Secular Use and Decline Over the following centuries, the priory lands and buildings passed into private hands. The site deteriorated, with much of the original fabric lost or converted for agricultural or domestic use. Rediscovery and Preservation Efforts Interest in medieval heritage grew in the 19th and 20th centuries. Clare Priory was recogn

The Late Medieval Period By the 14th and 15th centuries, many religious houses faced economic hardship, decline in vocations, and the impact of the Black Death. Clare Priory was no exception, struggling to maintain its buildings and community. Political and Religious Turmoil The broader changes in English society, including increasing royal cont

Religious Routine Augustinian canons followed a daily schedule balancing communal worship, study, manual labor, and pastoral duties. The Divine Office—regular prayer services—structured their day. Unlike cloistered monks, Augustinians engaged with the surrounding community, offering spiritual guidance and education. Education and Scholarsh

Founding Patronage: Richard de Clare, 6th Earl of Gloucester Clare Priory was founded around 1248 by Richard de Clare, 6th Earl of Gloucester and Hertford. A scion of the de Clare family, Richard was a wealthy and influential nobleman with estates spanning England and Wales. Motivated by piety and a desire to support the Church, Richard endowed