Monasticon anglicanum, or, The history of the ancient abbies, and other monasteries, hospitals, cathedral and collegiate churches, in England and Wales with divers French, Irish, and Scotch monasteries formerly relating to England / collected, and published in Latin, by Sir William Dugdale, Knight ..., in three volums; and now epitomized in English, page by page; with sculptures of the several religious habits.

MONASTICON ANGLICANUM, Abridg'd in English. (Book 1)

VOL. I. (Book 1)

Of the BENEDICTINE Order. (Book 1)

The Monastery at GLASTONBURY, in Somersetshire.

IN the 31th. year after our Saviour's Passion,* 1.1 twelve Dis∣ciples of St. Philip the Apostle, among whom Ioseph of Arimathea was one, came to this place, and preacht the Christian Religion to King Arviragus. They obtained of that King the Ground where the Monastery afterwards stood, and twelve Hides of Land, and built there the first Church of the Kingdom, in a poor and homely manner. They lived here in a kind of heremitical life, and converted many Pagans to the Faith of Christ. After they were all dead, and here buried, the ho∣ly men Phaganus and Diruvianus, having baptized King Lucius, obtained this place of that King, and for a great while they and their Successors re∣mained here in a kind of Society consisting of twelve only, till the arri∣val of St. Patrick, who taught them the monastical Life, and became him∣self their first Abbot. Afterwards St. David Archbishop of Menevia (now called St. David's) added to the East-end of the Old Church a lesser Chap∣pel in manner of a Chancel, and consecrated it in honour of the Virgin Mary.

This Church for its Antiquity was by the old English call'd Ealdechirche, and the Men of those days had no Oath more sacred and formidable than to swear by this Old Church. And it was reverenced like Rome it self, for as that became Famous for its multitude of Martyrs, so did this for its multitude of Confessors here buried.

The Isle in which this Church stood was by the Britions call'd Ynswyrtryn, i. e. the Isle of Glass, from the clear and cristaline stream of Water which [ 2] runs into the Marsh here. It has been also called Avallonia. By the Saxons it was named Glastynbury. This Isle with several other places adjoyning, were call'd the twelve Hides, and did enjoy from the beginning very great Priviledges. The Bounds of which twelve Hides may be seen in the Monasticon at large, p. 2, 3. These places there mentioned enjoyed all sorts [ 3] of Immunities from the first beginning of Christianty in this Land, con∣firm'd to the Church of Glastonbury, by the British, English, and Norman Kings.

In this Church did rest and lie buried the twelve Disciples of the Apo∣stle Philip, above▪ mentioned, whose chief was Ioseph of Arimathea, with

his Son Iosephus. Here also lies St. Patrick the Apostle of Ireland, and two of his Disciples, St. Gildas the British Historaographer, St. David Archbishop of [ 4] Menevia, St. Dunstan Archbishop, St. Indractus with his seven Companions all Martyrs, St. Vrbanus, the Bones of Venerable Bede, with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a great number of other Saints, and holy Martyrs, and Confeffors.

To recite all the Reliques that were in this Church would be two large [ 5] for any Abridgement, I only mention those of most note. Several things relating to the Old Testament, as Moses's Rod, Manna, &c. things 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to our Lord Iesus Christ, two small pieces of his Cradle, some of the Gold which the Wise-men of the East offer'd, some pieces of Bread of 〈…〉〈…〉 Loaves with which Iesus fed five thousand men, some of 〈…〉〈…〉 some pieces of his Cross, and of his Sepulchre, one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈…〉〈…〉 of Thorns, &c. Things relating to the Virgin M••ry. 〈…〉〈…〉 one thread of her Garment, and some of her Hair, &•• 〈…〉〈…〉 tude of Reliques relating to St. Iohn Baptist, the 〈…〉〈…〉 [ 6] and Virgins. On this account the Church of 〈…〉〈…〉 verenced by Kings, Queens, Archbishops, Bishops, Dukes, 〈…〉〈…〉 lity of both Sexes, and of all Orders and Degrees; and 〈…〉〈…〉 think himself who could give any thing to the increase 〈…〉〈…〉 or could here obtain a place of Sepulture. In this Isle. which was call'd [ 7] the Tomb of Saints, was interr'd Coel King of the Britons, Father of St. Helena, Mother of Constantine the Great; Caraducus Duke of Cornwall, ••he renowned King Arthur and Guenevera his Queen, which King died at Gla∣stonbury about Whitsontide in the Year of our Lord 542. King Kentwynus, King Edmund Son of Edward the Elder, King Edgar, King Edmund Ironside, with several Bishops and Dukes who were great Benefactors to this House, and many other Great men. In so great Reverence was the Church and Church-yard where these were interr'd, that our fore∣fathers did not dare to use any idle discourse or to spit therein, without great necessity, enemies and naughty men were not suffer'd to be buried therein, neither did any bring any Hawk, Dog, or Horse upon the Ground, [ 9] for it they did, it was observed that they immediately died thereupon.

Bishops and famous Prelates that have gone from this House to govern other Churches, are as follows, viz. Birthwaldus, Abbot here, was made Archbishop of Canterbury; Athelmus Monk here, Bishop of Wells, and after that Archbishop of Canterbury; St. Dunstan, Monk and Abbot here, Bishop of Worcester, then of London, and lastly of Canterbury; Egelganus Monk here, Bishop of Chichester and Archbishop of Canterbury; Sigericus Monk here, Bishop of Wells and Archbishop of Canterbury; St. Elphegus a Martyr, Bishop of Winchester, and after that Archbishop of Canterbury; Elnothus, Monk here and Archbishop of Canterbury, in the time of King 〈◊〉〈◊〉

To these may be added Gaufridus a Bishop, and Monk here, ob, Anno Dom. 782. Ethelwinus, a Bishop, who died the same year; Wi••ertus, a Bishop, ob. Anno Dem. 800. Wigthagu Bishop, ob. Anno Dom. ••36. Al∣stanus, Bishop, ob. Anno Dom. 842. Tumbertus, Bishop, ob. 866. Daniel, [ 10] Bishop, ob. 956. Elfricus, Bishop, ob. 988. Also in the time of King Edgar, Sigegarus Bishop of Wells, Britelmus Bishop of Wells, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Sigefridus, St. Ethilwoldus, Wilsinus, Aelf••anus, Egelricus, Kenwaldus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Livingus, Brithwius, Britwaldus, who died Anno Dom. 1055. All these, of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in this House became Bishops of divers places in England.

The Benefactors to this House were, first, Arviragus King of the Bri∣ta••is, who, though a Pagan, gave to St. Ioseph and his Companio••os the

Isle in which the Monastery was built, call'd by the Inhabitants Ynswyr∣tryn, which, King Lucius did afterwards confirm to Phaganus and Diruvi∣anus, and their Disciples. King Arthur gave many other adjoyning Lands. King Kenwalli, King Kentwinus, King Baldredus, Bishop Hedda, King Ked∣walla, King Ina, gave other Lands. So did St. Wilfridus Archbishop of [ 10] York, and abundance of others of both Sexes, among the Principal of which were King Sigebert. King Offa, King Alfred or Alured, King Athel∣stan, King Edmund, King Edwin, King Edgar, King Edmund Ironside, with several Queens. These and many other names, with the Lands by the several Benefactors given, may be read of in the Monasticon at large, p. 9, 10, 14. 15. &c.

St. Patrick, who was born in the year of our Lord 361. after his Con∣version of Ireland to Christianity, became Abbot of this Place, and obtain∣ed of Pope Celestine, twelve years Indulgence to all those who should with pious Devotion visit the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary here erected, and honour her with any part of their Goods. [ 11]

About the year of our Lord 505. Augustine the Monk was sent into En∣gland by the holy Pope Gregory to preach the Faith to the English Saxons. [ 12] He converted Fthelbert the King of Kent and his People. A••terwards be∣ing made Archibshop, he establisht his Metropolitan Seat at Canterbury, and there placed certain Monks living according to the Rule of St. Benedict; after this several Monasteries in England were erected under the same Rule, which obtained so great reputation that there were no Monks to be found in England but what were of this Order; and in those time the Rule of St. Benedict began to be first observed in the Monastery of Glastonbury, they living here before that, after the manner of the Monks of Egypt. [ 13]

King Ina began his Reign over the West Saxons Anno 689. and gave much Land to this Monastery, he also built the greater Church at Glastonbury, in honour of our Saviour, and of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul. And by his Charter bearing date Anno Dom. 725. Granted to this Monastery many and great Priviledges and Immunities. King Ina dying in a Pilgri∣mage to Rome, his Successor, Ethelardus, became also a bountiful Benefactor, [ 14] as were several other succeeding Kings of the West Saxons, &c.

King Edmund granted to the Church of the holy Mother of God at Glastonbury, and to the venerable Dunstan Abbot there, the Liberty and [ 15] Power, Rights and Customs, and all Forfeitures in all their Lands, i. e. Burgbrice Hundred. Socna, Atb••s, Ordelus, Infangenetheofas, Homsecna, Frith∣brice, Foresteall, Toll and Team, through the Kingdom of England, and that they should enjoy their Lands as free from all Claims as he enjoy'd his own, especially to the Town of Glastonbury it self, with many other Liberties &c and this was by his Charter dated Anno Dom. 944.

King Edgar, by his Charter dated at London Anno Dom. 971. granted to [ 16] the said Monastery the same and greater Liberties, among other things, that the said Monastery and some Parishes there mentioned subject and belong∣ing to it, should be exempt from the ordinary Jurisdiction of the Bishop, except in some things, with a Salvo to the holy Church of Rome, and that of Canterbury: And gave and confirmed to this Church two hundred and fifteen Hides of Land given by several Benefactors. [ 17]

William the Conqueror at his first coming to the Crown, did very much mutilate the Possessions of this Church. He made one Turstinus a Norman Abbot here, in the year 1081. And in order to make some amends to the Monks, he confirm'd to them several Lands which they complained to have been unjustly taken from them.

[ 18] Herlewin, and Henry Brother of Theobald Earl of Blois, and Nephew of King Henry the I. were two Abbots of this Monastery, who through their industrious endeavours obtained much good to this House, and the Restoration of many Lands which had been taken from it.

Vid. Vol. 2. p. 837.

[This Abby was valued before the Suppression at 3311 l. 7 s. 4 d. ob. per Annum.]

The Cathedral Church of Canterbury.

IN the time of the blessed Gregory's Papacy, St. Augustine with several o∣ther Monks were sent to convert the English People, who in the year of Grace 600. (or according to others 596.) coming into England, con∣verted King Ethelbert and some thousands of his People, which King gave them a Mansion in his Capital City of Canterbury, then called Dorobernia, there to Preach and Baptize. Hereupon the blessed Augustine having re∣ceived a Pall from Pope Gregory, built a Church there, and dedicated it to the honour of our Saviour Jesus Christ, he also did here institute the Metropolitan Seat of himself and Successors. And having rais'd here a Monastery of Monks, the People flow'd in to him from all parts, some for Baptism, and some to become Monks, devoting themselves and all they had to God's service.

The Principal Benefactors were King Ethelbert, who gave them his [ 19] Palace in Canterbury, which Pope Gregory decreed to be the Metropolitan Seat, and made it the first in Dignity, it having first received the Faith, Ethelbaldus Son of Ethelbert. King Cedwalla, King Offa, Edmundus King of [ 20] Kent Cenulphus King of Kent, Beornulphus King of Mercia, King Athelstan, [ 21] King Edmund, St. Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, King [ 22] Henry the I. Henry the II. Richard the I. Edward the III. Edward Prince of Wales, his Son; Henry the IV. These and abundance of others of infe∣riour condition gave and confirmed to this Church many Lands, Privi∣ledges, and Immunities, the particulars of all which Lands, &c. may be seen in the Monasticon at large.

The Monastery of St. AUGUSTINES in Canterbury.

[ 23] SAint Augustine being sent by Pope Gregory as aforesaid, arrived at the Isle of Thanet in Kent, in the year 596. with several Monks and Mi∣nisters of God's Word about forty in number; they were kindly received by King Ethelbert, who received holy Baptism on Whitsonday Anno Dom. 597. After this Augustine went over to the Bishop of Arles in France, and being by him ordain'd a Bishop, he returned into England. At Canterbury he fixt his Metropolitan Seat as above-mentioned. A little without this City on the East-side had been an Idol Temple formerly made use of by King Ethelbert, before his Conversion, this Augustine cha••g'd into a Church; and dedicated in the name of St. Pancrace the Martyr. Afterwards in the year 605. Augustine obtain'd this Church, and the adjacent Ground of King Ethelbert, upon which place a new Church was built and dedicated to the honour of St. Peter and St. Paul; which Church was stored with Monks, endow'd with Revenues by that King, and appointed for the

burial place, of himself and Successors, as also chosen for the burial of Augustine and his Successors, Archbishops of Canterbury.

King Ethelbert having built and endow'd this Monastery he placed there, by the Council of Archbishop Augustine, one Peter a Monk to be Abbot [ 24] of it.

The Archbishop Augustine granted several Priviledges to this Mona∣stery, and denounced heavy Censures against any who should violate the [ 25] same in future times.

This Monastery was used for a burial place of the Archbishops, the Monks, and others of Canterbury, for many years; it being in those times not usual to bury within a City, till the Venerable Cuthbert came to be Archbishop, being the 11th. after Augustine, who being at Rome, ob∣tain'd of the Pope the liberty of having burial places in England, with∣in Cities.

On the East-side of Canterbury without the City and near this Mona∣slery stood the Church of St. Martin, which Church was the Seat of a [ 26] Bishop, who always remain'd at home, or in the County, and in the ab∣sence of the Archbishop used to act for him. The last Bishop of this Church was one Godwyn, who dying in the time of William the Conquer∣or, when Lanfrank was Archbishop of Canterbury, he refused to subrogate any other Bishop in his place, but instead of a Bishop constituted an Arch∣deacon there.

[Valued before the Suppression at 1413 l. 4 s, 11 d. ob. q. per Annum:

ROCHESTER, in Kent.

ANno Dom. 600. King Ethelbert founded the Church of St. Andrew the [ 27] Apostle at Rochester, and gave to it several Lands, as did also Eadbert King of Kent, Offa King of Mercia, and divers others; denouncing to the Vi∣olators of their pious Donations, heavy Curses and Imprecations. All which Lands and Liberries King Henry the I. did confirm to the said Church, to Gundulf the Bishop there, and the Monks serving God in it. [ 29] Other principal Benefactors to this Church, and the Monks here, were King William the Conqueror, King William Rufus, Rodbert Son of King Henry, Robert Fitz Hamon, and William de Albeiney the King's Butler. Vid Vol. 2. p. 844. Vol. 3. p. 1.

[Valued before the Suppression at 486l. 11 s. 5 d. per Annum.]

WINCHESTER Cathedral Church.

ANno Dom. 608. Kinegilsus Son of Celric, King of the West Saxons, after [ 31] his Baptism and his peoples conversion to Christianty, designed to build this Church, and to it give all the Land lying about Winchester for the space of seven Leucas or Miles. But himself being prevented by death from periecting what he intended, his Son and Successor Kinwalcus per∣form'd the Work, and confirm'd the Lands above-mentioned to the said Church.

Other principal Benefactors to this Church were King Ina; Ethelardus, King of the West Saxons; Egbert, King of all England, who lies buried here; [ 32] King Alured, who built a new Monastery within the Coemitery of the Epis∣copal

Church. endow'd it with Possessions, and gave the Government of [ 33] it to St. Grimbaldus. (This King first instituted Hundreds and Tithings); Edward his Son and Successor, King Ethelstan his Son, King Edred his Bro∣ther; King Edgar; Queen Emma Mother of Hardecanute, and Edward surna∣med the Confessor; which Queen having perform'd her purgation of sup∣posed [ 34] incontinency with Elwin Bishop of Winchester, according to the [ 35] Law Ordel, by going over nine red hot Plowshares, unhurt, gave to the Church of St. Swithin, here, nine Manors; so also did the said Bishop Elwin; all which gifts were confirm'd by King Edward the Confessor. [ 36] Anno Dom. 1079. Bishop Walkelinus began to new build the Church from the Foundation, towards which Work the King gave so much Wood, as could be cut down and carried away from his adjoyning Wood called Hanepinges, in three days and nights; upon which, such an innumerable Company of Carpenters assembled, that in the time limitted, they con∣veyed away the whole Wood.

[ 37]

Anno Dom. 963. In the time of Bishop Ethelwold, the secular Clergy of this Church, living licentiously, were displaced, and Monks put in their room. Vide infra, p. 979.

[Valued at 1507 l. 17 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

DURHAM Monastery.

[ 38] ANno Dom. 635. Eighty eight years from the first coming of the English into Britain, and thirty nine years from the coming of St. Augustine, pious King Oswald erected a Bishops Seat in the Island of Landisfarn, of which Agdanus became Bishop, and placed there the Monks that came along with him.

[ 39] Of this See, Cuthbert was Consecrated Bishop, at York, on Easter-day Anno Dom. 685. To him Egfrid King of Northumberland gave Creec, with the Lands three Miles about it, and also Lugub••lia, now called Carlile, with the Lands fifteen Miles about it. Ob. Cuthbert 687.

Anno Dom. 729. Coelwolf King of Northumberland began his Reign; he was a great Benefactor to this Church, and became himself a Monk here.

[ 40] All the Land lying between the two Rivers of Tyne and Tese, was for∣merly given to St. Cuthbert, and was subject to the Government of the Bishop of St. Cuthbert's Church, till the Danes took away a great part of the Lands, which were however restored again by King Ethelstan.

[ 41] In the year 1074. Aldwinus a Monk and two of his Companions led a Monastick Life at a place then called Girecum or Girne in Northumberland, from which three Monks, three Monasteries proceeded, namely one at Durham, in honour of the blessed Virgin Mary, and of St. Cuthbert, one at Lestingham, and one at a place then called Streneshalgh, all three within the Kingdom of the Northumbers.

[ 43] William de Karilepho by his Deed dated Anno Dom 1082. declared the many and great Liberties granted by Pope Gregory the VII. and adds others to the Church of St. Cuthbert, with an Anathema to the Impugnors.

[ 44] King William the Conqueror upon the precept of Pope Gregory the VII. and at the Petition of William Bishop of Durham, removed the Secular Canons out of the Church of D••••ham, and placed Monks in their room, and confirmed all the Liberties and Priviledges granted to the said Church, and this by his Charter dated in the 18th. year of his Reign.

Thomas Archbishop of York set forthand declared the Diocess of the Bi∣shop of Durham to be all the Land betwixt Tyne and Tese, Northumberland, Tevydale, Tynd••••, Carl••ol, Weredale, with the Church of Hertesham, and Lindis••••rn.

Principal Benefactors to this Church were, King William the Conqueror, who gave great P••sessions to the Bishop and his Successors, to hold 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 45] and quiet as he himself held them in his own hands.

Edgar Son of Mal••olm King of the Scots, he gave to the Church of Durham, the Mansion of Berwic, and Coldy••ghamschyr.

King Richard the I. he granted and confirm'd to the Bishop of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 46] and his Successors many great Priviledges, with the Domi•••••••• and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ 47] of a Count Palatin, for ever, &c. Vid Vol. 2. p. 845.

[Valued at 1366 l. 10 s. 9 d. per Annum.]

MALMESBURY, in Wiltshire.

MAyldulp••us, by Nation a S••••tchman, a Philosopher by Ernd••••ion, and a Monk by Profession, was the first Founder of the Monstery [ 49] here.

Anno Dom. 635. King Berthwald, with the Consent and Confirmation of King Aethelred, gave to this Monastery for ever Summerford, lying upon [ 50] the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Thames.

Other Benefactors to this Monastery were Lutherius Bishop of Winchester, who by his deed dated Anno Dom. 680. gave to it for ever the Town of Malmesbury, King Athelred in the year 681, gave other Lands; so did King [ 51] Chedwalla Anno 682. in the year 1065. King Edward the Confessor con∣firm'd all former Donations, and himself granted to this House great Li∣berties and Priviledges; the like did King William the Conqueror in the [ 52] year 108••. the same year Mauld his Queen became also a Benefactrice. [ 53]

Pope Innocent in the year 1248. granted to the Abbot and Monks of Malmesbury in the Diocess of Salisbury, a Confirmation of all their Lands and Revenues, which see in the Monasticon at large, together with several great [ 54] Immunities; and ordain'd that the Rule of St. Benedict should be for ever observed in this Monastery.

[Valued at 803 l. 17 s. 7 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

WESTMINSTERABBY, in Middlesex.

IN the days of King Lucius the first Christian King of Britain, who was baptized Anno Dom. 184. this place was first consecrated to God's ho∣nour, [ 55] and especially appointed for the Royal Sepulture and a Repository of the Regalia. Thus it remained till, under Dioclesian's persec••tion, Christianity was expelled from hence, and the place turned to a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Temple of Apollo. Afterwards when the Saxons had conquered this King∣dom and were in possession of it, the blessed Gregory in the year of Grace 604. sent Augustine the Monk together with Mellitus, Iustus, I aurentius, and others, to teach the Christian Religion in Britain. He arrived in Kent, as hath been already noted, and having converted and baptized Ethel∣bert, King of that province, he afterward did the same to Sebert, King of the East-Saxons, King Ethelbert's Sister's Son; who upon his Conversion

to Christianity, cast down the foresaid Temple of Apollo, and in the same place (then called Thorney Isle) built a Church in honour of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles.

[ 56] In the same year the blessed Augustine, ordained two Bishops Mellitus [ 57] Bishop of London, and Iustus Bishop of Rochester. The History of this [ 58] Church says, that Mellitus going to consecrate it, he found the Work al∣ready performed by St. Peter himself.

[ 59] This Church being afterwards new built by St. Edward the King and Confessor, Pope Nicholas granted to it large immunities, appointing it to be for••ever a Seat of Benedictine Monks, the place of Consecration of our Kings, and Repository of the Regalia, and exempted it from the Bishops Jurisdiction, placing it under the sole and immediate Government of the King and his Successors.

[ 60] The said King Edward the Confessor, by his Charter dated in the year 1066. reciting that at the Dedication of this new Church he had placed here certain Relicks, viz. Two pieces of our Lord's Cross, a piece of his Seamless Coat, with other Relicks of the blessed Virgin, and of the Apostles, &c. he renew'd and confirm'd the Lands and Priviledges formerly granted [ 61] to this Church by his Ancestors, granting others of his own; and giving to the praise of Almighty God, and for a perpetual Endowment to this Church, several Lands and Hereditaments, among others Roteland after the death of Queen Edgith, &c. With blessings denounced to those who shall in the future increase or improve these Gifts, but heavy Curses and Ana∣themas against those of what degree or quality soever who shall infringe or diminish the same. Vid. Vol. 22. p. 847.

[Valued at 3471 l. 0 s. 2 d. q. per Annum.]

SHERBURN, in Dorsetshire.

[ 62] FOunders and Benefactors to this Monastery were Kenewale, Edgar, Offa, Egbert, Sigebert, Ina, and several other Saxon Kings. In the year of our Lord 1122 Sherburn and Horton made both but one Abby; but afterwards about the year 1139. Roger Bishop of Salisbury changed the Priory of Sherburn into an Abby, that of Horton being destroy'd and annext to this.

See more of this Abby infra, p. 423.

[Valued at 682 l. 14 s. 7 d. ob. per Annum.]

LESTINGHAM, in Yorkshire.

ANno Dom. 648. Edilwald Son of Oswald King of the Northumbers, gave to Cedde Bishop of the East Saxons (or Bishop of London) a piece of Ground on a high Mountain, called Lestingay, for the building of a Mona∣stery. For the erecting of which Cedde prepared himself by fasting a whole Lent (except Sundays) eating nothing till the Evening, and then only a [ 63] little Bread, one Hen-Egg, and a little Milk mingled with Water. After this he built the Monastery, and instituted there the same Discipline as was used in that of Lindisfarn, where he himself had been educated. He govern'd his Diocess for many years after, but died in this Monastery, and was here buried.

PETERBOROUGH Abby, in Northamptonshire.

THIS Monastery was begun by Peada the first Christian King of Mercia, by and with the assistance of a great and eminent man called Saxulphus the first Abbot here. The place where it was built was in those old Times called Medeshamstede, but the Church being dedicated to St. Peter, it was afterwards called Peterborough. The Foundation was perfected and the Endowment compleated by Wulfer King of Mercia, and younger Brother of King Peada, who after his conversion to Christianity [ 64] by his Deed An. Do. 664. not only confirmed what had been already given by his Predecessors, but gave to this Monastery a very great quantity of Lands lying in the Country round about. King Edgar by his Charter dated A. D. 972. granted other Lands and many Priviledges. Pope Agatha [ 65] granted many Priviledges to this Monastery, which were confirmed in a Council of twenty five Bishops, assembled in a place called Estfeild [ 66] A. D. 680. These Grants, Liberties and Priviledges, were in succeeding [ 67] times confirm'd by King Edward the Elder, King Ethelred, King Cnut, [ 68] Edward the Confessor, and William the Conqueror.

The Monastery of St. Peter at Medeshamstede, being built A. D. 654. remained in Peace till the year 870. at which time the Pagan Danes coming down out of Yorkshire into Lincolnshire, Earl Algar, Morcar, a Lay-Brother of Crowland-Abby, call'd Tolius (who had been a famous Souldier before he entered into Religion) Hardingus of Reihalle, and under his Command all the men of Stamford, made head against them, and at first [ 69] conquered the Pagans; but they being soon after reinforced with greater power, they in a second Battel over-threw the Christians with grievous slaughter; burnt down the Abby and Church of Croyland, and from thence marcht to Medeshamsted where they slew the Abbot and all the Monks to the number of eighty four, and utterly destroyed the Church and all other Buildings. From hence they march'd to Cambridge destroy∣ing all the Country as they went.

[ 70]

In the year of Christ 970. St. Adelwold Bishop of Winchester began to re-edifie the Monastery of Medeshamstede, and call'd it the Borough of St. Peter, one hundred year after it was destroyed by the Danes.

The foregoing Particulars of this History have been curiously painted in the Windows of the Cloysters belonging to this Abby, with English Verses under each Picture explaining the Story: Which see in the Mona∣sticon at large.

[Valued at 1721 l. 14 s. 0 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

WHITBY, (of Old call'd STRENSHALE,) in Yorkshire.

ANno Dom. 655. Penda the Pagan King of Mercia making War upon Oswy King of Northumberland, Oswy made a Vow to Almighty God that [ 71] if he overcame his Enemies, he would dedicate his Daughter to perpetual Virginity, and give twelve of his Manour-houses to be converted into Mo∣nasteries. Hereupon he fought, and tho' much inferiour in number ob∣tain'd a Signal Victory, and Penda was slain in the Battle. In performance o•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Vow, he gave his Daughter named Ethelfleda, then scarce one year 〈…〉〈…〉, and the Ground then called Streneshal for the building of a

[ 72] Monastery. It was begun by Hilda, a Woman of great Religion; and was at first a Nunnery, but afterwards a House of Monks.

In the year 1067. William de Percy, who came into England with the Conquerour, and had obtained to himself and Heirs the Town of Whitby and all its Members, made a new Foundation of the Abby of Whitby, and gave all the said Town and Members to God, St. Peter, and St. Hilda of Whitby, and to the Monks there serving God, in perpetual Alms, with [ 73] divers other Lands; and made Reinfridus a Monk of Euesham, Prior of the [ 74] Monastery. This was after this place had been destroyed by the Danes above two hundred years.

Many were the Benefactors to this Abby, besides the Founder William de Percy, a particular of the Lands, Possessions, Forests, Churches, Tithes, and Liberties by them given, may be seen in the Monasticon at large, p. 74, 75. Vid. inf. p. 988.

[Valued at 437 l. 2 s. 9 d. per Annum.]

CHERTSEY, in Surrey.

[ 75] THE Abby of Chertsey was founded in the Reign of King Egbert, in the year of our Lord 666. by Frithwaldus a petty King or Gover∣nor [ 76] of the Province of Surrey, under Wulfar King of Mercia, and endow'd with large Possessions; all which were confirm'd by the said Wulfar King of Mercia.

The Limits of the Lands belonging to Chertsey-Abby may be seen in the Monasticon at large, p. 77.

[ 78] Pope Alexander granted to this Abby many Priviledges; among other, that they should pay no Tithes of their Lands in their own hands, nor of the Beasts which they themselves kept.

[Valued at 659 l. 15 s. 8 d. ob. per Annum.]

BERKING, in the County of Essex.

[ 79] THE Nunnery at Berking, eight miles from London, was founded by Erkenwaldus Bishop of that City, for his Sister Ethelburge, who was the first Abbess of this Nunnery.

[ 80] Hodelredus a Kinsman of Sebby King of the East Saxons gave to this House fair Revenues, which Guift was confirm'd by the said King Sebby.

The Ancient Profits and Expences of this Nunnery, as they were charg'd to the Account of the Celeress, may be seen in the Monasticon at large, p. 80, 81, 82, 83.

[Valued at 862 l. 12 s. 5 d. ob. per Annum.]

The Monastery of St. Mildred, in the Isle of Thanet, in Kent.

MIldred the Virgin, was the Daughter of Merwaldus Son of Penda [ 84] King of Mercia, and Domneva of the Family of the Kings of Kent. Which Domneva with her Husband's assistance built this Monastery for Nuns, and placed here seventy Virgins, of whom their Daughter Mildred was consecrated Abbess. This House was destroy'd by the Pagan Danes

[illustration]

A BENEDICTINE NUN

Vol. 1. P. 79

the year 1011. Afterwards in the time of King Cnut, it was annext by that King's Grant to St. Augustines Monastery, and the Body of St. Mildred translated from hence of St. Augustines at Canterbury, A. D. 1033. The [ 85] Lands belonging hereunto in the Isle of Thanet, were confirm'd to the said Monastery of St. Augustines by King Edward the Confessor.

FALKSTONE, in Kent.

EAnswida Daughter of Eadbaldus Son of Ethelbert King of Kent, built this Monastery in a remote Part from Commerce, situated seven Acers breadth from the Sea, which in process of time quite wore away the Land, and destroyed this House; but the Reliques of the holy Virgin the Foundress, who lived and died here; were removed to the Neighbour∣ing Church of St. Peter.

See more of this House, infra, p. 560.

[Valued at 41 l. 15 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

LIMING, in Kent.

THE Monastery here was built by Ethelburge Daughter of King Ethel∣bert, and Wife of Edwin King of Northumberland, after whole death she return'd into Kent, and founded this Nunnery, and lies here buried.

RACULFE, in Kent.

BIrthwald Archbishop of Canterbury was before his election to that See, [ 86] in the year 692. Abbot of Raculfe.

In the year 949. King Eadred King of all England, gave the Monastery of Raculfe and all the Lands belonging thereunto, to the Church of Canter∣buy, Odo being then Archbishop and Metropolitan there. The Lands be∣longing [ 87] to this House did amount to twenty five Carucates, and one Carucate assigned only to the Repairs of the Church.

ELY Abby, in Cambridgeshire.

ANno Dom. 627. The blessed Augustine, built a Church at Ely in a place called Cradindene, a mile distant from the present City, it was consecrated to the honour of the blessed Virgin, and stored with Ministers for God's service, but these were all expell'd by Penda King of Mercia, and the place turn'd into a Desert.

Afterwards in the year 673. Ethelreda the Virgin, built a Monastery in a more eminent place in Ely, for both Sexes, of which she her self be∣came [ 87] the first Abbess. In the year 870. the Church of Ely was again [ 90] destroy'd and burnt by the Pagans.

In the year 970. Ethelwaldus Bishop of Winchester bought this Isle of [ 87] King Edgar, rebuilt the Church and placed Monks in it, under the Rule of [ 92] an Abbot; and in this state it remained till the year 1108. (9 H. 1.) [ 95] at which time Pope Paschal at the request of that King, changed the Abby [ 88] into a Bishoprick.

The foresaid Ethelred was Daughter of Anna King of the East-Angels, and was buried in Ely together with several other holy Women of her Relations and Blood.

[ 90] The History of this Church says, that an Apparition appear'd to one of the Monks, and foretold to him the destruction of the Monastery, be∣cause not one of both Sexes in this House, but himself, did use to pass the night in religious Exercises, but in Vanity and Sin. After which the [ 91] Danes destroyed it to the Ground, An. Dom. 870.

[ 92] Benefactors to this House were the abovesaid Ethelwald Bishop of Win∣chester, who bought the whole Isle of Ely, and gave it and other Lands and [ 93] rich Moveables to this Church, King Edgar and King Edward the Elder, granted and confirmed to it many Lands and Priviledges, approved and ratified by Pope Victor.

[Valued at 1084 l. 6 s. 9 d. ob. per Annum.]

WIRMOUTH, and GYRWY, now called YARROW, in the Bishoprick of Durham.

[ 96] IN the year 674. Egfrid King of the Northumbers gave a quantity of Ground lying at the mouth of the River Wyra, to the holy Abbot Benedict an Englishman, who had been five times at Rome, for the building a Monastery to St. Peter; and other Lands in a place then called Gyrwy, not far distant for another Monastery to the honour of St. Paul. Both which he indow'd, and filled with Monks.

[ 97] Gyrwy, is four miles distant from New-Castle, of this House Venerable Bede, was heretofore a Monk, and educated under the above-mentioned Benedict.

[Valued at 25 l. 8 s. 4 d. per Annum.

ABBINGTON, in Barkshire.

AT such time as the wicked Hengist destroyed 460, of the Barons and Great men of this Land, by fraud and treachery, one of the Noble∣men's Sons named Aben, made a shift to escape the slaughter, and concealed himself in a Wood on the South-side of Oxfordshire for a great while: but being at last taken notice of for his great sanctity, people built there for him a House and Chappel, which was afterwards from his name called Abendun. In the year 675. one Heane, a man of great Riches begun to build in the same place a Monastery (though after removed to some distance) and gave to it a part of his Inheritance. Sister of this Heane was Cissa, who built at a place called Helneston near the Thames a Monastery for Nuns, of which she became her self the Abbess. This Lady had obtained a small piece of one of the Nails of our Lord's passion, to which she caused some other Iron to be added, and made of that, a Cross, which she caused to be placed upon her breast after her death, and so buried. This Cross was in the time of Adelwold Abbot here (and afterwards Bishop of Winchester) found acciden∣tally, in digging to make an Aqueduct, it was translated into the Mona∣stery of Monks, and there preserved with great reverence; and call'd the black Cross.

The Monks here at their first Institution were but twelve and the Ab∣bot; [ 98] they never went abroad without great necessity and with the Ab∣bot's leave; they did eat no flesh, unless sick, &c.

The Town of Abbington was in old time called Seuekesham. It was a [ 99] Regal Seat, and a place of great concourse for religious Worship, as well before the times of Christianity, as since, (tam tempere Religonis fanaticoe, quam tempore religionis Christianoe, are the Words of the old Historian).

Benefactors to this House were Cedwalla King of the West-Saxons; King [ 100] Ina his Son An. Dom. 699. Kenulfus King of Mercia, An. Dom. 821. Edred [ 101] King of all England, An Dom. 955. Edgar King of all England An. Dom. 958. in the Reign of this King, the above-mentioned Adelwold was Abbot here, [ 102] who built the Church in honour of the holy Mother of God, and sent one of [ 104] his Monks beyond the Seas for the rule of St. Benedict, he settled here several good Orders, and gave great Riches and Ornaments to this Church; after this, he was by King Edgar chosen to be Bishop of Winchester, An. Dom. 963. [ 105] King Hen. I. was also a great Benefactor. And Pope Eugenius III. granted to this Abby great Priviledges by his Bull dated, An. Dom. 1146. [ 107]

[Valued at 1876 l. 10 s. 9 d. per Annum.]

GLOUCESTER Abby.

ANno Dom. 680 or 681. In the Reign of King Aethelred, one Osrich [ 108] a petty King, or Subregulus, first founded the Church of St. Peters in Gloucester, and placed his Sister Kineburga Abbess of the Monastery there. This M••nastery was built at the Expences of King Ethelred and his Wife Elfleda. Which being afterwards destroyed by the Danes, was in the year 1058. restored and consecrated by Aldredus then Bishop of Worcester, and afterward Archbishop of York.

The foresaid King Ethelred, in the the 30th. year of his Reign became [ 109] a Monk at Bardeney, and after that Abbot; and departed this life in the year 716.

The fore-mentioned Osrich, became King of the Northumbers after the death of Kenred, and died, An. Dom. 729.

The Nuns of this House were dispersed after the year 767. and Bene∣dictine Monks were placed here, An. Dom. 1022. by Wolstan then Bishop of Worcester.

This Church was again new built from the Foundation by Serlo the first [ 110] Abbot after the Conquest, and consecrated in the year 1100. by Sampson Bishop of Worcester. Two years after which this Church together with [ 111] the whole City of Gloucester was burnt down.

Many were the Benefactors to this Church of all sorts and qualities, whose Names together with the Lands given, amounting in all to a great Revenue, may be seen at large in the Monasticon, from p. 111, to p. 120.

See more of this Church infra p, 993, and Vol. 3. p. 7.

[Valued at 1946 l. 5 s. 9 d. per Annum.]

WORCESTER Abby.

[ 120] ANno Dom. 680. In the Reign of King Athelred in the Kingdom of Mer∣cia, Worcester was first made a Bishops seat; and Boselus the first Bishop.

St. Oswald who was Bishop here in the year 871. or according to o∣thers 959. introduced the first Monks, into this Church, in the room of the Clerks.

