Ranton Abbey

About

Ranton Abbey or Ranton Priory was an Augustinian Priory in Ranton, Staffordshire, England, built c.1150 by Robert fitz Noel of Ellenhall. The priory flourished in the 13th century as a subordinate house to Haughmond Abbey (near Shrewsbury). Ranton was dissolved by the Suppression of Religious Houses Act 1535 for dissolving the lesser monasteries. Only the 14th–15th century tower and part of the south wall remain, although the cloisters and other parts are known to have still been standing in 1663. Many important personages were buried in the abbey including Sir Thomas Harcourt, Knt., of Stanton Harcourt, who died 12 April 1417. The ruins of Abbey House stand adjacent. Accord to Michael Raven (2004), Ranton Abbey:

"was founded by Robert and Celestia Noel of Ellenhall about 1150 for Augustinian canons from Haughmond. In 1820 Thomas, 1st Earl of Lichfield, built a large house, a hunting lodge or weekend retreat, adjacent to the abbey...all that remains of the abbey is the large imposing tower (of the 15th century) and a little of the nave wall with a Norman doorway decorated with roll moulding. The house is now in ruins as it was accidentally burned down in 1942, during the Second World...