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 the priory with lands and resources, establishing it as a house for Augustinian canons.
The Priory’s Early Mission
The priory was intended as a religious community dedicated to prayer, learning, and pastoral care. Its location near the town center allowed the canons to minister to local residents and travelers.
Architecture and Layout
Medieval Design
The original priory was built in the Gothic style prevalent in the 13th century, featuring:
- A church with a nave, choir, and chapels.
- Cloisters surrounding a central courtyard.
- Domestic buildings including chapter house, dormitories, refectory, and kitchens.
The priory was constructed of flint and stone, common materials in East Anglia.
Surviving Structures
Though much of the medieval complex was lost, parts of the original church and cloisters survive. Restoration work has preserved and highlighted these features, revealing the priory’s historical layout. shutdown123