King Offa, King Edgar, and many others of the Saxons; were great Benefactors to this Church, as may be seen in the Monasticon, from p. 121, to p. 136. and from thence to p. 140. a Recapitulation of their Lands and Endowments.

[Valued at the Suppression at 1229 l. 12 s. 8 d. ob. per Annum.]

BARDENEY Abby, in Lincolnshire.

[ 142] WHEN the Body of St. Oswald was first buried at Bardeney, there were three hundred Monks in this Abby. It was first built by King Ethelred, and destroyed to the Ground by the Danes, and re-edified again by Gilbert de Gaunt Uncle to William the Conqueror; whose Son and Heir Walter de Gaunt did, in the year 1115, confirm to the Church and Monastery of St. Peter and St. Paul, and St. Oswald, at Bardeney, all those Lands and Possessions which his Father had given in pure and per∣petual Alms to the same: And did also inlarge their Possessions of his own [ 143] Charity. All which was afterwards confirm'd by King Henry the first. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 847.

[Valued at 366 l. 6 s. 1 d. per Annum.]

EUESHAM Abby, in Worcestershire.

[ 144] SAint Egwin, who was the third Bishop of Worcester founded this Mo∣nastery. [ 145] Kenredus King of Mercia, and Offa Governour of the East Angles in the year 709, being both then at Rome, endow'd it with large Possessions. The Towns which St. Egwin obtain'd to his Monastery of [ 146] the said Kings were in all twenty two. There were belonging to this House sixty seven Monks, five Nuns, three poor People, three Clerks, who had all the same allowance as the Monks had; and besides these, sixty five Servants. The under Officers of this House as Prior, Sub-Prior, third [ 147] Prior, Precentor, Sacristan, Celarer, &c. were created by the Abbot with the advice and consent of the major part of the Covent, in Chapter. All which Officers had their several Rents arising from distinct and several [ 148] places appropriated to their several Offices.

[ 149] In the year 1174. Waldemarus King of Danemark gave and confirm'd the Priory of Othenesia in that Kingdom as a Cell to this Abby of Euesham.

This Abby was first founded, as aforesaid, by St. Egwin in the year of grace 692. and dedicated to the honour of the glorious Virgin Mary. The Founder himself leaving his Bishoprick, became the first Abbot here. After whose death succeeded eighteen Abbots until the year 941. at which time the Monks here were dispersed, and secular Chanons substituted in

their room. In the time of King Edgar, Anno Dom. 660, the Monks were again restored; but after his death expell'd again, in the year 977. This House and Estate was afterwards given to a potent man called Godwin, and successively it came into several hands, till at last in the year 1014. King Ethelred made Ailfwardus a Monk of Ramsey, Abbot of Euesham; he was also Bishop of London at the same time. From his time the Abby of Euesham flourisht under divers Abbots, whose names from the Norman Conquest till the year 1379. are as follows, [ 152] Egelwinus, Walterus, Robertus, Mauricius, Reginaldus, Willielmus de Andi∣villa, Rogerus, Adam, Rogerus Norreys, Radulphus. Thomas de Marleberg, Richaadus le Cras, Thomas de Glovernia, Henricus, Willielmus de Wytechurch, Iohannes de Brokehampton, Willielmus de Chyriton, Willielmus de Boys, Iohannes de Ombresseye, Rogerus Zatten 1379. Vid Vol. 2. p. 851.

[Valued at 1183 l. 12 s. 9 d. per Annum.]

SHEPEY Monastery of Nuns, in Kent.

FOunded by Queen Sexburga, about the year of our Lord 710. William Archbishop of Canterbury, after the Conquest restored this [ 153] Monastery, it having lain a long time burnt down and destroyed by the Danes. King Henry the II. King Richard the I. King Henry the III. and others, were Benefactors to this Church of St. Sexburg, here, and to the Nuns serving God in the same; all whose Donations of Lands and Liber∣ties were confirm'd in the 1st. year of King Henry the IV.

[Valued at 129 l. 7 s. 10 d. ob. per Annum.]

SELSEY, in Sussex.

IN the year of our Lord 711. Wilfred Bishop of Hagulstad remaining five years in the Isle of Selsey to avoid persecution, built there a Monastery in honour of the blessed Mary, to which Ethelwold King of the South Saxons, gave Lands.

TUKESBURY, in Gloucestershire.

THIS Monastery was founded in the year 715. by two Dukes of great account in the Kingdom of Mercia named Oddo and Doddo, to [ 154] the honour of the glorious Virgin Mary.

Robert Fiz-Hamon in the year 1102. new built this Church and Mona∣stery, [ 155] making it an Abby, and subjecting to it the Priory of Cranburne. His Daughter Mobilla was afterwards married to Robert base Son of King Henry I. who was created Earl of Gloucester; he built the Priory of St. Iames at Bristol, and annext it also to the House. From him descended [ 156] Gibbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, who was a great Benefactor to this House, and buried here; as were the rest of his descendants, [ 157] Earls of Gloucester, and the Dispencers who descended from one of the Heirs General. All these and more of their Blood, among whom Henry de [ 159] Beauchamp Duke of Warwick, were Benefactors to this Abby, their pious [ 160] gifts being all confirm'd and ratified by the King, 1462.

[ 163] The several parcells of Lands and Hereditaments given and confirm'd to this House by former Kings may be seen, p. 161, 162.

[Valued at 1598 l. 1 s. 3 d. per Annum.]

WINBURNE, in Dorsetshire.

SAint Quinburga, and St. Cuthburga, Sisters of Ina King of the West Sax∣ons, built here a Monastery for Nuns, Anno Dom. 718.

CROYLAND, in Lincolnshire.

CRoyland is one of those small Islands which lie in the East Fens. Here St. Guthlac, at the age of twenty five years, became a Hermite, and in his life time delivered the Island from Devils and evil Spirits, and dying, was here buried.

[ 164] Ethelbald King of Mercia, by his Charter dated in the year 716. gave to God, the blessed Mary and St. Batholomew, the whole Isle of Croyland, containing four Leucas, or miles in length, and three in breadth, for the erecting of a Monastery under the Rule of St. Benedict: and endow'd the said Monastery with large Possessions lying about the Place.

[ 165] All which was confirm'd to them by Offa King of Mercia, in the year [ 166] 793. and by Withlaf King of Mercia, in the year 833.

[ 167] This Abby being afterwards burnt down and destroyed by the Pagan Danes, was re edified and restored to its former Possessions and Liberties, by King Eadred, who stiled himself King of Great Britain, in the year 948. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 853.

[Valued at 1803 l. 15 s. 10 d. ob. per Annum.]

BEVERLEY, in Yorkshire.

[ 169] SAint Iohn Archibishop of York was the first Dr. of Theology in Oxford. He converted the Parish-Church of St. Iohn in the Town of Beverly into a Monastery, building to it a new Quire; and made his Deacon [ 170] Bithunus the first Abbot here. Both which lie buried in this Church. One hundred years after this the Monastery of Beverley was destroyed by the Danes, and lay in Ruines three years, before it was repair'd. King Athelstan built here a Colledge of secular Chanons. And granted and confirm'd to this Church of St. Iohn of Beverley many great Priviledges and Liberties An. Dom. 938. King Edward the Confessor was a great Be∣nefactor to this Church, and augmented the number of the Prebendaries. [ 171] William the Conqueror was also a Benefactor. Thomas the first Archbishop of York, erected a new Dignity in the Collegiate Church of Beverley, viz. a Prepositus or Provost, who has neither voice in the Chapter nor Stall in the Quire; of these, there is a List of thirty eight, Thomas Becket being the fifth in number. Vid. Vol. 3. part. 2 p. 3.

[Valued at 109 l. 8 s. 8 d. ob. per Annum.]

RIPPON, in Yorkshire.

WIlfrid Archibishop of York founded a Monastery at Rippon, which was [ 172] afterwards burnt down, in the Devastation which King Adred made upon the Northumbers. But being in after-times re-edified, King Athalstan granted to this Church the Priviledge of Sanctuary, with the same Liberties which he had given before to the Church of Beverly; and [ 173] that the men of Rippon should be believed by their yea, and by their na.

St. FRIDISWADE, at Oxford.

FRidiswade the holy Virgin was Daughter of Didanus a petty King (Sub-regulus) of Oxford; her Father built a Church there in honour of St. Mary, and all Saints, and gave it for his Daughters Habitation, who with twelve other Nuns led there a religious Life. St. Fridiswade died on the 14th. of the Calends of November 735. and was buried in the said [ 174] Church. This Monastery and Church was afterwards burnt down, with the Danes in it, who had fled thither for Refuge; but King Ethelred did soon after rebuild it with additions, as appears by his Charter dated in the year 1004. In the year 1111. Roger Bishop of Salisbury, in lieu of Nuns, instituted in this Monastery a Prior and Cannons, to whom King Henry I. [ 175] gave a fair Estate in Lands and Tyths, which was confirm'd to them by Pope Adrian.

Benefactors to this Church of St. Fridiswade in Oxford, were Maud the Empress, Earl Simon, Ralpt Foliot, and others.

See more of this Monastery, infra, p. 983.

DEREHAM, in Norfolk.

WIthburga Daughter of Anna King of the East Angles, built a Mona∣stery [ 176] for Nuns in this Town and was buried here. After the In∣cursion of the Pagan Danes, the Nuns were all dispers'd, and the Church was made parochial. In the year 798, the Body of St. Withburga was found here, uncorrupted, near fifty five years after her death. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 853.

St. ALBANS-ABBY, in Hertfordshire.

SAint Alban was martyr'd in this place, then called Verolamium, in the time of Dioclesian's persecution. Ten years after that persecution ceas'd, the Christians built here a Church to his memory; which being destroy'd by the incursion of the barbarous People, Offa King of Mercia, about the year 793. repair'd the Church, built here a Monastery, stored it with [ 175] Monks, translated the Reliques of the Martyr into a rich Shrine, and ob∣tain'd of Pope Adrian to have him canonized. And by his Charter dated in the above-mentioned year granted to the said Monastery several Lands and great Priviledges. In the year 1154. Nicholas Bishop of Alba (an English-born man near this Monastery) being chosen Pope by the name of Adrian IV.

granted to the Abbot of this Abby, that as St. Alban was the first Martyr of England, so this Abbot should be the first of all the Abbots of Eng∣land in order and dignity.

[ 178] King Iohn by his Charter dated the 11th. of Iune in the first year of his Reign, granted to God, and the Church of St. Alban, and the Monks there, divers Lands and great Liberties.

[ 179] Pope Honorius, by his Bull dated in the year 1218. confirm'd to this Church all Lands and Liberties granted to it by former Popes, Kings, and [ 180] others, granting also to the Abbot and his Successors Episcopal Rights, and the Espiscopal Habit, and that he and his Monks should be exempt [ 181] from the Jurisdiction of the Bishop; with other exemptions, &c. reserving as a Rent to the Apostolick See yearly, for these Liberties, the payment of one ounce of Gold.

In the Windows of the Cloysters of this Abby, were formerly painted abundance of Historical Passages out of the Bible, with Latin Verses under∣neath each Story, explaining the same. In like manner were the Windows of the Library, and Presbytery painted, with the Pictures of famous men, with explanatory Verses, which Verses may be seen in the Monasticon at large, p. 182, 183, 184.

[Valued at 2102 l. 7 s. 1 d. ob. q. per Annum:

[ 184] BATH, in Somersetshire.

KING Osric was the first Founder of this Monastery for Nuns, Anno. Dom. 676. Offa King of Mercia, placed here secular Cannons; and King Edgar introduced Monks instead of Cannons.

[ 185] King William the Conqueror gave the City of Bath to God, St. Peter, and Iohn Bishop of Wells, for the augmentation of his Episcopal Seat. King Henry the I. confirm'd the same, and constituted and confirm'd the [ 186] Episcopal Seat of Somersetshire, which was formerly at Wells, to be at Bath, by Charter dated in the year 1111. and in the twelth year of his Reign. The said Iohn the Bishop, by his Deed dated 1106. appointed the Church of St. Peter here, to be the Head and Mother-Church of the whole Diocess, and restored the Lands which the King had given him in Bath, to the Monastery there, to which they did formerly belong; with an Anathema against the Violators of his said Gift and Restoration.

Oliver King Bishop of Bath, and Gibbs the last Prior here, built the pre∣sent Church, p. 185.

[Valued at 617 l. 2 s. 3 d. per Annum.]

WELLS, in Somersetshire.

CYnewulf King of the West Saxons, in the year 766. gave to the Mo∣nastery at Wells dedicated to St. Andrew the Apostle, several parcells of Land adjoyning.

[ 187] King Edward the Confessor Anno 1065. gave and confirm'd to the Church and Bishop of Wells, the Lands and Liberties formerly to the said Church given, with additions.

WINCHCUMB, in Gloucestershire.

ANno Dom. 787. Offa King of Mercia, built here a Monastery for Nuns. Or as others say, it was built by Kenulphus King of Mercia A. D. 798. [ 188] and the Church dedicated by Wilfridus Archbishop of Canterbury, and twelve other Bishops; at which dedication that King released at the Altar, the King of Kent, his Prisoner of War. This Monastery being almost utterly decay'd, in the time of King Edgar, was repaired by St. Oswald Archbi∣shop of York, and Germanus made Abbot here. King Kenulius is said to [ 189] have placed here at the first Foundation no less then three hundred Monks. Of these three hundred Monks there might possibly be not above forty [ 190] who were Priests or Clerks, the rest might be Hermits, or as meer Lay-men get their living by Working, as in ancient Times Monks did use to do. The Mannors and Lands formerly belonging to this Monastery were eleven Towns with their Members, the names of which may be seen, p. 190. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 854.

[Valued at 759 l. 11 s. 9 d. per Annum.]

WILTON, in Wiltshire.

WVistan Earl of Wiltshire repaired an ancient Church here dedicated to St. Mary, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 therein a Colledge of Priests. After whose [ 191] death, his Widow Alburga converted the Foundation to a Nunnery of Virgins, Anno Dom 800. Afterwards King Alfred built at Wilton a new Monastery, and dedicated the Church to St. Mary and St. Bartholomew; here he placed twelve Nuns and an Abbess, and translated the other Nuns hither from St. Mary's, which made the number in all twenty six. Subsequent Benefactors were King Edward the Elder, King Athelstan, King Edgar, William the Conqueror, &c. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 857.

[Valued at 601 l. 1 s. 1 d. q. per Annum.]

AMBRESBURY, in Wiltshire.

THE Nunnery at Ambresbury was built by Queen Elfrida by way of expiation for the murder of King Edward the Younger, called St. Edward of which she had been guilty. In the Reign of Henry the II. Anno Dom 1177. the Nuns here were expell'd from this House and shut up in other religious Houses under stricter Custody, for their inconti∣nency and notorious scandal. And other Nuns of Font-Everard intro∣duced here, by the Authority of Pope Alexander, King Henry the II. and Richard Archbishop of Canterbury. Which King Henry the II. gave to the said Nunnery of Font Everard this Church as a Cell, with many other [ 192] Lands and great Liberties, all which were confirm'd by King Iohn in the first year of his Reign; with a Gift of 50 s. per Annum out of the Exchequer [ 193] for ever, in the fifth year of his Reign. Vid. 2. Vol p. 868.

[Valued at 495 l. 15 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

MIDLETON, in Dorsetshire.

[ 194] KING Athelstan, having upon false accusations unjustly banisht his youngest Brother Edwyn, and put him to Sea in an old Vessel with∣out either Sails or Oars, where he was drown'd; and being afterwards extream penitent, he built and endowed here a Church and Monastery [ 195] in honour of St. Mary and St. Sampson the Archbishop; and stored it with Black Monks, for the Soul of his said Brother Edwyn.

He also purchased from Rome and other places beyond the Seas several holy Reliques; and gave them to this Monastery as a piece of our Saviour's Cross; a Great Cross composed of Gold, Silver, and precious Stones; [ 196] the Arm and several Bones of St. Sampson the Archbishop, &c. King Athel∣stan's Charter of Endowment bears date in the year 843. and was exem∣plified and confirm'd by King Henry the II.

[ 197] The same Founder built another Monastery on the same occasion, at a place called Michel, in Dorsetshire.

[Valued at 578 l. 13 s. 11 d. ob. per Annum.]

POLESWORTH, in Warwickshire.

EGbert King of the West Saxons built here a Nunnery, and made his Daughter Edith the first Abbess there. King William the Conquer∣or [ 198] gave this Estate to a Favourite of his called Sir Robert Marmyon, whose chief Seat was at the Neighbouring Castle of Tamworth, he expell'd the Nuns for a while, but not long after restored them again to their old Estate, and was reputed their Founder. The Nuns of Polesworth had a Cell at Olbury, which was given to their Monastery by Walter de Hastings, and [ 199] confirm'd to them by Roger Bishop of Chester (then the same Diocess with Coventry and Litchfield) and others.

[Valued at 87 l. 13 s. 3 d. per Annum.]

St. WERBURGS, at Chester.

THE holy Virgin Werburg was Daughter of Wulfer King of Mercia, and Ermenilda his Wife. She lived and died in a Monastery at [ 200] Chester, which had been built of old time for the Habitation of Nuns; but after the Conquest Hugh Earl of Chester placed Monks there.

The Monastery was built by King Edgar in the year 858. Hugh Earl of Chester having establisht Monks here, endow'd the Foundation with great Revenues, his Barons also giving very liberally to the same, whose Char∣ter bears date Anno Dom. 1093. The Particulars given may be seen in the Monasticon at large, p. 201. 202.

See more of this House, p. 985.

[Valued at 1003 l. 5 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

ATHELING, in Somersetshire. [ 202]

KING Elfred being driven out of his Kingdom by the Danes, con∣ceal'd himself for some time in this place, then compast about with Marishes and Water, that it was inaccessable but with a Boat. Upon his restoration he built here a Church and Monastery. His Charter of Endowment bears date Anno Dom. 878. [ 203]

About the same time that King Elfred founded this Monastery for Monks, he founded another for Nuns at Shaftesbury.

[Valued at 209 l. 0 s. 3 d. q. per Annum.]

PERSHORE, in Worcestershire.

THE Monastery here was built in the time of King Edgar by Duke Egelwardus; but the greatest part of its Estate was in after∣time transferred by King Edward and King William to Westminster. Others say, it was founded about the year 604. by Oswald Nephew of King Athel∣red. [ 204] Oswald did at first place here secular Canons, which were after changed to Monks, then Canons restored, and then Monks once again in∣troduced by King Edgar. Anno Dom. 1223. there happened a grievous fire here, and the Monks for some time having left the place, their Estate was usurpt by the Monks of Westminster. The Deeds, and Charters of Privi∣ledges of this House being burnt, Witnesses were examined and made [ 205] several Depositions of the ancient Liberties and Customs used, and of right [ 206] belonging to this Monastery, which may be seen in the Monasticon at [ 207] large.

[Valued at 643 l. 4 s. 5 d. per Annum.]

HIDE, in Dampshire. [ 208]

THIS is otherwise called the new Monastery at Winchester, and was designed by King Elfred, but built after his death by his Son King Edward, who placed therein secular Canons under the Rule of a holy man call'd Grimbaldus. This new Monastery being at first built within the [ 209] City, close to the Cathedral Church, was on the account of several in∣conveniencies in the Scituation, removed in the year 1121. to the place called Hide. Great was the Revenue given to this Monastery, and many the Benefactors besides the Founder, as King Athelstan, King Edmund, King Edred, King Edgar (who expell'd the Canons and placed Monks here) King Edmund Ironside, Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, [ 210] Henry 1. and Maud his Queen, &c.

But this House was not without its misfortunes, William the Conqueror at his first coming finding the Abbot and twelve of his Monks in arms against him, seiz'd upon their Estate and held it from them almost two years. And in the Reign of King Stephen, Henry then Bishop of Winchester committed such extortions upon the Monks here, that he got from them almost all their Church Plate, and was so oppressive that of forty Monks, there remain'd but ten in the House.

[ 211] King Edgars Diploma to this House was written in Letters of Gold, and dated Anno Dom. 966.

The Priviledges of this House were agreed and settled between William Bishop of Winchester and Gaufridus Abbot here, An. Dom. 1110.

[Valued at 865 l. 18 s. 0 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

[ 212] WINCHESTER Monastery of Nuns.

ABout the year 903. Alswitha Wife of King Alfred, began the Foun∣dation of a Nunnery at Winchester, which was after her death com∣pleated by her Son King Edward the Elder.

[Valued at 179 l. 7 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

[ 213] St. PETROCUS, at Bodmin, in Cornwall.

KING Athelstan was the first Founder of this Monastery for Monks; which after the Conquest, came into the Crown, but was purchased by Alganus, and stored with Canons regular.

St. GERMAINS, in Cornwall.

KING Athelstan founded a Monastery here, which at that time was the Seat of a Bishop, but was afterwards removed by King Edward the Confessor from hence to Exeter. Bartholonew Bishop of Exeter intro∣duced into this Church by the King's Authority, Canons Regular, eight in number, and a Prior.

[Valued at 243 l. 8 s. per Annum.]

SHAFTESBURY, in Dorsetshire.

KING Elfred built this Town in the year 880. Elgiva Wife of Ed∣mund, great Grand-child of the said Elfred, built here a Monastery for Nuns. King Edward the younger, commonly called St. Edward the Martyr, murder'd by his Mother-in-Laws procurement, was here interr'd, on which account this Church was afterwards call'd by his name.

[ 214] Benefactors to this House were King Edmund, King Edred, A. D. 948. [ 215] and King Etheldred, 1001.

[ 216] See more of this Monastery, p. 983.

[Valued at 1166 l. 8 s. 9 d. per Annum.]

[ 217] TAVESTOCK, in Devonshire.

ORdgarus an Earl in these Parts, and Father of Elfrid Wife of King Edgar, built this Monastery in the year 961, for Monks. It was afterwards burnt down by the Danes. King Edelred, in the year 981. en∣dow'd [ 218] it with Lands and Liberties; the like did King Henry the 1. all

which was exemplified and confirm'd by King Edward the III. in the twenty second Year of his Reign.

See more of this Monastery, p. 995.

[Valued at 902 l. 5 s. 7 d. per Annum.]

RUMSEY, in Hampshire. [ 219]

KING Edward the Elder, built here a Monastery, in which his Grand∣son King Edgar placed religious Nuns, under the Government of Merwina their Abbess, Anno Dom. 907.

King Edgar, King Henry III. and King Edward I. were Benefactors to this House, and confirm'd the Lands and Liberties to them given.

[Valued at 393 l. 10 s. 10 d. ob. per Annum.]

HORTON, in Dorcetshire. [ 220]

ORgarus Earl of Devonshire (formerly mention'd) was the first Foun∣der of this Monastery, who after his decease, which happen'd in the year 971. was here buried.

Roger Bishop of Shirburn, obtain'd of King Henry the I. that this House and the Possessions thereunto belonging should be transfer'd and annext to the Monastery of Shirburn, so that in after-times it was accounted only as a Cell of that House, tho'it had been before that reckon'd as an Abby of it self.

EXETER, in Devonshire.

THE Kingdom of the West Saxons having been destitute of a Bishop for full seven years before, Pope Formosus threatn'd to curse King Edward the Elder, in the year 905. unless he would restore Bishops ac∣cording to the ancient Tradition. Hereupon that King calling a Synod, in which presided Plegmundus Archbishop of Canterbury, did by their ad∣vice constitute several Bishops Seats, and set out their several Diocesses; and the Archbishop ordain'd seven Bishops in one day to seven Churches, among which Athelstan was made Bishop of Cornwall, and Eadulf of Crid∣ington. [ 221] In the year 1046. King Edward the Confessor united these two Bishopricks, and soon after at the request of Pope Leo fixt the Seat of the Bishop in the Monastery of St. Mary and St. Peter at Exeter, the then Bi∣shop Leofric being introduced into the Cathedral Church betwixt the King and Queen. Which Bishop finding the said Church much decay'd [ 222] and impoverisht in its Goods and Revenues became a great Benefactor, gi∣ving [ 223] to it not only several Books and Church Ornaments, but divers Lands; and recover'd for the Monastery other Lands which had been formerly given, and since lost and taken from them.

King Athelstan, soon after his coming to the Crown of this Kingdom, [ 225] erected the Monastery here to St. Mary and St. Peter, and endow'd it with twenty six Towns and Villages, and gave to it the third part of those many Relicks which he had caused to be collected beyond the Seas, viz. some pieces of our Lord's Cross, Sepulcher, Garment, Cradle, &c. with many

[ 227] others, which may be seen at large, p. 225, 226. After him King Athelred, [ 228] King Cnut, King Edward the Confessor, King Iohn, and King Henry the ill. [ 229] became Benefactors: so also King Henry the I. who restored to this Mona∣stery [ 230] several Churches which had been taken from it.

[ 231] RAMSEY, in Huntingdonshire.

IN the year 969. Ailwinus Duke of the East Angels, at the instigation of Oswald Archbishop of York, founded the Monastery of Ramsey, which was consecrated by St. Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury, and the said Oswald, in the year 974. and the Church dedicated to the blessed Mary and all holy Virgins, and to St. Benedict.

[ 232] Ramsey is a small Island, situated among Fens and Marishes, in the East corner of Huntingdonshire, about two miles long, and near as broad. It was formerly very much abounding with Alders and other Trees that delight in moist Ground, from whence it might take its name Ramsey à ramis, quasi Insula Ramorum.

[ 233] At the Foundation of this Church King Edgar gave to it five Hides of Land. St. Oswald also gave several Ornaments and Lands, and procured to it others.

[ 234] Duke Ailwinus the Founder gave to this Abby the whole Isle in which it stood with the adjacent Marishes and Meers, and divers other Lands. All which, with other Lands from other Benefactors, King Edgar con∣firm'd [ 235] to this Abby, granting also divers great Priviledges as a Sanctuary, &c. The like was done by King Edward the Confessor, with the addition [ 236] of several other Liberties and Priviledges. King Henry the I. King Henry [ 237] the II. King Richard, King Iohn, and King Edward the I. were also Royal [ 238] Benefactors.

Ailwinus the Founder gave many precious Ornaments besides two [ 239] hundred Hides of Land, and departed this Life on the 8th. of the Calends of May. His Epitaph was as follows,

[ 240] Hic requiescit Ailwinus, inclyti regis Edgari cognatus, totius Angliae Aldermannus, & hujus sacri caenobii, miraculosè, fundato r.

ABBOTS OF RAMSE Y.

• 1 AEdnothus, A. D. 970.
• 2 Wufilus 1008.
• 3 Withmannus 1016.
• 4 Ethelstanus 1020.
• 5 Alfwinus 1043.
• 6 Aielsinus 1080.
• 7 Herbertus made Bishop of Nor∣wich 1087.
• 8 Aldwinus 1091.
• 9 Bernardus was Abbot for five years in the life of Aldwinus.
• 10 Reginaldus 1114.
• 11 Walterus 1133.
• 12 Willielmns 1161.
• 13 Robertus Trianel 1180.
• 14 Eudo 1200.
• 15 Robertus de Redinges 1202.
• 16 Richardus 1214.
• 17 Hugo Foliot 1216.
• 18 Ranulfus 1231.
• 19 Willielmus Acolt 1253.
• 20 Hugo de Sulgrave 1254.
• 21 Willielmus 1267.
• 22 Iohannes 1285.
• 23 Simon 1316.
• 24 Robertus 1342.
• ...

• 25 Ricardus 1349.
• 26 Edmundus 1382.
• 27 Thomas Botterwick 1400.
• 28 Iohannes Tychemarsh 1419.
• 29 Iohannes Crowland 1434.
• 30 Iohannes Stowe 1436.

The memorable Occurrances in the times of these several Abbots may be seen in the Monasticon, p. 241, 242. Vid. 2. Vol. p. 869.

[Valued at 1716 l. 12 s. 4. d. per Annum.]

THORNEY, in Cambridgeshire.

THIS Monastery was founded in the year 972. by St. Adelwold Bi∣shop [ 243] of Winchester, in the Reign of King Edgar. In the year 1085. the Church was new built by Gunterius the then Abbot here, and dedicated by Hervey the first Bishop of Ely. In the year 973. King Ed∣gar granted to this Abby several Lands and Priviledges.

Principal Benefactors to this House were Nigellus Bishop of Ely, William [ 245] Peverel, several of the Beauchamps, Henry de Merch, William de Albeneis, [ 247] Brito Thurstan de Montfort, and Iohn de Stutavill, &c. The Lands and [ 249] Benefactions of whom, were recited and confirm'd to this Abby by the [ 250] Bull of Pope Alexander dated A. D. 1162.

ABBOTS of THORNEY. [ 251]

• A. D.
• 1085. Gunterius.
• 1123. Robertus I.
• 1151. Gilbertus.
• 1154. Galterus.
• 1158. Herbertus.
• 1163. Walterus.
• 1176. Solamon.
• 1193. Robertus II.
• 1198. Radulphus.
• 1216. Robertus III.
• 1231. Wido Wake.
• 1237. Ricardus.
• 1238. David.
• 1244. Thomas Castre.
• 1261. Willielmus Yakesley.
• 1293. Odo de Whitlesey.
• 1305. Willielmus Clopton.
• 1322. Reginaldus de Water Newton.
• 1347. Willielmus Haddon.
• 1365. Iohannes Depyng.
• 1396. Nicholaus Islep.
• 1402. Thomas Charw.
• 1425. Alanus Kirketon.
• 1437. Iohannes Kirketon.
• 1450. Iohannes Ramsey.

[Valued at 411 l. 12 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

CHATERIZ, in Cambridgeshire.

THE Mannor of Chateriz was given by King Edgar, to the Abbot of Ramsey. Ednodus Abbot of Ramsey built a Church and Monastery for Nuns at Chateriz, and endow'd it with necessaries; which Ednodus or Ednothus being Bishop of Dorchester was murdered by the Danes, 1016.

King Henry the I. gave and annext this Abby to the Church of Ely, and [ 252] Herveus the first Bishop there. Pope Innocent the IV. confirm'd the E∣state and Priviledges of this Abby to the Abbess and Sisters here, about the year 1242. Vid. 2. Vol. p. 869.

[Valued at 97 l. 3 s. 4 d. q. per Annum.]

[ 253] CERNE, in Dorsetshire.

SAint Augustine the Monk after he had converted Kent, travelled with his Companions over the rest of King Ethelbert's Dominions, which extended as far as the Northumbers, preaching the Gospel of Christ. And being in Dorsetshire; a great Company of people offer'd themselves to Baptism in a place where water was wanting, whereupon by miracle a [ 254] Fountain of Water burst out of the Ground, which was in the succeeding∣times call'd St. Augustin's Fountain. Here Edwaldus Brother of St. Edmund the King and Martyr, led a Hermits life, and died with the reputation of great Sanctity; which occasion'd that Egelwaldus or Ethelwerdus built here a Monastery to the honour of St. Peter, which his Son Ethelmer Earl of Cornwall A. D. 987. endow'd with divers Lands.

[Valued at 515 l. 17 s. 10 d. q. per Annum.]

[ 255] St. IVES, in Huntingtonshire.

IN the year 1001. the Body of St. Ivo being found in this Town then called Slepe, and translated from his Grave to a Shrine, the Town ever after took name from the Saint, and Ednothus Abbot of Ramsey, built here a Church. Pope Vrban confirm'd the Estate of this Monastery to the Prior and Monks of the same and to their Successors, granting them many great Priviledges, among others, that they should pay no Tithes of their Lands and Cattle which they should hold in their own proper hands.

[ 256] It was found by Inquisition in the 36 H. 3. that the Parish Church of St. Ives dedicated to the honour of all Saints, is a Vicarage of the Presen∣tation of the Abbot of Ramsey, that the Prior of St. Ives as Parson receives all Corn-Tithes, and of the Vicar for his portion 4 l. 13 s. 4 d. That the Vicar receives all small Tithes, obventions, Mortuaries (Testamenta) Plow∣alms, Rates and other Customs, which see in the Book at large.

WARWELL, in Hampshire.

KING Edgar hearing extraordinary Commendations of the beauty of Elfrida Daughter of Odgar Duke of Devonshire, sent Earl Ethelwold, to discover if the young Lady's beauty was equal to report, the Earl finding it so, disparaged her to the King, and secretly married her himself. After a while the King perceiving himself to have been treacherously deceived, took occasion one day to take the Earl flew him. In expiation of which Deed Elfrida, [ 258] who was after her first Husband's death married to King Edgar, built here a Monastery for Nuns, in honour of the holy Cross. This Monastery was after wards endowed with Lands by King Ethelred Son of the said Edgar and Elfrid in the year 1002, as appears by Inspectimus 44. H. 3. Vid. 3. Vel. p. 9.

[Valued at 339 l. 8 s. 7 d. per Annum.]

EYNESHAM, in Oxfordshire.

THIS Monastery was situated near the River Thames, founded and [ 259] endowed by one Ethe••marus, a man of Quality under King Ethel∣red, who confirmed the Lands given to it, and granted divers Liberties and Priviledges to the same, in the year of our Lord 1005.

To this House a Monastery at Stow near Lincoln, built and endow'd by [ 262] Godiva Wife of Leofrick Earl of Chester, was formerly annext as a Cell. [ 263]

In the year 1109. King Henry the I. repair'd this Monastery, at that [ 264] time decay'd, and confirm'd to it all its Lands and Liberties. [ 265]

[Valued at 441 l. 12 s. 2 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

BURTON, in Staffordshire.

WVlfricus Spot, an Officer in the Court of King Ethelred built this Abby and endow'd it with all his paterrnal Inheritance, amounting [ 266] to 700 l. and gave to that King three hundred Mancas of Gold to purchase his Confirmation of what he had done. The Names of the several Lands and Monnors given to this Abby may be seen, p. 268, 269.

King Ethelred granted to this Abby great Liberties in all their Lands, by [ 270] his Charter dated in the year 1006. And Pope Lucius the III. in the [ 271] year 1185. confirm'd to them all their Lands, granting also many great Priviledges to the said Abby, as that they should pay no Tithes of what they held in their own hands, &c.

The afore-mention'd Wulfricus Spot, the Founder of this Abby, was Earl of Mercia, and one of the Blood Royal. Upon the Foundation, (which was in the year 1004.) certain Monks were removed to this House from Winchester. Wulfricus was slain in a Battle against the Danes, A. D. 1010. and was buried in the Cloyster of this House.

A List of the Abbots of Burton upon Trent from the first Foundation to [ 272] the Dissolution. [ 273]

• 1 Wulfgetus. ob. 1026.
• 2 Britericus. ob. 1050.
• 3 Leuricus. ob. 1085.
• 4 Galfridus Malaterra expell'd 1094.
• 5 Nigellus. ob. 1114.
• 6 Galfridus resigned 1150. to
• 7 Robertus deposed and expell'd 1159.
• 8 Barnardus ob. 1175.
• 9 Robert chosen again ob. 1177.
• 10 Rogerus Malebraunch ob. 1182.
• 11 Ricardus ob. 1188.
• 12 Nicholaus ob. 1197.
• 13 Willielmus Melburne ob. 1210.
• 14 Rogerus Normannus ob. 1218.
• 15 Nicholas de Wallingford ob. 1222.
• 16 Richardus de Insula, removed to be Abbot of St. Edmunds 1229.
• 17 Laurentius ob. 1240.
• 18 Iohannes Stafford ob. 1280.
• 19 Thomas Pakington ob. 1305. [ 274]
• 20 Iohannes Pisoator alias Stapunhull. ob. 1316. [ 275]
• 21 Willielmus de Bromley. ob. 1329.
• 22 Robertus Longdone. ob, 1340.
• 23 Robertus Brickhull. ob. 1348.
• 24 Iohannes Ipstoke. ob. 1366.
• 25 Thomas Southam. ob. 1400.
• 26 Iohannes Sudburie resign'd 1424.
• 27 Willielmus Mathew. ob. 1430.
• 28 Robertus Ousby resign'd 1432.
• 29 Radulphus Henley resign'd 1454.
• 30 Willielmus Bronston. ob. 1472.
• 31 Thomas Feylde. ob. 1473.
• 32 Willielmus Heigh. ob. 1502.
• 33 Willielmus Beyne ob. 1525.
• 34 Iohannes Boston.
• 35 Ricardus Edes, the last Abbet of Burton.

The remarkable Occurrences during the times of the said several Abbots may be seen in the Book at large. Vid Vol. 2. p. 869.

[Valued at 267 l. 14 s. 3 d. per Annum.]

[ 276] ABBOTSBURY, in Dorsetshire.

ABout the year 1026. one Orcus a Great man in the Court of K. Canu••us, together with his Wise Tola, being both without hope or possibility of issue, built and edow'd the Monastery at Abbotsbury, and dedicated it [ 278] to St. Peter the Apostle. The said Orcus did also give a hall to a Guild or Fra∣ternity in this Town, and by agreement between him and the Brethren, certain Orders were settled for the Rule and Governance of the said Fra∣ternity, to the glory of God, and honour of St. Peter. King Edward the [ 279] Confessor, and King William the Conqueror ratified Orcus and his Wives Benefactions to the Monks here, and granted them certain Franchises. By in∣quisition taken before the Escheator and Sheriff of this County, in the [ 280] 53 Hen 3. The several Lands, Rents, and Liberties of this Abby were found and set forth; the Jury also found that the Abbot here held his E∣state of the King in Capite by the service of one Knight's Fee only, and not, in Baronia, by the service of a Barony.

