Yenston Priory

{{Short description|Priory in Henstridge, Somerset, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

Yenston Priory was a Benedictine priory in Henstridge, Somerset, England.

It was a cell of the Abbey of Sever in Normandy, France. It was founded by Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester, who died around 1100 and was also known as Hugh Abrincus, and Hugh Lupus.{{cite web|title=Henstridge - Herringby', A Topographical Dictionary of England |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=51026|publisher=British History Online|access-date=26 September 2010|pages=482–491|year=1848}} In 1158 the abbey was confirmed by Pope Adrian IV.{{cite web|last1=Baggs|first1=A.P.|last2=Siraut|first2=M.C.|title=Henstridge In: A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 7, Bruton, Horethorne and Norton Ferris Hundreds.|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/som/vol7/pp108-119#h3-0002|website=British History Online|publisher=Victoria County History|access-date=30 September 2016}}

Around 1468 it was granted to Eton College. The buildings had been demolished before 1450. and later by Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset. After the dissolution of the monasteries the land was held by Sir Thomas Bell.{{cite web|title=Benedictine priory, Yenston|url=http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/53958|work=Somerset Historic Environment Record|publisher=Somerset County Council|access-date=30 September 2016}}

Stone from the priory was used to build Monmouth House in the village, and traces of its buildings may remain in the outhouses.{{cite web|title=Monmouth House, Henstridge|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-261811-monmouth-house-henstridge|publisher=British Listed Buildings|access-date=26 September 2010}} There are also surface marks in surrounding fields, however these may not be from the building itself but from the excavation of stone.{{cite web|title=Monument No. 202479|url=http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=202479|website=Pastscape|publisher=Historic England|access-date=30 September 2016}}