Wigan Album

I've heard tales about folks from that abbey and their merry life, but such tales are always rife of folks in religious orders. However did these tales originate about the antics of the monks or the canons, both are mentioned of being there at one time. It's said in these webpages that the report made by Bishop Hales about the occupants of the abbey and priory was not preserved. In the webpage of Houses of Benedictine monks, The Priory of Upholland link below, it describes that "Three were desirous of capacities," and "To judge by the report of Doctors Legh and Layton, the visitors of the previous year, the morals of the prior, Peter Prescot, and two of his brethren were exceedingly loose." However it does go on to say that "The testimony of the two visitors lies, as is well known, under some suspicion of hasty exaggeration. " https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol2/pp111-112
It does mention them as being monks and in priestly orders.

More info on the priory, canons and monks here: https://lancashirepast.com/2019/05/06/up-holland-priory-a-benedictine-monastery-near-wigan/

It's seen quite a lively life too, and I'm sure that it wasn't the only abbey or priory in the country to have had antiquities or money secreted away from the eyes and hands of Henry VIIIs commissioners.

The church is worth a visit - it has some of the most beautiful stained glass of any church, large or small. I understand that just to the east of the church is a grave of the one who's work on steam engines predates Stephenson. Worth checking out.

I WAS IN THERE EARLIER IN THE WEEK. I WAS TAKING A WOMAN FROM FLORIDA AROUND THE AREA. HER ANCESTORS ORIGINATE FROM WIGAN AND THIS CHURCH, ALONG WITH A FEW MORE CHURCHES, IN THE AREA, WHICH WE ALSO VISITED. WERE WHERE SOME OF HER ANCESTORS GOT MARRIED. IT IS NOW, AS WELL AS AN ACTIVE CHURCH, UTILISED AS A CAFE AND A POST OFFICE.