In the year 1505. Thomas Strangeways Esq founded a perpetual Chan∣try in the Chappel of the Blessed Mary in the Church of this Abby, and endow'd it with Rents, for the maintenance of one Mass to be said in the [ 281] said Chappel daily for ever, for the Souls of his Ancestors and Friends, and for all the Faithful, subjecting it to the Visitation of the Bishop; and the Abbot did oblige himself to find a Monk (in case he should have above eight Monks, Priests, in the Monastery) to perform the Office: and this [ 282] under the penalty of 3 s. 4 d. to the Bishop of the Diocess, and 3 s. 4 d. to the Heirs of the said Strangeways, for every omission.

[Valued at 390 l. 19 s. 2 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

HULME, in Suffolk.

CAnutus the Danish King of England, returning from Rome, built two Monasteries to the honour of St. Benedict, one in Norwey, and the other this in England. Which last he founded in a fenny place then call'd [ 283] Couholm, where, in former-times, before the Danes came into Fngland, one Suneman a Hermite did inhabit, spending his time in devotion there for above fifty years. To the Abby here built, the said King canutus gave many Lands and Priviledges. All which King Edward the Confessor confirm'd, and granted others, Sacne, and Sokne, Toll, and Theam, &c. and [ 284] all other Liberties and free Customs which he himself enjoy'd in his own Demeans, and Lands belonging to the Crown.

St. EDMUNDS-BURY, in Suffolk.

SAint Edmund the last King of the East Angles, being overcome by Inguar, and Hubba Pagan Danes, was cruelly bound to a Tree, whipt, [ 285] and then shot to death, suffering martyrdom for the Christian Religion, in the year of our Lord 870. and the 29th. of his Age. His Head and Body were thrown into a thick Wood by the Pagans, but being afterwards found out by miracle, he was buried at a Neighbouring place call'd by the Saxons Beodrichesworth (now St. Edmunsbury) where the Christians built a small Church. But afterwards King Canutus (who had erected at [ 286] Rome an English School, and assign'd for its maintenance a Sum of Money which was yearly sent from England, and call'd Romescot) by advice of his Bishops and Barons, changed the secular Clergy, belonging to this Church, to Monks, in the year 1020 and brought hither from the Abby of Hulme thirteen religious Benedictines, whose first Abbot here was one Wius. He also caused half the Books, Vestments, and Utinsils of that Ab∣by to be removed hither. King Edmund the Elder in the year 942. gave Lands to this Church, and after him the foresaid King Conutus gave many Lands to this Monastery, and rebuilt it in a magnificent manner.

Controversies arising in the Reign of King William the Conqueror, [ 288] between the Abbot and the Bishop of the Diocess, the Abbot went to Rome, and found such favour with Pope Alexander the II. that he granted to him and his Successors Episcopal Jurisdiction, and this special priviledge, viz. That so long as they kept a porphery Altar, which he then gave him, tho' the whole Kingdom should fall under Excommunication, yet the Divine Office should not cease in this Abby unless specially interdicted by name. His Bull bears date An. Dom. 107••. In the year 1081. the Con∣test between the Bishop and Abbot was examined before King William the Conqueror, and upon hearing both sides, that King did declare the [ 289] Church of St. Edmund, and the Town in which it Stands, to be exempt from the Bishops Jurisdiction.

The Steward or Seneschall's Office for the Liberty of St. Edmund, was a place of great honour, and the Family of Hastings held it in Fee. They enjoy'd several great Fees and Advantages by Custom, in case they exe∣cuted the Office in their own Person, but if by Deputy or Lieutenant, then the said Deputy received half. All which particulars were found by in∣quision in the 30th. year of Edward the I.

In the year 1010. the Body of St. Edmund was translated to London, this [ 291] Country being insested by the Danes; but after three years it was brought back again. In the year 1021. soon after King Canutus had introduced Monks here, Aldwinus Bishop of the East Angles, began to build a stately new Church, to which work and for the maintenance of the Fabrick, the Inhabitants of Norfolk and Suffolk did freely give yearly 4 d. out of every Carucate of Land in the Country. This Church was in the year 1032. dedicated in honour of Christ, the Blessed Mary, and St. Edmund.

King Edward the Confessor, King William the I. King Henry the I. King Steven, and King Richard, with many Bishops, and other Persons of Q••a∣lity [ 292] of both Sexes gave Lands and great Revenues to this Abby. [ 293]

The Body of St. Edmund remain'd intire and uncorrupted, and was so [ 294] seen by many witnesses.

[ 295] ABBOTS of St. EDMVNSBVRT.

• [ 296] 1 Wius, Monk of Hulme, ob. 1044.
• 2 Leoffranus, ob. 1065.
• 3 Baldwinus, ob. 1097.
• 4 Robert, Son of Hugh Earl of Chester depos'd 1102.
• 5 Robert, Prior of Westminster, ob. 1107.
• 6 Alboldus, ob. 1119.
• 7 Anselmus, Nephew of Anselm Archbishop of Cant was 1138. chosen Bishop of London, but not received there, ob. 1148.
• 8 Ordingus, ob. 1156.
• 9 Hugh, Prior of Westminster, ob. 1180.
• 10 Sampson, ob. 1211.
• 11 Hugo, chosen Abbot 1213. con∣secrated Bishop of Ely 1229. ob. 1254.
• 12 Richard, Abbot of Burton, ob. 1233.
• 13 Henry, ob. 1248.
• 14 Edmund de Walpool, Doctor in the Decretals, ob. 1256.
• 15 Simon, elected, 1257.
• 16 Iohn de Norwold, ob. 1301.
• 17 Thomas de Tottington, ob. 1312.
• 18 Richard de Draugton, ob. 1337.
• 19 William de Bernham. ob. 1361.
• 20 Henry de Hunstanston died before Confirmation:
• 21 Iohannes de Brinkele ob. 1379.
• 22 Iohannes Tynmouth, created, 7 R. 2.
• 33 Willielmus de Cratfeild, created 13 R. 2.
• 24 Willielmus Exeter. 5 H. 6.
• 25 Willielmus Curteys, 7 H. 6.
• 26 Iohannes Boon, created Abbot 1457.
• 27 Richardus Hengham 1475.
• 28 Thomas Raclesden. 1478.
• 29 Iohn Reeve, alias Melford, the last Abbot of Bury created 5 Hen. 8.

[ 297] By Covenant made between the above-mentioned Iohn Norwood Abbot here on the one part, and the Prior and Convent of this Monastery on the other, the Mannors, Lands, and Revenues belonging to this Abby were divided and appropriated to the several Offices of the House, as such and such Lands and Revenues to the Abbot, such to the Celerarius, for [ 298] the diffraying of his Office, such to the Sacristan for the Charges in∣cumbant on him, such to the Camerarius, such to the Almoner, such to the [ 299] Pitanciarius, such to the Infirmarius, such to the Hostillarius, and such to the Praecentor. But all Law-Suits concerning any the Lands or Estate of the Abby the Abbot was to manage at his own proper Charges. Also the Abbot was to entertain all secular Guests as well Horse-men as Foot∣men, in case he was resident with his Family in Town, but the Convent was to entertain religious Persons, and in case the Abbot be absent, then the Convent to entertain also secular persons, if under thirteen Horse. This agreement between the Abbot and Convent was made in the year 1281. And exemplified by King Edward the I. in the same year, being the 9th. of his Reign.

[ 300] The Names of the Sacristans of BVRT.

• [ 301] 1 Thurstan.
  • In the time of Abbot Baldwin.
• 2 Tolimus.
• 3 Godefridus.
• 4 Radulphus.
• 5 Harueus.
• 6 Helias Widewell.
• 7 Frodo.
• 8 Willielmus Schuch.
• 9 Willielmus Wardel.
• 10 Hugo.
• 11 Walterus de Banham.
• 12 Willielmus de Disce.
• ...

• 13 Robertus de Granele, chosen Ab∣bot of Thorney.
• 14 Richardus de Insula, chosen Ab∣bot of Burton, and at last Ab∣bot here 1233.
• 15 Dominus de Newport.
• 16 Georgius, first Precentor, then Sacristan, than Prior here, re∣puted a Saint.
• 17 Nicholaus.
• 18 Simon de Luyton, chosen Prior, and then Abbot here 1257.
• 19 Richardus de Hornins••e.
• 20 Richardus de Colecester.
• 21 Simon de Kingston, first Celarer, and then Chamberlain.
• 22 Willielmus de Luyton.
• 23 Richardus le Brun.

Of the Buildings about the Church and Abby, perform'd, in the times of the Sacristans abovemen∣tion'd, see the Book at large.

To the Cellarer of this House (whose Office was to make provision for [ 302] the diet of the whole Covent) did belong many Rights and Priviledges by ancient Custom. He kept the Court of the Lordship in the Town, from which he received divers annual Profits. His Officers were to be first served in the Market in buying provisions, if the Abbot were not in Town. Also the Cellerar and Abbots Officers were to have Herrings a half-penny in the hundred cheaper than any other people.

[Valued at 1659 l. 13 s. 11 d. ob. per Annum.]

COVENTRY, in Warwickshire.

THIS Monastery was built by Leofricus Earl of Chester, and Godiva his Wife (a most pious Lady) and plentifully endow'd with Lands and Revenues. The Church was so richly adorn'd with Gold and Silver, and precious Stones, that the Walls seem'd too narrow to contain all the Treasure

The Founder Earl Leofrick died in the year 1057. and was buried at Co∣ventry, as was also his Wife Godiva, in the Church-Porch of their own Foun∣dation•• In which Church was formerly kept an Arm of the Great St. Au∣gustine•• inclosed in Silver.

Robert de Limesey (who was made Bishop of Chester, A. D. 1088. and died [ 303] 1116.) obtain'd of King Henry the I. The Monastery of Coventry, and consti∣tuted it the Capital Cathedral of that Diocess. Whose Successor in that See, Hugh Bishop of Coventry, A. D. 1191. expell'd the Monks out of the Cathedral Church here, and placed in their room, secular Canons. But in the year 1198. Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, by order of Pope Ce∣lestine, restored the Monks to the possession of their Church again.

It appears by Earl Leofrick's Charter of Foundation that he built this Church and Monastery to the honour of God and St. Mary his Mother, St. Peter the Apostle, St. Osburga the Virgin, and all Saints. And gave to the Maintenance of the Monks here serving God, twenty four Vil∣lages, with the Moiety of the Town of Coventry in which it stands, with all Liberties and Customs which he himself enjoy'd in the said Estate, and that the Abbot of the said House should be subject to none but the King. All which grants King Edward the Confessor did confirm to Leof∣winus [ 304] the first Abbot there and his Successors. Also Pope Alexander by his Bull directed to the said King Edward bearing date 1043. confirm'd all their Liberties and Exemptions, granting them full power to chose their

own Abbots or Deans, without any Lett or Hindrance from the Aposto∣lick Authority.

[ 305] Leofwinus, the first Abbot of Coventry, being created Bishop of Chester, ordain'd with the Consent of the Monks, that his Successors, Superiors of that Monastery should be call'd Priors and not Abbots.

PEYKIRK, in Northamptonshire.

IN the year 1048. one Wulgatus then Abbot of a Monastery in this Town, lost his Abby and the Lands thereunto belonging, to the Ab∣bot of Peterborough, who claim'd the same as parcel of his Estate. And this was by Judgment given in the Court of King Hard•• Canute.

SPALDING, in Lincolnshire, a Cell of Croyland, &c.

ANno Dom. 1052. Thoroldus de Bukenh••le Brother to Godiva Countess of Leicester having obtain'd six Monks from Wulgate Abbot of Croy∣land, began the Priory of Spalding, assigning to it divers Lands, and an∣next it as a Cell to Croyland.

In the year 1074. Tuo Taylboys Earl of Anjou (Andegavia) having mar∣ried Lucia Great Grand daughter of the foresaid Godiva became Lord of Spalding and all Holland; and gave the Cell of Spalding to a Monk of St. Nicholas of Anjou. He also confirm'd the Estate which his Great Uncle Thorold had given to this House, and procured the like Confirma∣tion [ 307] from the 2 Williams and Hen. 1st. Kings of England. In the year 1085. Yuo Taylboys, by License of King William the Conqueror, gave this Cell to the Abby of St. Nicholas of Anjou, with the Lands and Estate there∣unto belonging. All which, with divers Liberties, was confirm'd to the [ 308] said Abby of St. Nicholas by King William the I. William the II. and Henry [ 309] the I. And also by King Iohn in the first year of his Reign.

See more, Vol. 2. p. 871.

[Valued at 767 l. 8 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

[ 310] BATTEL Abby, in Sussex.

IN the year 1067. King William the Conqueror built this Abby in the same place where he fought and overcame Harold and his Army, that herein perpetual praise and thanks might he given to God for the said Victory and Prayers made for the Souls of those who were here slain. It was dedicated to St. Martin, and largely endow'd•• with Lands and Priviledges.

[ 312] In this Battle, it is said, that above ten thousand men lost their lives, on the conquering side; but what number of the conquered may be guest with astonishment.

[ 314] King William design'd to have endow'd this Abby with Lands sufficient for the constant maintenance of sevenscore Monks, but death prevented. However he granted to it, to be free from the Bishops Jurisdiction, to have Sanctuary, to have Treasure troue, with many other Royal Liberties and Exemptions. He translated from an Abby in Normandy called Major Monaste∣rium, several Monks, among whom one Gausbertus, who he appointed the first

Abbot of Battail. And gave to this Abby the Mannor of Wi in Kent, [ 315] with other Mannors in Sussex, Surrey, Essex, Barkshire, Oxfordshire, and [ 317] Devonshire, with free Warren in all their Lands.

Yet King William gave this caution or restriction to the Abbot, that he [ 318] should not wast the Alms belonging to this Abby upon his secular kindred or others, but take care to bestow them upon poor People and Travellers, &c.

King William Rufus, and King Henry the I. were also Benefactors to this House.

[Valued at 880 l. 14 s. 7 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

BRECKNOCK, in Wales, a Cell to Battel Abby. [ 319]

BErnard de Newmarch was a Noble Norman in the Reign of King Henry the I. and was the first Conqueror of the Lands about Brecknock. He gave to Battel Abby his Church of St. Iohn the Evangelist in his Castle of [ 320] Brecknock. Roger Earl of Hereford. Grandson of the foresaid Bernard [ 321] gave divers Lands and Tithes to the Monks in the Church of St. Iohn of Brecknock, together with divers Liberties and Exemptions. All which [ 322] was afterwards confirm'd by Maihel de Hereford. and William de Braiose. Other Benefactors were Herbert Fitz Peter, Iohn Fitz Reginald, &c. [ 323]

[Valued at 112 l. 14 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

ARMETHWAYT, in Cumberland. [ 324]

KING William the Conqueror founded here a Monastery for black Nuns; and endow'd it with divers Lands, and such Priviledges as w••re granted to the Church of Westminster. This he granted in pure and perpetual Alms as freely As hert may it thynk or ygh may it se.

This Nunnery being seated so very near the Borders of Scotland, was so impoverisht by the Scots frequent Spoils and Inroads, that it was in a [ 325] manner reduced to nothing; whereupon King Edward the IV. did in the thirteenth year of his Reign, new grant, ratifie, and confirm their Lands and Estate unto the then Prioress and Nuns here.

[Valued at 18 l. 18 s. 8 d. per Annum.]

BEAULEIU (Bellus Locus) in Bedfordshire, a Cell of St. Albans.

THE Church of St. Mary in this place, of old call'd Moddry, was at first a Hermitage and built by a Hermite called Radulfus. It was afterwards given by Robert de Albeneio, with the consent of his Mother Secilia, to the Abby of St, Albans, and became a Cell of that House. Which [ 326] Robert endow'd it with divers Lands, all which he gave to God, and St. Alban, and to the Monks of Beauleiu, in Fee, to hold in free Alms.

WALLINGFORD, in Barkshire, a Cell of St. Albans.

[ 327] THE Church here, dedicated to the holy Trinity, was made a Cell of St. Albans, in the time of Paul Abbot there. King Henry the VI. was a Benefactor to the Priory of Wallingford. Vid. Vol 3. p. 11.

BELVOIR or Beaver, in Lincolnshire, a Cell of St. Albans.

RObertus de Toteneio Lord of the Castle of Belvoir, gave the Church of St. Mary, adjoyning to his said Castle, to the Abby of St. Albans to be a Cell of that House, endowing it with divers Lands and Tithes; ap∣pointing it for the Burial-place of himself and Wife, in case they died in [ 328] England, and such it afterwards proved to be for his descendents.

[ 329] The Lands hereunto given were confirm'd successively by the Heirs and Progeny of the said Robert, and lastly by Thomas Lord Ros, in the 8. Hen. 6.

[Valued at 104 l. 19 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

[ 330] HATFEILD-PEVERELL, in, Hertfordshire, a Cell of St. Albans

WIlliam Peverell gave the Church of St. Mary at Hatfeild with his own Mansion-House there, for a Habitation of Monks, and en∣dow'd the same with Lands; all which was afterwards annext to St. Al∣bans, and became a Cell of that House.

[Valued at 60 l. 14 s. 11 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 331] HERTFORD, a Cell of St. Albans.

RAdulfus de Limesey, having erected a Church at Hertford, he gave the same for a Cell to the Abby of St. Albans, and with it divers Lands in Hertford and elsewhere. The Abbot of St. Albans obliging himself to send thither six Monks of his House to serve God at Hertford, and in case the Revenue should be augmented then to send a greater number.

[ 332] Hadwisia, Wife of the said Radulfus, Alan de Limesey their Son, Gerard his Son, and Iohn de Limesey his Son, were all Benefactors to this Church of St. Mary's at Hertford, and to the Monks of St. Albans serving God herein.

[Valued at 72 l. 14 s. 2 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 333] TINEMOUTH, in Northumberland, a Cell of St. Albans.

[ 334] RObert de Mulbray a Norman of noble extraction, to whom King Wil∣liam the Conqueror gave the Earldom of Northumberland, endow'd the Church of St. Mary, adjoyning to his Castle of Tinemouth, and in which the Body of St. Oswin King and Martyr rested, with fair Revenues, [ 335] and gave it for a Cell to the Monks of St. Albans. David King of Scotland

was a Benefactor to this House; so were King Henry the I. of England, King Henry the II. and King Iohn, who granted to God and the Church of St. Oswin in Tinmouth, and the Monks of St. Albans serving God here, many Lands, and great Liberties, which Liberties tho' seiz'd by King Edward [ 336] the III. yet were by him in the second year of his Reign regranted to them in as large a manner as ever, out of the special Devotion which he bore to the two glorious Martyrs St. Alban and St. Oswin.

[Valued at 397 l. 10 s. 5 d. ob. per Annum.]

WYMUNDHAM, in Norfolk, a Cell of St. Albans. [ 337]

ANno Dom. 1139. William de Albaneio Butler to King Henry the I. built the Church of St. Mary and Priory of Monks at this Town, endow'd the same with Revenues•• and annext it as a Cell to St. Albans; yet so as they might choose a Prior among themselves and present him to their Founder, whom he was not to refuse without good Cause. And the [ 338] Monks here paid only a Mark of Silver yearly to the Abbot of St. Albans as an acknowledgment of subjection.

King Henry the I. confirm'd the Estate given to this House with the grant of many great Liberties. The like did also William Earl of Sussex, [ 339] Grandson of the foresaid William the Founder.

Afterwards in the 27th. of King Henry the VI. by Authority of Pope [ 340] Nicholas the V. and at the Petition of Sir Andrew Ogard Kt. then Patron of this Monastery, it was discharged from any dependency on the Abby of [ 341] St. Albans, and from paying the Mark per Annum, and made an Abby of it self, and Steven London then Prior, the first Abbot. All which was allow'd and confirm'd by the said King Henry the VI. who at the same [ 342] time pardon'd all penalties incurr'd by the Parties concern'd in procuring the Popes Bull, by reason of the Statute of Provisors, or any other Statute.

[Valued at 211 l. 16 s. 6 d. q. per Annum.]

BINHAM, in Norfolk, a Cell of St. Albans. [ 343]

PEter de Valoniis and Albreda his Wife gave the Church of St. Mary at Binham to the Abby of St. Albans, but to be subject only in such manner as St. Pancrace at Lewis is subject to St. Peter of Clugni, paying yearly to the Church of St. Alban a Mark of Silver and no more. Rog••r de Valoniis confirm'd to God, and St. Mary, and the Monks of St. Albans ser∣ving God at Binham, all the Lands which his Father Peter had given [ 344] them, and gave to them besides several other Lands and Tithes. The [ 345] like was done by others of that Family, and Iohn Bishop of Nor∣wich. [ 346]

St. MARY de PRATO, near St. Albans. [ 347]

THIS was a small Nunnery given, with certain Lands, by Garinus Abbot of St. Albans, for the maintenance of Leprous Nuns. Con∣firm'd by King Iohn, in the fifth year of his Reign.

SOPEWELL, in Hertfordshire, a Cell of St. Albans.

ABout the year 1140. two religious Women led a solitary life in a small Habitation made of Boughs of Trees, near a Wood called Eiwoda, who being taken notice of for their austerities and pious Lives, Gaufridus the sixteenth Abbot of St. Albans, built there for them a Cell, gave them the Vail of Nuns, and constituted their way of living according to the Rule of St. Benedict. He also endow'd the House with Possessions and Rents, and assigned them a Coemitery, in which none were to be buried but the Virgins of the House, whose number was not to exceed thirteen.

[ 348] Henry de Albaneio and Cecilia his Wife, and several of their Descen∣dants, were great Benefactors to this Cell of St. Mary of Sopewell; and so was Richard de Tany.

[ 349] Michael Abbot of St. Albans, made and publisht here in his Visitation, Anno Dom. 1338. certain good Rules and Orders to be observed by the Nuns of this House: among others, that the Door that goes into the Garden, and that of the Parlour, should not be open'd till the Bell sounds to the ninth hour, and that all the year they should be shut up at night when the Abby-Bell sounds the Cover••eu, &c.

[Valued at 40 l. 7 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

[ 350] MERGATE, in Bedfordshire, a Cell of St. Albans.

IN the time of Gaufridus Abbot of St. Albans, one Roger a Monk of that Abby, became a Hermite in a Hermitage between St. Albans and Dunstable, where he lived in a most austere manner, with the reputation of great Sanctity; at the same time Christina a Virgin renouncing the World became an Anchoress at the same place, yet the said Roger never [ 351] saw her face, tho' they lived together four years. Roger died and was buried in the Abby-Church of St. Albans; but Christina surviving, be∣came of so great note for her Sanctity, that the abovesaid Gaufridus, built here from the Foundation a Monastery for Nuns, and endow'd the same with Revenues, of which House Christina became the first Prioress. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 872.

[ 352] St. NICHOLAS, Priory, at Exeter, a Cell of Battel-Abby.

THIS Church formerly dedicated to St. Olive King and Martyr, was by King William Rufus given to the Monks of Battel-Abby, for a Cell; and by them new dedicated to St. Nicholas. King William Rufus, King Henry the I. and King Iohn, conferr'd many Lands and Liberties upon this House.

[Valued at 147 l. 12 s. per Annum.]

MALLINGE, in Kent.

KING Edmund gave certain Lands in Mallinges to the Monastery of St. Andrew the Apostle, which afterwards was by Gundulfus Bishop [ 353] o•• Rochester, converted to an Abby of Nuns here, dedicated to St. Mary; to which King Henry the I. and King Iohn, and Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury, were also Benefactors.

[Valued at 218 l. 4 s. 2 d. ob. per Annum.]

TUTBURY, in Staffordshire. [ 354]

HEnry de Ferariis built the Church and Monastery, to the honour of the blessed Virgin, at his Castle of Tutbury, which by the Grant and Li∣cente of King William Rufus, he endow'd with divers Lands and Tithes. Earl Robert de Ferariis the younger, Grandson of the Founder, was a great Benefactor, and so were many others whose names, with the parcells by them given, may be seen in the Monasticon at large. [ 355]

Iohn Duke of Lancaster, being Lord of the Honour and Castle of Tutbury, granted his Letters Pattents to the King of the Minstalls in Tutbury, im∣powring him and his Successors, to arrest all Minstralls within the said Honour and Franchise who refuse to do their service of minstralsie on the Feast of the assumption of our Lady ••early, and constrain them to it, according to Custom. Dated in the 4 Rich. 2.

There is also another Custom of the Place, that the Stage-players who come to Matins on the Feast of the Assumption, should have from the Prior of Tutbury a Bull in case they can catch him before he gets over the River there, or else the Prior is to give them 40 d. in mony. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 873.

EYE, in Suffolk. [ 356]

RObert Malet, to whom King William the Conqueror had given the honour of Eye, with the assent of that King, built a Monastery there, and to it gave the Church dedicated to St. Peter, in Eye, with a great quanity of Lands and Churches, with Liberties and Franchises, to hold as freely as King William gave them to him. In the year 1138. King Steven [ 357] confirm'd to the Monks here, all their Lands and Liberties, with a for∣mal Curse to the Violators. The like Confirmation from William Earl of Boloign that King's eldest Son. This House was a Cell to the Abby [ 358] of Bernay in Normandy, so that neither the Prior nor any Monk could be placed here without the assent of the Abbot of Bernay; neither upon the death of the Prior here, could the Founder, or his Heirs or Successors, Pa∣trons of this Priory, meddle with, or receive any profit from the Goods and Possessions of this House during the vacancy; but only, in sign of Dominion, he used to place a Porter at the Gate of the Priory, who du∣ring the Vacation was maintain'd out of the Revenues of the House, and at the Instalment of the next Prior used to receive for his Fee the Sum of 5 s. for an Ox.

[ 359] In the 8th. year of King Richard the II. the Estate of this Priory being then seiz'd into the King's hands because of his Wars with France, the Prior and Covent complain'd that they were extreamly impoverished by Foreign Exactions, so that the Revenues of this House could hardly maintain the Prior and three or four Monks; that King therefore by his Letters Patents, at their Petition and Request, discharged them for ever of their Foreign Subjection to the Abby of Bernay, and made them a Prior and Covent of themselves independent, like other English Priories.

[Valued at 161 l. 2 s. 3 d. q. per Annum.]

HELENSTOW, in Berkshire.

JVdith Countess of Huntington, Wife of Earl Waltheof, built a Church and Monastery here for Nuns; and dedicated it to the holy Trinity, [ 360] St. Mary, and St. Helen. She and others endow'd it with divers Lands; all which were afterwards confirm'd to the Nuns here by King Henry the II. together with large Priviledges and Exemptions.

PENWORTHAM, in Lancashire, a Cell of Evesham.

WArinus Bussell, and Richard Bussell his Son, gave the Church at Penwortham, and with it divers Lands, to the Abby of Evesham, for a Cell of that Abby. All which was confirm'd to God, and St. Mary, and to the Monks serving God in Penvercham, by Hugh Buissell, Grandson [ 361] of the foresaid Warinus, in pure and perpetual Alms. This was in the Reign of King William the Conqueror.

[Valued at 29 l. 18 s. 7 d. per Annum.]

KILBURN, in Middlesex, a Cell of Westm.

IN the Reign of King Henry the I. Herebertus Abbot of Westminster, Osbert de Clara, Prior, and the whole Convent of Westminster, gave a Hermitage at Kilburn to three Maids Emma, Gunilda, and Christina, for a Nunnery; and endow'd the same with Lands and Rents. Gilbert Bishop [ 362] of London gave the Jurisdiction of this Cell of Kilburn to the said Abbot and his Successors, exempting it from the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of London for ever. But new Contests arising about this House between the Bishop of London and Abbot of Westminster, they came to an Agree∣ment in the year 1231. That the Bishop might visit the Nunnery to preach to them, and to hear their Confessions, but without exacting any [ 363] Procurations; and that the Government of the House placing, and displacing the Abbess and Nuns, should belong to the Abbot, as a Cell of his House, &c.

[Valued at 74 l. 7 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

HURLEY, in Barkshire, a Cell of Westminster.

GOdefridus de Magnavilla gave to God, and St. Peter, and to the Church of Westminster, and St. Mary of Hurley, the Town of Hurley, with [ 364] divers other Lands and Tithes, for the Maintenance of a Convent of Monks to serve God in the said Church for ever. All which was confirm'd to the Priors and Monks of Hurley by William Bishop of London. In the [ 365] year 1258. Godefridus Prior of Hurley and his Covent made an exchange, with Absolon Abbot of Walden, of some of their Revenues.

[Valued at 121 l. 18 s. 5 d. per Annum.]

MALVERNE, in Worcestershire, a Cell of Westminster.

IN the eighteenth year of William the Conqueror, one Aldwine a Her∣mit and his Brethren began the Monastery here.

King William the Conqueror and others gave Lands and Revenues to [ 366] this House, but more especially King Henry the first who by his Charter [ 367] dated in the year 1127. granted and confirm'd to them many Lands and great Liberties and Immunities. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 876.

[Valued at 98 l. 10 s. 9 d. ob. per Annum.]

AUCOT, in Warwickshire, a Cell of Malverne-magna.

WIlliam Burdet gave all his Land in Aucot to God and St. Mary of Malverne and to the Monks there, in the year 1159. From a∣mong which Monks he was to have, by agreement betwixt him and Roger, Prior of that House, a certain number for the Institution of a Monastery here. The Prior of which House was to be constituted by the Prior of Malverne, by and with the advice of the Abbot of Westmin∣ster.

[Valued at 28 l. 6 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

SUDBURY, in Suffolk, a Cell of Westminster.

KING Edward the III. in the thirty fifth year of his Reign, granted [ 368] his License to Richard Roke of Westminster, to settle certain Land in Sudbury and Holgate upon the Abbot and Convent of Westminster, or the relief of their poor Cell of St. Bartholomew near Sudbury.

St. NEOTS, in Huntingtonshire.

SAint Neot was Son of King Adulphus, and Brother of King Alured, who founded the University of Oxford. He was a Monk at Neotestoke, in Cornwall, and from thence his Body was translated to Anulphesbury, in Huntingtonshire, where Earl Elfrid converted his Palace into a Monastery of black Monks. Which being afterwards spoild and burnt down by the

[ 369] Danes, was in the Reign of King Henry the I. An. Dom. 1113. re-edified by Rohesia Wife of Richard Son of Earl Gislibert; about which time it was given as a Cell to the Abby of Bec in Normandy. The foresaid Lady and divers others gave Lands and Revenues to the Monks of Bec serving God at St. Neots. It appears by the Bull of Pope Celestine, directed to the Bishop of Lincoln, that the Prior and Convent of St. Neots, being their House was situated on a famous and great Road, did use to bestow meat [ 370] and drink on all Travellers who desired it, and to this only use they did appropriate certain Rents and Pensions which they received yearly from the Churches of Eynesbury and Torney.

In the Reigns of Henry the IV. and Henry the V. This Monastery was discharg'd of its Foreign Subjection to the Abby of Bec, and made an English Priory. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 876.

[Valued at 241 l. 11 s. 4 d. q. per Annum.]

[ 371] SELBY, in Yorkshire.

KING William the Conqueror founded the Abby here for Benedictine Monks, in honour of our Lord Iesus Christ, and his blessed Mother the Virgin Mary, and St. Germain the Bishop. Which King, and se∣veral other persons, did endow it with large Possessions, in particular Guido de Raincourt gave to this Church of St. Germain in Selby his Town of Stamford in Northamptonshire. Thomas Archbishop of York, Gilbert [ 372] T••s••n chief Standard-bearer of England, Gaulerannus Earl of Mellent, Henry [ 373] de Lacy Earl of Lincoln and Constable of Chester, &c. gave other Lands [ 374] and great Liberties•• All which King Richard the I. in the first year of his Reign, confirm'd to the Monks here. Also King Edward the III. did in the second year of his Reign, confirm to them all their Liberties and Exemptions, whereupon in the twenty second of that King, they were [ 375] excused from paying to the King, in any of their Lands purchased before the abovesaid second year, any a••d for knighting his eldest Son, &c.

[Vaued at 729 l. 12 s. 10 d. q. per Annum.]

SHREWSBURY, in Shropshire.

IN the year 1083. Roger Earl of Montgomery built here a Monastery in [ 376] honour of St. Peter. To this House he gave great Possessions, and after his Example other Barons and Knights of that County did the like. [ 377] After the death of the said Roger, Hugh his Son and Heir gave other Lands and great Liberties and Immunities, with a heavy Curse to the [ 378] Violaters. The like did King Henry the I. and King Steven, confirming their said Liberties in so large a manner that nothing could be added to [ 380] them. Other principal Benefactors were Matilda de Lungespe Daughter and [ 381] Heir of Walter de Clifford, Walchelinus Maminot, Willielmus Peverell, and [ 382] Richard Fitz-Allen Earl of Arundel, &c. All whose Guifts and Benefacti∣ons were confirm'd to the Abbot and Monks of this House by King Henry the III. in the eleventh year of his Reign.

[Valued at 132 l. 4 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

St. MARY's, at York. [ 383]

THE History of the Foundation of this Abby was writ by Stephen who had been Abbot of Whitby, and was after that made the first Abbot of this House. In which the most observable matters are as follows,

Alan Son of Eudo Earl of Brittain, having built a Church adjoyning to [ 385] the City of York in honour of St Olave, gave it to the foresaid Stephen and his Companions, with four Acres of Land, thereon to erect a Monastery. This was about the year 1088. in the Reign of King William the Conque∣ror. Who dying, his Son and Successor King William Rufus, gave them Land whereon to build a larger Church, and gave to the Monastery, divers Lands, Liberties, and Exemptions. Also Earl Alan their first Founder gave them the adjoynig Suburbs lying without the City of York, to hold freely for ever. And gave the Advowson of this Abby to the King, that so he might be the Defendor and Patron of it for the future. Thomas Archbishop of York claim'd the four Acres of Land on which this Abby was built as belonging to him, and was a continual vexation to the Monks, till King William Rufus gave him the Church of St. Steven's in York, in exchange and full satisfaction.

When King William Rufus, seeing the Old Church to be too strait, laid [ 386] the Foundation of a new one, he changed the name of St. Olave, and gave it the name of St. Mary.

King Henry the II. granted to this Abby very great Liberties and [ 387] Franchises, the same as are enjoy'd by St. Peters of York, and St. Iohn of Beverley. And confirmed to them all their Lands and Revenues given them by their several Benefactors amounting to a very great number, some of the principal of whom were King William the I. and II. King [ 388] Henry the I. Alan Earl of Britaign, Odo Earl of Campania, Berengerius de [ 389] Todenei, Willielmus Peverel, Petrus de Ros, Robertus de Brus, Ivo Tallebois, [ 390] Walterus de Daincourt, and Conan Earl of Britaigne, &c. [ 391]

In the year 1343. William Archbishop of York in his Visitation, que∣stioning by what Right and Title the Abbot and Covent here, did claim [ 392] and receive the Tithes, Portions, and Pensions, from several places there mention'd (amounting to a very great number) they produced the Bulls [ 393] of several Popes, and Grants of his Predecessors, Archbishops of York, whereupon they were by the said Archbishop allow'd, and their Title de∣clared good and sufficient.

A List of some of the ABBOTS of St. Mary's at York. [ 394]

• 1088 Stephanus Wittebiensis.
• 1112 Richardus.
• 1131 Godfridus.
• 1132 Sauaricus.
• 1161 Clemens.
• 1184 Robertus de Harpham.
• 1189 Robertus de Longo-Campo.
• 1239 Willielmus Rondele.
• 1244 Thomas de Warterhill.
• 1258 Simon de Warwick.
• 1296 Benedictus de Malton.
• 1303 Iohannes de Gillyngs.
• 1313 Alanus de Nesse.

Vid. Vol. 3. p. 9.

[Valued at 1550 l. 7 s. 0 d. q. per Annum]

[ 395] St. BEES, or St. Beges, in Cumberland, a Cell of St. Mary's, at York.

SAint Bega was a vailed Nun, born in Ireland, she built a small Mona∣stery in Caupland in the furthermost parts of England, not far from Carlile. This Monastery, together with several Lands and Tithes, was afterwards in the Reign of King Henry the I. given to the Abby of St. Mary's at York, by William Meschines, Son of Ranulph, Lord of Caupland, for a Cell to that Abby; which was to send hither a Prior, and at least [ 396] six Monks to be constantly here resident. To this House, also William Forz Earl of Albemarl was a Benefactor.

[Valued at 143 l. 17 s. 2 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 397] WETHERHAL, in Cumberland; a Cell to St. Mary's at York.

AT the time of the Foundation of St. Mary's at York, Radulph Meschines Earl of Cumberland, gave the Cell of St. Constantine at Wedderhal, to the said Abby of St. Mary's; which guift was confirm'd by King William [ 398] the Conqueror in the last year of his Reign: (Or rather by King William Rufus in the first of his.)

Benefactors to this House were David King of Scotland and Earl [ 399] of Huntington, and his Son Henry Prince of Scotland, with divers o∣thers.

Adelwald, (or Athelwulph, who was the first) Bishop of Carlile, con∣firm'd to the Monks of St. Mary's at York the Churches, and Tithes to them given. in his Diocess. Providing however that the said Monks shall allot a sufficient proportion out of the same for the Priests in the several Churches, and that they should also pay the Synodals.

[ 400] King William the Conqueror, upon his Conquest of this Kingdom, gave to Ralph de Meschines the County of Cumberland, to his Brother Hugh de Meschines, the County of Chester, and to a third Brother William de Mes∣chines (who founded this House at Wetherhal) all the Land of Copland, lying between Duden and Darwent. Which Great men soon after sub∣divided, and parcell'd out their respective Territories so given, to cer∣tain Barons and Knights their Dependents, viz. Ralph de Melchines enfeofft Hubert de Vaux of the Barony of Gillesland, &c. William de Meschines Lord of Copland, enfeofft Waldeuus Son of Cospatrick of all his Land between Cocar and Derwent, &c. These chief Lords reserving from their Feoffees certain services, in like manner as they themselves held their Estates by some services of the King. (Yet were Lands often granted to the Monasteries, to hold free from all services whatsoever, except the Divine Service of Prayers for their Founders, &c.)

