third Bishop of Worcester founded this Monastery 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 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 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 places appropriated to their several Offices 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 Egelwinus Walterus Robertus Mauricius Reginaldus Willielmus de Andivilla 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 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 Liberties 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 the honour of the glorious Virgin Mary Robert Fiz-Hamon in the year 1102. new built this Church and Monastery 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 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 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 Beauchamp Duke of Warwick were Benefactors to this Abby their pious gifts being all confirm'd and ratified by the King 1462. 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 Saxons 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 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 All which was confirm'd to them by Offa King of Mercia in the year 793. and by Withlaf King of Mercia in the year 833. 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 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 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 Benefactor to this Church and augmented the number of the Prebendaries 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 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 that the men of Rippon should be believed by their yea and by
several other Lands and Tithes The like was done by others of that Family and Iohn Bishop of Norwich St. MARY de PRATO near St. Albans THIS was a small Nunnery given with certain Lands by Garinus Abbot of St. Albans for the maintenance of Leprous Nuns Confirm'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 Henry de Albaneio and Cecilia his Wife and several of their Descendants were great Benefactors to this Cell of St. Mary of Sopewell and so was Richard de Tany 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 Coverâ—eu c. Valued at 40 l. 7 s. 10 d. per Annum 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 saw her face tho' they lived together four years Roger died and was buried in the Abby-Church of St. Albans but Christina surviving became 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. 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 oâ— 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 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 Licente 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 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 impowring 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 â—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 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 confirm'd to the Monks here all their Lands and Liberties with a formal 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 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 Patrons 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 during 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. 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 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 of the foresaid Warinus in pure and perpetual Alms. This was in the Reign of King William the Conqueror Valued at 29 l.
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 Langely 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 Prâ—ory THE Nunnery here dedicated to St. Leonard was founded and endowed 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 Patrons 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 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 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 de Mandevilia Earl of Essex He was Grandson of Ieoffrey who came into England with the Norman Conqueror and was of most signal 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. 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 High-way which place was chosen as more proper for the relief of Travellers and for Hospitality 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 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 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 Heirs General to one Ieffrey Fitz-Peter who disseiz'd the Monks of what Earl William had given them and kept the Estate from them a great while 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 particulars may be seen in the Book at large Yet did Gaufridus de Mandavilla 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 Endowment was confirm'd by several of his Descendents also by King Steven and King Henry the II. And King Edward the III. in the seventeeth year of his Reign Licensed William de Bohun Earl of Northampton to give and annext the Priory of Bereden in Essex as a Cell to this Abby Valued at 372 l. 18 s. 1 d. per Annum BROMFEILD in Shropshire 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 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 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 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 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 which was confirm'd by his Son and Grandson and also by Pope Innocent 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 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
