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A quick look at what remains of the Priory before we begin our cruising again
This Augustinian Priory was founded by Stephen La Leye in the mid 1100s. Henry ll was on the throne in England; little did he imagine that his namesake 400 years later would change the religion and cause great upheaval in the land by the dissolution of the monasteries. Canons Ashby was one of the first monasteries to be closed.
Although an huge building built of local dark orange ironstone, the Priory probably only ever housed eight monks. It dominated the village of Canons Ashby, but only furrows and bumps are left. It owned a fishpond and a mill and the hospitalium remains can still be seen at the parish church of Maidford, five miles away.
St Mary's Priory Church was built 100 years later and designed like a small cathedral.
 Model of Canons Ashby Priory Church
Only about a quarter of the original church remains and it became the Dryden family's private church in 1551. They allowed the surrounding population to attend the church and it became the Parish Church, one of only four privately owned churches now in existence in the country.
 St Mary's Priory Church
Inside the church are many memorials to the Dryden family, hatchments dedicated to family members and the east window has "mock curtains" probably painted by a cousin of the Drydens.
 Dryden Funeral Hatchment
 East window "curtains"
There are more of our photos of the inside of this very plainly decorated church here - clickety click
So later today we leave High Lane and continue our cruise towards the Peak Forest Canal. Many of the cruisers and narrowboats of North Cheshire Cruising Club are out on the cut enjoying their Commodore's cruise. So we are one of the few boats still moored in the Arm - it will be easier to reverse and turn with them all out!
 Moored in High Lane Arm before the exodus
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