And note, That after this manner were Lands and Liberties first derived from the Crown, and Tenures raised in relation to them, since the Norman Conquest.

[Valued at 117 l. 11 s. 10 d. ob. q. per Annum.

St. MARTINS, at Richmund, a Cell to St. Mary's at York. [ 401]

WYmar, Sewer to the Earl of Richmund, gave the Chappel of St. Martins at Richmund, and with several Lands, to God and the blessed Mary at York.

Roaldus Grandson of Alan Constable of Richmund, and divers others were Benefactors, and gave Lands and Tithes to God, the Church of St. Mary at York, and Priory of St. Martins near Richmund, and to the Monks there.

In the year 1146. Pope Eugenius the III. confirmed the Cell of St. Martins.

Peter Capell, Rector of the Church of Richmund granted a Pension of [ 402] 5 l. per Annum to the Monks of St. Mary's at York, and 20 l. of Wax to their Cell of St. Martins of Richmund, yearly.

The several Rents and Revenues of this House; where, and from whom they arise, may be seen in the Book at large, p. 402, 403.

[Valued at 43 l. 16 s. 8 d. per Annum.]

ROMBURGH, in Cambridgeshire, a Cell to St. Mary's at York. [ 404]

ALan (otherwise, as I suppose, called Steven) Earl of Britany and Rich∣mond, gave the Cell of Romburgh to God, St. Mary, and the Monks of the Abby at York; which Gift was confirm'd to them by Everard Bi∣shop of Norwich, and that the Abbot and Convent of St. Mary's at York, might place and displace the Prior and Monks at their pleasure. The like Confirmations were granted by Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury, and Gaufridus Bishop of Ely.

SANTOFT and HENES, in Lincolnshire, Cells of St. Mary's at York.

ROger Moubray gave the Isle called Santoft, and large Possessions with it, [ 405] for a Cell to the Church of St. Mary's at York, and to the Monks there. And William Earl of Waren gave Henes to the said Church. [ 406]

HEREFORD Priory, a Cell of St. Peter's at Gloucester.

IN the year 1101. Hugo de Lacy gave the Church of St. Peters at Here∣ford, which his Father Walter had built from the Foundation, to the Monks of St. Peters at Gloucester, with all the Estate belonging to it, given by his said Father Wal••er de Lacy, and Confirm'd by King William the Conqueror.

In the Reign of King Edward the II. great Contests arising in this House between William de Irby who claim'd to be Prior under the Kings Patronage, and Thomas de Burg••ull who claim'd under another Title: the Estate of the Priory was so wasted and impoverisht betwixt them that there did not remain sufficient to discharge the Works of Piety, for which it was at first built, and the House running to utter ruin; that King there∣fore,

to prevent its final destruction, in the fifteenth year of his Reign, directed his Writ to the Sheriff of Hereford, commanding him to seize the said Priory with all its Possessions as well moveable as immoveable into his hand, and them safely to keep until further Order.

[ 407] NORWICH, in Norfolk.

THE Church of the holy Trinity in Norwich was founded in the Reign of King William Rufus, An Dom. 1096. by Herbert Losenge, who had been Prior of Fischampe in Normandy, then Abbot of Ramsey, and then Bishop of the East-Angles, of which Diocess he fixt the Seat at Norwich, and built this Church for his Cathedral; erecting on the North-side of it his own Palace, and on the South-side a Monastery for Monks. [ 408] Certain Limits were appointed about this Church and Monastery, within which, Bishop Herbert obtain'd great Priviledges and Franchise from both Regal and Papal Authority. Notwithstanding which, great Contests arose between the Citizens and the Monks about their Liberties, which con∣tinued for many years, and were never perfectly compos'd till the sixth [ 409] year of King Iohn. The said Bishop Herbert endow'd this Monastery, [ 410] so founded by him, with large Revenues, as appears by his Deed dated [ 411] An. Dom. 1101. King Henry the I. confirm'd his Gift, and also gave them [ 412] other Lands in the same year. King Henry the II. also made a large Confirmation of all their Lands and Liberties.

Vid. infra p. 1003. and Vol. 3. p. 5.

[ 413] EWYAS Priory, in Herefordshire.

THIS Priory was founded and endow'd by Harald Lord of Ewyas, An. Dom. 1100. whose Gift was afterwards confirm'd by Robert his Son, who also gave other Lands; all which was also confirm'd by Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury, and Iohn Bishop of Salsbury.

MIDLESBURG, in Yorkshire, a Cell to Whitby.

RObert de Brus and Agnes his Wife, and Adam de Brus their Son gave the Church of St. Hylda in Midlesburg, and with it divers Lands, in perpetual Alms to the Monks of St. Peter and St. Hilda at Whitby, for a Cell of that House, and that certain of those Monks might live and re∣side here for God's service in the Church of Midlesburg William Malebiss was also a Benefactor to the Church of St. Hylda at Midlesburg and the Monks there.

HAKENES, in Yorkshire. [ 414]

IN the Reign of King William Rufus, the Monastery of Whitby being much infested not only by robbers from the Woods on the Land, but also by Pirates from the Sea, who carried from them almost all they had, Serlo de Percy then Prior of that House, and his Monks, applied them∣selves to William de Percy, Brother of Serlo, and desired of him a place of Refuge at Hakenes; who readily granted them the Church of St. Mary in that Town, which had been built by St. Hildo the Abbess, with Li∣cense to erect a Monastery there, and in it to remain till they could re∣turn in peace to Whitby; which accordingly they did, and remain'd here for some time.

HORSHAM, in Norfolk.

RObert Fitz-Walter and Sibill his Wife, returning through France from Rome, where they had been in Pilgrimage, were set upon by Theives, robb'd, and kept in Prison. till by their Prayers to Almighty God, and to the holy Virgin St. Faith, they were miraculously deliver'd out of their Confinement. After which they visited in Devotion the Shrine of St. Faith at the Abby of Couches in France, where for the space of twelve days they remain'd, being kindly entertain'd by the Abbot and [ 415] Convent there. Vowing at their return into England to their own Man∣nor, to built there a Monastery in the Worship of God and St. Faith. Which accordingly they did; endowing the same with Lands, and placing therein two Monks of the Abby of Couches, to which Abby they annext this House as a Cell. Their Deed of Foundation and Endowment, was made in the time of Henry the I. and Herbert Bishop of Norwich, who died 19. H. 1.

Pope Alexander, by his Bull dated in the year 1163. confirm'd to the Monks here all their Lands and Liberties. [ 416]

In the 14. Rich. 2. this Priory was discharged of its Foreign Sub∣jection to the Abby of Couches, and made an English Priory of it self.

[Valued at 162 l. 16 s. 11 d. ob. per Annum.]

RADINGFEILD, in Suffolk. [ 417]

THIS was a Priory of Nuns founded to the honour of God and St. Andrew, by Manasses Earl of Gisnensis, and Emme his Wi••es Daugh∣ter and Heir of William de Arras, and endow'd by them with the Man∣nor of Radingfeild, &c. late held by the said William de Arras; their Deed bears date 1120.

[Valued at 67 l. 0 s. 1 d. ob. per Annum.]

READING, in Barkshire.

〈…〉〈…〉 of Nuns. But that having been 〈…〉〈…〉 Henry the I. An. Dom. 1126.

built here a most noble Abby for Monks, and dedicated it in honour of the Virgin Mary and St. Iohn Baptist, and endow'd it with great Posses∣sions [ 418] and Franchises as may be seen in his Charter dated 1125. all which was confirm'd by King Hen. 2.

[ 419] Hugh Abbot of Reading and his Covent, reciting by their Deed, that King Henry the I. had ••rected that Abby for the maintenance of Monks there devoutely and religiously serving God, ••for the receit of Strangers and Travellers, but chiefly Christ's poor People, they therefore did e∣rect an Hospital without the Gate of the Abby there, to maintain twenty six poor People; and to the maintenance of Strangers passing that way they gave the profits of their Mill at Leominstre. Also Auc••erius Abbot of Reading, built near this Abby a House for Lepers, which was call'd St. Mary Magdalens, alloting for their sustenance sufficient of all things, as well [ 420] for Diet, as other matters. If any Brother of this House were guilty of Adultery, or of striking his Brother in Pride, Anger, or Hatred, he was to be expell'd the House; none were to go abroad without a Companion; what Charity happens to be given to any one, to be common to all; these and several others were the Rules observed in the Lepers House of St. Mary Magdalen.

[Valued at 1938 l. 14 s. 3 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

LEOMINSTER, in Herefordshire, a Cell to Reading.

[ 421] HERE was formerly a Nunnery built by Merwald one of the Kings of Mercia; but that having been long destroy'd by the Danes, King Henry the I. when he built the Abby of Reading, gave them also Leo∣minster, with all the Estate belonging to it, and those Monks made it a Cell of their Abby. It was confirm'd to them by Richard and Hugh Bi∣shops of Hereford.

RINDELGROS, in Scotland, a Cell to Reading.

[ 422] DAvid King of Scotland gave this Town to the Abbot and Covent of Reading, to have and enjoy as freely and quiety as any Abby in his Kingdom enjoy their Estates. With a Provision that if he or his Suc∣cessors shall add to this Donation sufficient wherewith to maintain a Co∣vent here, that then the said Abbot of Reading should send a Covent hither.

MAY, in Scotland, a Cell to Reading.

THIS Priory was founded by David King of Scotland, and endow'd with several Lands in Scotland, by the said David, and Malcolm and William successively Kings of Scotland.

SHIRBURN, in Dorsetshire. [ 423]

THE Bishops Seat which is now at Salisbury, did of old time, for many years, remain at Shirburn; but since that time Monks were placed here instead of secular Canons. The Abby-Church here, dedicated to our Lady, was in the time of Abbot Bradeford, set on fire, and a great part burnt, in a Dissention which happened between the Townesmen and the Monks; but the Townesmen were made to contribute to the Repa∣ration. [ 424] King Hen. 2. granted and confirm'd certain Lands to this Abby.

[Valued at 682 l. 14 s. 7 d. ob. per Annum.]

CADWELLI, in the Diocess of St. David's, in Wales, a Cell to Shirburn.

THIS Priory of Cadwelli was given to the Church of St. Mary's of Shirburn•• and to Thurstan Prior there and his Successors, by Roger Bishop of Salsbury. Maurice of London and others were Benefactors. Pope [ 425] Alexander, by his Bull dated 1163. confirm'd to the Abby of Shirburn all its Lands and Revenues, among others the Parish Church of St. Mary of Shirburn, which the Abbot of that Abby held as a Prebend of the Church of Salisbury, also the Church of St. Mary of Cadwelli with all the Chappels, [ 426] and Tithes thereunto belonging, &c. all which Grants and Deeds were ratified, approved, and confirm'd, and also exemplified by David Bishop of St. David's, Anno Dom. 1303.

[Valued at 29 l. 10 s. per Annum.]

CARHOW, in Norfolk.

THIS was a Nunnery founded and endow'd by King Steven near the City of Norwich. King Iohn in the first year of his Reign granted to the Nuns here a Fair, to be held yearly at the Nativity of our Lady, with the like Liberties as the Monks enjoy in their Fair at Norwich. King [ 427] Henry the III. in the thirteenth year of his Reign confirmed their Estate.

[Valued at 64 l. 16 s. 6 d. q. per Annum.]

GRENDALE, in Yorkshire.

AVicia Prioress of the Covent of Nuns in the Church of St. Mary of Grendale, granted in fee-farm to Ralf Prior, and to the Convent of Giseburn, certain Lands which had been to the said Nuns given by Eugeramus de Bovington; to hold at the yearly Rent of four Quarters of Wheat yearly, to be paid half at the Feast of St. Martins in Winter, and half at Whitsontide. Richard de Percy, then Patron of this Priory, granted the Advowson thereof to Richard Malebisse and his Heirs for ever, yeild∣ing, [ 428] in ••eu of all Service, one pound of Incense yearly at the Feast of Pentecost; which by the same Deed he assigned to be paid to the said Priory.

CLERKENWELL, in Middlesex.

JOrdanus, Son of Radulfus, Son of Brian, gave to God, St. Mary, and all Saints, and to Robert the Chaplain, in Alms, fourteen Acres of Land lying near the Clerks-well (fons clericorum) freed and discharged from all Claims of the Hospitallers of St. Iohn or Ierusalem; this he gave to the said Robert, to the end that he might there build a religious House, such as he thought fit for God's service. Which being built and made a Nunnery, [ 429] Matilda de Ros, Daughter of Richard Canvilla, Girard de Canvill, Henry de Essex, and others were Benefactors; whose Gifts were confirm'd by Richard Bishop of London, An. Dom. 1194. and by the Heirs General of [ 430] the Founder, who also granted other Lands and Possessions lying round [ 431] the Nunnery. All which Lands and Possessions were confirm'd to the [ 432] Church of St. Mary de Fonte Clericorum adjoyning to London, and the [ 433] Nuns there by King Henry the II.

[Valued at 262 l. 19 s. per Annum.]

WROXHALL, in Warwickshire.

HVgh Lord of Wroxhall and Hatton, being taken Prisoner at the holy War (in Palestine) and detain'd in Cha••••s there, was by miracle re∣moved from thence and set down in his own Estate at Wroxhall; where∣upon [ 434] he built a Nunnery here for Benedictine Nuns, in honour of God and St. Leonard, to whom he had made his Prayers when in distress; and made his two Daughters Nuns here.

The Names of the Prioresses,

• 1 Ernborow.
• 2 Helin.
• 3 Sabin.
• 4 Helin.
• 5 Mawd.
• 6 Emme.
• 7 Mawd.
• 8 Cece••ie.
• 9 Ide.
• 10 Amis Abtot.
• 11 Annis.
• 12 Sibill Abtot. 1284.

[ 435] King Henry the II. and several others were Benefactors, all whose Gifts were confirm'd to this House in the first of King Edward the III.

[Valued at 72 l. 15 s, 6 d. per Annum.]

[ 436] COLNE, in Essex, a Cell to Abington.

ALbericus de Veer, the Kings Chamberlain, gave and confirm'd to God and St. Mary, and to the Monks of Abington at Coln, serving God in [ 437] the Church of St. Andrew there, divers Land and Revenues. King Henry the I. in the year 1111. authorized and confirm'd the Subjection of this Church to that of Abington, and all the Estate given un∣to [ 438] it by the said Albericus de Veer and others of his Family. Which Albericus, before his death, became a Monk in this House, and dying, was here buried; as were also his Sons. In the year 1311 a Compositi∣on and Agreement was made between Richard Abbot of Abington, and Iohn de Campeden Prior of Colun, and their several Convents, containing that the Prior and Covent of Coln might choose and admit their own Monks

from what parts they please, and that no Monks should be sent thither from the Convent of Abyndon; that the Convent of Coln might choose their own Prior, who was to be presented to, and allow'd by the Abbot [ 439] of Abyndon; sa••ing to the Abbot the right of visiting the said Priory of Coln. In consideration of which Liberty the Monks of Coln, did with the Consent of Robert de Veer Earl of Oxford their Patron, grant to the Ab∣bot of Abyndon their Lordship of Kensington. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 877.

[Valued at 156 l. 12 s. 4 d. ob. per Annum.]

CANEWELL, in Staffordshire.

GEva Daughter of Hugh Earl of Chester, and Wife of Ieoffrey Ridell, founded the Church in honour of St. Mary, and St. Giles, and All Saints in Canewell, for Monks; and, with the grant and allowance of her Heirs Ieoffrey Ridell, and Ralph Basset, endow'd it with divers Lands. The said [ 440] Ralph Basset was a Benefactor to this House, and so was Waleran Earl of [ 441] Warwick.

FARWELL, in Staffordshire.

ROger Bishop of Chester (whose Seat was since translated to Lichfield) gave the Church of St. Mary at Faurwelle to Nuns and devout Wo∣men; this he did at the request of three Hermits inhabiting at Faurwelle; and endow'd the same with Lands, to hold as freely as he himself did from God and the King; all which King Henry the II. confirm'd to the said [ 442] Nuns, and also gave them of his own Charity divers other Lands and Liberties.

PINLEY, in Warwickshire.

R de Pila••dinton, gave this place to be a Nunnery, which was confirm'd to the Nuns here by Alured Bishop of Worcester, and by Simon and Iohn his Predecessors. Iohn Son of Ieoffrey de Langele gave to God and St. Mary of Pinley and the Nuns there, his Brother Robert de Lange∣ly, his Homage, and Service, and Rent of 6 d. for the maintenance of our Ladies Lamp at Pinley (ad Lumen beatae Mariae de Pineleia)

[Valued at 23 l. 5 s. 11 d. per Annum]

STRATFORD Pr••ory. [ 443]

THE Nunnery here dedicated to St. Leonard, was founded and en∣dowed by Christiana de Sumeri, and her Son; as seems by the Confirmation of King Steven. King Richard the I. did confirm other Lands to it, given by Galiena and her Son Bartholmew de Daumartin, Pa∣trons of the House.

FRESTONE in Lincolnshire, a Cell of Croyland.

ALan de Creun, with Muriel his Wife, and Maurice his Son gave the Clearch of St. Iames of Frestone, with several Lands and Tithes, to [ 444] be a Cell to the Abby of Croyland. From which Creun, or Croune, descended the Family of Pedwardyn, who became Heirs of the Founder, the Male Line ceasing.

St. DOGMELS, in Pembrokshire, (Cella Caenobii Tyronensis.)

THese Monks were Benedictines of the same Order with those of St. Martins at Tours. The Priory here was founded by Martin de Turribus, a Norman who first Conquered the Country hereabouts call'd [ 445] Kames, or Kemish. Robert the Son of this Martin, endow'd it with Lands, confirm'd to it by King Henry the I.

[Valued at 87 l. 8 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

WALDEN Abby, in Essex.

THE Abby at Walden was founded in the year 1136. by Gaufridus [ 446] de Mandevilia Earl of Essex. He was Grandson of Ieoffrey who came into England with the Norman Conqueror, and was of most signal [ 447] note in his Army for his great Performances. From the noble Founder of this Abby (who died in the year 1144.) descended the illustrious Family of the Bohuns Earls of Hereford, Essex, and Northampton.

This Abby was dedicated to the honour of the blessed Mary, and St. [ 448] Iames the Apostle.

The Family of Bohuns were great Benefactors to this Abby, and most of them buried here.

This Abby was built on the West-side of the Town and adjoyning to the [ 449] High-way, which place was chosen as more proper for the relief of Tra∣vellers, and for Hospitality.

[ 451] After the death of the Founder, Rohesia his Widow built a Nunnery at Chinksand, to which she did all good Offices, and for the sake of that House, became very unkind to this of her Husbands Foundation.

[ 452] William de Mandevilla second Son of the Founder, while Ieoffrey his elder Brother lived, led a military life in Flanders with Philip Earl of that Country, but upon his Brother's death without issue, he return'd into England, and inherited his Estate. Soon after which he made a Pilgrimage to Ierusalem and visited the holy Places, from whence being return'd into England, he visited this House, and was here received with great Ceremony, where he presented at the Altar several Relicks which be had purchased in [ 453] the holy Land, and became a great Benefactor to this House, giving them by his Testament the Moiety of his Lordship of Walden, &c. and died in Normandy without issue. After whose decease this Barony came by his [ 454] Heirs General to one Ieffrey Fitz-Peter, who disseiz'd the Monks of what [ 456] Earl William had given them, and kept the Estate from them a great while, [ 458] till after King Iohn's Coronation, being made Earl of Essex. he restored part of their Lands again, and confirm'd them to the Monks here. This

Ieffrey Filius Petri was very vexatious to this Abby, the manner and par∣ticulars may be seen in the Book at large. Yet did, Gaufridus de Manda∣villa, [ 459] the first Founders Deed of Foundation contain a heavy Curse to any of his Successors or Tenants who should vex or disturb these Monks in any of their Possessions, or alienate or diminish the same. The Founders En∣dowment was confirm'd by several of his Descendents; also by King Steven, [ 460] and King Henry the II. And King Edward the III. in the seventeeth year of [ 461] his Reign Licensed William de Bohun Earl of Northampton to give and an∣next [ 462] the Priory of Bereden in Essex as a Cell to this Abby. [ 463]

[Valued at 372 l. 18 s. 1 d. per Annum.]

BROMFEILD, in Shropshire. [ 464]

ANno Dom. 1155. The Canons of Bromfeild, by the Authority of Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury, gave their Church of Bromfeild to the Abby of St. Peters at Gloucester.

King Henry the II. confirm'd all the Estate belonging to the Church of St. Mary of Bromfeild, to the Prior and Monks there serving God, to hold of him and his Heirs in perpetual Alms. The like did King Henry the III.

BRETFORD, in Warwickshire.

GAufridus Camerarius de Clintona gave certain Lands in this Lordship to one Noemi a Nun, for the erecting a Cell of Nuns here.

Afterwards, at the request of the said Gaufridus de Clinton, the Nuns [ 465] here, being only two, viz. Sebure and Naeumi, gave their House and Estate here to the Canons of Killingworth.

TALLACH, in the Diocess of St. David's in Wales.

THE Abby here, dedicated to God, St. Mary and St. Iohn Baptist, was founded by Resus the younger Son of Resus the younger, of the Family of the Princes of South-wales, and by him, and others endow'd with many Lands, the particulars may be seen in the Monasticon at large, fol. 466, 467. all which was confirm'd to this House by King Edward the [ 467] II. in the seventeenth year of his Reign, and by King Edward the III. in the fifth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 136 l. 9 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

BLITHBURY Priory, in Staffordshire. [ 468]

HVgh Malvisin gave Blytheburgh to Monks and Nuns there dwelling, for the service of God and St. Giles, to hold in pare and perpetual Alms. Which Estate tho' for a while taken away by William Malvisin, Son of the Founder Hugh, yet it was soon restored again.

EDWARDSTON, in Suffolk, a Cell to Abbington.

HVbertus de Monte Canesi Lord of the Town of Edwardston in Suffolk gave the Church there, to the Monks of Abbendon, to be a Cell of [ 469] that House, and confirm'd his Gift in the fifteenth year of Henry the I. Which was also ratified by that King, An. Dom. 1115.

DEPING, in Lincolnshire, a Cell to Thorney.

BAldewinus Wac gave the Church of St. Iames in Deping with divers Lands belonging to it, to God, St. Mary, and the Church of Thorney, [ 470] which was confirm'd by his Son and Grandson: and also by Pope Inno∣cent the III. in the first year of his Pontificate. (1198)

ALCESTER, in Warwickshire.

IN the year 1140. Radulfus Pincerna (or Boteler) founded this Monastery (then called from its Situation St. Mary's of the Isle) and made Robert a Monk of Worcester the first Abbot here. At which time it was agreed between the two Houses, viz. The Abby of Worcester, and this, that there should be a constant Love and Brotherhood betwixt them, and that upon [ 471] the death of the Abbot here, another should be chosen indifferently out of either House; the said Founder endow'd this Monastery with divers Lands ordaining that the Abbot should not spend any of the Revenues to enrich his secular kindred, but upon the Poor and Travellers. Robert Earl of Leicester (of whom this Estate was holden by the foresaid Founder) confirm'd the same to the Monks here, and granted to them divers Liber∣ties. [ 472] The like did King Steven. King Henry the II. confirm'd to them [ 473] all their Lands by their several Benefactors given, and also granted them full power to choose their own Abbot from among themselves, in their Convent. King Edward the IV. in the fifth year of his Reign, seeing the Estate of this Monastery to run to decay, it being so far wasted that [ 474] it was not sufficient to maintain any Monks, but the Abbot only, granted this House and what Estate it had left, to the Abby of Evesham, to which he annext it for ever; so that from that time it became a Cell of that Abby.

[Valued at 65 l. 7 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

LINGEBROOK Priory, in Herefordshire.

IT seems by an Inquisition taken 24. Edw. 3. that Adam Esgar Clerk, was a Benefactor to the Monastery of Nuns here, and founded an Anniversary for William de Power.

[Valued at 22 l. 17 s. 8 d. per Annum.]

NUNKELLING, in Yorkshire.

AGnes de Archis gave the Church here and divers Lands to God, St. Mary, and St. Helen, and to the Nuns of Killing, in pure and ••ree Alms. The Nuns Estate here was afterwards confirm'd by Richard de Sancto Quintino, and William de Fortibus Earl of Albemarle, and by [ 475] Aeliz de Sancto Quintino Daughter of the foresaid Agnes, who also gave other Lands; and lastly by the Archbishops of York.

[Valued at 35 l. 15 s. 5 d. per Annum.]

SANDWELL, in Staffordshire.

WIlliam Son of Guido de Offney founded a Hermitage in Bromwich, near the Well call'd Sandwell for a Habitation of Monks, and en∣dow'd the same with divers Lands lying about the same. Which was con∣firm'd to the said Monks by Gervais Paganellus Lord of the honour of Dudley, of which Barony the Lands were holden.

MONKETON, in Yorkshire. [ 476]

WIlliam de Arches and Iuetta his Wife founded a Nunnery here, of which their Daughter Matilda was a Nun, endowing the same with divers Lands. All which was confirm'd to the said Nunnery by Henry Murdac Archbishop of York. (He died 1153.)

[Valued at 75 l. 12 s. 4 d. ob. per Annum.]

HALISTANE, in Northumberland.

RIchard Bishop of Durham, in the year 1311. united the Churches of Crossanet, and Harbottell, to the Church of Halistan and the Nun∣nery there, and gave the Patronage of the same to Richard de Vmframvill Patron of the said Nunnery. King Henry the III. in the thirty ninth year of his Reign, confirm'd to the Prioress and Nuns of Halystan, the Lands given to them by Alice de Alneto, and Roger Bertram.

[Valued at 11 l. 5 s. 7 d. per Annum.]

DUNSTER, in Somersetshire.

THE Monastery of Monks here, dedicated to the honour of St. George, [ 477] was founded and endow'd with sundry Lands and Revenues by the Ancestors of Iohn de Mooun Lord of Dunsterre, which Iohn did, in the fifteenth year of King Edward the III. ratifie and confirm to the Monks here all his Ancestors Donations.

[Valued at 37 l. 4 s. 8 d. per Annum.]

MARGAN Abby, in Wales.

THIS Abby was founded by Robert Earl of Gloucester in the year 1147. King Iohn in the sixth year of his Reign confirm'd to the [ 478] Church o•• St. Mary's of Margan, and the Monks there, all the Lands and Estate given to them by the said Robert and several others.

[Vaued at 181 l. 7 s. 4 d. per Annum.]

BLACKBURGH, in Norfolk

ROger de Scales and Muriell his Wise gave to God, St. Mary, and St. Ca∣therine, and to the Brethren serving them in this place, called Ship∣lade, otherwise Blackbergh, divers Lands and Possessions. The same Roger by an other Deed gave the same Lands and others to the Sisters here serving God. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 879.

[Valued at 42 l. 6 s. 7 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 479] HENWOOD, in Warwickshire.

KEtelbernus de Langedona, gave to God, and St. Margeret the Virgin, and to the Nuns at Eastwell (so was this Monastery then called by reason of its situation) part of his Demeans of Langedon in which Lord∣ship this Nunnery stood, with divers other Lands and Liberties, to hold as freely as he himself held them of his chief Lord Hugh of Arden. Pope Innocent in the first year of his Pontificate incorporated, annext, and uni∣ted to this Nunnery of Henwood divers Churches given to the same by King Rich. II. and King Henry the IV.

[Valued at 21 l. 2 s. 0 d. ob. per Annum]

[ 480] St. RADEGUNDS, adjoyning to Cambridge.

KING Steven confirm'd to the Church and Nuns of St. Mary of Cam∣bridge certain Lands which William a Monk and Goldsmith gave them; and also other Lands given them by Countess Constance Wife of his [ 481] Son Eustace. It was found by Inquisition taken at Cambridge, 3. Edw. I. that the Prioress and Nuns of St. Radegund at Cambridge hold a certain piece of Ground called Greencroft, containing ten Acres on which their Church and House is founded, which was given for that purpose by Mal∣colme King of Scotland: and that Nigellus and Eustachius Bishops of Ely had been Benefactors to this Nunnery.

LANGLEY, in Leicestershire.

THE Nunnery of St. Mary's of Langly was founded by William Pan∣tulphe and Burgia his Wife. from whom descended Robert de Tate∣sale Patron of this Priory 5. H. 3. The Nuns here upon the death of their

Prioress, had power to choose another without asking leave of their Pa∣tron, who did use during the time of such Vacation to appoint a Boy (unum Garcionem) with a white Wand to keep the Gate of the Nunnery, for which he was to have his Diet there.

[Valued at 29 l. 7 s. 4 d. ob. per Annum.]

SANDFORD, in Barkshire.

KING Edward the I. in the 2 ••st year of his Reign granted to the Prior and Convent o•• Sandelford, free Warren in their Demeans. Sa••herus de Sancto Andrea granted to God, and the Church of St. Nicholas [ 482] of Sandford, and to the Nuns there, a R••nt of Five Shillings per Annum in his Town of Littlemore. Vid. Vol. 3. p. 13.

SETON, in ••umberland.

HEnry Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Derb, Lincoln and Leicester, being inform'd that the Revenues of th•••• Priory were so small that they could not maintain the Pri••ress and Nuns•• gave and annext to this House, the Hospital of St. Leonard•• in Lancaster, to hold in pure and perpetual Alms. Which Hospital was first founded by King Iohn for a Master, a Chaplain, and nine poor People, three of which to be Lepers, and the rest sound.

[Valued at 12 l. 12 s. ob. per Annum.]

ANKERWIK, in Buckinghamshire.

GIlbert and Richard Muntfichet, Knights, founded a Nunnery here, and endow'd it with Lands. King Henry the III. in the one and fortieth year of his Reign confirm'd their Estate given by many Benefactors, whose [ 483] Names, and Parcels given are exprest in his Charter.

[Valued at 32 l. 0 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

WINTENEY, in Hampshire.

RIchard, Son of Richard de Hereard endow'd the Nunnery here built to God, the blessed Mary, St. Mary Magdalen, and All Saints, with divers Lands, which King Edward the I. confirm'd,

[Valued at 43 l. 3 s. per Annum.]

SNELLESHALL, in Buckinghamshire.

RAlph Martell, and others, gave to the Prior and Monks here serving God in the Church of St. Leonard, at Snelleshall, divers Lands, which were confirm'd to them by King Henry the III.

[Valued at 18 l. 1 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

[ 484] BIRKENED, in Cheshire.

HAmo de Massie endow'd the Church of St. Mary and St. Iames here with Lands, and granted and confirm'd to the Prior and Monks, and their Successors, power and liberty to choose their own Prior upon any vacancy, from among themselves, according as Pope Alexander had granted to them.

[Valued at 90 l. 13 s. per Annum.]

MARRIGG, in Yorkshire.

TO the Nuns here serving God, Roger de Asco, Conan de Asch, and many others; among the rest Conan Duke of Britanny and Rich∣mond were great Benefactors; giving divers Lands and Liberties, all [ 485] which were recited and confirm'd by the Charter of King Edward the III•• in the twenty second year of his Reign.

[Valued at 48 l. 18 s. 3 d. per Annum.]

STYKESWOULD, in Lincolnshire.

[ 486] IT appear'd by Inquisition taken in the Reign of King Edward the I. that the master and Nuns of Stikeswold held several Lands of the Gift o•• Lucy Mother of Ranulf Earl of Chester, and others. And that they had been so held for the space of one hundred years.

[Valued at 114 l. 5 s. 2 d. ob. per Annum••

STODELY, in Oxfordshire.

BErnard de Sancto Walerico, and Thomas de Sancto Walerico his Son en∣dow'd a Nunnery here, and gave power to the Nuns upon the va∣cancy of the Prioress to choose another with the assent of the Patron or [ 487] his Steward. Thomas de S. Walerico lived in the time of King Iohn 1207. Richard King of the Romans, and Edmund Earl of Cornwall, and Godfrey de Craucumbe were Benefactors. Vid. Vol. 3. p. 13.

[Valued at 82 l. 4 s. 4 d. q. per Annum.]

KIRKLEY, in Yorkshire.

REinerus Flandrensis, gave divers Lands to the Nuns here, which were confirm'd to them by William Earl of Warren in pure and perpetual [ 488] Alms. They had also other Lands from other Benefactors, all which were confirm'd by King Henry the III. in the twentieth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 19 l. 8 s. per Annum.]

STANFORD, in Lincolnshire.

WIlliam Abbot of Peterborough, in the Reign of King Henry the II. founded at Stanford a Priory of Nuns in honour of God and St. Michael, he built their Church, and placed there forty Nuns. Saving to himself and Successors, Abbots of Peterburgh, the placing of the Prio∣ress, &c. reserving also a Rent of half a Mark yearly to be paid to the Church of Peterburgh.

William de Humet gave a Rent often Marks per Annum to the Cistercian Monks in Stanford, which was confirm'd to them by King Iohn in the sixteenth year of his Reign. Lucy Wife of the said William gave certain [ 489] Rents to the Nuns of St. Michaels at Stanford.

The Prioress and Nuns here did by their Act and Deed acknowledge and promise fidelity and obedience to the Abbot and Convent of Peter∣borough; that the Prior or Curator of their Monastery might be placed and displaced by the said Abbot and Convent; that upon the death of the Prioress, no Election of another should be made without the Abbots Li∣cense; and that the admitting of the Nuns into the said House should be wholly in the power of the said Abbot; also that the said Nunnery should pay a yearly Pention of a Mark of Silver to the said Abby of Peterburgh for the buying of Books. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 880.

[Valued at 65 l. 19 s. 9 d. per Annum.]

WYRTHORP, in Northamptonshire.

IN the 28th. of Edw. 3. Thomas de Holland and Ioan his Wife (the Kings Kinswoman) were Patrons of a Nunnery at Wyrthorp, at which time this House was so impoverished and decayed, by reason of the Pestilence, and other reasons, that there was here but one Nun remaining, whereupon, by the King's License the said House and Church of Wyrthorp, with all its Possessions, were by the Bishop for ever united and annext to the Nun∣nery of St. Michaels by Stanford, and the Nun here remaining, was re∣moved thither.

IVINGHO, in Buckinghamshire. [ 490]

KING Edward the I. in the eighth year of his Reign, gave divers Lands, to the Prioress and Nuns of St. Margaret of Ivingho, and their Successors, to hold of the King in free, pure, and perpetual Alms.

WABURN, in Norfolk.

THE Priory of Waburn was founded by Sir Ralph Meyngaryn Knight, from whom descended by the Mothers side Iohn de Veer Earl of Oxford.

[Valued at 24 l. 19 s. 6 d. ob. per Annum.]

CAMPESS, or Campsey, in Suffolk.

TEobandus de Valoines gave his Land in Campess to his two Sisters Ioan and Agnes, for the Foundation of a Nunnery there to the ho∣nour of God and the glorious Virgin Mary. Which was confirm'd by [ 491] King Iohn. Matilda de Lancaster, Countess of Vlster, did in the Reign of King Edw. III. by License of that King, found a Chantry of five Priests to officiate in this Church, which Chantry, was removed afterwards to a Town call'd Brusseyard in the Mannor of Rokhall; the Revenues and Scite where∣of was afterwards, in the said King's Reign given to a Prioress and Nuns of St. Clares Order, which Nunnery was there erected (at Brusseyard) in [ 492] place of the said Chantry Priests or Chaplains.

[Valued at 182 l. 9 s. 5 d. per Annum.]

DENNEY Abby, in Cambridgeshire.

IN the last year of Nigellus Bishop of Ely, who died 1169. one Robert, Chamberlain to the Earl of Britony and Richmond, founded the Mo∣nastery here as a Cell to Ely, becoming a Monk himself. In the year 1341. [ 493] Maria de Sancto Paulo, Countess of Pembroke, gave this Mannor of Denney to Sister Katherine de Bolwyk Abbess, and to the Nuns of St. Clare, or Minoresses, there serving God, in free, pure, and perpetual Alms. She [ 494] also annext and united the Advowson of the Abby of Minoresses at Water∣beche [ 495] to this at Denney, and translated the Nuns of Waterbeche hither. All which she did by License of King Edward the III. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 883.

[Valued at 172 l. 8 s. 3 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 496] SEWARDSLEY, in Northamponshire.

RObert de Pinkeny, and Simon de Pinkeny, gave certain Lands to the Nuns here, and William de Sancto Iohanne, was also a Bene∣factor.

[Valued at 12 l. 6 s. 7 d. q. per Annum.]

LITTLE MAREIS, near Yedingham, in Yorkshire.

ROger de Clere, endow'd the Nunnery here with divers Lands. The Church of Yeddingham was dedicated in honour of the most blessed Virgin in the year 1241. on the seventeenth of the Kalends of September, at which time divers indulgences were granted. Richard de Breuse be∣came [ 497] Patron of this House in right of Alice his Wife who was descended from the Founders. King Henry the III. in the 30th. year of his Reign confirm'd to the Nuns of Yeddingham all the Lands given by their several Benefactors.

[ 498] There was delivered in this House, to the Prioress and Convent sixty and two Loaves daily; to nine Brethren twelve Loaves a piece, weekly; to Brother Iames fourteen Loaves, to three Priests, to four Chaplains, and

other Officers accordingly, &c. among the rest of the Deliveries is set down.—Canibus in singulis Maneriis triginta novem panes de pane duriori— To the Dogs (Waiters or Attendants) in each Manor thirty nine Loaves of the coursest sort of Bread.

