⛪ Bilsington Priory

Bilsington Priory is a former Augustinian priory in Kent, England, about 3⁄4 mile (1 km) north of Bilsington and about 5 miles (8 km) south of Ashford. Mentioned in the Domesday book as held by Odo of Bayeaux, Earl of Kent and Bishop of Bayeaxu, it was founded in 1253 by John Maunsell, with help from the canons of Merton Priory, which provided the first three priors. Being a monastic house under £200, it was suppressed in the 1536 Dissolution of the Monasteries. Its lands were granted to Anthony St Leger, who exchanged them with Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. Bilsington Priory is mentioned as providing a hospital and preaching to the local community.