The present building is on the site of a 12th Century Augustinian Priory, founded by Gamelde Pennington as a hospital and run by the Black Canons of the Order of St Augustine. It had some involvement with the Furness iron industry and there was some friction with the monks at Furness Abbey, solved when Edward 2nd bestowed a Royal Charter.
This postcard was probably sent by a Durham Miner who was convalescing at the Priory in 1965.