[Valued at 21 l. 16 s. 6 d. ob. per Annum.]

NUNBURNHAM, in Yorkshire.

THE Ancestors of Roger de Merlay Lord of the Barony of Morpath were founders of the Nunnery of Brunham. And it was found by inquision 38. Hen. 3. that these Nuns held Lands here of the Fee of Thomas de Graystoc.

[Valued at 8 l. 1 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

LYTHOM, in Lancashire, a Cell to Durham. [ 499]

RIchardus filius Rogeri, or Richard Fitz-Rogers, gave his Land at Ly∣thum with the Church there, to the Prior and Monks of Durham for the erecting and establishing at Lytham a Cell of their Order, which he endow'd with divers Lands. This was confirm'd by King Iohn in the second year of his Reign.

CHIRBURY, in Shropshire. [ 500]

THE Monks here having formerly inhabited at Snede, and removed from thence; King Edward the I. in the ninth year of his Reign, understanding this place not to be convenient for them removed them back again to Snede.

ARDEN, in Yorkshire.

PEter de Hotona founded and endowed an Abby of Nuns at Arden, and dedicated it to St. Andrew; which was confirm'd by Roger de Mow∣bray Lord of the Fee: and by Elizabeth Heir of the said Peter in the tenth year of Edward the I. In the 6th. of Henry the IV. Ieoffrey Pigot, as Heir of Peter the first Founder, and Elizabeth abovesaid, was admitted by the Nuns here as Founder or Patron.

[Valued at 12 l. per Annum••]

DAVINTON, in Kent. [ 501]

KING Henry the II I. in the thirty ninth year of his Reign, confirm'd to the Prioress of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene of Davyntone, and to the Nuns there serving God, divers Lands and Rents, given by seve∣ral Benefactors.

[ 502] FOSS, in Lincolnshire.

KING Henry the III. in the 21st. year of his Reign gave to the Prioress and Nuns of Foss without Torkesey, sixscore Acres of Land and seven Tosts in Torkesey to hold for ever at the yearly Rent of forty six Shillings.

[Valued at 7 l. 3 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

WALLING WELLS, in Nottinghamshire.

RAlph de Cheurolcurt, gave to God and St. Mary a place in his Park of Carletuna, for the building a place of Religion; and to it gave o∣ther Lands and Liberties, in pure and perpetual Alms.

[ 503] From this Founder, is descended by a Daughter, the Family of Furneux; the Male Line of which Family is now in Being in Darbyshire under the name of Rooper.

[Valued at 58 l. 9 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

St. CATHERINES Nunnery, without Exeter, in Devonshire.

KING Iohn in the second year of his Reign, confirm'd to the Church of St. Catherine without Exeter, and the Nuns there, the Lands given to them by William de Trascy, and Henry de Pomerya, with the grant of many Liberties.

FLAMSTED Priory, in Hartfordshire.

AGatha, Widow of William de Gatesden, endowed the Church of St. Giles [ 504] of Flamsted with certain Lands, which Gift was confirm'd by King Henry the III. in the twelfth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 30 l. 19 s. 8 d. ob. per Annum.]

CRESSEWELL, in Herefordshire.

WAlter de Lascy gave to the Church of St. Mary at Cressewell, and to the Monks there of the Order call'd Grandimontenses, divers Lands and Revenues; confirm'd by King Henry the III. who also granted [ 505] to them divers Liberties. Other Benefactors gave them other Lands, all which was confirm'd to them by King Edward the III. in the first year of his Reign. Vid. Vol. 3. p. 17.

DARBY Priory, in Darbyshire.

KING Henry the III. granted to the Prioress and Nuns de Pratis at Derby, an Augmentation of one hundred Shillings per Annum, out of the Fee-farm of the Town of Nottingham. It was found upon an Ex∣tent in the 15. E. 1. that the Scite of the Abby at Derby with a Garden [ 506] and Curtilage, was worth yearly 20 s. And that the said Abby held there, in Demean, four Carucates of Land, each Carucate containing sixty Acres of Land, (i. e. Arable Land,) &c.

LAMBLEY Nunnery, in Northumberland.

KING Iohn in the second year of his Reign, confirm'd to God, and St. Mary, and St. Patrick, and to the Nuns at Lambeleya, the Scite of the Abby of Lambeleya Super Tinam, and the Lands which Adam de Tindale and Helewisa his Wife gave to the said House.

STEINFEILD Priory, in Lincolnshire.

THIS was a Priory of Benedictine Nuns, founded by Henry Son of Henry de Percy. The Patronage of this House came to Iocelin de Lovein by Agnes his Wife, one of the Daughters and Co-heirs of William de Percy. King Edward the I. in the one and twentieth year of his Reign, granted the Prioress and Nuns here, free Warren in their Demean Lands, [ 507] the same not being within the bounds of his Forests.

[Valued at 98 l. 8 s. per Annum.]

MODBURY, in Devonshire.

THE Mannor of Modbury, and right of Patronage of the Priory there, being in Ida Widow of Sr. Iames Exton, Knight, by Virtue of a Fine in the 9. Edw. 2. the said Ida through the mediation of Friends re∣leased all her title to Richard de Campo-Arnulphi.

CHESTER Nunnery.

THE Monastery of St. Mary here, was founded for Nuns, and en∣dow'd by Ranulph Earl of Chester with Lands and Liberties.

[Valued at 66 l. 18 s. 4 d. per Annum.]

ROSSEDALE, in Yorkshire.

RObert de Stutevill founded and endow'd the Nunnery at Rossedale to God and St. Laurence, which was confirm'd by King Iohn. Sibilla de Valoniis, Adam de Neuton, &c. gave other Lands to the Prioress and [ 508] Nuns here, all which was confirm'd by King Edward the III. in the second [ 509] year of his Reign.

[Valued at 37 l. 12 s. 5 d. per Annum.]

[ 510] PEMBROK Priory.

WAlter Marescallus, and William Marescallus both Earls of Pembrok, gave divers Lands and Endowments to the Priory of St. Nicholas at Pembroke.

St. CLEMENTS, adjoyning to York.

THurstan Archbishop of York gave to God and St. Clement, and the Nuns there, divers Lands to hold in pure and perpetual Alms; whose Letters of Endowment were confirm'd by the Dean and Chapter [ 511] of York. Other Benefactors gave other Lands, all which was confirm'd by King Edward the III. in the first year of his Reign. Anno. Dom. 1192. Gaufridus Archbishop of York gave the Priory of St. Clements to the Abby of Godestave, but the Nuns here refused to submit to such Donation, and appeal'd to the Pope.

[Valued at 55 l. 11 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

[ 512] CHESTHUNT, in Hertfordshire.

KING Henry the III. gave to the Prioress and Nuns here all the Lands and Tenements belonging to the Canons of Cathale, whom he caused to be removed.

[Valued at 14 l. 10 s. per Annum.]

FINCHALE, in the Bishoprick of Durham.

FInchale is a solitary place not far from the City of Durham, where a certain Hermit named Godricus de Finchale, who in his youth had visited the holy Sepulcher, spent his old Age in Devotion, and here died with the reputation of great Sanctity. After the death of this Godficus, Ranulphus Bishop of Durham granted this Hermitage, and the Lands ad∣joyning, [ 513] to Algarus the Prior, and the Monks of Durham. Hugh Bishop of Durham founded and endow'd the Priory of Finchale for such Monks of Durham as the Prior of Durham should from time to time send thither in the service of God and St. Iohn.

[Valued at 122 l. 15 s. 3 d. per Annum.]

The Priory of St. James at Bristol, a Cell of Tewkesbury.

WIlliam Earl of Gloucester gave to this House divers Lands and Tithes, and the Profits of the Fair at Bristol, in Whitsun-week, which with other Lands given by other Benefactors was confirm'd by King Henry the II. The same King gave the Monks here certain Liberties in his Forrest. Robert Earl of Gloucester was buried in this Church of St. Iames, at Bristol.

BUNGEY, in Suffolk.

ROger de Glanvill and Gundreda the Countess, his Wife, founded a Nun∣nery in the Church of the holy Cross at Bungey. The En∣dowments [ 514] whereof as well by the said Roger and his Wife as by a great [ 515] number of other Benefactors, were all confirm'd to the said Nuns and their Successors to hold in pure and perpetual Alms, by King Henry the II. in the ninteenth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 62 l. 0 s. 1 d. ob. per Annum.]

SYLLEY Isle, near Cornwall. [ 516]

THIS Isle was given of old by the Kings of England to the Abbot and Monks of Tauestock, who used to send two of their Monks hi∣ther to perform the Divine Offices, till the Wars with France in the Reign of King Edward the III. And then that King gave License to the Abbot of Tauestock, in the ninteenth year of his Reign, to place here two secular Chaplains instead of Monks.

ROWNEY Priory, in Hertfordshire.

IN the 36. H. 6. Agnes Selby Prioress of this House and the Covent of Nuns here, in respect of the poverty of the place, did by their Deed seal'd with their Common-Seal, resign up their Church, House, and Lands, into the hands of their Patron Iohn Fray who designed to convert the same in a better manner. Which Iohn Fray was chief Baron of the Exchequer, and being thus possest of this Priory, he would not convert it [ 517] to any other use but to the service of God, and therefore obtain'd the King's License in the 37. H. 6. to found and endow here a Chantry for one Priest.

The first Founder of the Priory was Conan Duke of Britony and Rich∣mond, who, with others, endow'd it with Possessions of the value of ten Marks per Annum.

[Valued at 13 l. 10 s. 9 d. per Annum.]

[ 518] NUN-EATON, in Warwickshire.

THIS House was founded and endow'd by Robert Earl of Leicester Son of Robert de Mellento, in the Reign of King Henry the II. for Nuns of the same Order with those at Font-Ebraud.

[ 519] Whose Gifts were confirm'd by his Son Robert, and by King Henry [ 520] the II.

The Prioress and Covent of Font-Ebrald granted to this House the immunity to receive and retain to their own proper use all such gifts as should be made unto them, without any exaction of the said Abbess and Covent of Font-Ebrald. Which immunity and several others were con∣firm'd to them by Pope Alexander the III.

[Valued at 253 l. 14 s. 5 d. ob. per Annum.]

LUFFELD, in Northamptonshire, a Cell to Westminster.

THE Priory of Luffeild was founded by Robert Earl of Leicester, for the Souls of King William the I. and Queen Matilda, &c.

[ 521] King Henry the I. his Daughter Maud the Empress, and King Edward the I. were Benefactors, and Pope Alexander the III. granted to Ralph Prior of St. Mary's at Luffeild, his Brethren, and their Successors, divers Priviledges by his Bull dated 1174.

[ 522] Radulfus de Cahienes, Hugo de Sancto Martino, and others gave them di∣vers [ 523] Churches and Tithes.

[ 524] King Henry the III. in the fifty sixth year of his Reign, reciting the Priory of Luffeild to have been founded by his Predecessors Kings of England, granted to the Prior and Monks there free Chiminage in his Forrest of Whitlewood, for five years next ensuing.

WILBERFOSS, in Yorkshire.

THIS was a House of Nuns dedicated to St. Mary, founded by He∣lias de Cotton, and endow'd by' Alan his Son with divers Lands.

King Henry the II. in the fourth year of his Reign, and King Henry the III. in the twelfth year of his Reign, confirm'd their Lands and Estate.

Vid. Vol. 3. p. 12.

[Valued at 21 l. 16 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

[ 525] GODSTOW Priory of Nuns, in Oxfordshire.

THE Church here was built by their Prioress Editha, and in the year 1138. dedicated in honour of the blessed Virgin Mary and St. Iohn Baptist, by Alexander then Bishop of Lincoln, in presence of King Steven, and Maud the Queen, with abundance of Bishops, Earls, and Barons, and others of prime quality, who all gave to the said Church at that time some Rents and Endowments: Whereupon Albericus Bishop of Hostia the Pope's Legate in England released to every of the said Bene∣factors

one year of injoyn'd Penance, and granted moreover a Remis∣sion [ 526] of forty days in every year to all those who should in Devotion visit the said Church on the day of St. Pris••a the Virgin, or on the Nativity of St. Iohn Baptist.

Their Lands and Revenues were confirm'd by King Steven, and by King Richard the I. in the first year of his Reign. [ 527]

In the year 1191. Hugh Bishop of Lincoln visiting in this part of his [ 528] Diocess, and seeing in this Church a Tomb before the Altar with more than ordinary Ornaments, and being inform'd upon enquiry that it was the Tomb of Rosamond Concubine to King Henry the II. he caused her body to be removed out of the Church, and to be buried in the Church-yard to avoid the scandal of Religion, and to deter other Women from Whoredom.

About the time of the Suppression of this House, Rosamonds Tomb was open'd and her Bones found inclosed in Leather, and that in Lead. When it was opened a very sweet smell came out from it. The following In∣scription was formerly read on a Cross near Godstow,

Qui meat hac oret, signum salutis adoret, Vtque sibi detur veniam Rosamunda precetur.

Vid. 2. Vol. p. 884.

[Valued at 274 l. 5 s. 10 d. ob. per Annum.]

LILLECHIRCHE, in the County of ...;

KING Iohn gave to the Abby of St. Mary and St. Sulpice at Lille∣church, and the Prioress and Nuns there the Mannor of Lillechurch in pure and perpetual Alms, and granted them a Fair to be there held yearly on the Feast of St. Michael, and two days after; all which was con∣firm'd by King Henry the III. in the eleventh year of his Reign, who also in the fiftieth year of his Reign released and pardon'd their Suit-ser∣vice [ 529] to his Court at St. Martins le Grand, in London.

TYKEHEAD Priory, in Yorkshire.

KING Iohn in the fifth year of his Reign confirm'd to God and the Church of St. Mary of Tykeheved, and to the Nuns there serving God, the Lands and Possessions then given them by several Benefactors.

In the year 1264. the Prior and Canons of Ellerton, and the Nuns of Tykehead, exchanged certain Lands and Houses which had been the occa∣sions [ 530] of former Suits and Controversies.

Sir Robert de Aske Kt. the Founder, gave to this House the Rent of 7 s. 4 d. per Annum, for the maintaining of a yearly Obit for himself and Elizabeth his Wife, conditionally that if the Obit were not diligently ob∣serv'd, then the said Sum or Rent to be restored to his Heirs. Dated 1522.

[Valued at 20 l, 18 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

HUNTINGTON Priery of Nuns.

IN the time of Richard de Gravesend Bishop of Lincoln, Elena Walensis was elected Prioress of the Priory of St. Iames extra Hunted••n, the Lady Dervorgull de Galewidia, being then Patroness of the said Priory, and Richard de F••xton her Sen••schal, or Steward.

CLIVE, in Somersetshire.

WIlliam de Romare, who married Lucy Countess of Lincoln. founded the Abby of the blessed Virgin and St. Laurence, at Rewsby in Lincolnshire, 8. Steph.

William his youngest Son by the said Lucy, who married Phillip Daughter [ 531] of Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent, founded the Abby of our blessed Lady of the Cliff, in Somersetshire, in the 9 Rich. 1. of which one Ralph was the first Abbot.

King Henry the III. confirm'd their Lands and Estate, and moreover, granted to the Abbot and Convent of Clive, the Mannor and Hundred of Bramton, in Devonshire, to be held of the King and his Heirs at the yearly Farm of 22 l. per Annum.

[Valued at 155 l. 9 s. 5 d. q. per Annum.]

HALIWEL Priory, in Middlesex.

KING Richard the I. in the sixth year of his Reign confirm'd to the Nuns of Haliwell the several Lands given to them by Galfredus Ca∣merarius and others.

The same King in the first year of his Reign confirm'd to the Church of St. Iohn Baptist of Haliwell, and to the Nuns there serving God, the Ground on which the said Church stands cum pertin. viz. the Marish or Meadow in which the Fountain call'd Haliwell rises, with other Lands given by Richard late Bishop of London, Walter Precentor of St. Pauls, &c.

[ 532] These Nuns held also certain Lands at Camerwell and Pecham given to them by several Benefactors.

KERSEY Priory, in Suffolk.

[ 533] NEsta de Cokefeld, Widow of Thomas de Burgo, gave to God, and to the Church of St. Mary, and St. Anthony of Kersey, and to the Canons there, divers Lands, of which she and her second Husband past a fine in the 24. Hen. 3.

KINGTON Priory, in Wilishire. [ 534]

RObert Burnell Bishop of Bath and Wells founded this House to God and St. Mary, for Nuns, whose Deed of Foundation was exemplified by Inspectimus 19. F. I.

Vid. Vol. 2. p. 887.

[Valued at 25 l. 9 s. 1 d. ob. per Annum.]

BURNHAM, in Buckinghamshire.

ANno. Dom. 1266. Richard King of the Romans founded a Monastery here for Nuns, which he dedicated to God and St. Mary, and en∣dow'd it with his Mannor and Advowson of Burnham and other Lands. Witnesses to whose Deed or Charter of Foundation, were his Brother [ 535] King Henry the III. and Prince Edward his eldest Son, with others.

[Valued at 51 l. 2 s. 4 d. q. per Annum.]

STOKE-CLARE Priory, in Suffolk

THIS House was founded in the year 1248. by Richard de Clare Earl of Glouce••ter, from whom descended the Mortimers Earls of March, [ 536] and the Royal House of ••ork, as is set forth in a long Pedigree in Latin [ 537] and English Verse, in Dialogue between a Fryer and a Secular at the Tomb of Ioan of Acres Daughter of Edward the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Wise of Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester. This House being an al••en Priory and Cell to the Abby of Beekeherlewyn, in Normandy, King Richard the II. in the ninteenth [ 538] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his Reign, made it Indigena, and gave it as a Cell to St. Peters at Westminster.

Pope Iohn, in the fifth year of his Pontisicate, translated this House from a Priory of Monks into a Colledge of a Dean and Secular Canons. This [ 539] was done at the Petition of Edwund Earl of March, Heir of the first Foun∣ders, who by his Deed dated 7. Hen. 5. granted and confirm'd to the Dean and Canons here all the Lands and Priviledges belonging to the Priory. Vid. infra, 1004. Vol. 3. part 2. p. 164.

[Valued at 324 l. 4 s. 1 d. ob. per Annum.]

GLOUCESTER-HALL, in the Suburbs of Oxford. [ 540]

THIS was founded and endow'd An. 1283. (11. E. 1.) for the main∣tenance of thirteen Benedictine Monks of the Abby of Gloucester, by Iohn Giffard Lord of Brimesfeild. 19. E. 1. That King granted his License of Mortmain. [ 541]

It appears by the Founders Deed of Foundation, that the House was built upon certain Ground purchased of the Knights of St. Iohn of Ierusa∣lem, in a Lane commonly then called Stockwell street, that the Church here was dedicated to St. Iohn the Apostle, and St. Benedict the Abbot and Con∣fessor, and that the House was erected for Benedictine Monks Causa studii.

MISSENDEN, in Buckinghamshire.

IT was found by Inquision taken at Aylesbury, 51. E. 3. that the Abby of Mussenden was ••ounded in the year 1293. by William de Mussenden, who held the Mannor of Mussenden of the Earl of Gloucester by Knights service. In the Chapter-House and Church belonging to this Abby did [ 542] lie buried several of the Missendens descended from the Founder, whose names may be seen in the Book at large. Vid. Vol. 3. p. 18.

[Valued at 261 l. 14 s. 6 d. q. per Annum.]

The MINORESSES, at London.

KING Edward the I. in the one and twentieth year of his Reign granted his License of Mortmain to Edmund his Brother and his Wife, Blanch Queen of Nauarre, to build a House in ••••e Parish of St. Botulphs with∣out Algate, for Nuns of the Order of Minoresses, there to remain in the service of God, the blessed Mary, and St. Francis.

[Vaued at 318 l. 8 s. 5 d. per Annum.]

[ 543] WATERBECHAM, in Cambridgshire.

KING Edward the I. in the twenty second year of his Reign granted to Dionisia de Monte-Caniso, the Mannor of Waterbecke, to build a Rengious House there for Minoresses of the Order of St. Clare to be brought over from beyond the Seas. All which was confirm'd by King Edward the III. in the eleventh year of his Reign.

HOLAND, in Lancashire.

HERE being formerly a Collegiate Church or Chappel of St. Thomas the Martyr, served by Secular Chaplains, Walter Bishop of Coventry [ 544] and Litchfeild, in the year 1319. by consent of Robert de Holland the Patron, alter'd the Foundation into a Priory consisting of a Prior and twelve Benedictine Monks. Upon every Vacation or Death of the Prior, the Monks were to choose three of their House, one of which being ap∣proved by the Patron, and presented to the Bishop, was to be by him con∣stituted Prior. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 889.

[Valued at 53 l. 3 s. 4 d. per Annum.]

[ 546] Of certain Antient Monasteries in Wales.

MOrcant a King in Wales having treacherously kill'd his Uncle Frioc, af∣ter he had in a most solemn manner sworn an inviolable peace with him before the holy Alter, was by Oudoceus Bishop of Landaff, in a Synod of his Clergy, which he had assembled for that purpose, enjoyn'd for the said per∣jury and homicide, to perform Fastings, Prayers, and Alms Deeds; and be∣ing on his sincere Repentance, received again in the Christian Communion, he granted and quit claim'd to the Abbies of Catoc, Ildut, and Docun, and to the Cathedral Church of Landaff, divers Liberties and Immunities.

Alien Priories, of Benedictines.

Viz. Such Monasteries here in England as did belong to certain [ 547] greater and elder Monasteries of the same Order beyond the Seas, and were subject to, and did depend on the same; and had the name of Cells.

DEREHURST, in Gloucestershire, a Cell to St. Denis in France.

HERE was an old Abby destroy'd by the Danes. But after the Nor∣man Conquest, in the year 1069. King William the Conqueror endow'd here a new Priory and made it a Cell to St. Denis in France: or rather confirm'd what King Edward the Confessor had done before. [ 548] King Henry the VI. in the twenty first year of his Reign made this Priory Indigena.

OTERY, in Devonshire, a Cell to St. Mary's at Roan.

[ 549]

THIS Priory was given to the Church of St. Mary at Roan by King Edward the Confessor in the year 1060. In the 8. Edw. 3. the Dean and Chapter of St. Mary's at Roan, by the King's License, granted their Mannor of Otery, and Advowson of the Church there, to Iohn de [ 550] Grandison Bishop of Exeter, who in the eleventh year of that King founded here a Colledge of Secular Canons.

LEVISHAM, in Kent, a Cell to St. Peter's at Gaunt, in Flanders.

KING Henry the I. in the thirteenth year of his Reign confirm'd to the Abbot and Monks of St. Peters of Gant, the Mannor of Leve∣sham and Greenwich, &c. with divers Liberties, formerly granted by King Edward and King William his Father.

Vid. Vol. 2. p. 890.

[ 551] St. MICHAELS of the MOUNT, in Cornwall, a Cell to St. Mi∣chael, in Normandy.

RObert Earl of Morton gave St. Michaels Mount, in Cornwall, to God and the Monks of the Church of St. Michael de Periculo Maris, in Normandy, Anno Dom. 1085.

Vid. 2. Vol. p. 902.

[ 552] MERSEY, in Essex, a Cell to St. Owens at Roan.

IT was ••ound by Inquisition 4. E. 3. that the Mannors of Mersey Fyngrin∣ho and Peet, and half the hundred of Wenestr, in the County of Essex, were given to the Abby of St. Owens, in Normandy, by St. Edward the Confessor, and confirm'd by King William, and King Henry the II.

ANDEVER, in Hampshire, a Cell to St. Florence at Saumurs.

KING O William the Conqueror (or as the Words of the Deed are, Willielmus Rex qui armis Anglicam terram sibi subjugavit) gave to St. Florence, the Church of Andever, with divers Lands and Revenues to the [ 553] same Church belonging: Confirm'd by King Edward the II. in the eighth year of his Reign.

BLITH Priory, in Nottinghamshire, a Cell to St. Catherines at Rohan.

ANno Dom. 1088. Roger de Builly and Muriel his Wife founded and [ 554] endowed this House with Lands and great Liberties. All which was afterwards confirm'd to the Monks here by King Henry the II. and by Idonea de Veteri ponte Daughter and Heir of Iohn de Bullei, by her Deed dated 1232. King Iohn in the second year of his Reign gave the Chapel∣ry of Blyth, and divers other Churches and Lands to St. Mary's at Rohan.

[ 555] COVENHAM, in Lincolnshire, a Cell of St. Karileph, in le Maine in France.

KING William the Conqueror Anno 1082. gave this Town situated [ 556] in that part of Lincolnshire, called Lyndsey to God and St. Karileph. 31. Edw. 1. A Writ of Quod Damnum was executed at Lincoln, in order to an alienation•• of this Cell, from the Abbot and Covent of St. Karileph in the Diocess of Mans, to the Abbot and Covent of Kirkeslede here in England.

ABERGAVENNY, in Monmouthshire a Cell of St. Vincents in Maine.

[ 557] THIS Priory was founded by Hamelinus who came into England [ 558] with the Conqueror, and died in the Reign of King William Rufus. William de Brewosa, and others of the founders Linage were Benefactors.

Vid. 2. Vol. p. 904.

WOTTON-WAVEN, in Warwickshire.

RObert de Toenio gave this Estate to the Monks of St. Peter at Con∣chis, in Normandy; on whom King Henry the I. conferred great [ 559] Priviledges.

FOLKESTON, in Kent, a Cell to the Abby of Lolley in Normandy.

NIgellus de Munevilla, An. 1095. gave this Church of Folkston to Ra∣nulph [ 560] then Abbot of the Church of St. Mary de Lonleyo, and to the Monks there, in pure and perpetual A••s. Which, with divers other Lands and Revenues, was confirm'd to them by William de Abrincis Lord of Folkeston, who descended from the said Nigellus.

KIRKBY, in Warwickshire, a Cell of St. Nicholas in Anjou. [ 562]

ANno 1077. Gosfredus de Wirchia gave to God and the Monastery of St. Nicholas in Anjou, Lands in Kirkby with other Lands and Pos∣sessions elsewhere; from whom descended Roger de Mulbraio, who gave to the Church of St. Nicholas of Kirkeby the Church of Newbold. After∣wards [ 563] Thomas Earl of Nottingham having founded a House of Carthusians at Epworth in the Isle of Axholme, the Abbot of St. Nicholas at Anjou was prevailed with to assign his Estate in Monks-Kirkby, Newbold, &c. to the said House of Carthusians, which was confirm'd by King Henry the V. in the third year of his Reign.

The Priory of the Holy Trinity at York, a Cell to* 1.2 Majus-Monasterium in France.

RAdulphus Paganellus gave the Church of the holy Trinity at York to the Monks of St. Martin in the Majus-Monastery, with divers other [ 564] Possessions. It was found by Inquisition taken at York 34. Edw. 1. That the [ 565] Heirs of the Founder claim'd no right in the Temporals of this Priory upon the death of any Prior, but only to place a Porter to see that the Goods of the Priory be not stollen during the Vacation, and that the upon the arri∣val of a new Prior from the Abbot of Majus-monasterium, he did use to enter upon the Possession of his Office, without fealty or other duty to the Patron.

HEDLAY, in Yorkshire, a Cell to the Holy Trinity at York.

YPolitus de Bram gave to God and St. Mary of Hedlay and the Monks there certain Lands in Midelton. All which was confirm'd to the Prior and Convent of the Trinity at York, and to their Cell at Hedlay, by Peter de Midleton, in the year 1290.

[ 566] LANCASTER, a Cell to St. Martins at Sees in France.

ROger Earl of Poictiers gave the Church of St. Mary at Lancaster with divers Lands and Revenues to the Monastery of St. Martin. All [ 567] which was confirm'd by Iohn Earl of Morton; and by King Richard the II.

[ 568] An. 1246. Iohn Romanus Archdeacon of Richmond, appropriated the Church of Lancaster and Chappels thereunto belonging to this Priory, reserving twenty Marks per Annum for a Vicar presentative.

[ 569] OTTERY, in Devonnshire, a Cell to the Abby of St. Michael pericul. mar. in Normandy.

THIS Priory was founded by King Iohn for four Monks and endow'd with Lands of 100 l. value per Annum. These Monks were to di∣stribute to the Poor at their Gates, bread to the value of 16 s. every week.

[ 570] LODRES, in Dorsetshire, a Cell to the Abby of St. Mary de Mon-Bur.

BEnedict de Redueriis gave this Mannor to the Monastery of St. Mary de Monte Burgo; confirm'd by King Henry the I.

[ 571] APLEDERCOMB, in the Isie of Wight, a Cell to the Abby of Mont-Burg, in Normandy.

THIS Priory consisted only of a Prior and two Monks, who were removed by Command of King Edward the III. to a more Inland Habitation, first to the Abby of Hyde, and after that in the 13. E. 3. to Salisbury.

FRAMPTON, in Dorsetshire, a Cell to Caen, in Normandy.

THIS was given to St. Stephens at Caen, and the Monks there, by King William the Conqueror, and with divers other Lands and Liberties confirm'd to them by King Richard the II.

[ 572] SWANESEY, in Cambridgeshire•• a Cell to St. Sergius, in Angiers.

THE Church of Swanesey with all manner of Tithes there, and in the Vills thereunto belonging, were given by Alan Earl of Britain, to [ 573] the Abby of St. Sergius and St. Bachus at Angiers; who presented the Prior to this Priory, as often as the Office avoided.

BLAKENHAM, in Suffolk, a Cell to St. Mary at Bec.

THIS was given to the Abby abovesaid by Walter Giffard, and confirm'd by King William Rufus.

COGES, in Oxfordshire, a Cell of Fischamp.

MAnnasses Arsic gave this Estate with other Tithes and Revenues to the Church of Fiscampe, Anno 1103.

WESTWOOD, in Worcestershire, a Cell to Font-Ebraud. [ 574]

OSbert Fitz•• Hugh, and Eustachia de Say his Mother erected here a Convent of Nuns of Font-Ebraud.

WELLS, in Norfolk, a Cell of the Abby at Caen, in Normandy.

KING Edward the III. in the forty seventh year of his Reign (being then in War with France) committed the Custody of the Priory of [ 575] Paunfeild and Wells to Hugh Fastolf, to hold at the yearly Rent of 40 l. per Annum to the King, and 10 l. per Annum to each Monk there, for his support.

This Priory being first given by William de Estois to the Abby of St. Steven at Caen, and after seized into the King's hands by Edward the III. it continued in the Crown till 9. Edw. 4. at which time that King desirous [ 576] to restore this Estate to its antient use, the Spiritualty, and out of the Devotion which he bore to St. Stephen, he conferr'd the whole Estate which did formerly belong to this Priory on the Dean and Canons of his free Chappel of St. Steven at Westminster.

PATRICKSBURN, in Kent, a Cell to Beau-Lieu, in Normandy.

IT was found by Inquisition taken at Canterbury the 6 Edw. 3. that this Mannor was given to the Priory of Beau-Lieu, in Normandy, by Io∣hannes de Pratellis, and confirm'd by King Iohn.

STOKE-CURCY, in Devonshire, a Cell to Lonley, in France. [ 577]

HVgh de Novilla gave to God and the Monks at Stok-curcy, the Church of St. Andrew of Stoke-curcy, with other Revenues. William de Curcy, and Iohn de Novilla were also Benefactors.

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SHIRBURN, in Hampshire, a Cell of St. Vigor Cerasius.

HEnry de Portu, or Port gave the West part of Shirburn with the Church [ 578] there, and divers other Revenues, to God and St. Vigor Cerasius, all [ 579] which was confirm'd to the Monks at Shirburn by his Descendents. King Edward the III. gave the Custody of the Hospital of St. Iulian, or Domus Dei, at Southamptonto Queens Colledge in Oxford; to which Hospital King Edward the IV. in the first year of his Reign gave the alien Priory of Shireburn, in Hampshire.

BURWELL, in Lincolnshire, a Cell of St. Mary Silvae Majoris.

JOhn de Hay gave to God and the Monastery of St. Mary Silvae Majoris; [ 580] and to the Monks at Burwell, divers Possessions; from whom descended Gilbert de Vmframvill Earl of Angos, who lived at Burwell.

LANKYWAN, in Wales, a Cell to the Abby of Lyra.

EDmund, Son of King Henry the III. discharged this House from all Exactions and Troubles from his Heirs or their Bayliffs, in the Vaca∣tion of a Prior.

SELE, in Sussex, a Cell of St. Florence at Saumurs.

[ 581] WIlliam de Braiosa, by his Deed dated 1075. gave the Church of St. Peter at Sele, with other Churches and Revenues both in Eng∣land and Normandy to the Abbot and Monks of St. Florence. This Priory of Sele was made Indigena, or Denison 19. R. 2.

OKEBURN, in Wiltshire, a Cell to Bec, in Normandy.

[ 582] MAtilda de Wallengfort gave to the Church of St. Mary of Bec, both [ 583] the Okeburns, viz. the greater and the less. Richard Earl of Corn∣wall by his Deed dated 1253. discharg'd the Abbot and Monks of Bec from all Exactions and Suit of Court in his honour of Walingford, except only that his Bayliff of Walingford should once a year keep a view of Frankpledge at Okeburn, and then be entertain'd for that day, with four Horses at most.

[ 584] WILLESFORD, in Lincolnshire, a Cell to Bec in Normandy.

BY Inquisition taken at Stranford, it was found that the Prior of the Order of Bec held in Willesford and Ancaster, Lands of the value 16 l. per Annum of the Gift of Hugh de Evermewe.

WEDEN-PINKNEY, in Northamponshire, a Cell to St. Lucian near Beauvoys in France.

GIles, Ralph, Gilbert, Henry, and Robert de Pinkeni, successively gave Lands and Revenues to the Abby of St. Lucian and the Monks at [ 585] St. Mary's of Weden. Anno Dom. 1392, The Abbot and Convent of St. Lucian convey'd their Priory of Weden, and all the Estate thereunto be∣longing to the Abbot and Convent of Bitlesden and their Successors, in consideration of a Sum of Gold received, and the yearly pension of ten Marks to be paid to the Abbot and Convent of St. Lucian and their Suc∣cessors in the Church of St. Mary at Calais, on the Feast of St. Iohn Baptist.

TYWARDREIT, in Cornwall, a Cell to Angiers in [ 586] France.

RObert de Cardinan gave divers Lands and Revenues in Cornwall, to the Church of St. Sergius and St. Bachus at Angiers, and to the Church of St. Andrew of Tywardrait, and to the Monks there; all which [ 587] was confirm'd by King Henry the III.

BIRSTALL, in Yorkshire, a Cell of St. Martins at Albamarle.

THIS was given among other Lands and Revenues to the Church and Monks of St. Martin without the Castle of Albamarle in Normandy, by Steven Earl of Albamarle 1115. Walter Archbishop of York [ 588] first settled the Monks of Albamarle here at Birstal, and granted to them divers Immunities. Charles the VI. King of France by his Deed dated 1395. [ 589] setting forth that the Abbot and Convent of St. Martin had past over to his beloved Cousin the Duke of Lancaster their Priory of Birstal in England for the Sum of one thousand Livers, granted them his License to purchase Lands of the like value in France. The said Abbot and Convent of St. Martin by their Deed dated 18. Rich. 2. granted all their Lands, Tithes and Pensions here in England to the Abbot and Convent of Kirkstal (in Yorkshire.)

GOLDCLIVE, in Monmouthshire, a Cell to Bec in Normandy.

RObert de Candos gave this Church of St. Mary Magdalen of Goldclive [ 590] with divers other Lands, &c. to the Monks of St. Mary at Bec. All [ 591] which was confirm'd by King Iohn in the second year of his Reign. This Priory was afterwards united to the Abby of Teukesbury, which union, was ratified by Pope Eugenius, Anno Dom. 1402.

Vid. 2. Vol p. 904.

[ 592] MINTING, in Lincolnshire, a Cell of S t. Benedict Super Leyre.

THIS was given to that Monastery, by Ranulph Earl of Che∣ster.

BOXGRAVE, in Sussex, a Cell of I'Essay in Normandy.

THIS Priory was founded in the Reign of King Henry the I. Wil∣liam Earl of Arundell endow'd it with great Possessions, and gave and [ 593] confirm'd it to the Monks of the Holy Trinity at l'Essay The first ••ounder [ 594] of this House, (dedicated to the blessed Mary and St. Blase) at Boxgrave, was Robert de Haya, who placed here three Monks of the Order of S•••• Bene∣dict; Roger de Sancto Iohanne who married Cecily, his Daughter, doubled the number of Monks, whose Sons William and Robert de Sancto Iohanne, still encreas'd them to fifteen, conferring divers Revenues for their maintenance, out of which he reserved only an annual Pension of three M••••ks to the [ 595] Abby of l'Essay. Thomas Abbot of the Holy Trinity at l'Esay, granted to the Prior of Boxgrave and his Successors, that they might constantly have fifteen Monks in their Priory, and that upon the decease of any, they might supply their number with whom they pleas'd to elect. King [ 596] Edward the III. in the thirteenth year of his Reign discharged this Priory of all seizures as an alien Priory in time of War, and made it Denison.

LONG-BENINGTON, in Lincolnshire, a Cell to Savigny in Normandy.

[ 567] RAdul••us Filgeriarum gave Belintone to the Abby of Savigny. The Monks here held sour Carucates of Land each Carucate worth 4 l. per Annum.

GROMOND, in Yorkshire, a Cell to the Abby of Gramont in France.

THIS was given to the said Abby by Ioan late Wife of Robert de Turneham, and confirm'd by King Iohn in the fifteenth year of his Reign. Vid. Vol. 3. p. 15.

