Nuns of LittleMorePriory

Delve into the intriguing scandals that unfolded within the walls of Little More Priory, a Benedictine nunnery nestled in the heart of Oxfordshire, England. This captivating tale, set in the year 1517, reveals a shocking investigation led by Bishop William Atwater that uncovered a web of intrigue, scandal, and outright defiance.

Led by their audacious priress, Catherine Wells, the nuns of Little More Priory engaged in activities that defied the societal norms of their time. The scandal reached its peak as accusations surfaced, alleging not only an illegitimate child between Catherine Wells and a priest from Kent but also the clandestine sale of the nunnery's precious items for the sake of a lavish dowry for her daughter.

Wells' leadership set a tone of moral abandonment within the priory, leading to disciplinary attempts that spectacularly backfired. In a remarkable incident, a punished nun was liberated by her fellow sisters in a daring act of defiance. They not only freed her but set the punishment stocks ablaze and made a dramatic escape through a window, signaling their refusal to be subdued.

Bishop Atwater's comprehensive investigation painted a vivid picture of a nunnery in complete disarray. The scandalous behavior extended to accusations of inappropriate activities in the cloister, a stark departure from the chaste and devout life the nuns were sworn to lead.

Such flagrant disregard for the sanctity of religious life demanded consequences, and Cardinal Woolsey, aiming to cleanse the tarnished image of the church, took drastic action. Little More Priory, once infamous for its rebellious nuns and their wild ways, faced closure—a decision that marked the end of an era for what was once a revered religious institution.