The biggest evidence we have of the Saxon influence in the local area is ... Dudley.
Leah means a clearing the woods - think of all the place names locally that end in 'ley'. Dudley, Sedgley, Coseley, Brierley, Wordsley
Burgh means a hill fort - think of all the place names that end with 'bury'. Wednesbury, Oldbury, Wychbury
Ton means an estate or farm. Netherton, Tipton, Norton
Unfortunately the Saxons did not leave much physical evidence behind. Many of their buildings were made from wood and so they did not survive. At a later date, they did start to build their churches in stone.
We do have remains of people which have been found when excavating burials. The early Saxons believed that you would need the items that you had in life with you in the afterlife.
The Priory was founded in 1160 by Gervase Paganel, Lord of Dudley, and was one of a network of priories and monasteries established after the Norman conquest of 1066. It was built from limestone quarried from Wrens Nest (now part of the UNESCO Black Country Geopark).
Dudley Priory was originally established as a dependency of the Cluniac Priory of Much Wenlock and was dedicated to Saint James. After being founded, it was enlarged. A surviving piece of one of these enlargements is an archway to the Lady Chapel area of the Priory, built in the 14th Century and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Cluniac monks followed the traditions of the Abbey of Cluny (in France) and were resident on site for almost 400 years.
In the 1530s, it was forced to close by King Henry VIII as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In 1540, following the dissolution, the Priory was granted to Sir John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland. After the King’s death, the Duke unsuccessfully tried to install Lady Jane Grey on the English throne; was found guilty of treason and executed. Following his death, the priory fell into disrepair and became ruinous.
In the 18th Century, the surrounding area became industrialised. Part of the ruins of the church had been used by a tanner, a thread manufacturer and for grinding glass and polishing steel. In 1825, Priory Hall was constructed.
In 1939, archaeologist Rayleigh Radford, excavated medieval tiles (which are on display in the Museum).
In 1949 the site (which is now over 900 years old) became a scheduled ancient monument and a grade I listed building.