MONKENLEN, in Herefordshire, a Cell to Conchis in Normandy.

[ 598] WIlliam Bishop of Hereford did by his Episcopal Authority confirm and appropiate to the Abby of St. Peter at Conchis the Mannor and Church of Monekeslen, and other Revenues, given by Ralph de Tony Senior.

TOFT Priory in Norfolk, a Cell to Preaux.

THIS was given by Robert Earl of Mellent, and with divers other Lands confirm'd to the Abby of St. Peter at Preaux by King Henry [ 599] the II. and by King Edward the I. with great Liberties.

ALVERTON, in Yorkshire, a Cell to the Majus Monasterium.

RIchard Malleverer gave the Church of St. Martin in Alverton to the [ 600] Monks of Majus Monasterium in Alverton. Confirm'd by King Henry the II.

MONMOUTH, a Cell to the Abby of St. Florence at Saumurs.

WIhenocus de Monemue built in his Castle of Monemue a Church to the honour of God, St. Mary, and St. Florence, and gave it in perpetual Alms to the Monks of St. Florence at Saumurs. Iohn de Mone∣muta [ 601] gave to the Church of St. Mary of Monmouth, and to the Abby of Saumurs, the Hospital of St. Iohn at Monmouth.

HAGH, in Lincolnshire, a Cell to the Abby de Voto near Cherburg. [ 602]

KING Henry the II. gave and confirm'd to the Abby and Cannons of Cherburg in France, the Mannor and Church of Hagh with large Liberties, as they were formerly confirm'd by King Henry his Grandfather.

The particulars and values of their Estate was ••ound by Inquisition [ 603] 22. Edw. 3. Among other things, that they had certain Rents in Grantham, &c.

HINKLEY, Leicestershire, a Cell to Lyra in Normandy.

RObert Earl of Leicester gave to the Abby of Lyra, the Church of Hinkelai with divers Chappels and other Churches adjoyning, with [ 604] their Tithes. All which was confirm'd by King Henry the II.

HORSELEGH, in Essex, a Cell to St. Martin of Troarn.

THE Abby and Covent of St. Martins at Troarn in Normandy, granted the Churches of Horselegh and Whitenhirs••, to the Prior and Con∣vent of Bruton, in exchange for other Lands which the Priory of Bruton had in Normandy, from which time the Prior of Bruton placed a Prior in [ 605] Horselegh from among his own Canons, and presented secular Vicars to the said two Churches. This was confirm'd by King Edward the III. in the forty fifth year of his Reign.

ABBERBURY, in Shropshire, a Cell to the Abby of Gramount.

FVlco Fitz-Warin ••ounded and gave this Priory to the Monks of Gra∣mount [ 606] with divers Lands, &c. confirm'd by King Henry the II. in the seventeenth of his Reign. And by Thomas Corbeth in the year 1262.

LEVENESTRE, in Sussex, a Cell to Almenesches.

THE Possessions of the Benedictine Nuns of St. Mary of Almenesches [ 607] as well in France as England were confirm'd to them by Pope Alex∣ander, and their Lands in their own hands exempted from Tithes, by his Bull dated 1178.

BY the Stat. made at Carlile 35. E. 1. commonly called De aspor∣tatis Religiosorum, it is anacted that no Foreign Abby, &c. shall im∣pose any Tallage, Payment, or Assesment whatsoever, oo any of their Houses subject to them in England, under the Penalty of forfeiting their Estate here. In the Parliament held at Westminster 13. R. 2. it was or∣dain'd that no alien of the French Nation should enjoy any Benefice in this Kingdom; notwithstanding several Frenchmen having purchased Let∣ters of Denization, continued to enjoy Benifices, &c. whereby great Trea∣sures were transported out of the Kingdom, the King's Council discovered [ 608] to his Enemies in France. &c. It was therefore enacted 1 H. 5. ch. 7. that the foresaid Ordinance be but in due execution against all, but such Priors Alien as are conventual, and such as have Induction and Institu∣tion, provided that such be Catholicks, and that they give security not to discover, &c. It was finally enacted in the Parliament held at Leicester 2 H. 5. for the Inconveniencies above-mentioned, and also for that the English had their Possessions seiz'd in France, that all the Possessions of the Priors aliens (except Conventuals, &c.) be vested in the King's hands and his Heirs for ever, to the intent that Divine Services in the places afore∣said may for the time to come be more duly perform'd by English peo∣ple, than they have been by French.

[illustration]

A CLVNIAC MONK

Vol. 1 P. 611.

OF THE Cluniacenses or Monks of Clugny.

The first Institutor of this Order, or rather Reformation of [ 611] Monks, was Abbot Berno, to whom William then Duke of Aqui∣tain, gave the place call'd Clugny or Cluny in Burgundy for their first Habitation, in the year of our Lord 890. This was a Reform of St. Bennet's Order.

WENLOCK, in Shropshire.

HERE was formerly a Nunnery in which Milburg Neice of Wilphere [ 613] King of Mercia, lived, and died Abbess, with the Reputation of great Sanctity. Which House being totally decayed, Roger Earl of Mongomery, built here a Monastery for the Monks of Cluny. The Church here was dedicated to St. Mildred. Isabel de Say Wife of William Fitz-Alan [ 614] was a Benefactress. And this Priory was made Indigena 18. R. 2.

Vid. 2. Vol. p. 907.

[Vaued at 401 l. 0 s. 7 d. q. per Annum.]

DUDLEY, in Staffordshire, a Cell to Wenlock.

THE Church here was dedicated to St. Iames, which with other Churches and Lands, Pope Lucius did confer and appropriate to [ 615] this Priory in the year 1190. granting in the same Deed divers great Priviledges and Immunities to the Monastery.

Vid. 2. Vol. p. 907.

LEWES, in Sussex.

THIS House was founded by William de Warren Earl of Surrey in the time of King William the Conqueror. Which Earl obtain'd from [ 616] the Abby of St. Peter in Burgundy four Cluniac Monks, to whom he gave the Church of St. Pancrace adjoyning to his Castle of Lewis, and endow'd them with divers Lands and Possessions, by the License, and Con∣firmation of King William; with a Curse to the Violators of his Gift, and [ 617] a Blessing to the Defenders. Yet this Priory remain'd a Cell to the [ 618] Abby of Clugny in Burgundy till the forty seventh year of King E. 3. at which time that King made it indigena, and independant; so also the Priories of Castleacre, Prittlewell, Farleigh, Horton, and Stanesgate, which were all Cells belonging to the Priory of Lewis. Vid. 2. Vol. p. 908.

[Valued at 92 l. 4 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

[ 619] PRITTLEWELL, in Essex, a Cell to Lewes.

RObert Fitz-Suene gave the Church of Prittlewell to the Priory of St. Pancrace at Lewes, to be a Cell of that House, and to be furnisht with Monks of the Rule of St. Bennet, and Order of Clugny from Lewes; ordaining by his Deed of Foundation that the Prior of Prittlewel should pay yearly to the Prior of Lewes one mark for an acknowledgment.

[Valued at 155 l. 11 s. 2 d. ob. per Annum.]

WESTACRE, in Norfolk, a Cell to Lewes.

THIS House was granted and confirm'd by Rodulphus de Toneio Lord of the Soil, to Oliver, Priest of Acre, and Walter his Son, who became Canons regular here.

[Valued at 260 l. 13 s. 7 d. q. per Annum.]

[ 620] FARLEY, in Wiltshire, a Cell to Lewes.

THIS Priory was founded Anno Dom. 1125. and dedicated to God and St. Mary Magdalen. It was endow'd by Humphrey de Bohun the King's Sewer, and Margery his Wife, with ••Mannor of Farley and the Park there, and with divers other Lands and Revenues. All which was [ 621] confirm'd to them by King Henry the III.•• in the eleventh year of his Reign.

[Valued at 153 l. 14 s. 2 d. ob. per Annum.]

HORTON, in Kent, a Cell to Lewes.

[ 622] THIS House was founded and endow'd by Robert de Ver Constable of England, and Adeliza his Wife, and subjected to the Priory of Lewes, to which they were to pay a Mark per Annum as an acknowledg∣ment. In this House did inhabit thirteen, or at least eight Monks: who were to say three Masses dayly, viz. the High Mass, our Lady's Mass, and the third pro defunctis. Their Seal was kept by three Monks, viz. the Prior, Sub-prior, and another.

[Valued at 95 l. 12 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

[ 623] STANESGATE, in Essex, a Cell to Lewes.

ANno Dom 1177. Alexander Prior of this House, and the Covent of the same, with the assent of the Covent of Lewis, granted the Tithes of their Fee at Clerkenwell, with their Land there, to the Nuns of St. Mary at Clerkenwell, they paying to the Prior of Stanesgate, a yearly Pension of ten shillings for the said Tithes and Lands.

CLIFFORD, in Herefordshire, a Cell to Lewes.

IT appeared by Inquisition 20. E. 3. that this Priory was founded by Simon Fitz-Richard Fitz••Ponce formerly Lord of Clifford and Ancestor o•• the Countess of Lincoln, and that this House was not alien, or dependant on any other beyond Sea. It was subjected by the Founder to the Priory [ 624] of Lewes.

[Valued at 57 l. 7 s. 4 d. per Annum.]

CASTLE-ACRE, in Norfolk.

FOunded An. Dom. 1090. William de Warren Earl of Surrey, the first of that name, and his Son Earl William the II. were great Benefactors, and gave to God, and St. Mary, and to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, [ 625] and to the Cluniac Monks of St. Pancrace (i. e. of the Priory of Lewes) ser••ing God at Achra, divers Lands and Revenues. Besides whom many other Benefactors gave other Mannors and Lands, Tithes and Churches, as may be seen in particular in the Book at large. p. 626, 627, 628, 629.

Herbert Bishop of Norwich constituted the Church and Monastery here, [ 630] and placed therein Cluniac Monks, under the Rule of St. Benedict. Bishop Ebrard impropriated and confirm'd to them their several Churches, given to them by the Earls of Surrey and other Benefactors.

It was certified to King Edw. the I. in the thirty fourth year of his Reign that the ••rior and Convent of Castle-acre were English, and not Aliens of the Subjects of the King of France, or his Adherers; and that no Rent or Pension was paid by them to any of his Dominion or Adherents, nor did they owe obedience to any such, except only, that when the Abbot of Clugny comes sometimes into England he uses to visit in the said Priory. Hereupon this House was allow'd to be Indigena and not Alienigena, and to be priviledged accordingly, 18. E. 2.

[Valued at 306 l. 11 s. 4 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

MENDHAM, in Norfolk, a Cell to Castle-acre. [ 631]

WIlliam Son of Roger de Huntingfeild gave to God, and St. Mary of Acre, and to the Monks there, the Isle of St. Mary of Mendham to be in the same manner subject to Castle-acre, as that House is to St. Pancrace, and that to the Church of Clugny.

The Prior of Castle-acre and Convent there did grant to Roger de Hunting∣feild, [ 632] who was their great Benefactor, to maintain at least eight Monks at this Priory of Mendham, and not to depose the Prior here unless for one of these three causes, Disobedience, Incontinence, or Dilapidation of the House.

BROMHOLM, in Norfolk a Cell of Castle-acre.

THE Estate here, with divers other Lands, was given to the Monks of Acre, by William de Glanville, and confirm'd to them by Bar∣tholmew his Son.

[ 633] The Prior and Convent of Bromholm, held Lands in Fee-••arm of the Prior and Convent of Acre, at the Annual Rent of fourteen Marks, five ••hillings and four pence payable at three terms by the year, viz. at the Feast of St. Michael 64 s. at the Purification 64 s. and at Penticost 64 s.

Controversie arising between the Priors of Lewes, and Acre, and the Prior of Bromholm, about placing the Prior of this House. The whole matter was referr'd by Pope Gregory the IX. to be heard and determin'd by the Prior [ 634] of Osolveston in Leicestershire, and the Dean of Rutland; who decreed among other things, that upon the death of the Prior of Bromholm, the Prior of Acre should nominate six Monks, three of Acre and three of Bromholm, out of which number, the Convent of Bromholm should choose one for their Prior, &c. This Decree was made in the Church of St. Mary near the [ 635] Bridge in Stanford, on Wednesday next before Palm-Sunday 1229.

Pope Celestin by his Bull dated in the fourth year of his Pontisicate, granted that this Priory should be free from any subjection to that of Acre.

King Henry the III. in the thirteenth year of his Reign granted to the Prior and Monks of St. Andrew of Bromholm to have a Fair there yearly at [ 636] the Feast of the Exhaltation of the holy Cross, and a Market weekly on the Monday. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 909,

[Valued at 100 l. 5 s. 3 d. q. per Annum.]

REINHAM, in Norfolk, a Cell to Castle-acre.

WIlliam de Lisewis ••ounded here a House for three Monks at least in a place then called Normannesberch, and endow'd it with Lands, in honour of the blessed Virgin and St. Iohn the Evangelist, all which Ieoffrey his Son gave and confirm'd to the Monks of Acre.

Roger Prior of Reinham, granted to Lena, a Nun and other Nuns there ser∣ving [ 637] God, a certain Solitary Place or Hermitage near Winghale, parcel of the Possessions of this House, to be held by them at the yearly Rent of twelve pence. To which House of Nuns Riginald Fitz••Hamon gave other Lands with his Daughte•• whom he made a religious Woman there.

[ 638] SLEVESHOLM, in Norfolk, a Cell of Castle-acre.

FOunded by William Earl of Warren, and by him given to Monks of Castle-acre. Iohn Earl of Warren confirm'd his Great Grand-fathers Foundation Anno Dom. 1309. (3. E. 2.) and granted, that as often as the [ 639] Priory of this House should be void, the Prior of Castle-acre should have full power to confer the place on a Monk of that House, which new Prior being first presented to the said Iohn Earl of Warren or his Heirs, and having 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his ••ealty, should be admitted with effect.

BERMUNDSEY, in Surrey.

THIS Monastery of St. Saviours of Burmundsey was founded by Alwinus Child a Citizen of London, in the year 1082.

Many were the Benefactors to this House. King Henry the I. in the [ 640] year 1127. gave to the Monks here the Mannors of Bermundsey, Rederhith, and Delwich, the hide of Southwark, and other Lands. Walkelinus Mam∣mynot gave them a Moiety of all Greenwich.

King Henry the II. in the year 1159. confirm'd to them the Donation [ 641] of divers Churches, as Camberwell, and others.

Anno 1213. the Prior of Burmundsey raised from the Foundation a new Building adjoyning to the Walls of his House, which was call'd the Ele∣mosinary, or Hospitale conversorum & puerorum, in honour of St. Thomas the Martyr.

An•• 1268. King Henry the III. granted to the Monks of Burmundsey a Market every Monday at their Mannor of Charleton in Kent, and a Fair to be held there at the Feast of the Holy Trinity yearly.

The Mannor of Bermundsey was ancient Demesn of the Crown, and all [ 642] the Lands and Tenements in this Mannor cum pertin. are impleadable in the Court of this Mannor by the King's writ of Right according to the Custom of the said Mannor, and not at the Common Law.

Within the Mannor of Burmundsey were comprised the several Towns of Bermondesey, Camberwell, Rederhith, the Hide of Southwark, Dilwich, Waddon, and Reyham, with their Appurtenants.

[Valued at 474 l. 14 s. 4 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

The Priory of St. James by Exeter, in Devonshire.

BAldwin Earl of Devonshire founded this Priory without the Walls at [ 643] Exeter for Cluniac Monks, and endowed it with Revenues. Con∣firm'd by Richard Earl of Devonshire, Son of Baldwin, 1157. and by Ro∣bert [ 644] Bishop of Exeter, Anno 1146. Also by Maud the Empress. Infra [ 645] p. 1025.

[Valued at 502 l. 12 s. 9 d. per Annum.]

LENTON, in Nottinghamshire.

WIlliam Peverel built this House for Cluniac Monks, and gave to the Abby of Clugny great Revenues for the Maintenance of certain Monks of their Order in this Priory, providing however that this House should be free and discharged from all exactions of that Abby, paying on∣ly [ 646] one Mark per Annum as an acknowledgment. To this Priory of the [ 647] Holy Trinity at Lenton King Henry the II. was a Benefactor, so were also King Steven, and King Iohn, which last granted them the Tithes of his hunting (Decimam venationis nostrae) in the Counties of Nottingham and Derby. All whose Grants were confirm'd by King Edward the II. in the [ 648] tenth year of his Reign. Vid. Vol. 3. p. 30.

[Valued at 329 l. 15 s. 10 d. ob. per Annum.]

PONTEFRACT, in Yorkshire.

THE first Founder of this House was Robert de Laceio, who built it in a place then called Kirkeby, in honour of St. Iohn the Apostle and Evangelist, subjecting it to the Church of Clugny from whence it was [ 649] furnisht with Monks, and gave them several Lands and Revenues; con∣firm'd [ 650] by Hugo de la Val. Henry de Lascy Son of the said Robert, gave to these Monks the Custody of the Hospital of St. Nicholas in Pomfract, in [ 651] the year 1159. Pope Celestin confirm'd the Estate given to this Mona∣stery, and granted them several Priviledges, among others, that in the time of a general Interdiction it may be lawful for the Monks here to cele∣brate the Divine Offices, with a low Voice, their Church-Doors shut, and [ 652] without the ••ound of any Bells. Adam Fitz-Swany gave divers Lands to the Monks of Pontfract, he also gave them for a Cell, the Priory of St. Mary Magdalen of Lunda, or Monk-Breton, which he had founded on his paternal Estate. After many Controversies between the Monks of Pont∣fract and the Monks of Breton, it was at last agreed and determin'd by [ 653] Deed dated in the year 1269. that the Monks of Breton should pay a Pi∣tance of 20 s. per Annum to the Covent of Pontfract, that the Monks of Breton should freely choose their own Prior, but that he should be created [ 655] or install'd by the Prior of•• Pontfract, &c. To this House were several Per∣sons of great Quality, Benefactors; whose names and parcels by them gi∣ven may be seen in the Book at large. p. 656, 657, 658, 659.

[Valued at 337 l. 14 s. 8 d. per Annum.]

[ 660] MONK-BRETON, in Yorkshire, a Cell to Pontfract.

THIS Priory was founded to the glory of God and honour of St. Mary Magdalen of Lunda, by Adam the Son of Suanus wh•••• en∣dow'd it with the Town of Breton, &c. The then Prior of the Charity (being the Capital House of this Order beyond Seas) granted that the Monks of this House, might choose their own Prior, the Prior of Pontfract [ 663] (if required) being present at the Election. Adam Fitz Swane the ••oun∣der gave this House as a Cell to the Priory of St Iohn at Pontfract•• and ordered this House to pay to that Priory a Recognition of one Mark of Silver per Annum. Pope Vrban the III. confirm'd the Foundation 1186.

[Valued at 239 l. 3 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

THETFORD, in Norfolk.

[ 664] FOunded Anno Dom. 1103. by Roger Bigot, whose Gifts and Endow∣ments to this House were all confirm'd and ratified by his Son Wil∣liam [ 666] Bigot Dapiser to the King; and also by King Henry the I. and King [ 668] Henry the II. This Priory was made Denison 50. E. 3.

[Valued at 312 l. 14 s. 4 d. ob. per Annum.

MONTACUTE, in Somersetshire.

FIRST founded by William Earl of Moriton in Normandy, who en∣dowed this Priory with three fair Lordships, viz. Montegue and two others. King Henry the I. gave and confirm'd to God and the blessed Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul of Montacute, and the Cluniac Monks there, divers Lands, with great Liberties and Exemptions. The like did King [ 669] Henry the II. and King Henry the III. in the four and thirtieth year of his [ 670] Reign. King Edward the III. in the fourteenth year of Reign, granted [ 671] the Advowson, and Custody of this Priory and four Cells thereunto be∣longing, to William de Monte-acuto Earl of Salisbury, and Marshal of England, and to his Heirs. Vid. 2. Vol. p. 909.

[Valued at 456 l. 14 s. 7 d. q. per Annum.]

DAVENTREY, in Northamptonshire. [ 672]

THIS Priory was first founded at Preston by Hugh de Leycestre (call'd the Vicount) but that place being found inconvenient, they were by License of Simon de Seynliz the elder, Earl of Northampton, removed to Daventre, where he built a Monastery in honour of St. Augustine the Apo∣stle of the English. King Henry the II. confirm'd their Liberties and Fran∣chises [ 673] granted by King Henry the I. to St. Mary of Charity (i. e. the Capital House of this Order beyond Seas) and to St. Augustine of Daventrey and the Monks there. Many were the Benefactors to this House, as Matilda de Senliz, Richard de Foxton, whose Daughter Ann was married to Alan Basset [ 674] of Lufphenam (com Roteland) Steven de Welton, Henry de Braybrok (whose [ 675] Geneologies may be seen, Fo. 677. 678.)

St. ANDREWS, at Northampton. [ 679]

THIS Priory was founded in the eighteenth year of King William the Conqueror, by Simon de Seynliz, who came into England in the Army of that King. He married Maud Daughter and Co-heir of Waldel∣fus Earl of Huntington, with whom he had the honour of Huntington, Alice the other Daughter was by him given to Ralph de Tonny with 100 l. per Annum in Land (centum Librarum terrae) out of the said honour. In the Reign of King Henry the I. the said Simon made a Voyage to the Holy Land, and died in his return at the Monastery of the blessed Mary of Charity (to which Monastery he had subjected this of St. Andrew.) After his death King Henry, having married Maud Sister of Alexander King of Scotland, gave Maud Earl Simons Widow to David Brother of Alexander, and with her the Custody of Earl Simons Son and Heir, Simon de St. Lyz, junior. Hugh Bishop of Lincoln confirm'd the Churches and Tithes given [ 681] to this Priory, among which were the Churches of Ryal and Exton in Rutland. King Henry the I. also confirm'd the Lands to them given, and granted them many Liberties and Franchises. This Priory was made De∣nison [ 682] 6 H. 4.

To the Hospital of St. David at Kingsthorp built upon the Lands of this Priory, for the Relief of Travellers and poor People, Walter Prior of this House with the assent of his Convent, gave two yard Land and a Messu∣age,

&c. in Thorp, constituting several Orders for the Government of the said Hospital, among others that there should be three rows of Beds placed in length before the Chappel, so as the Poor, and especially the sick Peo∣ple, might most conveniently hear Mass, &c. subjecting the said Hospi∣al [ 683] to the Prior of St. Andrews at Northampton, and the Abbot of Sullebi. This Deed bears date 1200. being the second of King Iohn.

(This Priory was valued at 263 l. 7 s. 1 d. q. per Annum.)

[ 684] BAR NESTAPLE, in Devonshire.

THIS House was founded for Cluniac Monks, and dedicated to the honour of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and St. Mary, the holy Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, and St. Mary Magdalen, by Ioel Son of Alured, who endow'd it with large Possessions, subjecting it to the Church of St. Martin de Campis, in which he himself became a Monk. Confirm'd by King Henry the I. and by Henry de Tracy, who descended [ 685] from the Founder, An. 1146. (11. Steph.)

[Valued at 123 l. 6 s. 7 d. per Annum]

TIKEFORD, in Buckinghamshire.

FVlcodius Paganellus was the first Founder of this Priory, who with other Benefactors, endowed it with divers Lands and Rents. All which together with a Court-Leet, King Henry the II. confirm'd to the [ 687] Monks here. King Edward the II. in the fifth year of his Reign, granted further to William de la Manerere then prior of this House, and his Suc∣cessors, to have a Pillory and Tumbrel in their Lordship of Tikeford, for the punishment of Malefactors.

Vid. Vol. 2. p. 910.

FEVERSHAM, in Kent

ANno 1148. King Steven founded the Abby here to the honour of of our Saviour, and endow'd it with divers Mannors, Lands, Li∣berties, and free Customs to hold in perpetual Alms, discharged and quit of all secular Exactions. King Steven and Maud his Queen, and Eus••acius their Son were buried here. King Henry the II. confirm'd to the Cluniac Monks of Feversham, all their Lands and Franchises, granting to them a Fair yearly for eight days beginning at the Feast of St. Peter ad vincula. [ 688] The like confirmation was made by King Iohn in the sixteenth year of [ 689] his Reign; and by King Henry the III. in the eleventh year of his Reign. Peter Abbot of Clugny granted to King Steven, Clarembaldus then Prior of Bermundesey with twelve Monks of that House, for the Composing an Abby at Feversham, and at the same time absolved the said Clarembaldus and his Monks from all Obedience and Subjection to the Church of Clugny, and that of the Charity: The like Emancipation or discharge of subjection was also granted by the then Prior of the Charity.

[Valued at 286 l. 12 s. 6 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

ARTHINGTON, in Yorkshire. [ 690]

THIS was a Priory of Nuns, built and endow'd by Peers of Arthington, and confirm'd by Pope Alexander; as is set forth in an award made in the twenty eighth year of the Reign of King Henry the VI. Alicia de Romeli was a Benefactress to this Nunnery [ 691] whose Gift was confirm'd by her Son William de Curcy the Kings Sewer, and by Warinus Fitz••Gerald the King's Chamberlain.

[Valued at 11 l. 8 s. 4 d. ob. per Annum.]

Of the Cistercian Order.

Anno Dom. 1098. Robert Abbot of Molesme by License of Hugo [ 695] Archbishop of Lyons the Pope's Legate, first instituted this Order, in a Desert Place called Cistercium in the Dutchy of Burgundy, the Rule of St. Bennet, being not duly observed, in his old Monastery. In this Order therefore they betook [ 699] themselves to the strict observance of St. Bennet's Rule, and obtain'd great Priviledges from the Pope. To avoid Pride [ 700] and Superfluity, they were to retain no Crosses of Gold or Silver, but only of Wood; their Chalices were to be of Sil∣ver and not of Gold, &c. The second Abbot of this Order was one Stephen an Englishman.

[ 703] WAVERLEY, in Surrey.

THIS Abby was founded in the year of Christ 1128. by William Gifford Bishop of Winchester. The first Monks of this Order, being twelve and an Abbot, came to this House from a Foreign Abby call'd Elemosina. The said William Bishop of Winchester endow'd this House with divers Lands, and with Common in Farnham Woods, all which was by consent of the King, and the Convent of Winchester, and confirm'd by his Successors. Vid. 2. Vol. p. 912.

[Valued at 174 l. 8 s. 3 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 704] FURNES, in Lancashire.

ANno Dom. 1127. being twenty nine years from the first Institution of the Cistercian Order (26. H. 1.) This House was founded by Steven Earl of Morton and Boloign, afterwards King of England.

The Names of the Abbots of FVRNES.

• 1. Evanus de Albrincis.
• 2. Eudo de Sourdeval.
• 3. Michael de Lancastria.
• 4. Petrus de Eboraco.
• 5. Richardus de Bajocis.
• 6. Iohannes de Cawnesfeild.
• [ 705] 7. Walterus de Millum.
• 8. Ioslenus de Pennington.
• 9. Conanus de Bardoule.
• 10. Willielmns Niger.
• 11. Giraldus Bristaldon.
• 12. Michael de Dalton.
• 13. Richardus de Sancto Quintino.
• 14. Radulfus de Flet••ham.
• 15. Iohannes de Newby.
• 16. Stephanus de Alverston.
• 17. Nicholaus de Meaux, who was after Bishop of Sodor.
• 18. Robertus de Denton.
• 19. Laurentius de Acclom
• 20 Willielmus de Midleton.
• 21. Hugo de Bron.
• 22. Willielmus de Cockeram.
• 23. Hugo Skiller.
• 24. Iohannes de Cockeram.
• 25. Alexander de Walton.
• 26. Iohannes de Cockham.
• 27. Iohannes de Bolton.
• 28. Willielmus de Dalton.

• ...
  [illustration]

  A CISTERCIAN MONK

  Vol. 1 P. 69••

• ...

• ...
• King Steven's double Relati∣on to Maud the Empress.
• Edgar Edling had two Sisters Margaret, and Christiana; who had issue as follows,

  Steven Earl of Morton, &c. was Son of Steven E. of Bloys and A∣dela Daughter of K. William the Conqueror, and Sister of K. H. I. married	Christiana	Margaret Wife of Malcolm K. of Scots.
  	Eustace E. of Bolon	Mary	Matilda Wife of Hen. I. K. of Eng.
  	Maud	Maud, first married to the Emperior, then to Jeostery Earl of Anjou, by which last the had issue.
  		Willam Earl of Warren and Bolon
  			Hen. the II. K. of Eng. Marry

William de Lancaster, the third of that Name was a great Bene••actor to [ 706] this Abby, as appears by his Deeds dated 1240. &c. Which William mar∣ried Agnes de Brus and had issue [ 707]

	Halewisa ux. Petri de Brus		Alicia ux. Williel. de Lindesey.		Sorota ax. Alani de Multon
Petrus de Brus jun. ob. s. h.	Agnes ux. Walteri de Fawkunbergh.	Lucia ux. Marmaduci de Thweng.	Margareta ux, Dom. Rob. de Ros.	Laderina ux. Johanis de Belew.

Pope Eugenius granted to Iohn Abbot of St. Mary's of Furnes, among [ 709] other Priviledges that they should not pay any Tithes for their Lands or Cattel held in their own hands and occupation. And (Anno Dom. 1305.) it was agreed between the Abbot of Furnes and the Prior of St. Mary of Lancaster (which last was intituled to the Tithes of their Grange of Bel∣lomonte) that in case the Abbot of Furnes let the said Lands, then the Prior of Lancaster should receive Tithes of the Lands so let, but in case the Abbot and Covent of Furnes should occupy the same in their own hands, then the said Prior to receive only a Pension of two Marks per Annum.

[Valued at 805 l. 16 s. 5 d. per Annum.]

[ 710] RUSSIN, in the Isle of Man, a Cell to Furnes.

[ 711] THE Abby of Russin was founded in the year 1134. Olauus King of Man, a very devout Prince, gave the Land whereon this Abby stands to Yvo then Abbot of Furnes, for the erecting of this Monastery.

Certain Antient Synodals, and Ecclesiastical Constitutions for the Isle of Man, made by Simon Bishop of Sodor 1229.

[ 712] Other Constitutions made in the Church of St. Bradan in Man 1291. under Mark Bishop of Sodor.

[ 716] Other Additional Constitutions made in the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, by William Russel Bishop of Sodor, and the whole Clergy of Man 1350. All which see at large in the Monasti••on.

[ 718] Thomas Lord Stanley, Earl of Darby, and K. of the Isle of Man by his Let∣ters Patents dated at Lathum, 28. Mar 1505. confirm'd to ••uan then Bishop of Sodor and his Successors, all the Lands, Revenues, Rig••••••s and Priviledges belonging to the Church in the Isle and Kingdom o•• Man.

YNES, in Ireland, a Cell to Furnes.

THIS was first founded in the year 1126. by a King of Vlster named Magnellus Makenlefe, in a place call'd Erynach, but that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 al∣most destroyed in the Wars, it was translated by Iohn de Curcy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Vlster, and new founded at Ynes, and at the same time he subjected ••••is Abby to Furnes, An. 1180.

[ 719] NETHE, in Glamorganshire.

RIchard de Grainvilla gave to God and the Church of the holy Trinity at Savigny, Nethe and other Lands and Posse••••••ons, to the I••••••••∣on that the Abbot and Convent of Savigny should institute here a Con∣vent of Monks under an Abbot. King Iohn confirm'd the said Lands to the Church of the Holy Trinity at Nethe and the Monks there, in the ninth year of his Reign granting them also many Priviledges and Im∣munities.

[Valued at 132 l. 7 s. 7 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 720] BASINGWERK Abby, in Flintshire.

FOunded Anno 1131. by Ranulph Earl of Chester, confirm'd by King Henry the II. and by Lewellin Prince of North Wales The like [ 721] Confirmation to this Monastery, and the Monks here was made by David Prince of Northwales, Son of the foresaid Lewelin, who also gave them certain Lands and Revenues, in the year 1240.

[Valued at 150 l. 7 s. 3 d. per Annum.]

TINTERN, in Wales.

FOunded 1131. William, Mareschal of England, and Earl of Pembroke, in the seventh year of Henry the III. confirm'd to God, and the bles∣sed Mary of Tyntern, and to the Abbot and Monks there, all the Lands and [ 722] Revenues given to them by his Ancestors; granting also to the said Ab∣by great Liberties and Immunities: prohibiting all Men to vex or disturb [ 723] them or theirs, under the penalty of twenty Marks, besides the curse of [ 724] God. Their Estate was also confirm'd by Roger Bigod Earl of Norfolk and Mareschal of England, Anno 1301. Walter Fitz Richard appears to be the [ 725] Founder of this House Anno 1131. Who dying without issue, his Bro∣ther Gilbert Strongbowe became his Heir, and was the first Earl of Pembroke, from whom descended Isabel; she became the Wife of William Mareschall, who died 1219. and lies buried in the Temple at London: he left five Sons all successively Earls of Pembroke, but they all died without issue, Matilda the eldest of their Sisters and Co-heirs, was married to Hugh le Bigod Earl of Norfolk and Suffolk, &c.

[Valued at 192 l. 1 s. 4 d. ob. per Annum.]

RIEVALL, in Yorkshire. [ 727]

ANno 1132. Gualterus Especk a Great man in the Court of King Henry the I. founded this Monastery in a place called Blachomour near the River Rie, for the receipt of certain Monks of the Cistercian Order sent over by Bernard Abbot of Clarevallis, whose first Abbot was William.

This Walter Especk, having unhappily lost his Son and Heir who broke [ 728] his Neck by a fall from a Horse, built and endow'd with part of his Estate three Monasteries, viz Kirkham, Rievall, and Wardon. The rest of his Estate was divided between his three Sisters and Co-heirs, one of which married to Peter Lord Roos, the Descent of which Noble Family, the Reader may see set forth in the Book at large, with their several Matches and Issue, down to George Manners, Lord Roos, who died An. 1513.

Many were the Benefactors, and large the Possessions of this Monastery, exprest Fol. 729, 730, 731.

Pope Alexander the III. by his Bull dated 1140. granted to Aelredo Abbot of St. Mary's of Rievalle and his Brethren, and their Successors in [ 732] that Monastery, a Confirmation of all their Possessions, with divers Pri∣viledges, in particular that they might celebrate the Divine Offices in the time of a general Interdict, &c.

[Valued at 278 l. 10 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

FOUNTAINS, in Yorkshire, a Cell of Clarevallis. Founded 1132. [ 733]

THE Rule and Discipline of St. Benedict being relaxt in the Abby of St. Mary's at York, and a great Dissention happening therein on that occasion between the Abbot and Prior, Turstin then Archbishop of York gave leave to thirteen of the Monks to retire from the said Abby. [ 739] To these the said Archbishop appointed a Solitary, and then Desert place

for their Habitation, at that time called Skeldale, since Fountains. Here for a time a great Elme was their only fence from the Weather, under which they slept, sed, and performed their Offices according to their Rule. Richard, who had been their Prior at York, being elected their first Abbot and confirm'd by the Archbishop Turstin aforesaid. They having past a Winter in this manner, sent to the holy Bernard Abbot of [ 741] Claravellis submitting themselves to his Rule and Direction. Abbot Bernard sends back with the Messengers one of his Monks named Galfridus who taught them the Cistercian Discipline. Hitherto they were in great want, being forced to dress for their Food the Leaves of the Trees and [ 742] Herbs of the Fields. Yet in their distress having in their poor House but two Loaves and a half, they gave one of them to a Poor man who de∣manded an Alms for Christ his sake. Two years they labour'd under this grievous Poverty; after which God sent them many Benefactors; the first of which was Hugh Dean of York. Five years after the first Foundation of [ 743] the Monastery of Fountains, a certain Nobleman called Ranulph de Mer••ay built for them a new Monastery to which they sent some of their Monks under the Government of Abbot Robert formerly a Monk at Witheby. Be∣sides [ 746] which, many Cells were founded and given to this House, a Wo∣burne, [ 747] Kirkstall, Bitham, otherwise called Vallis dei, Lisa in Norway, &c.

[ 252] Benefactors to this House were Alanus de Aldeburg; Roger de Mubrai [ 754] de Aldeburg, Swanus de Tornetun, de Bramlcia, Roger de Lact Constable of [ 757] Chester, Nigellus de Mubrai, Alice de Gant, &c. who gave to God and the [ 758] Church of St. Mary de Fontibus divers Mannors and Lands. All which were confirm'd to the Monks of the Cistercian Order here, and their Suc∣cessors [ 759] for ever by King Richard the I.

[Valued at 998 l. 6 s. 8 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 760] QUARRE (Quarrera) in the Isle of Wight, a Cell to Savigny. Fo••nded 1132.

RIchard Earl of Exeter, Son of Baldwin, confirm'd to God, the holy Virgin, and Gaufridus Abbot of Savigny, this House and divers Lands and Revenues thereunto belonging, first given by his Father. Bene∣factors to this House were Henry Fitz-Empress, who writ himself Son of [ 761] the Duke of Normandy and Earl of Anjou, Engelgerius de Bohun; William de Vernun Earl of Devon, &c.

[ 762] Controversie arising between the Abbot and Covent of Lyra, and this Church of Quarre about certain Tithes and Revenues in and about Caris∣brok, and other Neighbouring Towns here in this Island, the Matter was agreed and settled by Deed dated in the year 1289.

[Valued at 134 l. 3 s. 11 d. per Annum]

[ 764] CUMBERMERE, in Cheshire. Founded 1133.

