La Grava The Archaeology and History of a Royal Manor and Alien Priory of Fontevrault

The site of La Grava (known locally as Grove Priory) lies on the border between historic Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, south of Leighton Buzzard. Much of the core of the site and elements of its associated field closes (1.85ha of an area of 7.8ha) was excavated in advance of quarrying between 1973 and 1985, making it one of the most extensive projects on a monastic/manorial site in the UK in the 20th century.
Excavations of the area of earthworks were initiated originally on the basis of this being the site of La Grava, an alien priory of the Order of Fontevrault in Anjou. However, evidence from all periods, from the Mesolithic onwards, was recovered from the site.