Polsloe Priory
Building in Exeter, Devon, England From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Polsloe Priory, also known as St Katherine's Priory,[1] was a Benedictine priory for women (a nunnery) in Devon, England. It was founded in around 1159 on land to the east of Exeter, on a site that is now part of the city's suburb of Polsloe.[2] At the time it was the only religious house for women in Devon,[3] but two others were founded later: at Cornworthy and Canonsleigh Abbey.[4] The first prioress of whom any record survives was Avelina in 1218.[5] Amongst the holdings of the priory was the Church of St Mary, Marston Magna in Somerset.[6]
In common with most other Catholic institutions, it was dissolved by Henry VIII, in 1539,[2] even though it had paid a fine of £400 for exemption from the Suppression of Religious Houses Act 1535.[7] At dissolution it had 14 nuns, including the prioress and subprioress.[8]
Most of the buildings have been demolished, but one remains, built of the local red sandstone and believed to date from around 1320.[2] English Heritage have designated it a Grade II* listed building.[1] As of 2016 it is used by the local community association for occasional events, having passed from private to City Council hands in 1934.[2]
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