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In 1154, a group of black-robed Augustinian canons (priests) and their Prior arrived to occupy land next to the village of Bolton-in-Wharfedale, made available to them by Lady Alice de Romille, the owner of nearby Skipton Castle. They had spent two years enduring harsh conditions on higher land in nearby Embsay, until Lady Alice provided this site near the River Wharfe, sheltered by the surrounding hills from the cruellest of the winter weather. They quickly constructed their first shelter of rough stone, signs of which are still visible in the base stones of the ruined High Altar, and began their long sojourn which we continue today. The canons' day was a long cycle of prayer and worship, seven days a week, starting at 2 a.m. and not finishing until dusk. They also found time to preach, teach, run hospitals, give shelter to travellers and perform the duties of local priests for the community. They had a number of sources of income: agricultural produce, tithes, and rents from farms, mills and mines. This money was given to sustaining the community as well as meeting the costs of continuing to build and extend the buildings. There were many hazards: illness, harsh winters, famine and poverty when crops failed, raids from over the Scottish border. To understand the life of these monks a little better, you may like to read the "Rules of St. Augustine". |
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Over 4 centuries, however, the Priory thrived and grew, and the site grew and
became more magnificent.
Then, very suddenly, in 1539 the Priory was faced with complete obliteration
as King Henry VIII undertook a campaign to destroy the monastic houses of England.
Work to create the West Tower was halted, lead was torn from the roofs, furnishings
stripped out, valuables carried off to the King's treasury. Most of the estate
was sold to the Clifford family, owners of Skipton Castle, and later passed
to the Cavendish family, now the Dukes of Devonshire.
Fortunately, the last Prior, Richard Moone, intervened to ensure that the nave
of the building was retained intact to provide a place of worship for the inhabitants
of the village of Bolton-in-Wharfedale. A wall was erected to seal off the eastern
end of the nave and a new church was born from the remains of the old. The centuries
passed, and the old Priory buildings slowly crumbled away, whilst the Church
continued as a focus for the community's spiritual life.
Below is a picture of a model of the Priory made by the boys of Ermystead Grammar School almost half a century ago depicting how it would have looked in 1536. The model is still on display in the church. The yellow outline shows the part of the original building which forms the Priory Church today.
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During the 19th Century, under the guidance of the Devonshire family, major
works of improvement were carried out on the Priory Church.
Firstly, working on a commission from the 5th Duke, after his designs were shown
at the Great Exhibition of 1851, Augustus Pugin created the magnificent
stained glass which now adorns the South windows.
From 1867, George Street, a distinguished contemporary architect, was placed
in charge of a major restoration, and redesigned the pews, font and sanctuary.
In 1880, the east wall, now showing signs of age after more than 3 centuries,
was rebuilt, and decorated with a series of
paintings by a local artist.
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In the 1970's, disaster almost befell the Priory again, when expensive repairs
were required and the congregation had fallen to single figures. Under the leadership
of a new priest-in-charge, Canon Maurice Slaughter, aided by a small team of
parishioners, the necessary money was raised and the essential work completed.
In addition, the West Tower, after standing as a bare shell for more than 400
years, was glazed, floored and roofed.
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We now go forward into the 21st Century with eagerness, with a great sense of privilege to be able to share this beautiful building to which so many people have contributed over the centuries, remembering always the vision which those humble priests must have had when they first set eyes on the valley nearly a thousand years ago. His Grace the Duke of Devonshire remains the Patron of the Priory Church, and thus has the right to appoint our Rectors, and we are grateful for the continuing support and interest that the Devonshire family show in the life of the Priory Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert.
2004 saw a great celebration to mark the 850th anniversary of the foundation of the Priory. These events are recorded on the Friends of Bolton Priory's website.
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This website presents a tour of the Priory site as it used to be.