Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Bridlington Priory (Bridlington)

The Priory Church of St. Mary the Virgin is situated at Old Bridlington, the original settlement a mile inland from the seaside resort and sometimes known as Burlington.

It was founded as an Augustinian priory in 1113. At the Dissolution of the Monasteries, it escaped destruction as it was already in use as the parish church, but the last Prior was hanged at Tyburn in London, having taken part in the Pilgrimage of Grace.

The Priory is associated with St. John of Bridlington, who died in 1379. He is said to have worked several miracles, and to have continued to do so after his death.

There are two towers on the West front, but they are entirely different.

The chancel stalls were carved by Robert "Mouse" Thompson of Kilburn. There are sixteen carvings of mice.

An iron collar on display beneath one of the towers was used as a punishment for unruly parishioners.

There is a block of Tournai marble in the South aisle. This may originally have covered the grave of the Priory`s founder.

Outside, the 14th century Bayle Gate was the entrance to the Priory.

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