Monastic grange: Difference between revisions

'''Monastic granges''' were outlying landholdings held by [[Monastery|monasteries]] independent of the [Manorialism|manorial]] system. The first granges were owned by the [[Cistercians]] and other orders followed. Wealthy monastic houses had many granges most of which were largely agricultural providing food for the monastic houses. A grange might be established adjacent to the monastery but others were established wherever it held lands, some at a considerable distance. Some granges were worked by lay-brothers belonging to the order, others by paid labourers.<ref name="EH">{{National Heritage List for England|num=1005786|desc=Iron mining shaft mounds and medieval earthworks south of Bentley Grange Farm|access-date=4 July 2017|mode=cs2}}</ref>▼

Granges could be of six known types: agrarian, sheep or cattle farms, horse studs, fisheries and industrial complexes. Industrial granges were significant in the development of medieval industries, particularly iron working.<ref name="EH"/>▼

Granges were landed estates used for food production, centred on a farm and out-buildings and possibly a mill or a [[tithe barn]]. the word grange comes through French ''graunge'' from Latin ''granica'' meaning a granary.<ref>''[[OED]]'': "grange"</ref> The granges might be located at some distance. They could farm livestock or produce crops. Specialist crops might include apples, [[hops]] or grapes to make beverages. Some granges included fish-ponds to supply Friday meals to the monastery. The produce could sustain the monks and be sold for profit. While under monastic control, they might be run by a steward and worked by local farm labourers or perhaps [[lay brother]]s.▼