Hitchin Priory: Home of Monks, Monkeys, and Tyrants

Uncover the extraordinary and often surprising history of Hitchin Priory, a site that has witnessed centuries of dramatic change and played host to an incredibly diverse cast of characters.

This captivating talk journeys from its origins as a tranquil monastic institution inhabited by monks, through the tumultuous Dissolution of the Monasteries, and into its subsequent life as a grand country house. Discover tales of its colourful residents, which reputedly included an eccentric owner with exotic pets like monkeys, and the powerful “tyrants” – influential figures and formidable landowners who shaped its destiny and left their indelible mark on both the Priory and the town of Hitchin.