Molycourt Priory

The Priory of St Mary de Bello Loco, commonly referred to as Molycourt Priory, was a small Benedictine priory located in the parish of Outwell, Norfolk, England.[1]

Molycourt Priory
Site of Molycourt (Mullicourt) Priory, now occupied by a farm.
Monastery information
Full namePriory of St Mary de Bello Loco
Other namesMullicourt Priory
OrderBenedictine
Establishedpre-1066
Disestablished1536/7
Mother houseEly Cathedral
Dedicated toVirgin Mary
DioceseDiocese of Ely
Site
LocationOutwell, Norfolk, England
Grid referenceTF532029
Visible remainsnone except recorded inhumations
Public accessprivate

Little is known of its history; its foundation appears to predate the Norman Conquest. Never a rich priory, as a result of a great storm and repeated floods its lands in Wiggenhall, Outwell, Upwell and Downham Market would only provide a living for a single monk. By 1446, Henry VI licensed its appropriation by the prior of Ely and it became a cell of Ely Priory.[1]

At the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 when the monastery of Ely was dissolved it appears to have consisted of two monks, possibly older monks from Ely living in the house. It was valued at £6 14s. 11d.[1] No trace of the buildings exist, the site now being a farm. Some human remains were discovered in 1974 but a test pit dug in 1998 appears to have found no trace of the location of the priory building.[2]

References
  1. William Page, ed. (1906). Houses of Benedictine monks: The priory of Molycourt. A History of the County of Norfolk. 2. London. pp. 349–350.
  2. "Molycourt Priory". www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk. 31 October 2019.


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