A 3d model of Bromholme Priory was one of the requirements set out in the Paston Footprints project.

 

Bromholme Priory was one of four prominent Paston places to be fully modeled, the others being Paston Hall, Oxnead Hall, and Gresham Castle.

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The Cluniac priory of Bromholme was dedicated to St Andrew and founded in 1113 by William de Glanvill.

 

It was originally subordinate to Castle Acre Priory until 1298 when Pope Celestine III exempted it.

 

At the time of the first William Paston, the tradition was that a family ancestor, Wulstan, was involved in the founding of the priory. 

 

The foundation might have remained a provincial monastery, but it became a national pilgrimage site on the acquisition of what was said to be a piece of the 'true cross'. It seems that this ancient wood was fashioned into the shape of a cross and became a subject of considerable veneration at the priory. Such an object or 'relic' would draw people to Bromholm.

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John Tyteshall became prior in 1460 and two of his letters appear in the Paston collection. John Paston I died in 1466, during Tyteshall's time, leaving the request that his body is buried at Bromholm. He had died in London and his body was brought with great ceremony over six days to Bromholm, with an overnight stop and service at the Paston's church in Norwich, St Peter's, Hungate.

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The historian Blomefield includes a record of the considerable expenditure outlaid for the funeral. £20 in gold was changed into small donations to be given to the poor. It took three days to kill all the pigs, cows, and other animals which were cooked for the wake at the priory.

 

Numerous priests and friars walked with the hearse, which in itself was a considerable expense. Vast quantities of candles were burned, to the extent that glaziers had to be hired to take out two windows of the priory church, to let out the smoke and smell.

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John Paston would not rest there in peace forever. At the time of the suppression of Bromholm, his body was removed and reburied at St Margaret's church at Paston.

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Find out more about the Paston story at the thisispaston website.

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