BPE

Distinguished Role in History

St. Augustine's Priory was founded in 1253 by Henry III, and
became the home of the Black Canons. For the next three
centuries the Priory played a distinguished role in history,
welcoming pilgrims on their journey from the ancient
Cinque Ports of Hythe, New Romney and Rye to Canterbury.
But after Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in
1535 the building fell into disrepair. It was secretly used
by smugglers from the Romney Marsh in the eighteenth
century.

They put round rumours that the priory was haunted by the
ghosts of the monks who were driven away by Henry VIII to
keep locals from visiting the ruins.

To this day, some say they have seen the ghostly monks in
the Priory and the gardens. The Priory was restored at the
beginning of the last century with the original yellow
ragstone, and oak timbers saved from the thirteenth
century. Today, the Priory consists of Chapter House,
Grand Hall and Prior's lodgings accommodated over three
floors.