"Lytham Priory - Our Forgotten Hall" - Exhibition

A comprehensive, must see, exhibition on the now forgotten Lytham Priory will be held at Lytham Heritage Centre by Lytham Heritage Group from 8 February 2011 to 6 March 2011.

Over 500 Years of “Sleepy” Lytham’s Medieval History including Black Death, Miracles, Minstrels, Riots, Adultery & Deception. Lytham was not always such a genteel place. Indeed, in medieval times it was sometimes lawless, not leafy Lytham.

In 1190, when the local Thane, Richard Fitzroger donated his manor at Lytham to the monks of St Cuthbert of Durham, they established a small priory. The priory remained on the site of what is now Lytham Hall until Henry VIII dissolved monastic establishments in the 1530s. The monks supported themselves by farming, sending surplus funds to Durham. They provided services at St Cuthbert’s Church, gave to the poor at Easter and treated passing minstrels charitably.

But the priory’s presence was not always respected by often cantankerous neighbours, who expressed their hostility in acts of violence. These included an assault on the Prior at Lytham Mill and threats to ‘dowke’ him in the sea, the theft of cattle by 200 armed raiders led by Sir William Clifton of Westby, and a mass riot by Layton tenants that left its name at Mad Nook.

For the full in depth story of these and other events in the life of Lytham Priory, Our Forgotten Hall, visit Lytham Heritage Centre at 2 Henry Street, Lytham FY8 5LE. The exhibition runs from 8 February to 6 March 2011. OPEN TUESDAYs to SUNDAYs, 10 am to 4 pm and Free Admission.