Worksop Priory

The initial land grant and monies to establish the Augustinian priory were made by William de Lovetot in 1103. In 1187 Philip, the Canon of Lincoln Cathedral, donated the Worksop Bestiary, an illuminated manuscript now at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York. During the thirteenth century, two lords of Worksop (Gerard de Furnival II and his son Thomas de Furnival) died while on crusade, Gerard on the Fifth Crusade in 1219 and Thomas on the Barons' Crusade in 1241. Thomas's brother, Gerard III, also died on this campaign, while their brother William, who had also taken part, returned home. A later rhyming history, which was on display in Worksop Priory in the late fifteenth century,…