The Building Exploratory

HERITAGE THEME: HISTORIC BUILDINGS & STRUCTURES PRIORY, 1114-1538, Under Meratun Way SW19 2RD

Image Courtesy of: The Building Exploratory

TREASURE DESCRIPTION: An Augustinian priory of St. Mary, founded in 1114 by Gilbert, Sheriff of . It quickly grew in size, wealth and importance covering over 60 acres and holidng a number of estates. The Priory Image Courtesy of: The Building Exploratory enjoyed Royal Patronage from King Henry III. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Nine hundred years ago where a Savacentre su- was demolished in 1538 and its permarket is now, stood Merton Priory. It had a stones taken to Cuddington for the construction church as big as Abbey and was one of Nonsuch Palace. of ’s most important centres of religion and learning. It is a historic site with industrial heritage. From the 1660s, the site of the Priory developed into a In 1236, the Statue of Merton was authorised by textile manufacturing centre. By the 18th Century, King Henry III in the Chapter House concerning the main industry at ‘Merton Abbey’ was calico landholding and inheritance. printing and the area became a major centre for textile printing and dyeing in England. Liberty’s In 1346-9, royal sports were held here. In 1437, and William Morris & Co. were established on or King Henry VI was crowned at the Priory. nearby the site.

VOLUNTEER REFLECTIONS Although hundreds of shoppers pass by and cars drive over the top, the site holds significant historical interest because this is where the Statutes of Merton – which formed the basis of English law – were drawn up. MERTON PRIORY, 1114-1538, Under Meratun Way SW19 2RD

SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE was educated at the Priory from were an attempt by the barons to limit royal pow- 1128. er which they felt had been abused by Henry III.

Hubert Walter was a canon of Merton Priory founded Merton College, ini- when he became Archbishop of Canterbury in tially at and then at Oxford in 1274 1193 and ruled England when Richard I was im- and so helped develop the Oxbridge collegiate prisoned. system.

King John is said to have stopped off at Merton Henry VI held a crowning ceremony here in 1437. on his way to sign Magna Carta at Runnymede. It is from Merton he issued letters of safe conduct to Mary I, last royal visitor, whilst still Princess Mary. allow the barons to leave . Henry VIII dissolved Merton Priory and ordered its Henry III visited Merton so frequently he had his stones to be removed to build Nonsuch Palace. own quarters and sometimes held court here. In 1217 a 9 year old Henry attended a peace con- The Merton Priory Trust is a registered charity ference held here between England and France. formed in 2003 to provide and support an edu- cation and information centre on the site of Mer- The terms of the Statute of Merton were drawn up ton Priory. Artefacts from the site are stored at the in the Chapter House and like Magna Carta they Museum of London.

Image Courtesy of: The Building Exploratory Fragments of the Priory remain above ground in- cluding part of the medieval precinct wall at Pick- le Ditch, and an archway from the guest house of the Priory at St. Mary’s Church, . Image Courtesy of: Stuart Swan

References: MertonPriory.org: www.mertonpriory.org