Leeds Priory

Priory of St. Mary and St. Nicholas, Leeds
(Leeds Abbey)

Location within Kent
Monastery information
Established	1119
Disestablished	1539
Dedicated to	St Mary and St Nicholas
Diocese	Rochester
People
Important associated figures	Robert de Crevequer
Site
Location	Leeds, Kent
Coordinates	51°14′50″N 0°36′40″E / 51.24722°N 0.61111°E / 51.24722; 0.61111
Grid reference	TQ 823 530
Visible remains	None
Other information	Site obliterated by the building of a mansion, itself demolished in the 18th century.

Leeds Priory, also known as Leeds Abbey was a priory in Leeds, Kent, England that was founded in 1119 and dissolved in 1539. A mansion was later built on the site of the priory, it was demolished in the late 18th century. The site of the former priory is a scheduled monument.

The original priory church was built in the Norman style. Materials used in the construction were Kentish Ragstone, with Caen stone corners. It had a vaulted porch, similar to that to be seen today at Snettisham church, Norfolk. In the 1320s, the nave was rebuilt, and the north transept was enlarged in the Decorated style. The south transept may have been rebuilt at this time. At a later date, probably in the late 1380s or early 1390s, the presbytery was replaced. This was a reversal of the normal process, where the presbytery was rebuilt before the nave and transepts. A probable cause was the sharply rising ground immediately east of the church presenting a barrier to extension. The chapter house adjoined the south transept, it was built c. 1160.

The main church formed the northern part of the priory, with ranges to the east, west, and south. The warming house was probably in the south range. The kitchen was adjoining the south range.

The Priory of St Mary and St Nicholas, also known as Leeds Abbey, was founded in 1119. Its founders were Robert de Crevequer and his son Adam. The priory was occupied by the Black Friars. In 1177, Robert de Crevequer's son, also named Robert, bequeathed a fulling mill on the River Len to the priory in his will. The mill remained in the ownership of the priory until its dissolution. As well as Brandescombe Mill, the priory also possessed Abbey Mill at its dissolution.