Seaton Priory

Originally called the nunnery of Lekeley from the name of the land it was built upon, the former nunnery of Seaton is to the north of the parish of Bootle, Cumbria, England.

The nunnery was founded at Lekeley by Henry son of Arthur son of Godard, lord of Millom, in the late twelfth century. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and its nuns followed the Benedictine rule. The nunnery was never prosperous, in common with other religious associations of women in the region, due to the unsettled nature of the area in part caused by the proximity to the Scottish border.
To help, in 1227 Archbishop Walter Gray granted the appropriation of the church of St. Michael of Irton to the prioress and convent of Lekeley to alleviate their poverty. Later, in 1357, Henry, Duke of Lancaster, likewise granted the appropriation of the hospital of St. Leonard, Lancaster, to assist the house. The abbey of Holmcultram also helped the nuns. In 1459, Thomas York, abbot of Holmcultram, leased all the lands the abbey possessed between Esk and Duddon, called Lekeley, to Elizabeth Croft, prioress, for twelve years at an annual rent of twenty shillings.

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