prieure

A priory is a monastic community headed by a prior or prioress. It is a subordinate establishment within a religious order, typically linked to a larger abbey or cathedral. While a priory can be an independent monastery, it is more commonly a dependency of an abbey, with its head, the prior, owing allegiance to the abbot of the mother house. The priory's resources and governance were often managed by the prior, who acted as the abbot's representative.

The establishment of priories served various purposes, including the administration of distant lands owned by an abbey, the establishment of monastic presence in new areas, or the provision of a place for monks to live and work under a more localized leadership. The architectural style of priories varied depending on the order, the historical period, and the region, but often included a church, cloister, refectory, and living quarters for the monks.

The role of a priory within a religious order could evolve over time. Some priories gained independence and were elevated to the status of abbeys. Others remained dependencies, contributing to the wider network of monastic life. The dissolution of monasteries in some historical periods led to the decline or repurposing of many priories, though some have been restored or preserved as historical sites. The term "prioress" refers to the female head of a priory of nuns.