Visit

 

The pretty village of Binham, found in North Norfolk between Wells-next-the-Sea and Holt, is dominated by the imposing ruins of Binham Priory. Now in the care of English Heritage, the priory was founded for Benedictine monks in the late 11th century by Pierre de Valoines, nephew of William the Conqueror. The church, of cruciform plan, took over 100 years to build.

The priory has a colourful history that includes sieges, fires, revolts and imprisonment. In 1212, rebels against King John besieged the priory until the brethren were finally relieved by a force instructed by John’s Chancellor, John de Grey, Benedictine and a Norfolk man. During the dissolution, the priory was suppressed in May 1539, after which it essentially began its descent into disrepair. Apparently, many cottages in the village were built from the stones of the ruined priory.

The ruins of the priory, and the nave – The Church of St. Mary and the Holy Cross, which is still used as a place of worship can be visited free of charge. The church is open from 9am until dusk and still features a surviving screen dado (now behind glass on the south side of the church) and the original metalwork of the rose window (which now hangs on the inside of the west wall).

 

Above the impressive features of the ruins and the church, Binham Priory has another point of interest associated with it. Everyone loves a local legend and Binham has a fascinating tale tied to it.

Legend has it that a tunnel linked the priory to the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham some 3 miles away. The tunnel was said to be haunted by a tall Black Monk, who was also seen walking the length of the tunnel above ground on certain nights. It goes that the hooded figure appeared to be looking for something, turning his head from side to side and scanning around. The ghostly figure was believed to be evil and as such none of the village folk ever dared approach it.

As the priory continued to fall into further neglect, subsidence occurred along the tunnel, as well as deliberate attempts to enter it from above ground. However, the curiosity of the villagers to investigate the truth behind the tunnel stories was held back by the fear of the presence. Around 300 years ago, it is said that as a result of this damage part of the old tunnel collapsed revealing a gaping hole near the priory. Inquisitive people investigated as much as they dared, but would not proceed any further into the opening. Until a man called Jimmy Griggs came along that is. Not scared by the stories of the cloaked figure, and accompanied by his dog, Jimmy said he would explore the tunnel providing the village folk traced his progress above ground. So they would be able to follow him, Jimmy said he would play his fiddle, which they would be able to hear above him. The story goes that this arrangement worked until Jimmy reached the burial mound now known as ‘Fiddlers Hill’. The violin playing ceased at this point and neither Jimmy nor his dog were ever seen again.

In 1933, the Norfolk Archaeological Trust acquired the ruined portions of the priory and excavations began to widen the road around Fiddlers Hill. Skeletons were found that included one of a dog…

 

In an effort to investigate these tales and the rumours of an associated ‘sense of ill-feeling and foreboding’, we paid a visit to Binham Priory. Unfortunately, we saw no signs of a ghostly hooded figure or a hidden tunnel and heard no ghostly violin music as has been previously reported. In fact, we found the priory a peaceful and serene place – the only other people there were a family enjoying a picnic (although we were temporarily spooked when their dog suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started growling at the air behind us). Naturally, if you have had any experience to the contrary, feel free to let us know…

 

 

For more information on Binham and the priory, visit www.binhampriory.org.