| Summary : Founded circa 1144, this was the head house of the order in England, the prior having a seat in Parliament, like a mitred abbot. The outline of the church can still be seen in St John's Square. The buildings and gardens covered 5 acres. The priory was razed to the ground in 1381 and the Prior beheaded. It was rebuilt by circa 1400. The new church had a rectangular nave and superb bell-tower. After the Dissolution in 1540, the tower was blown up by Protector Somerset, and much of the material carried off to build Somerset House. The buildings had disappeared by the 18th century, with the exception of the 12th century crypt in St Johnof Jerusalem's Church and the South Gate. |