priory at Much Wenlock. A religious building has stood on the site of the priory since the late seventh century. In around 1040 Leofric, the Earl of Mercia, built a Minster on the site and after the Conquest of 1066 monks from a La Charite sur Loire, a daughter house of Cluny, came across and took over the running of the priory. The present priory was constructed at the start of the 1200's and played host to Henry III on several occasions.
Mini Timeline

1040		A new minter at Much Wenlock
		Earl Leofric builds a new Minster on the site of older religious buildings at Much Wenlock.
1043		Leofric founds Coventry Abbey
		Leofric and his lady Godgifu found the Abbey on the site of Coventry Cathedral. Godgifu may have been the famous Lady Godiva who rode naked through the streets of Coventry to save the townsfolk from paying high taxes.