Polsloe Priory, also known as St Katherine's Priory, was a Benedictine priory for women (a nunnery) in Devon, England. It was founded in around 1159 on land to the east of Exeter, on a site that is now part of the city's suburb of Polsloe. At the time it was the only religious house for women in Devon,[1] but two others were founded later: at Cornworthy and Canonsleigh Abbey.[2] The first prioress of whom any record survives was Avelina in 1218.[3] Amongst the holdings of the priory was the Church of St Mary, Marston Magna in Somerset.[4]
In common with most other Catholic institutions, it was dissolved by Henry VIII, in 1539,[5] even though it had paid a fine of £400 for exemption from the Suppression of Religious Houses Act 1535.[6] At dissolution it had 14 nuns, including the prioress and subprioress.[7]
Most of the buildings have been demolished, but one remains, built of the local red sandstone and believed to date from around 1320. English Heritage have designated it a Grade II* listed building. As of 2016 it is used by the local community association for occasional events, having passed from private to City Council hands in 1934.
. Robert Bartlett (historian). England under the Norman and Angevin Kings, 1075-1225. 2000. OUP. 0-19-822741-8. 428. registration.