Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

St Germans Priory
Hob Uid: 436605
Location : Cornwall St. Germans
Grid Ref : SX3595057790
Summary : A monastery may have existed at St Germans from the 7th century. This was traditionally on the site of the church founded in 430 by St Germanus of Auxerre. By circa 936 it was the seat of a bishopric and pre-eminent among the handful of monasteries known from the south west at that time. A tenth century manuscript mentions a monastic site called 'Lannaled', a 'famed and universally known place, where the bones of Bishop Germanus are preserved'. This was probably St Germans. The see was united to Credition in 1042, the bishop ruling over both monasteries, with the collegiate system introduced about 1050. It was refounded for Augustinian canons in 1161-84 and dissolved in 1539. Remains of the Medieval buildings are incorporated in Port Eliot house.
More information : (SX 3596 5778) Port Eliot and remains of (NAT) Priory (NR) (1) A monastery may have existed at St Germans from the 7th century. The importance of the Celtic monastery was the reason for the foundation of a bishopric by Athelstan in the church at St Germans (see SX 35 NE 9 for church and SX 35 NE 8 for episcopal manor house). The see was united to Crediton in 1042, the bishop ruling over both monasteries, with the collegiate system being introduced about 1050. It was refounded for Augustinian canons in 1161-84. The priory was dissolved in 1539, the buildings and land being bought by John Eliot in 1564. The present house, incorporates the 13th century undercroft, with lancet windows, of the priory conventual buildings. The main block of the house roughly represents the north range of the buildings, with the Prior's lodging adjoining at right angles at the east end. (See SX 35 NE 33 for priory deer park) (2-6) For details of Port Elliot House see SX 35 NE 39.

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1964
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Page(s) : 143, 172, 417, 437, 481
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Source Number : 3
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Page(s) : 70-1
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Source Number : 4
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Page(s) : 84,105,114-6,11,135-6,169
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Source Number : 5
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Page(s) : 291-2
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Vol(s) : 130, 1973

Source Number : 6
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Source details : St Germans Rural District, AUG-1960
Page(s) : 22
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Source Number : 7
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Page(s) : 38
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : Collegiate system introduced c1050
Monument End Date : 1161
Monument Start Date : 1050
Monument Type : Collegiate Church, College Of Secular Priests
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : Church traditionally founded
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date : 430
Monument Type : Church
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : possibly existed from C7
Monument End Date : 1050
Monument Start Date : 600
Monument Type : Monastery
Evidence : Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : Bishopric from 936-1042
Monument End Date : 1042
Monument Start Date : 936
Monument Type : Monastery
Evidence : Uncertain Evidence

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Refounded in 1161-84
Monument End Date : 1184
Monument Start Date : 1161
Monument Type : Augustinian Monastery, Priory
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : dissolved 1539
Monument End Date : 1539
Monument Start Date : 1539
Monument Type : Priory, Augustinian Monastery
Evidence : Extant Building

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External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SX 35 NE 7
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Relationship type : General association

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Historic England Research Records

St Germans Priory