Michelham Priory

Michelham Priory

Michelham Priory
Location within East Sussex
Monastery information
Full name	Priory of the Holy Trinity
Order	Augustine
Established	1229
Disestablished	1537
Mother house	Hastings Priory
Dedicated to	Holy Trinity
People
Founder(s)	Gilbert de Aquila
Site
Location	Upper Dicker, East Sussex
Coordinates	50°51′45″N 0°12′50″E / 50.86250°N 0.21389°E / 50.86250; 0.21389
Grid reference	TQ 5587 0930
Public access	Yes
Website	sussexpast.co.uk/properties-to-discover/michelham-priory

Barn at Michelham Priory
The barn.
General information
Status	In use as a function room
Type	Barn
Location	Michelham Priory
Coordinates	TQ 5581 0928
Estimated completion	1587-1610
Owner	Sussex Archaeological Society
Technical details
Structural system	Timber frame
Material	Timber Peg tile roof
Floor count	One
Other information
Parking	Nearby

Dovecot
General information
Address	Michelham Priory
Coordinates	TQ 558 093
Estimated completion	C18th
Owner	Sussex Archaeological Society
Technical details
Material	Sandstone Peg tile roof
Floor count	One
Other information
Parking	Nearby

Michelham Priory Gatehouse
The gatehouse
General information
Coordinates	TQ 5581 0938
Completed	Early C15th
Owner	Sussex Archaeological Society
Height	c.50 feet (15 m)
Technical details
Material	Stone Peg tile roof
Floor count	Four
Other information
Parking	Yes

Refectory, Michelham Priory
The surviving refectory (right) with Prior's house (centre) and post-monastic additions (right)
General information
Status	Museum
Estimated completion	C13th (refectory & Prior's house) C16th (post-monastic addition)
Owner	Sussex Archaeological Society
Technical details
Material	Sandstone Peg tile roof
Floor count	One, later two (refectory) Three (post-monastic house)
Other information
Parking	Nearby

Priory Mill
Priory Mill
General information
Status	Preserved in working order
Location	Michelham Priory
Coordinates	TQ 557 093
Owner	Sussex Archaeological Society
Technical details
Material	Timber Peg tile roof
Other information
Parking	Yes

Michelham Priory is the site of a former Augustine Priory in Upper Dicker, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom. The surviving buildings are owned and administered by the Sussex Archaeological Society and are Grade I and Grade II listed.

A T-shaped stone-built structure, the east and north wings date from the 13th century and the west wing from the 16th century. The north wing, originally the Priors Lodging, comprises three storeys with an attic and the other two wings two storeys. The roof is tiled. The whole is surrounded by a moat, enclosing an area of almost 8 acres (3.2 ha).

A watermill in the grounds of the priory has been restored to working order and is open to the public.

The Augustine Priory of the Holy Trinity was founded at Michelham in 1229 by Gilbert de Aquila, whose father had been a benefactor at Bayham Abbey, Kent and was also connected with Otham Abbey, East Sussex. It was a daughter priory of Hastings Priory. All Gilbert's land and honours were forfeited in 1235 due to his going to Normandy without licence to do so from the King. In 1278 and again in 1287, the prior was fined for exercising illegal privileges. On 26 June 1283, John de Kyrkeby renounced his election as Bishop of Rochester at Michelham Priory in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

King Edward I stayed overnight at the priory on 14 September 1302. In 1353, the prior was fined 40d because a bridge at Rickney was broken and blocking the river. By 1398, the priory was reported to be in a ruinous condition. Robert Reade, bishop of Chichester, granted the advowsons of Alfriston and Fletching to Michelham Priory in that year.