The ancient St. Mary's Chapel in Atherstone dates from the early 12th century when the monks of Bec made a donation of to a house of friars and hermits, later referred to as "Austin friars". During the reign of Edward IV the Crown granted lands in Atherstone (including at least one church) to the Carthusian order situate at Mount Grace Priory, Yorkshire. According to Nichols, the chapel was granted to Henry Cartwright in 1542, then left abandoned and neglected until 1692 when Samuel Bracebridge settled a yearly sum for the parson of Mancetter to preach there every other Sunday in the winter season