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Adam Fitz Swain’s 12th-century priory of St. Mary Magdalene at Lundwood, Barnsley is also known as Monk Bretton Priory. It was a daughter house of St Johns Priory for Cluniac monks, founded by Robert de Laci (de Lacy) near to his base at Pontefract Castle.

Cluniacs at Monk Bretton controlled agriculture and natural resources on may sites between Wakefield and Rotherham. Their market charter was the cause of Barnsley’s growth into a West Riding market town. King Edward I was troubled when monks came from La Charité-sur-Loire in France to fight for control of this wealth. Here lived “the black monks of St Mary’s priory” in The Lytill Geste of Robin Hood. They are commemorated in the nearby Mill of the Black Monks restaurant.

After dissolution under Henry VIII, it was home to the Armyne and Talbot families, descendents of the Earl of Shrewsbury.

Monk Bretton Priory is now owned by Barnsley MBC under English Heritage custody and promoted by the Diocese of Wakefield.

We are developing this historic site for its educational value and to become a feature of the Trans Pennine Trail and South Yorkshire tourism.

Latest news and events

Our "News & Event" section is the best way for you to stay up to date with everything related to Monk Bretton Priory. read more

How to get to the Priory

Plan your trip to Monk Bretton Priory in advance. Direction and maps are provided in this section. read more

Friends of Monk Bretton Priory were founded in July 2002 to promote Monk Bretton Priory
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