ULVERSCROFT PRIORY, LL STERSHIRE. Teis Priory was founded, in the early part of the twelfth century, by Robert Bossu, for fears of the under 1 St. Augustine. Besides the lands given to it is *Be sunder, it had the manor of Carlton Cara anty, twelve messuages and twelve Senton, the advowsons of the ebench Beng y he county of Leicester, and at the sange; Falcy The site of the Priory & mà 60 py arth and south, nearly through the idea p. It is surrounded un sad sides, wrest 1 south, by high em.nces in the foret, vt t south aspect the view is open and ext P.ve ing the town of Leicester, and a considerall tran untry around and bevond it. The situation is, very sequestered and prets Pear nearer, in a different direction. ULVERSCROFT PRIORY, LEICESTERSHIRE. THIS Priory was founded, in the early part of the twelfth century, by Robert Bossu, for friars of the order of St. Augustine. Besides the lands given to it by the founder, it had the manor of Carlton Carlew, in this county, twelve messuages and twelve yard-lands in Shenton, the advowsons of the church of Boney, in the county of Nottingham, those of Syston and Radcliff, in the county of Leicester, and at the suppression was valued at £101: 3:10. The site of the Priory is in a deep valley, which lies north and south, nearly through the middle of the lordship. It is surrounded on all sides, except to the south, by high eminences in the forest; but to the south aspect the view is open and extensive, commanding the town of Leicester, and a considerable tract of country around and beyond it. The situation is very sequestered and picturesque, A rather large (at all times rapid) brook, flows through the valley, and at a little distance below the Priory. This, with another stream that skirts the Priory, still nearer, in a different direction, served amply to supply the moat, fishponds, &c. with which it was surrounded, ULVERSCROFT PRIORY. The tower, which stands on two elevated pointed arches, is, in a good degree, entire, except at one corner, and may be ascended by sixty-three steps, a few only towards the top being deficient. The entrance to the staircase is now very low, the ground having been evidently much raised by rubbish. The south side of the church, and some small ruins on the north, remain: there are also two niches at the farther end of the ruins, which have the appearance of having formerly been stone seats; and the floor of the church consisted of small square tiles, variously marked. Adjoining to the church, on the south, is the Priory house, now occupied as a farm house: the walls, roof, and other circumstances, evidently prove this to have been part of the original building. A short time since, while making some alteration in one of the rooms, the masons met with a stone fixed in the wall, on which there is reason to believe were engraved the arms and date of the Priory; but which they unfortunately destroyed. A high mouldering wall, with large windows, which joins to the house, and a building which now serves as a barn, from the timbers, and other materials, evidently belonged to the Priory. The present church door at Thornton, in this neighbourhood, is supposed to have belonged to the church of this Priory at the dissolution. |