Lanercost Priory, Brampton

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Lanercost was built by the de Vaux family around 1169 but is closely associated with the Dacres of nearby Naworth Castle.

The priory was frequently subjected to Scottish attacks and was occupied as a base by William Wallace and his men after burning Hexham priory and firing a few more buildings in the surrounding area. The Bruce also used the building as a headquarters for decimating the countryside about in 1311, while 35 years later King David II broke the doors in and stole all the jewels before smashing up destroying anything he could.

When the reivers where riding high in the 1590s, the tenants of Lanercost – mostly Bells - were paying blackmail (protection money) to Richie Graham.

The priory was dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1538 and was described as being in a state of decay for two or three years in an English West March inquiry for the Bishop of Durham in 1597 – and the jury, led by Christopher Dalston, did not know who was responsible for its repair.

The priory is now looked after by English Heritage.



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