Malton Priory

Malton Priory, Old Malton, North Yorkshire, England, is near to the town of Malton. A surviving fragment of a rare example of a monastery of the Gilbertine Order, founded by Eustace fitz John in about 1150.

The surviving building is a much abused though impressive remnant of the priory church, now parochial. The remaining buildings were soon cleared away after the dissolution however the depletion of the church was more gradual. For example; the upper level of the nave, the clerestory, being removed and the roof lowered in the 1730s. This alteration is not immediately apparent as the west front retains its full height, the only clue being the blocked upper portions of the main west window.

What now remains is the lowered nave and one of the original two west towers. The nave aisles, crossing tower, transepts and chancel have all long since vanished.

The nave still shows evidence of a serious fire in 1500 which led to a partial rebuilding.

Famous quotes containing the word priory:

    Blessing turned to blasphemies,
    Holy deeds to despites.

    Sin is where our Lady sat,
    Heaven turned is to hell,
    Sathan sits where our Lord did sway,
    Walsingham, Oh farewell!
    —Unknown. A Lament for the Priory of Walsingham (l. 39–44)