HVgo Malbanc founded this Abby in the Honour of the blessed Virgin, and St. Michael, and endow'd it with very large Lands and Posses∣sions; [ 765] among others, with the fourth part of the Town of Wiche, and the Tithes of the Salt and Boylries there. Yet by the same Deed he granted

that Ralph Earl of Chester his chief Lord, should be accounted the Principal Founder and Defender of the said Church and Monks there. King Henry the III. in the sixteenth year of his Reign, confirm'd all their Possessions; and again in the fiftieth year of his Reign. In the year 1230. Ralph Earl [ 767] of Chester confirm'd their Estate given by Hugo Malbanc, and granted them several Liberties and Immunities. Vid. 2. Vol. p. 913.

[Valued at 225 l. 9 s. 7 d. per Annum.]

GEROUDON, in Leicestershire. [ 768]

THIS was founded Anno 1133. as Cell to Waverle. The Founder, Robert Earl of Leicester, endow'd this Monastery with all his Lands in Disseley, and with the Wood of Shepehed. Many were the Bene∣factors who gave to this Church of St. Mary of Geroldon, and the Monks here large Possessions, viz. Margaret Countess of Wynton Sister of the said [ 769] Robert, Margaret de Ferrariis Countess of Derby, Roger de Quincy, Gilbert [ 770] de Coleville, William Son of Richard Wareyn, William Peverell, &c. All [ 771] whose Gifts were confirm'd to them by King Edward the III. in the four∣teenth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 159 l. 19 s. 10 d. ob. per Annum.]

SWINESHEAD, in Lincolnshire. Founded An. Do. 1134. [ 773]

THIS was founded and endow'd by Robert Greslei; whose several Lands and Possessions were recited and confirm'd to God and the Church of St. Mary of Swynesheved and the Monks there, by King Henry the II.

[Valued at 167 l. 15 s. 3 d. per Annum.]

CALDER, in Cumberland. Founded An. Do. 1134. [ 774]

KING Henry the II. confirm'd to the Abbot and Monks here all the Lands and Possessions given by Ralph de Meschin their Founder, and other Benefactors.

[Valued at 50 l. 9 s. 3 d. ob. per Annum.]

BILAND, in Yorkshire. Founded An. Do. 1134. [ 775]

THIS House was at first founded for certain Monks of Savigny, by [ 776] Roger de Mulbray; which Roger died in the Holy Land. Walter de Sciflings Parson of Kildale, Hugo de Wake, and others were Benefactors. In the ninth of Richard the II. Thomas Earl Mareschall and Earl of Not∣tingham, [ 778] Lord Mowbray and Segrave, did by his Deed recite, ratifie, and confirm the Foundation of this Abby by his said Progenitor Roger de Mul∣bray. Vid. infra, p. 1027.

[Valued at 238 l. 9 s. 4 d. per Annum.]

[ 779] BILDWAS, in Shropshire. Founded An. 1135.

KING Steven in the third year of his Reign (An. Dom. 1139) gave and confirm'd to God and the Church of St. Ceadde, and to the Abbot and Monks here, their Estate in like manner as Roger Bishop of [ 780] Chester had given it, and further, granted them several Immunities. Walter [ 781] de Dunstanville, Robert Corbet, and others were Benefactors. Their Estate was confirm'd to them by King Richard the I. in the first year of his Reign.

Vid. Vol. 2. p. 914.

[Valued at 110 l. 19 s. 3 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 782] St. Mary's near Dublin, in Ireland, a Cell to Bildwas. Founded 1139.

KING Henry the II. confirm'd to the white Monks of St. Mary's near Dublin, all their Lands and Possessions; and by another Deed [ 783] subjected the said Monks to the Abbot of Bildewas.

BITLESDEN, in Buckinghamshire. Founded An. 1147.

THE Lordship of Bitlesden escheating in the time of King Steven, from one Robert de Meperteshall, to the then Earl of Leicester, the said Earl granted it to his Steward Ernaldus de Bosco, who founded here an Abby, which the Earl also confirm'd; but after some time the abovesaid Robert de Meperteshal being about to commence a Suit in Law for this E∣state, the Monks here in consideration of ten Marks obtain'd from the said Robert also a Charter of Confirmation. This House was first given [ 784] by the abovesaid Arnold de Bosco for a Cell to the Abby of Geroudon.

[Valued at 125 l. 4 s. 3 d. q. per Annum.]

WARDON, in Bedfordshire. Founded An. 1136.

THE first Founder of this House was Walter Espec, who endow'd it for Monks from the Abby of Rieval, which was confirm'd by King Steven Anno Dom. 1135. and by King Richard the I. in the tenth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 389 l. 16 s. 6 d. q. per Annum.]

[ 785] FORD, in Devonshire.

IN the year 1133. Richard Viscount or Sheriff of Devonshire, a near Kinsman of King William the Conqueror, and to whom that King had given the Castle of Exeter, and Honour and Barony of Okehampton in De∣vonshire, gave his Land of Brightley, within the said Honour of Okehamp∣ton, for the founding of an Abby, and obtained twelve Monks for the same from the Abby of Waverly. These Monks having remaine•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Brightley for five years, were at last forced through the 〈…〉〈…〉

sterility of the place, to return back to Waverly: Which the Sister and Heiress of their Founder seeing, she gave them the Mannor of Thorncomb for their maintenance, and her house therein, then called Ford, for their more convenient habitation. From this Lady did descend Hawisia who was mar∣ried [ 786] to Reginald de Courtnay, who was the Grandson of Lewis the Gross of France, from whom descend the noble Family of Courtnays, Patrons of this Abby, and great Benefactors. Whose descent and lineage is set forth in the [ 787] Book at large. One of which Family, namely the Lord Iohn Courtnay, was, through the divine Mercy, his great Faith, and his Hope in the Pray∣ers of these Monks, miraculously delivered from a terrible Storm at Sea in the Night time, when all the Seamen despair'd of life. Hugh Courtnay the [ 789] second of that name, became Earl of Devonshire, and died 9 E. 3. I••seline de Pomerei, and others, were Benefactors to this Monastery; all whose [ 791] gifts are confirm'd by King Richard I. in the first year of his Reign.

[Valued at 374 l. 10 s. 6 d. ob. per Annum.]

BUCKFAST in Devonshire. [ 792]

FOunded for Monks and endowed with Lands by Richard Banzan, to hold by the 30th. part of a Knight's Fee; and confirm'd by King Hen. II.

[Valued at 466 l. 11 s. 2 d. ob. per Annum.]

MEAUX, in Yorkshire. Founded, Anno 1136.

MEaux was so called by its Inhabitants, who came into England with the Norman Conqueror, and named their new Seat according to the name of the City of Meaux in Normandy from whence they came. [ 793] The Founder of this Abby was William le Gross Earl of Albemarl, and Lord of Holderness, and in a manner of all Yorkshire; who having vow'd a Journy to Ierusalem and being by reason of his age, and unweildyness of his Body, not well able to perform such a Voyage, built this Monastery by way of commutation of his Vow. This he gave to God and the Blessed [ 794] Virgin Mary, introducing a Convent of Monks from the Monastery of Fountains, of whom one Adam was made the first Abbot; which Monks [ 795] at first got their living by the work of their hands and sweat of their brows; but were not long after plentifully endow'd with Lands and Reve∣nues by the said Earl. This William le Gross was Grandson of Odo to whom [ 796] William the Conqueror gave his Sister in marriage, and the Isle of Holder∣ness; the Archbishop of Roan gave him the County of Albemarl to hold of him by the Service of being his Standard Bearer in his Expeditions attend∣ed with ten Knights. The Line of this William being not long after extinct, [ 797] the County of Alb••marl, and Honour of Holderness escheated to the Crown for want of heirs. This Monastery was begun, and the Monks first en∣tred there under their Abbot Adam, on the Calends of Ianuary 1150. Ri∣chard de Otringham Rector of the Church of Schelford in the Diocess of Ely, [ 799] by his Deed dated, An. Dom. 1317. gave divers Lands to the Abbot and Convent here, for the maintenance of a perpetual Chantery of seven Monks of this House, at the Porch of their Abby Church. The number of the Monks in this Abby were 50. The Lands given to this Abby [ 800] were confirm'd to it by King Iohn, in the 6th. year of his Reign.

[Valued at 299 l. 6 s. 4 d. q. per Annum.]

NEW-MINSTER, near Morpeth, in Yorkshire.

THIS was founded and endow'd in the year 1138. by a certain Nobleman call'd Ranulf de Merley, it was furnisht with Monks from [ 801] the Abby of Fountains. Their Lands were confirm'd to them by King Henry the III. in the thirty ninth year of his Reign. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 916.

[ 802] TAME, in Oxfordshire. Founded 1138.

THIS House was founded and endow'd by Sir Robert Gait a K••t. and was furnisht with Cistercian Monks from Waverley. Their E∣state was confirm'd to them by King Henry II. in the eleventh year of his Reign, and by King Edward the II. in the tenth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 256 l. 13 s. 7 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 803] BORDESLEY, in Worcestershire. Founded, An. 1138.

THis Abby was founded by Mawd the Empress for Cistercian Monks, in honour of the most blessed Virgin Mary (Regina Caelorum) so are the words of her Charter.) Endowing it with divers Lands and Reve∣nues to hold free and quit of all Secular Service. Besides whom, many [ 804] other Benefactors conferr'd upon this Abby great Possessions, all which were confirm'd by King Richard the I. in the first year of his Reign.

[Valued at 388 l. 9 s. 10 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

[ 805] LOUTH-PARK in Lincolnshire. Founded, An. 1139.

THe Founder of this Monastery was Alexander Bishop of Lincoln, who procured Monks for it from the Abby of Fountains, but their first Settlement being at a place called Haverholm, which Seat not being con∣venient for their Habitation, he removed them from thence to this Place, Besides the said Bishop they had divers other Benefactors, all whose do∣nations were confirm'd to God, and St. Mary, and the Monks de Parcho-Lude, by King Henry the III. in the tenth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 147 l. 14 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

[ 806] KIRKSTED, in Lincolnshire.

THIS House was founded in the year 1139. by Hugh de Bretone a Ba∣ron of those times, and by him endow'd with divers Lands. Other [ 807] Benefactors were the Furnivalls, D' Aencurts, and D'arci's, &c. Richard de [ 808] Luvetot gave and annext to this House the Hermitage of St. Iohn in the Parish of Ecclesfeild, with the Land thereunto belonging. Conan Duke of Britain and Earl of Richmund gave to this Abby the Church of Gaiton with two Carucates and a half of Land, &c.

[Valued at 286 l. 2 r. 7 d. per Annum.]

KINGS WOOD, in Gloucestershire. Founded, An. 1139. [ 811]

THis House was founded by William de Berkeley for Cistercian Monks, and the Foundation confirm'd by Maud the Empress: but after∣wards for many years it became a Grange depending on the Abby of Tet∣tebiry, and a long contest was had about this Matter, till at last it was from [ 812] a Grange advanced to the name of the Abby of Kingeswode. The Lands and Endowments given to this Abby by the Founder, were confirm'd by [ 813] several of the Berkleys, his noble Descendants. [ 814]

[Valued at 244 l. 11 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

PIPWELL, in Northamptonshire. [ 815]

THis Monastry was first founded, An. Dom 1143. (and then called Sancta Maria de Divisis.) among thick Woods, which were in after times destroyed. In the year 1323•• the Monks here were dispersed thro' Poverty. Their first Founder was William Boutevileyn of Cottesbrook; [ 818] from whom descended one Robert Boutevileyn, who did many unkindnesses to these Monks. This was before their dispersion. Hugh Senlize and [ 819] Emma his Wife one of the Daughters and Heirs of the Lord of Braybroke, gave to the Monks of Pipwell divers Lands and Tenements in Braybroke, confirm'd by the Capital Lord of the Fee Simon de Foxton, and these seem to be the second Founders. King Henry III. granted to these Monks pa∣sture on Benifield Laund for 250 Cattle.

[Valued at 286 l. 11 s. 8 d. q. per Annum.]

STONELEY, in Warwickshire. [ 820]

MAud the Empress first founded the Priory of Rademere in the Forest Kanoc, confirmed by King Steven. This Priory was afterwards advanced to an Abby of Cistercian Monks by Henry Fitz Empress then Duke of Normandy. In the year 1154•• which was thirteen years after [ 821] the Monks had remained at Rademore, the•• foresaid Henry Fitz Empress•• being now King of England, they changed their habitation of Radmore for Stanley, and the whole Lordship of the same, which was before that the Kings Demesn. The first stone of the Abby Church there was laid on the Ides of April, An. Dom. 1154. The said King Henry I. endow'd this House with divers other Lands and Revenues elsewhere.

[Valued at 151 l. 0 s. 3 d. ob. per Annum.]

COGESHAL, in Essex.

THis Abby was founded by King Steven and Maud his Queen, in the year 1142. William de Humberstane, with the Kings License, gave the Mannor of Tyllingham-Hall for the finding of one Wax light to burn before the High Altar at the Abby Church here in the time of high Mass, [ 822]

daily. The Monks of this House were endowed with great Immunities

[Valued at 251 l. 2 s. per Annum.]

REVESBY, in Lincolnshire Founded An. 1142.

THe Founders of this House were William de Romara, Farl of Lincoln, and William his Son, who gave to the Abbot and Monks of Rievalle, Revesby, Thoresby, and other Lands in Lincolnshire for the building and [ 823] endowment of this House. This Abby was dedicated to St. Laurence. The Lands and Reuenues were confirm'd by Ralph Earl of Chester, and by King Richard I. in the tenth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 287 l. 2 s. 4 d. ob. per Annum.]

CUMHIRE, in Pembrokshire,

[ 825] THis House was founded by Cadwathel ap Madok in the year 114••, for [ 826] Sixty White Monks. King Henry III, in the sixteenth year of his Reign confirm'd to these Monks all their Lands and Revenues.

[Valued at 24 l. 19 s. 4 d. per Annum.]

[ 827] BOXLEY in Kent.

WIlliam de Ipre a great Commander in King Stevens Army founded this Abby of Boxley for White Monks in the year 1144. King Richard the I. in the first year of his Reign confirm'd their Estate with Sac & Soc.

[Valued at 204 l. 4 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

SINNINGTHWAIT, in Yorkshire.

[ 828] THis House was founded for Nuns, by Beriram Haget, and confirm'd by Roger de Mubrai his superiour Lord. Iessery Archbishop of York, took these Nuns and their Possessions into his protection, and denounced a malediction against those who should dare to wrong them, and a bles∣sing to their Benefactors. Alice Widow of Adam de Stanely gave, with her self, nine Bovates of Land in Berewik (super Theseiam) which was after∣wards changed with Ranulf Fitz Henry for other Lands in Lofthows.

[Valued at 60 l. 9 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

ESSEHOLT, in Yorkshire, a Cell to Sinningthwait.

POpe Alexander the third, by his Bull dated in the year 1172. con∣firm'd to Christian Prioress of Sinningthwait, and the Nuns there•• and their Successors, their House and Estate both at Sinningthayte, and at [ 829] Esseholt, with all Lands already given, or to be given to their said Houses. With Priviledge of Sanctuary.

[Valued at 13 l. 5 s. 4 d. per Annum.]

WOBURN, in Bedfordshire. Founded An. 1145.

THIS was founded and endowed by Hugh de Bolebock, by advice of Henry Abbot of Fountains, from whence a Convent of Monks was sent to this place. King Iohn in the second year of his Reign con∣firmed the Estate of this House, so did also King Henry the II.

[Valued at 391 l. 18 s. 2 d. ob. per Annum.]

MEREVAL, in Warwickshire. Founded An. 1148. [ 830]

THIS was founded by Robert Earl of Ferrariis, and by him en∣dowed with all the Forest of Arden, with other Lands. All which was confirm'd By King Henry the II.

[Valued at 254 l. 1 s. 8 d. per Annum.]

HAMPOLE, in Yorkshire.

THIS House was founded for Nuns by Avicia de Tanai, and en∣dowed by her with divers Lands of her Inheritance, all which were confirmed by Ralph de Till••••er Grandson, by Roger Archbishop of York, and by William Fitz William, An. 1331.

[Valued at 63 l. 5 s. 8 d. per Annum.]

VALLE-DEI, alias Vaudey, in Lincolnshire. [ 831]

THE Abby here was founded by William Earl of Albemarl in the year 1147. It was at first called Biham, but afterwards Vallis-dei, and was planted with Monks from Fountains. The same Founder, e∣rected also the Abby of Meaux of which supra. p. 792. Many were the Benefactors to this House, among whom Gilbertus de Gant, Roger de [ 833] Mulbray, &c. all whose Gifts were recited and confirm'd by King Richard the I. in the first year of his Reign. See the Genealogy of Gilbert de Gant Nephew of William the Conqueror, and the Noble Families descended [ 834] from him in the Book at large.

[Valued at 124 l. 5 s. 11 d. q. per Annum:

SWINE, in Yorkshire.

ERinburch de Burtona was the Foundress of this Abby, giving divers Lands of her Patrimony and Inheritance to God and the Church of St. Mary at Swine, and to the Brethren and Sisters there serving God. Pope Alexander exempted the Nuns here from paying Tithes for their Lands in their own Occupation. Vide infra, fol. 1026.

[Valued at 82 l. 3 s. 9 d. ob. per Annum]

[ 835] BRURE, in Oxfordshire. Founded An. 1147.

KING Henry the III. Roger Earl of Warwick, and others, were Bene∣factors to this Abby, all whose Gifts were confirm'd to the Cistercian Monks here, by King Iohn in the sixth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 134 l. 10 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

RUPE, alias Roche, in Yorkshire. Founded An. 1147.

[ 836] RIchard de Bulli, and Richard Fitz Turgis, were joint Founders of this [ 837] Abby. Besides those of the Family of Bully, the Monks here were endow'd with Lands and Revenues by other Benefactors, among whom [ 839] Edmund de Lacy Constable of Chester, and William Earl Warren, &c. Pope Vrban the III. confirmed their Estate and Lands given and to be given, and exempted them from Tithes for their Lands in their own Tenure, and this was by his Bull dated 1186. Their first Abbot was Durandus, who governed twelve years 2. Dionisius 12. 3. Rogerus de Tikehill 8 4. ••iugo de Waddeworth 5. 5 Osmundus 39. 6 Reginaldus 15. 7 Richardus 16. 8 Walter 14. 9 Alanus. 10 Iordanus. 11 Philippus.

[Valued at 224 l. 2 s. 5 d. per Annum.]

[ 840] HOTON, in Yorkshire.

THIS House was founded for Nuns, and endow'd by Radulf de Nevil. With the Licenses of Adam de Brus, and Ernald de Percy.

BASEDALE, in Yorkshire.

JOhn de Ever by his Deed dated An. 1304. released to Ioan Prioress of Basedale, and to the Convent of the same, and their Successors, all homage and suit of Court for all their Lands holden of him in Kirkeby, Cliveland, and Ingelby. William de Percy and others were Benefactors to this Nunnery; all whose Gifts were recited and confirm'd by King [ 841] Henry the III. in the twentieth year of his Reign. Robert de Longo Campo Abbot of St. Mary's at York and the Convent there, granted to these Nuns a Coemitery for themselves, but their Servants and Tenants to be buried at the Parish Church.

Guido de Bouincurt was the Founder of this Priory of Nuns.

(Valued at 20 l. 1 s. 4 d. per Annum.)

SALLEY, in Yorkshire.

THIS Abby was founded by William de Percy An Dom. 1147. Ma∣tilda [ 842] de Percy Countess of Warwick, Daughter or the said William, was a great Benefactress to this Abby, and gave them the Church of Tad∣caster, [ 843] and was accounted a second Founder; Agnes de Percy her Sister

and Heiress, did add to her bounty. William Vavasor gave and confirm'd [ 845] all the Lands which his Father Malgarus Vavasor had given to this House, placing his Confirmation (una cum Corpore meo) together with his own body on the Altar of the blessed Mary de Sallay; providing thereby that in case he happens to die within the Kingdom of England, that his Body be [ 846] buried in this Abby. Iohn de Lacy Constable of Chester was among others a Benefactor to these Monks, An. 1223. William de Percy who founded this Abby, was Grandson to William de Percy who came into England with [ 847] the Conqueror. His Estate came to his two Daughters Matilda who was married to William Earl of Warwick, but died without issue, and Agnes married to Goseline Lovain, Brother to the Duke of Brabant, the issue of this Match kept the name of their Mothers Family, and are the Progeni∣tors of the Earls of Northumberland. This Abby was wasted and part of it burnt down by the Scots in their Wars.

[Valued at 147 l. 3 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

RUFFORD, in Nottinghamshire. Founded 1148. [ 848]

THIS Abby was founded and endowed by Gilbert de Gaunt Earl of Lincoln. Many were the Benefactors, whose Gifts were confirm'd to the Abbot and Monks here, with the Grant of divers Priviledges in the Forest of Shirewood, by King Henry the III. in the thirty sixth year of his [ 849] Reign.

[Valued at 176 l. 11 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

SALTRE, in Huntingtonshire. Founded, An 1147.

SImon Earl of Northampton founded and endowed this Abby with all his [ 850] Land at Saltre, and with all the Marish Ground between that and Witlemare, and in Witlemare, &c. With very large Immunities and Fran∣chises, such as his Ancestor Iudith Countess of Huntington (Neice of the Conqueror) had formerly obtain'd of her said Unkle for this Town and [ 851] Lordship of Saltre, as (inter alia) to be exempt from the County and Hundred Courts, to find neither Man nor Arms for the War, &c. The abovesaid Countess Iudith had a special Love for this place, and did very [ 853] much frequent it, and on that account did obtain from her said Unkle as great and large Priviledges as could then be granted for this Lordship. Which Priviledges, and also the Limits and Bounds of the Estate of this Abby, are particularly and at large set forth in the Monasticon. Contro∣versie arising between the Abbot of Ramsey and the Abbot of Saltre, a∣bout their Rights in Withlesmare and Vlbemare, the matter was determin'd by a final Concord before the Kings Justices at Huntedon, Anno 3. Rich. [ 854] the I.

[Valued at 141 l. 3 s. 8 d. per Annum.]

KIRKSTALL, in Yorkshire.

THIS Abby was first founded by Henry de Laceio in the year 1147. and first instituted with a Convent of Monks under their Abbot

Alexander, from the Abby of Fountains. Their first Habitation was at [ 855] a Town call'd Bernolswick, but this place proving to these Monks very in∣convenient on divers accounts, after they had been here somewhat above six years, they removed to a place called Kirkestall, in a Vally called Aierdale, which place was then only inhabited by some Hermits: This [ 856] last Seat they obtain'd of William Pictavensis who own'd the Soil, at the yearly Rent of five Marks. Their first Abbot Alexander govern'd the Monks here thirty five years, and after his death was succeeded by Ra∣dulfus Hageth, and after him Abbot Lambert, to whom succeed Abbot [ 857] Helias, who at first was refused by the then Patron Roger de Lacy, but be∣came afterwards much in his favour. King Iohn did some ill Offices to this Abby in taking from them some of their Lands. Robert de Lacy, who died Anno 1194. was accounted a second Founder of this Abby.

[ 859] King William the Conqueror gave to Ilbertus de Lacy, who came into England in his Army, all Blackburnshire (in the County of York) with the Lordship and Honour of Pontfract, and other Lands. This Ilbertus built the Castle at Pontefract, and in it a Chappel for a Dean and Canons. Son of this Ilbertus was Robert Lacy who built the Monastery of Pontefract, who was the Father of Henry Lacy the Founder of this Abby of Kirkstall, this Henry married the Sister of William Vesci Rector of Berwick. Of [ 860] this Family was Roger Constable of Chester, who hearing that his Lord Ranulphus Earl of Chester was distrest in Wales, raised on the sudden a great Force among the Shoo-makers and Stage-players of Chester, and with them went and relieved his Lord from the Power of the Welch; where∣upon the said Earl Ranulph granted to him and his Heirs the Dominion [ 861] and Patronage of the Shoo-makers and Players at Chester for ever. His Son and Heir Iohn de Lacy became the first Earl of Lincoln of this name, Anno Dom. 1221. and died 1240. From the Heirs General of this Fa∣mily did descend Our Kings of the House of Lancaster.

[Valued at 329 l. 2 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

DORE, in Herefordshire.

[ 862] RObert Earl of Ferrars founded this Monastery, and endowed it with Lands, to hold free and quit of all secular Service, by the Rent of three shillings yearly to be paid at the Feast of St. Peter ad vincula: and this was exprest to be given not only for the Health of the Souls of his [ 863] Ancestors and Heirs, but also (propace & stabilitate totius Angliae & Walliae) for the Peace and Stability of all England and Wales. King Iohn by his Deed dated in the seventeenth year of his Reign gave divers Lands to the Church of the blessed Mary at Dore and the Cistercian Monks there. Walter [ 864] de Clifford and others were Benefactors. All whose Gifts were confirm'd to [ 865] this House by King Henry the III. in the seventeenth year of his Reign. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 918.

[Valued at 101 l. 5 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

SIBETON, in Norfolk. Founded An. 1150.

[ 866] THIS Abby was founded and endowed by William Son of Robert Fitz Walter. The Lands given to the Monks here were confirm'd

by King Steven and King Henry the II. The said Robert Fitz-Walter was [ 867] the Founder of the House of St. Faith's at Horsham, and married Sibill Daughter of Radulfus de Cayneto, who came into England with the Con∣queror; from whom descended the Families of Cressi and Vfford.

[Vid. Vol. 3. p. 32.

[Valued at 250 l. 15 s. 7 d. ob. per Annum.]

STANLEIGH, in Wiltshire.

THIS Abby was first founded by Maud the Empress at Lokeswell in the year 1151. and three years afterwards translated to Stanlegh, by her Son King Henry the II. The Monks of this House came from Quarre [ 868] in the Isle of Wight. King Richard the II. confirm'd to them all their Lands, and took them into his protection.

[Valued at 177 l. 0 s. 8 d. per Annum.]

JERVAL, in Yorkshire. [ 869]

AKarius Fitz-Bardolf (a potent man in Yorkshire, in the time of King Steven) gave to Peter de Quinciaco, and certain other Monks of Savigny, a parcel of Land in Wandesleydale, for the erection of an Abby of their Order, which Abby was at first call'd Fors, and afterwards Iorvalle. [ 870] This Foundation was confirm'd by Alan Earl of Britan and Richmond, which Earl Alan, being present at the beginning of the Erection of the first Buildings, prevailed with several of his Knights to be assistant to the Work, and this was in the year 1145. Roger de Molbray gave also divers Lands to this House before his first Voyage to Ierusalem. The [ 871] abovesaid Peter inhabited this House at first with only two Companions labouring with their hands for their sustentation, but in a while they had of the said Earl of Richmond's Gift, five Plows, forty Cows, sixteen Horses, three hundred Sheep, &c. After this Serlo Abbot of Savigny (having a property in this House of Iorevalls by reason that the first Monks came from thence) granted the same to the Abby of Biland. Where∣upon the foresaid Peter submitted himself and Companions being two Monks and one Lay-brother (conversus) to the Abbot of Biland. [ 872] Being fully possest of this House, Roger Abbot of Biland appointed [ 873] Iohn de Kinstan to be Abbot here, instituting him in these words, I con∣firm thee Abbot and I commit to thee the care of Souls and the Government of the Abby of Joreval, with all its substance Persons and Possessions now had or to be had, as well in Temporals as Spirituals, in like manner as Serlo Abbot of Savigny gave the same to me. And then put into his hands the Rule of St. Benedict &c. An. 1150. Hereupon the said Abbot appointed to be of his Convent, the aforesaid Peter and his two Companions, with nine Monks of Biland, who removed from thence to Iorvall. After this the [ 874] abovesaid Earl Alan, and his Son Conan Duke of Britan encreased their Revenues, with the Gift of many other Lands. In the year 1156. the said Conan translated these Monks from Fors, the place being poor and [ 875] steril, to East-Witton•• upon the River Ior, and this was by permission and approbation of the Abbot of Cisteaux and the general Convent of that Order. Alanus Earl of Britan, who was so great a Benefactor to this [ 877]

Monastery, was Brother and Heir to Alanus Rufus, who was the Son of Eudo Earl of Britan, who came into England with King William the Conqueror, and had given him by the said King all Richmondshire. An. 1268, [ 878] Iohn Duke of Britan and Earl of Richmond, confirm'd the Donations of [ 879] his Ancestors. So also did King Henry the III. in the twelfth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 234 l. 18 s. 5 d. per Annum.]

[ 881] GREENFEILD, in Lincolnshire.

RAdulf de Aby gave Lands here and elsewhere for the Foundation and Endowment of a Nunnery in Greenfeild; which was confirm'd by [ 882] Hugh Bishop of Lincoln, and Eudo de Greinesby, &c. Iohn Son and Heir of Adam de Welle gave to this House 10 l. per Annum for the finding of two sufficient Chaplains to celebrate for him, and his Ancestors, and all the faithful in our Ladies Chappel in the Priory Church here for ever, to the finding of which Margaret then Prioress of this House did oblige her Suc∣cessors by her Deed dated Anno Dom, 1348.

[Valued at 63 l. 4 s. 1 d. per Annum]

CUMB, in Warwickshire.

RIchard de Camvilla gave Lands to the Abbot and Monks of Waver∣ley, for the founding of this Abby of Cistercian Monks. Roger de [ 883] Moubray confirm'd the Estate so given, to the Monks of Cumb, quit of all secular service.

[Valued at 311 l. 15 s. 1 d. per Annum.]

STRATFORD-LANGTON, in Essex.

FOunded Anno. 1135. for Monks by William de Montefichet, endow'd with all the Lordship for Stradford in Westham, &c. All which Gifts were confirm'd by King Henry the II.

[Valued at 511 l. 16 s. 3 d. per Annum.]

[ 884] FLEXLEY, in Gloucestershire.

THE Abby here was founded and endow'd by Roger Earl of Hereford, their Lands were confirm'd by King Henry the II.

[Valued at 112 l. 13 s. 1 d. per Annum.]

BLANCLAND, in Wales.

THIS was founded by Iohn de Toryton: The Lands given to these Monks were recited and confirm'd by King Iohn in the sixteenth year of his Reign. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 918.

[Valued at 135 l. 3 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

HOLMCOLTRUM, in Cumberland Founded An. 1150. [ 885]

KIng Henry II seems to have been the Founder of this Abby, King Ri∣chard the I. in the first year of his Reign confirm'd their Lands, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also K. Henry III. in the 39. year of his Reign. Iohn Gernoun and Mar∣garet [ 886] his Wife, founded and endow'd a Chantry in this Abby Church for four Chaplains, Monks of this House, and two secular Chaplains. This Iohn than held two parts of the Mannor of Wyggeton, by Cornage. As was found by Inquisition, 6 E. 3. Vid. Vol. 3. p. 34.

[Valued at 427 l. 19 s. 3 d. ob. q. per Annum]

TARENT, in Dorsetshire. [ 887]

THis Abby was founded for Nuns of the Cistercian Order, by Richard Bishop of Durham. Iohn Queen of Scots gave to this House (cum corpore suo) with her Body, Lands in Stanton in Cambridgeshire to the va∣lue of 20 l. per Annum. All the Estate belonging to this Monastery was [ 888] confirm'd by King Henry III. who was also himself a Benefactor.

[Valued at 215 l. 7 s. 9 d. per Annum]

TILTEY, alias Wudeham, in Essex.

FOunded Anno 1152. This was first given by Maurice Son of Ieffery [ 889] de Teretia to the Canons of the Church of St. Iohn Baptist of Wode∣ham, and endow'd with several Lands, confirm'd by King Henry II. Af∣ter wards King Richard the first confirm'd the same Estate to the Monks here settled of the Cistercian Order, in the tenth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 167. 2 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

DEULACRES, in Cheshire. [ 890]

ANno 1153. The Abby of Pulton in Cheshire was founded by Robert Pincerna, it was furnisht with Monks of the Cistercian Order from Cumbermere, and was therefore called a Daughter of that House. In the year 1214. the Convent was translated from Pulton to Deulacres by Ralph Earl of Chester. This Ralph afterwards coming from his Expedition in the Holy Land, was in a great Storm at Sea in the Night, confident of deliverance at Midnight, through the Suffrages of these Monks, then at their Nocturnal Devotions, accordingly the Storm did then begin to cease to the wonder of the Seamen. This Ralph and his Successors Earls of [ 891] Chester gave and confirm'd divers Lands and Possessions to this Abby. [ 892]

Vid. Vol. 2. pag 919.

CLUNOK-VAUR, in Wales.

THe Original of this Monastery was by S. Benow of whom mention is made in the Life of St. Winefrid. The White Monks here were of a

newer Foundation. Guithin, Unkle to one of the Princes of Northwales gave the Village of Clunok to Benow. Vide Vol. 2. pag. 119.

[ 893] STRATFLURE, in Cardiganshire.

FOunded and endowed with divers Lands by Reese Prince of South∣wales. The Estate of this House, (called also Strata florida) was con∣firm'd by King Henry II. and King Edward I.

[Valued at 118 l. 7 s. 3 d. per Annum.]

[ 894] LEG••URN, in Lincolnshire.

THis Abby was founded for Nuns by Robert de Lekeburn, who was bu∣ried in the Chapter house of this Nunnery; at whose Interment, his Son and Heir William, declared publickly his confirmation of his Fathers Donations and Endowments, adding of his own gift the yearly Rent of [ 895] two shillings in Franckalmoign. King Iohn in the first year of his Reign confirm'd the Estate of this House.

[Valued at 38 l. 8 s. 4 d. per Annum.]

STRATMARGEL, or Strata-Marcella, in Montgomeryshire.

FOunded An. 1170. by Madock ap Griffin; By his Deed dated An. 1222 he endowed it with divers Lands and Revenues.

[Valued at 64 l. 14 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

[ 896] STANLAW, in Cheshire. Founded An. 1172.

THe first Founder of this House was Iohn Constable of Chester, who en∣dowed [ 897] it with divers Lands and Liberties, his Deed bears date 1178. These Monks of Stanlaw were afterwards translated to the Church of Wha∣ley, at which the Abbot and Convent of Salley in Torkshire were very much grieved, alledging among other things that they were nigher to their Ab∣by [ 898] than the Constitutions of their Order do allow of, and that it was to their damage 27l, 10 s. But the differences were composed in the year [ 899] 1305. by the Abbots of Ryvalle and Belland. The Church of Whaley was in being in the time when St. Augustine the Monk came into England. The Rectors of which Church were in after times called Deans and not Par∣sons, and were married men, who also had the ordinary Jurisdiction of the [ 900] place committed to them by the Bishop. These Deans had an Estate of in∣heritance in the Church of Whaly, and the Chappels, which went from Father to Son, and the Cure of the Churches was supplied by certain Priests, whom the Deans provided and presented to the Bishop for his License. The Names of these Deans may be seen in the Book at large. But after the Council of Lateran (1215.) it was no longer permitted that this Church should go as an inheritance. Not long after this the Church of Whaley was given by Henry de Lacy Earl of Lincoln,

and Lord of Blagbornshire, to the Monks of Stanlaw, who enter'd upon this their new Seat in the year 1296. Dom. George de Norbury being then [ 901] their Abbot; which Translation was ratified by the Bull of Pope Nicholas the IV. The Deed of the said Henry, whereby he gave this Church of [ 902] Whally with all its Rights, Liberties and Appurtenants, bears date in the year 1283. In the thirty fourth year of Edward the III. Henry Duke of [ 903] Lancaster, Earl of Derby, Lincoln, and Leicester, gave divers Lands to the Abbot and Convent of Whalley, for the maintaining of a Recluse, or Anchorite, and his Successors, dwelling in a place within the Church-yard of the Parish-Church of Whalley, and for two Women their Servants; who shall be there continually praying for the said Duke his Ancestors and Heirs, viz to find them every Week throughout the year fifteen Loaves of the Convent Bread, each Loaf weighing fifty shillings sterling, and seven Loaves of the second sort, of the same weight; eight Gallons of the best Ale of the Convent, and three pence for their Companage; to de∣liver them yearly at the Feast of all Saints ten Stock-fish, and ten great Ling fish, one bushel of Oats for their Potage, one bushel of Salt, two [ 904] Gallons of Oyl for their Lamps, one stone of Tallow for Candles, six Load of Turf, and one of Brushwood for Fuel, to keep their House in re∣pair, and to find one of their Monks and a Clark to say Mass in the Chap∣pel of the said Recluse, daily, &c.

The first Founder of this House, Iohn de Lacy, Constable of Chester and Lord of Halton married Alice Sister of William de Mandeville, and [ 905] died in the Holy Land. Of this Family was Henry de Lacy Founder of the Abby of Kirkstall (of whom before.)

NUNAPLETON, in Yorkshire. [ 907]

THIS Priory of Nuns was founded by Adeliza de Sancto-Quintino, and Robert her Son and Heir, dedicated to God, St. Mary, and St. Iohn the Apostle, and confirm'd by Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury. The [ 908] several Donations made by the Founders and other Benefactors to this [ 909] House were confirm'd by King Iohn, in the sixth year of his Reign. Among [ 910] the Injunctions prescribed to the Nuns of this House, An. 1489. These were some. That the Cloister Doors be shut up in Winter at Seven, and in Summer at Eight a Clock at night, and the Keys delivered to the Prioress. That the Prioress and all the Sisters lodge nightly in the Dorter, unless sick or diseased. That none of the Sisters use the Ale-house, nor the Water-side where course of Strangers daily resort. That none of the Si∣sters have their service of Meat and Drink to the Chamber, but keep the Frater and the Hall, unless sick. That no Sister bring in any Man, reli∣gious or secular, into their Chamber or any secret place day or night, &c. That the Prioress License no Sister to go Pilgrimage, or visit their Friends without great Cause, and then to have a Companion. That the Con∣vent grant no Corodies or Liveries of Bread, or Ale, or other Victual, to any Person, without special License. That they take no Perhendinauncers or Sojourners, unless Children, or old Persons, &c.

