13 May 2026 Llanthony Secunda Priory, Gloucester, UK

 I finally made it back to England. Today was supposed to be a bit of an off day, but the flight arrived here this morning, and I had time to squeeze in my first stop, so I took advantage of it. 


My 26th Great Grandfather, Miles Fitzwalter (also known as Miles of Gloucester), 1st Earl of Hereford, established this Augustinian Priory around 1136. Many of his offspring were buried at the Priory during its peak time, and it was eventually destroyed during the English Civil War. 

The reason why it was named Llanthony Secunda, was because there was an original priory founded in the Vale of Ewyas, in Wales, called Llanthony Prima Priory, When the Welsh would get to feeling a little froggy about the English trying to take their homes, they would raid the first priory, and send the English back towards safer grounds, which in this case was Gloucester. 


Not much remains of the priory other than ruins. The Llanthony Secunda Priory Trust received some funds for restoration work in 2013, and it is now a green area next to a college, where people can relax and enjoy the weather during the week. It is also a wedding venue for those who wish to tie the knot.


 


This is what was left of the gatehouse after the English Civil War. My family burials here include those of: Sir Henry de Bohun (1220), Matilda de Lusignan (1241), and Roger de Tosny (1264).

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