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Brinkburn Priory nestles in quiet seclusion in a bend of the River
Coquet about four miles east of Rothbury, in Northumberland: owned
by the Fenwick family it is now administered by English Heritage.
Founded between 1130 and 1135 by William Bertram, Baron of Mitford
as a house for Augustine canons the priory was never very wealthy.
Little is known of the history of the house other than that gleaned
from the records now housed in the British Museum. It survived some
troubled times and as late as 1419 was raided and robbed. In 1535
the value was recorded as £69 and the house was finally dissolved
in 1536 along with all those other minor houses with an income of
less than £200. Services continued to be held at Brinkburn and the
church was retained in a fair state of repair until the end of the
16th century.
In 1602 it was reported to be in a state of decay, a situation
which worsened over the years and eventually the roof collapsed.
In the middle of the 18th century Dr Sharpe, Archdeacon of Northumberland
tried to effect repairs and although there was considerable support
for the project, work could not continue due to a dispute between
the owner, William Fenwick, and the Vicar of Felton.
In the 19th century the owner of Brinkburn tried to revive the
restoration of the church and work began in 1858. The roof was completed
along with a number of masonry repairs in 1859 and the stained glass
windows inserted between 1861 and 1864; but the church was not furnished
till 1868.
During the reconstruction the tombstone of Prior William, suffragan
Bishop of Durham who died in 1484, was found and the original altar
stone with five crosses is still preserved along with an ancient
font. In 1834 another discovery was made about 50 yards from the
church when a bronze pot containing almost 300 Rose Nobles of Edward
III, Richard II, and Henry IV was discovered.
Tradition tells of a party of marauding Scots who were unable to
find the priory, although close by. The band failed in their bid
to plunder and started off for home when they were startled to hear
the sound of bells, which the monks rang in joy at their departure.
The Scots returned, following the sound of the bells, and the priory
was pillaged and burned.
Nearby, a deep part of the river bears the name of "Bell Pool"
- tradition relates that during one of their raids the Scots flung
the priory bells into the river at this spot.
Today the priory and grounds provide a haven of peace and tranquility
for visitors.
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