Gurney Genealogy Library Updated 29 May 2026 by Allen Gurney

Lessingham, Norfolk, England

Place research page generated from the structured place spine and the companion place markdown.

Lessingham Priory foundation linked to the Abbey of Bec.

Linked ancestors

Lessingham Priory — founded by Gerard de Gournay (G32) as a daughter house of the Abbey of Bec, Normandy.

Gournay connections

Gerard de Gournay founded Lessingham Priory, attaching it to the Abbey of Bec. The economic basis for the priory may have been established earlier when Hugh III (G33) gave tithes of his English properties to Bec in 1076. Blomefield and Dugdale (Monasticon Anglicanum) confirm the foundation.

DG-Supp Note 13 (p. 733) adds: “The priory of Lessingham was made subject to the abbey of Okeburn in Wiltshire, a cell to that of Bec. It was seized with all alien lands in the wars of Henry V. with France. There are no traces now left of the existence of this priory at Lessingham.”

The priory’s fate is a common one for “alien priories” — small English religious houses subordinate to French mother houses. During the wars with France (particularly under Henry V, r. 1413–1422), these were confiscated by the Crown. Lessingham’s disappearance is total: no architectural remains, no visible site.

DG-Supp Note 14 also mentions that in the Henry II Inspeximus charter (Dugdale’s Monasticon, vol. vi, p. 1068), among the benefactors to Bec is listed: “De dono Girardi de Gurnay, Lisingham” — confirming Gerard’s gift of Lessingham to Bec.

Sources

  • DG-I, pp. 27–29 (Gerard chapter). [DG-I]
  • DG-Supp, Note 13 footnote (p. 733): Lessingham priory history, Okeburn connection, Henry V seizure. [DG-Supp]
  • DG-Supp, Note 14 footnote (p. 733): Henry II Inspeximus charter confirming “De dono Girardi de Gurnay, Lisingham.” [DG-Supp]
  • Dugdale, Monasticon Anglicanum, vol. vi, p. 1068. [Dugdale-Mon]
  • Blomefield, History of Norfolk — confirms foundation. [Blomefield]

Open questions

  • [ ] What is the exact site of Lessingham Priory? Blomefield may provide a location description.
  • [ ] Is there any archaeological survey of the priory site?

Crosslinks

  • research/people/g32-gerard-de-gournay-fact-sheet.research.md
  • research/people/g33-hugh-de-gournay-iii-fact-sheet.research.md
  • research/places/le-bec-hellouin.md