Delapré Abbey - the south facade
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Monastery information | |
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Full name | Abbey of St Mary de la Pré The Abbey of St Mary in the Meadow |
Order | Cluniac Nuns |
Established | c. 1145 |
Disestablished | 1538 |
Mother house | Abbey of Cluny |
Dedicated to | St Mary de la Pré, Sancta Maria de pratis, St Mary in the Meadows |
Site | |
Location | Near Northampton |
Coordinates | 52°13′29″N 0°53′22″W / 52.2247°N 0.8895°WCoordinates: 52°13′29″N 0°53′22″W / 52.2247°N 0.8895°W |
Grid reference | SP759592 |
Visible remains | None |
Delapré Abbey, or more properly, the Abbey of St Mary de la Pré (The Abbey of St Mary in the Meadow), is an English country house and former monastery situated in the meadows of the River Nene to the south of Northampton. It was founded as a monastery of nuns about the year 1145 and belonged to the congregation of the great Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy, France.
The abbey was founded by the Earl Simon de Senlis during the reign of King Stephen and held a Royal Charter from King Edward III. At its founding, the abbey was endowed with land at nearby Hardingstone and held the churches at Earls Barton, Great Doddington and Fotheringhay (confirmed by the Scottish Kings Malcolm and William). King Edward increased their holdings with the churches of Wollaston and Filgrave and also granted them the advowson of the church at Fyfield, Hampshire. He is recorded as giving "ten beams" towards the repair of the church in 1232, and another five oaks for work on the Refectory in 1258.