, enclosing an area of almost 8acre. A watermill in the grounds of the priory has been restored to working order and is open to the public. HistoryThe Augustine Priory of the Holy Trinity was founded at Michelham in 1229 by Gilbert de Aquila, whose father had been a benefactor at Bayham Abbey, Kent and was also connected with Otham Abbey, East Sussex. It was a daughter priory of Hastings Priory. All Gilbert's land and honours were forfeited in 1235 due to his going to Normandy without licence to do so from the King. In 1278 and again in 1287, the prior was fined for exercising illegal privileges. On 26 June 1283, John de Kyrkeby renounced his election as Bishop of Rochester at Michelham Priory in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Michelham Priory is the site of a former Augustine Priory in Upper Dicker, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom. The surviving buildings are owned and administered by the Sussex Archaeological Society and are Grade I and Grade II listed. A T-shaped stone-built structure, the east and north wings date from the 13th century and the west wing from the 16th century. The north wing, originally the Priors Lodging, comprises three storeys with an attic and the other two wings two storeys. The roof is tiled. The whole is surrounded by a moat, enclosing an area of almost 8acre. A watermill in the grounds of the priory has been restored to working order and is open to the public. HistoryThe Augustine Priory of the Holy Trinity was founded at Michelham in 1229 by Gilbert de Aquila, whose father had been a benefactor at Bayham Abbey, Kent and was also connected with Otham Abbey, East Sussex. It was a daughter priory of Hastings Priory. All Gilbert's land and honours were forfeited in 1235 due to his going to Normandy without licence to do so from the King. In 1278 and again in 1287, the prior was fined for exercising illegal privileges. On 26 June 1283, John de Kyrkeby renounced his election as Bishop of Rochester at Michelham Priory in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury.