The heads of religious houses usually lived apart from the communities they governed.
At Thetford the lodging of the superior or prior of the monastery stood to the west of the church and cloister. Over the course of the Middle Ages the prior's lodging evolved into a long, two-storey range. It incorporated its own chapel, a chamber and a hall.
The prior provided entertainment for guests or in celebration of important feasts. Surviving account books record the visit of King Henry VII in 1498-99, he was entertained by the waits of Norwich, who were paid 1 shilling and 4 pence for their performance.
Following the dissolution of the priory in 1540, the lodging continued to be occupied as a house for another 200 years. During this period it underwent further alteration. By the 1820s, however, the building was a roofless ruin.
Beyond the lodging range is Abbey House, a large house built in the 19th century. The priory remains were incorporated into the grounds of the house as a romantic ruin.
Disclaimer
The text and pictures on this page are derived from the 'Heritage Unlocked' series of guidebooks published in 2004. We intend to review, update and enhance the content in the near future as part of the Portico project, whose objective is to provide information on the history, significance, research background and sources for all English Heritage properties.
