Canons Ashby 20th May

Our first trip of 2026 by about 50 members was to be emersed in largely Tudor history at Canons Ashby which was originally built as a priory, with few monks, between 1147 and 1151. Benefactors of the Augustinian priory gave farms, stewponds and a mill. The local residents within a feudal society were to greatly suffer from deaths owing to the black plague (1348-50) when survivors ably demanded more money for their services and even tied peasants became more mobile.

The then nine existing tenants became homeless in 1535 as the priory was dissolved. It is unclear how many buildings or the state of the land remained when Sir Francis Bryan acquired the priory and other property from the Crown in 1537. A year later, the property was sold to Sir John Cope who died in 1538. The dwelling, later extended by building a tower to connect to another building occurred after Cope’s daughter married John Dryden. This set the ownership in the Dryden family for some 400 years. In 1980, it passed into the hands of the National Trust.

Our self-tour took us to the great hall and the long gallery and the in the extension. Some visitors were fascinated by the archaeological evidence remarked on by an enthusiastic guide as he offered proof of family suspicion of fearing fires seen in wall markings and the wear of a door surround offering the knowledge that the family were right-handed.

Tapestries and paintings have been revealed after hiding for 300 years. Some of Edward Dryden’s plans for the extensive gardens were published in the early 20th century by Gertrude Jekyll.

The property was extensively furnished in Tudor style. The book room, not called a library, appeared full to capacity.

The nearby church was a haven to genealogists as memorial stones offer a family tree of the Dryden family. Curiously, the church – an Anglican church – is one of a few churches no longer the responsibility of the Church of England but owned privately.