History
Lanercost Priory
A brief history of the Priory
1169 Robert de Vaux founds Lanercost Priory
1280First visit to the Priory by Edward I (with Queen Eleanor)
1296The Priory increasingly finds itself in a war zone as Scotland fights to retain its sovereignty. In April monastery building damaged by Scottish forces who also devastate Hexham Priory
1306Edward I arrives at Lanercost in September in ill-health and spends almost half a year at the Priory
1311The King of the Scots, Robert I (Robert the Bruce) arrives at Lanercost and causes much devastation
1538The Priory is dissolved by Henry VIII. The lead is stripped off all the roofs other than church (because it was in use as a parish church), a chantry chapel and the kitchen
1552Control of the Priory passes to Sir Thomas Dacre
The church falls into decline. By the end of the seventeenth century the congregation have retreated into the north aisle which has been reroofed
1718Following the demise of the Dacre line at Lanercost, control passes to the Howards of Naworth, the Earls of Carlisle
1747The congregation moves back into the nave of the church after money has been raised to reroof it
1847The Priory has once again falled into a delapidated state and the roof at the east end collapses
1849The Priory re-opens following a major restoration by Antony Salvin
1870sFurther restoration by C J Ferguson
1929The Priory ruins handed over as a 'gift to the nation'