Ellerton Priory (Spalding Moor)

Ellerton Priory was a Gilbertine priory located near Ellerton in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, close to Spalding Moor. It was founded in the early 12th century, likely around 1160, by William Fitz Peter, and was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It housed both canons and nuns, following the mixed-community structure characteristic of the Gilbertine Order.

The priory was relatively small and never attained great wealth or influence. Its endowments were modest, primarily consisting of local landholdings. The activities of the canons and nuns centered around prayer, agricultural work, and providing limited hospitality.

Throughout its history, Ellerton Priory faced periods of financial difficulty and occasional internal disputes. Records indicate instances of mismanagement and the need for external intervention from the Gilbertine General Chapter.

The priory was suppressed in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII. Its lands and assets were confiscated by the Crown, and the buildings were subsequently dismantled.

Today, little remains of Ellerton Priory. The site is occupied by a farm, and only fragments of the original buildings are visible, incorporated into the fabric of the later structures. The location is a scheduled monument. Archaeological investigations have revealed some details about the priory's layout and construction.