A House of Significance: the Early History of Barnwell Priory and St Andrew the Less Today
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Barnwell Priory was founded in the days of crusading knights, and today its last buildings are fighting their own battle for survival. Tonight’s talk is in two parts: the first tells the story of the Priory’s first years, and the second outlines what the St Andrew the Less Community Project is doing to ensure the continuation of this important part of Cambridge’s heritage.
Established first on a small piece of flat land beneath Cambridge Castle and the River Cam, and then transferred some twenty years later to the outskirts of the town, Barnwell Priory was not only one of the very earliest Augustinian foundations in England, but amongst the richest and best documented.
The Cambridge antiquary and Fellow of Trinity College, John Willis Clark, first noticed its importance over a century ago, and it was Clark who edited the first seven books of the manuscript known as the Liber Memorandum Ecclesie de Bernewelle in 1907. This covers the early history of the house and includes its foundation myth, its second foundation, and some very biased accounts of the thirteenth-century litigation between, amongst others, the Priory, the town burgesses, and the local population.
Covering the period from its foundation in 1092 to c.1294-95, it is a shame that the manuscript was either discontinued or any extension was lost. Despite this, we are fortunate that a plethora of other forms of documentation do survive through which to showcase the importance of this under-researched and neglected religious house.
Jac (Jacqueline) Harmon
Jac is a retired higher education administrator, formerly having worked at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. She is now a freelance writer and researcher, working on a historical novel. She is a trustee of the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy and volunteers for the National Trust at Anglesey Abbey, where she works alongside the Collections team.
Maria Cleminson
Maria read history at Oxford, where her biases were towards the middle ages and ecclesiastical history. Before moving to Cambridge career in journalism, communications, fundraising and, latterly, project development in Tajikistan. Now she has settled in Cambridge, as well as bringing up three young children, Maria is throwing herself into community life, leading on the St Andrew the Less Community Project, initiating biodiversity projects with the Riverside Area Residents Association and standing in May’s local elections.
This talk takes place at Ross Street Community Centre which is fully accessible. Doors open at 7pm and the talk starts at 7:30pm. Tea and bscuits provided. Admission £3.
Note as audience numbers are unpredictable we urge people to arrive early so as not to be turned away if we reach capacity.
Date Tuesday 14 July 2026
Time 7:30pm – 9pm
Location Ross St Community Centre, Ross Street, Cambridge CB1 3UZ
Admission £3
Established first on a small piece of flat land beneath Cambridge Castle and the River Cam, and then transferred some twenty years later to the outskirts of the town, Barnwell Priory was not only one of the very earliest Augustinian foundations in England, but amongst the richest and best documented.
The Cambridge antiquary and Fellow of Trinity College, John Willis Clark, first noticed its importance over a century ago, and it was Clark who edited the first seven books of the manuscript known as the Liber Memorandum Ecclesie de Bernewelle in 1907. This covers the early history of the house and includes its foundation myth, its second foundation, and some very biased accounts of the thirteenth-century litigation between, amongst others, the Priory, the town burgesses, and the local population.
Covering the period from its foundation in 1092 to c.1294-95, it is a shame that the manuscript was either discontinued or any extension was lost. Despite this, we are fortunate that a plethora of other forms of documentation do survive through which to showcase the importance of this under-researched and neglected religious house.
Jac (Jacqueline) Harmon
Jac is a retired higher education administrator, formerly having worked at Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. She is now a freelance writer and researcher, working on a historical novel. She is a trustee of the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy and volunteers for the National Trust at Anglesey Abbey, where she works alongside the Collections team.
Maria Cleminson
Maria read history at Oxford, where her biases were towards the middle ages and ecclesiastical history. Before moving to Cambridge career in journalism, communications, fundraising and, latterly, project development in Tajikistan. Now she has settled in Cambridge, as well as bringing up three young children, Maria is throwing herself into community life, leading on the St Andrew the Less Community Project, initiating biodiversity projects with the Riverside Area Residents Association and standing in May’s local elections.
This talk takes place at Ross Street Community Centre which is fully accessible. Doors open at 7pm and the talk starts at 7:30pm. Tea and bscuits provided. Admission £3.
Note as audience numbers are unpredictable we urge people to arrive early so as not to be turned away if we reach capacity.
Date Tuesday 14 July 2026
Time 7:30pm – 9pm
Location Ross St Community Centre, Ross Street, Cambridge CB1 3UZ
Admission £3
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Where is it happening?
Ross Street Community Centre, Ross Street,Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherMill Road History
