Sempringham

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Located near Bourne in Lincolnshire, Sempringham is now a small hamlet that gives little clue to the history entwined within its parish boundary. Located in flat fenland, Sempringham is difficult to find, and included in the parish are Millthorpe, the fens of Pointon, Neslam and Aslackby and a part of the Hundred Fen at Gosberton Clough.

It is the site of St Mary's Priory, a priory of the Abbey of Peterborough that was founded by Saint Gilbert (also known as Gilbert of Sempringham); it became the enforced residence of Gwenllian of Wales, the daughter of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Tywysog Cymru, the Leader of Wales, Prince of Wales, and the only granddaughter of Simon de Montfort. Gwenllian had been born at the royal Welsh home Garth Celyn, Aber Garth Celyn, on the north coast of Gwynedd, on or about 19 June 1282. Her mother Eleanor de Montfort, Lady of Wales, died in childbirth. In 1282, Edward I, king of England, had moved a massive army into north Wales. On 11 December 1282, Gwenllian's father Tywysog Llywelyn had been lured into a trap, and put to death (letters in Lambeth Palace Archives, November / December 1282). In 1283 Gwenllian and her cousins had been captured by Edward's troops. Edward sent Gwenllian 'in her cradle', to be held there in secure confinement.

In 1327, Edward III stayed at the Priory and granted Gwenllian a lifelong yearly pension of £20, necessary to pay her board and lodgings as she never became a nun, but was regarded as a 'paying guest' who was not permitted to leave. Gwenllian died at the Priory after being held there for 54 years, on June 7, 1337.

At the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Sempringham Priory came to the Clintons, who demolished it and reused the stone to build their residence on the site. Today little remains of priory or residence.