1075, in the time of William the Conqueror, one Robert de Vaux founded the Priory at Pentney. Dedicated to the Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Mary Magdalene it was given a Prior and 12 Cannons. The original Arms of Pentney being 3 covered baskets is rumoured to represent the wicker or straw baskets in which uneaten food from meals was collected and given as alms to the poor and needy of the village and the beggars waiting at the Gatehouse. This gatehouse is the only structure that remains, largely intact it is one of the finest still standing.

Pentney flourished under the patronage of the landed gentry. In 1461, Wormegay and East Tuddenham rectories were annexed to it. However not all went well. In 1514 Bishop Nykke of Norwich paid a visit to be told the “younger religious go untaught” the novices were not being trained properly, the rot had started!

Scandal stuck in 1536. Prior Codde was found guilty of sin with the Prioress of Marham. Five cannons were implicated; the report claimed that the five had admitted to having affairs with certain parties at the nunnery. The results being swift and dramatic.

The Abbess of Marham was fined and the nunnery closed. Strangely the Commissioners found “priests of very honest name and good religious persons” however the dye had been cast and the great days of Pentney Priory were numbered.

In the same year King Henry VIII passed the Act for Dissolution of smaller monasteries. Pentney had a short reprieve but finally fell the Kings’ Commissioners in February 1537. Much to the dismay of the villagers the Black Cannons left the estate they had ruled over 400 years. The buildings fell into decay, further humiliation followed in the 17th Century. Cromwell in flat-bottomed boats, armed with guns and cannon used the buildings as target practice. The gatehouse being beyond the range of their guns survived.

The architectural and historical importance of Pentney Abbey has been recognised by English Heritage who list the remains as a grade 1 Schedule Monument. It is our sincere hope that with the help of English Heritage, and anyone else that can be enlisted, that we can improve the fortunes of the Gatehouse, bringing it back to life for all to enjoy.