[Valued at 73 l. 9 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

CODENHAM Priory, in ...

COdenham was given to God, St. Mary, and St. Iohn, by Eustachius de Merch, for Nuns of the Profession and Order of the Nuns of Apeltun.

[ 911] BINEDON, in Dorsetshire.

FOunded An. 1172. by Roger de Novo Burgo and Matilda his Wife, endow'd with divers Lands by them and other Benefactors. All which was confirm'd to the Church of St. Mary of Bynedone and the [ 912] Monks there, by King Henry the III. in the eighteenth year of his Reign. Henry de Novo Burgo granted power to the Abbot and Monks to choose whom they pleased for their Patron, who thereupon chose King Henry the III. and Alianor the Queen for their Patrons, which King accordingly took to him the Patronage, Advowson, and Protection of this Abby in the fifty sixth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 147 l. 7 s. 9 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

CROXDEN, in Staffordshire.

BErtram de Verdun built an Abby for Monks at Chotes, Anno Dom. 1176. Anno 1179. The Convent removed from thence to Crokesden.

Abbots of this House.

• 1. Thomas, ob. 1229.
• 2. William de Choucomb.
• 3. William de Esseburn, ob. 1237.
• 4. Iohn de Tilton.
• 5. Walter de London, ob. 1268.
• 6. William de Howton, ob. 1278.
• 7. Henry de Moysam.
• 8. Iohn de Billesdon, ob. 1293.
• 9. Richard de Twiford, ob. 1297.

A vacancy of above seven Months.

• 10. William de Evera. Richard de Esseby restored 1320.
• 11. Richard de Esseby, displaced, 1313.
• 12. Thomas de Casterton.
• [ 913] 13. Richard de Schepesheved 1335.

The Founder of this House Bertram de Verdun died in the Holy Land, and was buried at Acon, but most of his descendants were buried in the Church of this Abby. Vid. Vol. 3. p. 40.

[Valued at 90 l. 5 s. 11 d. per Annum.]

[ 914] KELDEHOLM, in Yorkshire.

THE Abby at Keldeholm was founded for Nuns by William de Stutevill, and endow'd by the same William and several others of that Family. Confirm'd by King Iohn in the second year of his Reign.

[Valued at 29 l. 6 s. 1 d. per Annum.]

[ 916] PONT-ROBERT, or Roberts-Bridge, in Suffex.

FOunded for Monks by Robert de Sancto-Martino, in the Reign of King Henry the II. Anno Dom. 1176. Their Estate was confirm'd by King Edw. the III. in the tenth year of his Reign. Vid. Vol. 2. p. 920.

[Valued at 248 l. 10 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

WICKHAM, in Yorkshire.

THIS Nunnery was founded by Paganus de Wicham, whose Son [ 917] Theobald, Alan Buscell de Hoton, and the Prior of Bridlington, were Benefactors. King Iohn confirm'd their Estate in the 2 d. year of his Reign.

[Valued at 25 l. 17 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

[ 918] ABERCONWAY, in Carmarthenshire. Founded An. 1185.

THIS Abby of Monks was founded by Lewelin Son of Gervasius, Prince of North Wales, and by him endow'd not only with large Possessions in Lands, but with great Immunities and Priviledges, as to be [ 920] quit from maintaining for their Founder any Men, Horses, Dogs, or Hawks, to have the Election of their Abbot free to themselves, to have and enjoy Wreck of the Sea in all their Lands, to be Tole free, &c. Whose Grant bears date An. 1198. King Edward the I. in the twelfth year of [ 921] his Reign, translated this Abby from Aberconway to a place called Maynan which he had built to the honour of God, St. Mary, and all Saints, endowing it with Lands and Franchises.

[Valued at 162 l. 15 s. per Annum.]

[ 922] NUN-COTUN, in Lincolnshire.

INgeram de Muncels confirm'd the Gift of his Father Alan de Muncells of the Town of Cotun, and other Lands, to the Church of the blessed [ 923] Mary of Cotun and the Nuns there. Pope Alexander granted them divers [ 924] Priviledges, and Hugh Bishop of Lincoln settled the Constitutions of their House, ordering among other things, that the number of the Nuns should not exceed thirty, that no Nun after Profession should have property in any thing, that no Nun should be or speak with any Person, whether secular or religious, alone, without witness, &c.

[Valued at 46 l. 17 s. 7 d. per Annum.]

[ 925] DUNKEWELL, in Devonshire.

FOunded An. 1201. By William Briwer. Their Lands were confirm'd to the Monks of this Abby, by King Hen. III. in the 11th. year of his Reign.

[Valued at 294 l. 18 s. 6 d. per Annum.]

BEAU-LEIU, in Hampshire.

KING Iohn being offended with the Cistercian Order in England, and the [ 926] Abbots of that Order coming to him to reconcile themselves, he caused them to be trod under his Horses Feet, for which Action being terrified in a Dream, he built and endowed the Abby of Beau-leiu in Newforest, for thirty Monks of that Order, An. 1204.

Vid. Vol. 2. p. 921.

[Valued at 326 l. 13 s. 2 d. ob. q. per Annum.]

MENDHAM, in Buckinghamshire.

THIS was a Cell to Woburne, founded by Hugh de Bolebec, and con∣firmed [ 927] by King Iohn in the second year of his Reign. The Con∣vent of this Abby came hither from Woburne in the year 1204.

[Valued at 20 l. 6 s. 2 d. per Annum.]

GRACE-DIEU, in Wales.

THIS Abby was founded by Iohn of Monmouth An. 1229. or accord∣ing to others 1233. King Edw. 3. in the thirty fifth year of his Reign granted to this Abby the Hermitage of St. Briavello in the Forest of Dene for the finding and maintaining of a Chantery of two of their Monks, to celebrate there for the Souls of his Ancestors.

[ 928] HAYLES, in Gloucestershire.

ANon 1246. Richard Earl of Cornwall and King of the Romans founded this Abby of Hayles for twenty Monks who came from Beau-lieu. An. 1251. the Abby-Church was dedicated, the King, and Queen, and thirteen Bishops, being present at the Solemnity.

[Valued at 357 l. 7 s. 8 d. ob. per Annum.]

NEWENHAM, in Devonshire.

FOunded An. 1241. by Reginald de Moun, in his Mannor of Axemin∣ster, [ 929] with which and other Lands it was endowed. Confirmed by King Edw. 3. This Reginald de Mohun was the Son of Reginald Lord of [ 930] Dunsterre, and Alice Daughter of William Bruer, by whom he inherited the Mannor of Axeminster. See in the Book at large the Progeny of the noble Family of Mohuns.

Abbots of this House.

• Iohn Godard. [ 931]
• Henry Sper sholt. [ 932]
• Iohn de Ponte-Roberto.
• Ieffrey de Blanchvil.
• Hugh de Cokeswell.
• Iohn de Northampton.
• William de Cornubia.
• Richard de Chichestre.
• Richard de Piderton.
• William le Fria.
• Ralph de Shapewike.
• Robert de Puplysuirie.
• Iohn de Cokyswill.
• Iohn de Geytingtone, ob. 1338.
• Walter de Hous.

[Valued at 227 l. 7 s. 8 d. per Annum.

GRACE-DIEU, in Leicestershire. [ 933]

FOunded by Roesia de Verdun, for Nuns. Endow'd by her with her Mannor of Beleton, &c.

LETLEY, in Hampshire.

KING Henry the III. was-the Founder of this Abby of Letley, other∣wise call'd Locum Sancti Edwardi, and endow'd it with Lands in the thirty fifth year of his Reign.

[Valued at 100 l. 12 s. 8 d: per Annum.]

REWLEY, in the Suburbs of Oxford. [ 934]

THIS was founded in the year 1281. for Cistercian Monks, by Richard Earl of Cornwall, and King of the Romans, who endow'd this Abby with divers Lands. They were found by Inquisition to be ex∣empt from suit to the County and Hundred Courts. [ 935]

[Valued at 174 l. 3 s. ob. per Annum.]

DERNHALL, in Cheshire. [ 936]

KING Edward the I. founded and endow'd this Abby in performance of a Vow made in a great danger at Sea, his Deed of endowment bears date before he came to the Crown, in the four and fiftieth year of his Father's Reign. King Henry the III. granted his Letter of Request to all Religious Houses in England for the furnishing this House with Books. After King Edward came to the Crown in the seven and twentieth year of his Reign he translated these Monks to Vale-Royal, and granted them [ 937] many great Immunities and Franchises. [ 938]

Vid. 2. Vol. p. 921.

[The Abby of Vale-Royal was valued at 118 l. 7 s. 6 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 939] BOCLAND, in Devonshire.

FOunded by Amicia Countess of Devon, for Cistercian Monks; endowed by her and her Daughter Isabella de Fortibus Countess of Albemarl and Devon, with many Lands and Liberties. Confirm'd by King Edward [ 940] the II. Anno 4.

[Valued at 241 l. 17 s. 9 d. ob. per Annum.]

[ 942] HILTON, in Staffordshire.

ANno. 1223. Henry de Audiddeley founded and endow'd this Abby with many Lands and Liberties to hold in pure and perpetual [ 943] Almes. King Richard the II. in the 19th year of his Reign, at the request of Elizabeth relict of Sir Nicholas de Audley, Licensed the Abbot and Con∣vent of Blanchland in Normandy, to transfer to this House the Priory and Mannor of Cameryngham, which was thence forward united to this Abby.

[Valued at 75 l. 14 s. per Annum.]

The Abby of Grace, near the Tower at London.

KING Edward the III. founded this House in the Church-yard of the Holy Trinity near the Tower at London, and endow'd it with all the Messuages and Gardens lying on and about the Tower Hill, Anno Reg. 24. (1350.) Afterwards in the fiftieth year of his Reign he gave the [ 944] Mannor of Gravesend, and other Mannors in Kent to be settled upon this House. All which was after done and confirm'd by King Richard the II. Anno Regn. 22.

[Valued at 546 l. 10 s. per Annum.]

[illustration]

A CARTHVSIAN MONK

Vol 1 P. 949

Of the Carthusians.

[ 949] This Order was first founded, Anno Dom. 1080. By a certain learned man named Bruno, who professing Philosophy at Paris and hearing the dead Body of his Friend, who had the Esteem of a very good Man when living, cry out as they were about to bury him, Iusto dei judicio damnatus sum, he and six Companions forsook the World; and betook them∣selves to a most austere Life in a Desert and Melancholy Place call'd Cartusia, in the Diocess of Grenoble in France. Their inward Habit is of Hair-Cloath; they never eat flesh; on Fridays fast with Bread and Water; never stir out of their Monasteries, except the Prior and Procurator; observe al∣most continual silence; and suffer no Women to enter into any part of their Houses, no, not their Churches. See more of their Rules in the Monasticon at large.

WITHAM, in Somersetshire. [ 959]

KING Henry the II. founded this Monastery in the honour of the blessed Mary, St. Iohn Baptist, and all Saints, for the Order of Car∣thusians, and endow'd it with divers Lands and Franchises. Imprecating [ 960] on the Violator of that his pious Donation, the wrath of Almighty God, and his own Curse, unless the Party make Condign Satisfaction; but to all such as augment his Gift, or favour the Peace of the House, he wisht the Peace and Reward of the Eternal Father for ever.

HENTON, in Wiltshire.

ELa Countess of Sali••bury, Widow of William Longespee Earl of Salisbury, founded this Monastery in her Park of Henton, for Carthusians, to the honour of God, the blessed Mary, St. Iohn Baptist, and all Saints; and en∣dow'd it with Lands and Liberties.

King Henry the III. in the four and twentieth year of his Reign granted and confirm'd to this House the same Liberties and free Customs which his Grandfather King Henry the II. had formerly granted to the Carthusians of Witham, with other Exemptions.

The Carthusians in the Suburbs of London.

KING Edward the III. in the forty fifth year of his Reign granted [ 961] his License to Sir Walter Lord of Manny, to found this Monastery for

Carthusian Monks in a certain place without the Bars of West-Smithlsied, called Newe-cherche-hawe, which House was to be called la Salutation mere dieu, and to endow the same with twenty Acres of Land there adjoyning.

Pope Vrban, reciting that in the time of a great Pestilence Sir Walter Manny purchased this ground for a Church-yard to bury poor People in, and there intended to erect a Chappel and a Colledge of twelve Chaplains, by the License of Pope Clement the VI. but afterwards the said Sir Walter changing his intention, and erected here a Convent of Carthusians: the said Pope Vrban granted his Bull of License for uniting to the said House of Carthusians, Ecclesiastical Benefices to the value of 200 l. per Annum.

[ 962] BEAUVAL, or Bella-valle, in Nottinghamshire.

IN the year 1343. Nicholas de Cantilupo Lord of Ilkeston, by License of King Edward the III. founded this House in his Park of Gryseleve, in the County of Nottingham, for a Prior and twelve Carthusian Monks, to the glory of God, the blessed Virgin Mary, and all Saints, and endow'd it with Lands and Rents in Greseleye and Seleston.

[ 963] This Nicholas de Cantilupo was lineally descended from Robert de Muskam, Seneschal or Steward to Gilbert de Gaunt that famous Souldier in the Army of William the Conqueror, from which Gilbert the said Robert de Musk••m enjoy'd the Lordship of Ilkeston, conferr'd upon him in the Reign of King Henry the I.

Elizabeth Widow of Brian Stapleton Knt. and William Ryther Knt. and Sibilla his Wife, by License of King Richard the II. founded in this Church a Chantry, for the maintenance of two Chaplains, Monks of this House, to celebrate dayly for the Soul of William de Aldeburgh, &c.

St. ANNE, adjoyning to Coventry.

THIS was first founded in the year 1381. by William Lord de la Zowche, and first supplied with three Monks from the Carthusians [ 964] at London, and with three others from Bellevalle. Besides the said Lord Sowche they had many other Benefactors, as Richard Luff Mayor of Coven∣try, Iohn Holmeton of Sleford, Iohn Bokington Bishop of Lincoln, Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick, &c. who erected several parts of their Buildings. In the year 1385. King Richard the II. became the principal Founder, with his own hands laying the first Stone in the Foundation of their Church, protesting publickly to be the Founder and to finish the Buildings. [ 965] To this House were divers Churches appropriated and divers Lands given, among others the Mannor of Ediweston in the County of Rutland, by the Abbot and Convent of St. George de Bauquerville, in Normandy, with other Prior alians Lands, &c.

[ 966] KINGSTON upon Hull, in Yorkshire.

MIchael de la Pole Knt. Lord of Wingfeild, by his Deed dated at King∣ston upon Hull 1378. Founded and endowed this House without the Walls of Hull for a Prior and twelve Carthusians, Monks, in lieu of Minnoress

Nuns of the Order of St. Clare, as his Father in his life time had once in∣tended. The House was founded to the honour of God, and the glorious [ 967] Virgin Mary, and of St. Michael the Archangel, and all Angels, and holy Spi∣rits, St. Thomas the Martyr, late Archbishop of Canterbury, and of all other Saints of God. And by assent of the Prior of the Great Carthusians in Savoy, the chief House of the Order, Walter de Kele was by the Founder made the first Prior of this House.

Vid. 2. Vol. p. 930.

MOUNT-GRACE, in Yorkshire. [ 968]

THomas de Holland Duke of Surrey, Earl of Kent. and Lord Wake, sounded this House for Carthusians in his Mannor of Bordelby, near Cleaveland in Yorkshire, to the honour of God, the Virgin Mary, and St. Nicholas, willing the House to be called the House of Mount-Grace of Ingelby, and by assent of the Prior of the Grand Carthusians, made Robert Tredewy the first Prior of the same.

King Henry the VI. ratified and confirm'd this Foundation, in Parlia∣ment, in the ninteenth year of his Reign. [ 969]

EPWORTH, in the Isle of Axholme, in Lincolnshire.

KING Richard the II. in the twentieth year of his Reign granted his License of Mortmain to Thomas Earl of Nottingham Marshal of Eng∣land to found a Convent for Carthusian Monks on his Land at Epworth, in the lsle of Axholme, in Lincolnshire, and to name it the Visitation of the Mother of God, to the honour of God, the Virgin Mary, St. Iohn the Evangelist, and St. Edward the King and Confessor, and to endow the same with one hundred Acres of Land; Licensing also to the Abbot of St. Nicho∣las in Angiers. of the Order of St. Benedict, to grant over to this House their Priory of Monks Kirkeby, in Warwickshire, &c. to be appropriated to [ 970] these Carthusians for ever, in pure and perpetual Alms.

Pope Bonisace the IX. in the eighth year of his Pontificate granted In∣dulgence to such who should visit this Church of the Carthusians on the second of Iuly being the Feast of the Visitation of the blessed Mary, and con∣tribute [ 971] to the Buildings here.

This was a plenary Indulgence, and of the same manner with that which was formerly granted to the Church of the Angels without the Walls of Assisium in Italy, of which you may read in the Monasticon at large, p. 971, 972, &c.

SHEEN Monastery, in Surrey.

ANno Dom. 1414. King Henry the V. founded three Monasteries near [ 973] his Royal Seat at Schene, one of Carthusians, one of Celestin Monks professing the Rule of St. Bennet, and one of Brigettines under the Rule of St. Augustin. The last was a Monastery of sixty Nuns, thirteen Priests, four Deacons, and eight Lay-Brothers; the Men and Women had two separate Convents, but one Church, in which the Nuns kept above in a kind of Gallery, and the men below.

King Henry the V. by his Charter of Foundation dated in the third year [ 974] of his Reign, appointed the House of Carthusians, which he founded at Shene, on the North-side of his Mannor there, to be call'd the House of Jesus of Bethleem at Shene; and to this House he gave the Lands of [ 975] several Priors alians here in England, belonging to Abbies in France, granting in the said Charter that if any of the Lands so given should in time to come be evicted or recovered from the Prior and Monks of this House or their Successors, that then they should receive the like value yearly out of the Profits of the Hanaper in the Chancery, and out of the Customs arising in the Ports of London, St. Botulphs, Southampton, Lenn, and Cicester. [ 976] He gave also several other Benefactions, as the Fishery at Shene, four Pipes of Gascon Wine yearly at the Purification of the blessed Mary for ever, with divers great Liberties and Exemptions from all manner of Taxes and Impositions, granting to the said Prior, and Monks, and their Suc∣cessors Felons Goods, &c. and that they should have the return and exe∣cution [ 977] of Writs in their Lands, with fines pro Licencia Concordandi, and all Amerciaments &c. Deodands, Treasure-trove, &c. Clerk of the Mercate, Wreck of the Sea, &c. Free Warren in all their Demesnes and Lands al∣ready given or to be given, tho' within the Bounds of a Forest, Soc and Sac, Insangenthef, and Out fangenthef, and view of Frankpledge of all their Tenants and Residents, with a Pillory and Tumbrel, and that they may erect Gallows on their Lands for the execution of Malefactors, whom they should apprehend on their Lands according to the said Liberty of Infangenthef and Outfangenthef, and that they should have a Market weekly every Tuesday at their Town of Esthenreth in Berkshire, and two Fairs yearly, with other such like great Priviledges and Immunities.

Additions, relating to the Benedictine Order. [ 979]

WINCHESTER Cathedral Church. Supra p. 38.

SOme Remarks of the Founder and Royal Benefactors to the Church of Winchester, Kings and Saints buried there, out of Leyland. Pope In∣nocent confirmed to this Church all their Possessions with the grant of di∣vers [ 980] Priviledges, as not to pay any Tithes for their Lands or Cattle in [ 981] their own proper hands, to celebrate Divine Offices in the time of a general Interdict, with a low Voice, &c. King Edgar restored Monks in this [ 982] Church confirming their Possessions and Liberties with grievous Curses to the Violators. King Edward the Elder conferr'd on them certain Lands to hold free from any secular service except what related towards the building of Forts and Bridges.

SHAFTESBURY, in Dorsetshire. Supra 217. [ 983]

KING Iohn in the seventh year of his Reign confirm'd to the Church of St Mary, and St. Edward at Shaftesbury, and to the Nuns there, their Lands and Liberties, among which was the whole hundred of the Mannor of Bradford, &c.

St. FRIDISWIDE, in Oxford. Supra 174.

THE Possessions of this House were enjoy'd by secular Canons for many years, till in the year 1122. (22 H. 1.) they were again re∣stored [ 984] to Regulars. Maud the Empress confirm'd to the Church of St. Fritheswithe and the Canons Regulars, divers Lands and Churches, and granted them a Fair. The like did King Iohn in his first year. [ 985]

St. WERBURG, at Chester. Supra 199.

ANno 1119. Richard Earl of Chester confirm'd the Possessions of this House given by many Benefactors, granting to the Abbot of this Monastery a Court of Pleas, and that the said Abbot should not be sued nor be forced to sue out of his own Court. Ralph de Meschines Earl of [ 986] Chester, and his Son of the same name, were great Benefactors to the Abbot and Convent of St. Werburg; so also were Richard de Rullos and Robert his Brother. [ 987]

WHITBY, in Yorkshire. Supra 75. [ 988]

WIlliam de Percy having built and endow'd in a Grove or Wood at Dunesle, a Hermitage in honour of St. Iames the Apostle, he

gave it for ever into the Obedience and Subjection of the Church of St. Peter and St. Hylda of Whitby, so that they continually cellebrate the Divine Office there by some Priest of their House.

WULVERHAMTON, in Staffordshire.

IN this Town of Hampton, one Wulfruna, a religious Matron erected a Monastery to the honour of God, the ever blessed Virgin Mary (then term'd Stella maris & Domina gentium) and of all Saints, and endow'd the same with divers Lands, all which was ratified and establisht by Sigerich [ 991] Archbishop of Canterbury, in the year 996, by the Consent of King Ethelred. The Estate of this House was afterwards confirm'd by King Edward the [ 992] Confessor, King William the Conqueror, King Henry the II. and King Iohn, who gave Timber out of his Woods towards the buildings in this Abby.

[ 993] GLOUCESTER, in Gloucestershire. Supra 108.

GLoucester became a Bishop's Seat in the year 189. soon after the Con∣version of King Lucius. Eldadym in the year 489. and Dubricius in the year 522. were Bishops there. But the Seat was afterwards removed to Menevia, now call'd St. Davids. Wolpherus Son of Penda King of Mercia, according to Malmesbury, laid the first Fonndations of the Monastery here, after whose death Ethelred his Brother and Successor carried on the Work, committing it to the care of Osric, who for this purpose he made his Prorex or Lieutenant of this Province. This House was first a Nunnery [ 994] and continued such under three Abbesses successively. Afterwards Bernul∣phus King of Mercia, placed here secular Canons, who, though Clerks and Preachers, were married-men, and differ'd not much in their Habit from secular Christians; thus it continued till in the year 1022. King Canutus displaced the Canons, and in their room put Regular Monks of St. Bene∣dicts Order. This Monastery being afterwards burnt down, Aldredus Bi∣shop of Worcester rebuilt it in the time of King Edward the Confessor, some∣thing distant from the place where it first stood, and more to the outside of the Town. It was twice destroy'd by fire since the Conquest, viz. in the years 1214. and 1223. in the Reigns of Henry the III. and Edward the I. The Buildings in and about this Church were increased and beautified by [ 995] several Abbots of this Monastery, as Thomas Seabrook, Richard Haulaces; and Parker, who was the last Abbot here, and built the South Porch of this Church.

TAVISTOCK, in Devonshire Supra 219.

IN the time of King Edgar, Earl Otdulphus Son of Ordgarus begun this [ 996] House in a place appointed by Revelation; finisht and confirm'd in the [ 998] time of King Ethelred, An 981. Pope Celestine in the year 1193. granted [ 1001] to this Abby divers Priviledges and Exemptions. In the year 1304. The Prior of Plympton, of the Order or St. Augustin, did oblige himsel•• and Suc∣cessors to the Abbot of Tavestock and his Successors for the performance

of divers Services and Offices in his Deed mentioned. King Henry the VIII. [ 1003] in the fifth year of his Reign granted to Richard Banham then Abbot of Tavistock and his Successors to be Lords of Parliament, and to enjoy all Honours and Priviledges of such; and moreover in case they should at any time be absent from Parliament on the Affairs of their House he pardon'd such their absence, they paying for every whole Parliament that they shall be absent five Marks.

NORWICH. Supra 413.

HErbert Bishop of Norwich translated the Monks hither from Thetford. This Bishop besides the Church at Norwich, caused to be built the Churches at Elmham, Lyn, and Yarmouth, and died An. 1119. [ 1004]

STOKE-CLARE. Supra 535.

RIchard de Clare Earl of Hertford gave to this House the Hermitage of Standune, that Divine Service might be there celebrated for him and his. The Donations and Endowments given to this House were con∣firm'd by Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury; and by Pope Alexander, [ 1005] Anno Dom. 1174. [ 1010]

St. Mary de Pratis, at Northampton. [ 1011]

THIS was a Priory of Cluniac Nuns founded by Simon de St. Liz, Earl of Northampton, which Foundation, and all the Lands given thereunto as well by the said Earl Simon as others, was all at large recited and confirm'd by the Charter of King Edward the III. in the second year of his Reign. Which may be seen from p. 1011. to p. 1019.

[Valued at 119 l. 9 s. 7 d. q. per Annum.]

PILLA Priory, in Wales. [ 1019]

ADam de Rupe founded here a Priory for Benedictine Monks of Tiron, which Priory he endow'd with divers Lands and Liberties. Dedi∣cated to God, St. Mary, and St. Budoco.

HENINGHAM, in Essex. [ 1020]

FOunded and endow'd for Benedictine Nuns, by Abericus de Ver, Earl of Oxon, and dedicated to God, St. Mary, St. Iames, and the holy Cross. Hugh de Ver Earl of Oxford founded without the Gates of the Castle of Hegham, an Hospital for poor and impotent People; which that it might [ 1021] not be to the prejudice of the Priory of the holy Cross at Hegham, nor to the Parish-Church there, was to be govern'd by certain Ordinances then made, among others, that the said Hospital should pay Tithes as well

great as small to the Parish Church, and that the Chaplains of the said Hospital before they are admitted, should swear fealty to the Prioress of that Priory.

[Valued at 29 l. 12 s. 10 d. per Annum.]

LAPLEY, in Staffordshire, a Cell to St. Remigius, at Rhemes. [ 1022]

GIven by Algarus an Earl of England; the Appropriations belonging to this Priory were allow'd by Walter Bishop of Coventry and Litchfeild, [ 1023] Anno 1319. King Edward the I. in the twentieth year of his Reign, granted to the Abbot and Convent of St. Remigius at Rhemes, a Market in their Mannor of Aston in Staffordshire on the Tuesday, weekly, and a yearly Fair on the Eve and Day of St. Peter Ad vincula; with free Warren in their Demesnes of Lapley, Merston, and Aston.

TOTNES, in Devonshire.

JVhellus Son of Alured gave the Religious House here for a Cell to God and the holy Martyrs St. Sergius. and St. Bachus, and to the Abbot of that Monastery at Angiers in France That they should pray for the good Estate of King William the Conqueror while living, and after his death for his Soul, and for him the said Iuhellus and all his Relations.

[ 1024] BARNSTAPLE Priory of St. Mary Magdalen, in the Diocess of Exeter.

THIS was founded for a Prior and six Monks; given by the said Iuhellus, and confirm'd by King William the Conqueror to the Cluniac Monks of the Abby of St. Martin de Campis at Paris. The Church of St. Peter at Barnstaple was apppropriated to this Priory by [ 1025] William Bishop of Exeter, by Deed dated, An. 1233. The same William Bishop of Exeter did also by his Deed recite and confirm the Lands and Priviledges given to this Priory by Ioel Son of Alured, before named.

The Priory of St. James without the Walls at Exeter, for a Prior and four Monks. Supra 643.

THIS Priory, with divers Lands and Priviledges, were given by Baldewin de Riveriis Earl of Exeter, to the foresaid Cluniac Monks [ 1026] of St. Martins Abby at Paris,

The Priory of St. Clare, in Wales.

FOR a Prior and three Monks. This was given with nine Houses at Lundon, by William Giffard Bishop of Winchster, to the foresaid Clunia•• Monks of St. Martins Abby at Paris. Confirm'd by King Hen. the I.

SWINE Abby, in Yorkshire. Supra p. 834.

MAtilda Prioress of Swine, and the Convent of Nuns there, did cove∣nant with Sir Alexander Hilton, Knight, who had given them nine Bovates of Land in Swine, that in case the said Sir Alexander should die in the year 1241. or in the second year after, that then three Bovates of [ 1027] the nine should return back to the Heirs of the said Sir Alexander; in case he die in the third year, then six of the said Bovates should return to the Heirs of the said Knight, but in case the said Sir Alexander should keep the said Nuns indempnified for the said three years, then the Nuns to give back the said Land with the Deed of Feoffment after the expiration of the term of six years, &c.

BYLAND, in Yorkshire. Sup. 775.

THE History of the Foundation of this Abby was writ at large by Phillip the third Abbot of this House; and is in short as follows, In the Reign of King Henry the I. Anno Dom. 1134. After the Foundation of the Abby of Furnes, whose Monks came from Savigny in France, an Abbot and Convent of twelve Monks went from the Abby of Furnes, to Cald in Copland, then newly erected, the Abbots name was Geraldus; here they remained for about four years, till in the year 1137. being plunder'd and their House almost wholly destroy'd, they were forced to return back to Furnes, but being refused entrance there, and distrest for want of a [ 1028] Habitation, they were partly through the recommendation of Thurstan Archbishop of York, and partly out of pitty to their Condition, relieved by Gundrea relict of Nigellus de Albeney, and Roger de Molbray her Son; which Roger settled them for a time at a place call'd H••de, a Hermitage be∣longing to one Robert de Alneto a Hermit; who upon their arrival resign'd the place to them, and became a Monk among them, this was in the year 113•• The said Roger gave these Monks for their maintenance the Tithe of all the Provision spent in his House, for the collecting of which they had a Lay-brother (Conversus) always remaining in his House, who collected the said Tithe, and sent it to the Monastery; but this being found, in time, inconvenient, was not long after chang'd into an Endowment of Land, An. 1140. After this Abbot, Geraldus seeing the Estate of his Mo∣nastery encrease, and fearing that the Abbot of Furnes would claim it, by [ 1029] reason that he and his Convent came from thence at first, and had there∣fore a kind of filial Relation, tho' they were since refused assistance from thence, when in distress, hereupon he made a Journey to Savigny, the Mo∣ther House of Furnes, and obtain'd from the Abbot there in a general Chapter of the whole Order (An. 1142.) to be discharged of all subjection to Furnes, and to be immediately subject to Savigny. This Abbot Geral∣dus dying in his return home, Roger then Master of the Novices, was un∣animously chosen Abbot, and so confirm'd by the Archbishop of York, at the Presentation of Roger Molbray their Patron. After this the Abbot of Fur∣nes placed another Abbot and Convent at Cald. An. 1143. Roger de Molbray gave to these Monks the Town and Church of Bellalanda, or Biland, with the Appurtenants, whether they afterward removed their Habitation. When Abbot Roger perceived the Inhabitants of Scalton (a Vill belonging to Biland) to suffer divers Inconveniencies in coming to the Mother [ 1030]

〈…〉〈…〉.

THE Allen Priories, supprest in the second year of Henry the V. [ 1035] An. Dom. 1414. were in number one hundred and forty two, whose names see in the Book at large.

The Religious Houses supprest by Pope 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the VII. and granted to [ 1037] Cardinal Wolsey by King Henry the VIII. in the seventeenth year of his Reign for the building of two Colledges, at Oxford and Ipswich, were in number one and twenty; and afterwards six more by another Bull of the same Pope, which were granted also to the said Cardinal for the same pur∣pose, by King Henry the VIII. in the twentieth year of his Reign.

An exact Catalogue of the Religious Houses was made in the twenty [ 1038] sixth year of King Henry the VIII.* 1.3 with the Annual Values of almost [ 1046] all of them, as well in Wales as England. Which Catalogue was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 incerted into the Books of First Fruits and Tenths.

Out of which Catalogue I have set down the Valuation of the Annual Rents of each House, under the proper Head, in the foregoing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 except some few not then valued.

Having said something in the beginning, of the Institution of the Mo∣nastical [ 1047] Life, I shall here add what Opinion Men had of the Subversion of Monasteries, even among Protestants.

The Augustine Confession, says, That Monasteries were heretofore Schools of sacred Learning, advantagious to the Church, and that Pastors and Bishops came from thence. Calvin in his Institutions, says, Monastick Colledges were then as Seminaries of the Ecclesiastick Order; and gives a very great Encomium of their manner of Life and Piety, Charity to the Poor, and Humanity, out of St. Augustines Epistles.

Hyperius says, That Monasteries at their Institution were no other than Convents of Good men, and Students; Schools where the Elder did teach the younger Religion, where they did spend their time in writing, and disputing, and instituting those who afterwards arrived to eminent places in the Church, as to be Bishops or Priests, &c. William Perkins, says, That [ 1048] the Monasteries of the Ancients were for the most part Publick Schools, that is, Communities of Teachers and Learners.

The Preamble of the Stat. 27 H. 8. c. 28. (omitted in the printed Act,) for the Suppression of certain Religious Houses, (viz. under the value of 200 l. per Annum) hath these Words, Forasmuh as manifest sin is dayly used, and commonlycommitted in such little and small Abbies and Priories, &c. where the Congregation of such religious Persons is under the number of twelve persons, &c. Considering also that divers and great solemn Monasteries of this Realm, where∣in, thanks be to God, Religiou is well kept and observed, be destitute of such full numbers of religious Persons as they might and may keep, &c. Therefore the said lesser Monasteries were dissolved, and their Lands given to the King.

Sir Edward Coke, in his 4th. Institut. p. 44. says, In the Reign of Henry [ 1049] the VIII. the Members of both Houses of Parliament were informed•• on the King's behalf, That no King or Kingdom was safe but where the King had ability to live of his own, and to defend his Kingdom upon any sud∣den Invasion or Insurrection, &c. It was therefore projected, that if the Par∣liament would give unto him all the Abbies, Priories, Nunneries, &c. that for ever in time then to come, he would take order that the same should not be converted to private use, but first that his Exchequer for the Pur∣poses aforesaid should be enriched. 2dly. The Kingdom strengthened by a continual maintenance of forty thousand well trained Souldiers with skillful Captains and Commanders. 3dly. for the Benefit and Ease of the Subject, who should never afterwards in any time to come, be charged with Subsidies, Fifteenths, Loans, or other common Aides. 4thly, Least the honour of the Realm should receive any diminution (there being nine and twenty Lords of Parliament among the Abbots and Priors, who held of the King per Baroniam) the King would create a number of Nobles. The said Monasteries and their Possessions were given to the King, his Heirs and Successors. Now observe the Catastrophe; not long after the disso∣lution of the Monasteries, the said King demanded and had two Subsidies, and exacted divers Loans.

There were in the Reign of Henry the VIII. 645. Monasteries and Re∣ligious Houses, forty of which being granted to Cardinal Wolsey for the Endowment of his two Colledges: Soon after, as the Pope had given these to the Cardinal, the King with the Parliaments assent took the rest. An. 1536. those under 200 l. per Annum, were granted, amounting to 376, and soon after the Remainder, being in all 605 Monasteries. Besides them, were given 96 Colledges, 110 Hospitals, and 2374 Chantries and free Chappells. The Revenue of all which, is wisht to have been bestow'd for the Advancement of the Church, Relief of the Poor, &c. rather than

conferr'd with such a prodigal Dispensation on those who stood ready to [ 1050] devour what was sanctified. To this purpose one Henry Brinklow a Merchant of London, made a Complaint to the Parliament of the Abuse that follow'd in relation to Appropriations, which as he said were the best Benifices, and did amount to the third part of all the Parish Churches in England. Touching the Alms (says he) that they dealt, and the Hospitality that they kept, every man knoweth that many thousands were well received of them, and might have been better, if they had not so many Great mens Horses to feed, and had not been overcharged with such idle Gentle∣men as were never out of the Abbies. But now that all the Abbies with their Lands and Impropriated Parsonages are in Temporal mens hands, where 20 l was given formerly to the poor yearly, in more than one hundred places in England, is not one meals meat given; where they had always one or other Vicar that either preached or hired some to preach, now there is no Vicar at all, but the Farmer is Vicar and Parson too.

[ 1051] The Lord Herbert in his History of Hen. VIII. says, That the King was petition'd that some of the Houses, both for the Vertue of the Persons in them, and for the Benefit of the Country, (the Poor receiving thence great Relief, and the richer sort good Education for their Children) might be left for pious Uses; Bishop Latimer also moved that two or three might for those ends be left in every Shire. But Cromwell (by the King's per∣mission) invaded all. However the King thought fit to have this Pro∣ceeding confirm'd by Act of Parliament. But the Christian World (says my Lord Herbert) was astonisht at these doings. Beside the Houses and Lands taken away, there was much mony made of the present Stock of Cattle and Corn, of the Timber, Lead, Bells, &c. and chiefly of the Plate and Church Ornaments, which is not valued, but may be conjectured by that one Monastery of St. Edmunds Bury, whence was taken five thousand Marks of Gold and Silver, besides divers Stones of great Value.

The End of the First Volum.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Folio 1.
• * 1.2

  Marmonstier in Tourain.
• * 1.3

  ••s{que} ad