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Photograph by May Savage   The Priory is built on the site of an Augustinian priory founded in about 1235.   Very little of the medieval foundation survives, and it is only visible from inside the building.   After the dissolution of the monastries the property was granted to Lord Howard of Effingham in 1541, who erected a house on the site.   The house assumed much of its present appearance during extensive rebuilding in about 1770.   Edward VII and his mistress were frequent visitors to the Priory in the early 1900s.   NOTE that currently Priory Park is being extensively re-modelled, and maintenance work is being undertaken on the Priory itself.   When all this work has been completed, a more up to date picture of the Priory will be displayed here.