Thoby Priory

Gateway to site of Thoby Priory, 2007

Thoby Priory was an Augustinian priory in Mountnessing, Essex, England. It was first noted as existing during the term of Robert de Sigello, Bishop of London recorded as Ginges; it was later named Gingestobye after its prior and then Thoby. It was dissolved on 15 February 1525 by John Alen on behalf of Cardinal Wolsey.

Little remains of the priory, principally 15 metres of the southern wall leading to the eastern corner with a further metre running north. The wall is composed of flint rubble and includes some Roman brick and tile. When inspected in 1989 some of the architectural features were obscured by vegetation.

In 2014 an archaeological evaluation was conducted by Archaeology South East, funded by CgMs Consulting with a view to the design and implementation of a development proposal. They reported that the site was at that time a scrap yard. They investigated the suggestion that a mansion built on the site was built over the priory refectory, however doubt had been cast on this, and the excavations found no supporting evidence. The report recommended the creation of a preservation are: "any redevelopment of the site will take the heritage asset into account and to this end an area of the site will be subject to preservation in situ, where no construction works affecting the buried remains will be permitted. The preservation area will incorporate the Scheduled Ancient Monument and the known extent of the priory foundations and cemetery."