The cache:-
This cache is a small clip lock box containing a log book and a
pencil. It is placed close to the remains of Snelshall Priory, a
thirteenth century religious institution. You do not need to cross
any fences to find this cache. It is placed just off the public
footpath. It is a popular walking spot so stealth is advised.
Snelshall - a short
history:-
Snelshall Priory was begun in 1200 as an offshoot of the nearby
Lavendon Abbey. In 1232 it was declared viable enough to have its
independence by the then Bishop of Lincoln. Although the Priory
accumulated lands from various "gifts" over the years, it was never
very prosperous. It was noted in 1321 by Harry Burghersh (a later
Bishop of Lincoln) that "the monks scarcely had the necessities of
life and had to beg even for these". Despite this the Priory
persevered until the reign of Henry VIII.
Obedience:-
The priory was founded by Benedictine monks. Theirs was a life
of prayers, obedience, and manual labour. They went to bed early
and rose early too, for prayers, meditation. and manual labour.
Indeed manual work was such a central tenet that one of the
Benedictine's favourite saying was "to labour is
to pray".
Defrocking and decline:-
In 1529 those monks that remained were accused of behaving in a
manner contrary to their holy vows.. Whether there was any basis
for such findings is a matter of conjecture; however, the outcome
was that all the women were barred from the Priory. Six years later
in 1535 the priory fell victim to Henry VIII's dissolutions. The
house was in ruins, the prior, monks, novices and servant were
turned out, and the land given over to the Crown. In turn much of
the land passed to the local, Longueville family. All the buildings
were demolished. The building stones were robbed out; some of the
stones were used to build St Gile's church at nearby Tattenhoe.
The location:-
All that remains of the priory today are a few lumps and bumps
in the ground. There isn't much to suggest the there was once a
community here. In the middle ages, this would have been the centre
of the local economy and landscape. The focal building would have
been the chapel. There would also have been dormitories for the
monks and quarters for the many servants that would have supported
the holy brothers. There would have been barns to store the local
produce and tithe receipts. A smithy, bakehouse, brewhouse and
kitchens will have completed the ancilliary buildings.
If you stand near the fence and look to the south you will see
the earthworks. You will need to use your imagination but hopefully
you can picture a scene that lasted for over 300 years!