RICH HISTORY
A priory full of history
In 1306-07, King Edward I lived in Lanercost Priory while his army headed North to invade the Scots. He ruled England from the priory for almost 6 months.
More history of the priory is told on the storyboards along the North Aisle wall. Visit Lanercost to discover more about the priory’s foundation, boarder wars, Edward I’s visit and the dissolution under Henry VIII.
A BEAUTIFUL HOLY PLACE
A site of beauty and worship
Lanercost Priory was founded as a House of Prayer, housing a community of Augustinian canons who would have prayed in the church seven times a day. It was dedicated to St Mary Magdalene, and her statue can be seen above the west door.
The priory is also home to a stunning collection of stained-glass windows. The most famous of these were designed by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris, one replacing a window previously broken by a football. There is also a vibrant stained-glass window, designed by local artist Christine Boyce, commemorating the anniversary of Edward I’s stay at Lanercost Priory.