Delapre Abbey
Early-attested site in the Parish of Hardingstone
Historical Forms
- Sancte Marie de Prato 1217,1220 WellsR
- de la Preez 1316 FA
- Delapre 1328 Cl
- Dalapray t.Hy8 Dugdiv,214
- St Mary de Pratis al. de la Prey 1536 LP
- Daleprey, Dalaprey 1540 LRMB
- De la prey 1610 Camden
- Sanctae Mariae de Pratis c.1190 Dugdiii,335
- Pray wode 1487 Dugd
- la Preye 1263 Ass
- pettepre 1227 FF
Etymology
Delapre Abbey. The earliest reference for the name of the abbey is Sancte Marie de Prato (1217, 1220 WellsR), Sancte Marie de Pratis extra Norhant . (1232 Cl). The Latin form is used almost universally in early documents. Later we find de la Preez (1316 FA), Delapre (1328 Cl), Dalapray t. Hy 8 Dugd iv, 214, St Mary de Pratis al. de la Prey 1536 LP, Daleprey , Dalaprey 1540LRMB , De la prey 1610 Camden. It is the Latin pratum , OFr preð , 'meadow.' Cf. similarly the hospital Sanctae Mariae de Pratis (c. 1190 Dugd iii, 335) near St Albans, which has given rise to Prae Wood (Pray wode 1487 Dugd) in St Michael's parish. So also we have Pray Heath in Woking (Sr), the home of Peter de la Preye (1263Ass ) and a field called pettepre (1227 FF) in Warwickshire.