were the Benefactors to this House among whom Gilbertus de Gant Roger de 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 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 BRURE in Oxfordshire Founded An. 1147. KING Henry the III. Roger Earl of Warwick and others were Benefactors 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. RIchard de Bulli and Richard Fitz Turgis were joint Founders of this Abby Besides those of the Family of Bully the Monks here were endow'd with Lands and Revenues by other Benefactors among whom 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. â—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 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 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. Matilda de Percy Countess of Warwick Daughter or the said William was a great Benefactress to this Abby and gave them the Church of Tadcaster and was accounted a second Founder Agnes de Percy her Sister and Heiress did add to her bounty William Vavasor gave and confirm'd 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 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 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 Progenitors 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. 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 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 Land at Saltre and with all the Marish Ground between that and Witlemare and in Witlemare c. With very large Immunities and Franchises such as his Ancestor Iudith Countess of Huntington Neice of the Conqueror had formerly obtain'd of her said Unkle for this Town and 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 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 Controversie arising between the Abbot of Ramsey and the Abbot of Saltre about their Rights in Withlesmare and Vlbemare the matter was determin'd by a final Concord before the Kings Justices at Huntedon Anno 3. Rich. 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 a Town call'd Bernolswick but this place proving to these Monks very inconvenient 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 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 Radulfus Hageth and after him Abbot Lambert to whom succeed Abbot Helias who at first was refused by the then Patron Roger de Lacy but became 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 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
the Order of St. AUGUSTIN DOVER in Kent JVlius Caesar having Conquer'd Britain now call'd England forty seven years before the Birth of Christ built a Tower at Dover where the Castle now stands In the year of Grace 180 King Lucius then reigning in Britain became a Christian under Pope Elutherius and among other Pious Deeds built a Church in the Castle of Dover An. 469 King Arthur repair'd the said Castle and built the Hall there call'd Arthur's-hall After this the Saxons came out of Germany Conquer'd Britany beat the Britons into Wales who afterwards were call'd Welchmen and the Saxons Englishmen and being Pagans demolisâ—t Churches and supprest Christianity throughout the Land An. 586. Pope Gregory sent St. Augustin the Monk with others into England who converted to Christ the King then reigning in Kent named Adelbert whose Son and Successor Adelbold placed twenty four Secular Canons in the said Castle to serve in his Chappel there An. 686 Withred King of Kent built the Church of St. Martin in the Town of Dover and removed the said Canons thither from the Castle here they remain'd 400 years after He built also three other Churches for the use of the Parishoners which were however Chappels subordinate to St. Martins But these Canons being very licentious by reason of their great Priviledges and Exemptions from the ordinary Jurisdiction King Henry the I. in 1130. did give the said Church of St. Martin to the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Successors and tho' William Corboil then Archbishop built the New Minster and design'd to have made it an Abby of Canons of St. Augustin yet after his death Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury in the Reign of Henry the II. put Monks of St. Bennet therein The said King Henry the II. by his Charter subjecting the Government of this House to the Archbishop of Cantebury intirely and that no other Order but that of St. Bennet should be herein King Edward the III. in the thirtieth year of his Reign did unite and annex this House to the Priory of Christ-Church in Canterbury for ever so that none for the future should be Prior here but a Monk of Canterbury Valued at the Suppression at 170 l. 14 s. 11 d. ob per Annum BODMYN in Cornwall KING Henry the III in the seven and fiftieth year of his Reign confirm'd to the Prior and Canons of Bodmine the Mannor of Newton in the County of Devon formerly given them by King Eadred with Exemption from suit to the County of Devon and Hundred of Shefbury c. Valued at 270 l. o s. 11 d. per Annum St. GERMAINS in Cornwall IT was found by Inquisition in the thirtieth of Edw. the III. That King Canute endow'd this Church and that here was then a Bishops Seat for Cornwall which was after united to Cryditon and in the Reign of Edward the Confessor removed from thence to Exeter and that soon after Leofricus then Bishop of Exeter did remove from hence the Secular Canons and did found here a Priory of Canons Regular and that hereupon the Bishops of Exeter for the time being became Patrons of this Priory and enjoy'd the Profits of the Vacations of the said Priory when they happened Valued at 243 l. 8 s. per Annum PLIMTON in Devonshire HERE was formerly a Colledge consisting of a Dean and four Prebendaries founded by some of the Saxon Kings which Canons or Prebendaries were displaced by Wil. Warwist Bishop of Exeter because they would not leave their Concubines and a Priory of Canons Regulâ—â— erected here which Priory was founded in the Mansion-house of the Rectory of the said Church of Plimpton and the said Foundation confirm'd by King Hen. the I. who also granted and confirm'd to the Canons there divers Lands Liberties and Immunities Among other Benefactors to this Priory King Edgar gave them divers Lands for the Maintenance of two Canons ad divina ibidem celebranda pro peregrinis aliis hospitandis Afterwards King Edward the I. granted to the said Canons that for the future they might appoint and place in the Church of Landoho where the said Revenue did arise a Secular Vicar and Chaplain to celebrate there and to perform the said Alms and Hospitality nomine dictorum Prioris Canonicorum Valued at 912 l. 12 s. 8 d. ob per Annum WALTHAM in Essex THIS Monastery was built to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the holy Cross by Earl Harold afterwards King who endow'd the same with divers Lands and Goods All which were confirm'd with the Grant of great Liberties by King Edward the Confestor An. Dom. 1062. Which Harold being slain in Battle by William the Conqueror was buried in this Abby-Church An. Dom. 1177. The Secular Canons here were removed and Canons Regular placed in their room by King Henry the II. who confirm'd their Estate and Liberties and ordain'd that in the said Abby no Kinsman of the Abbot should be made Steward or other Officer nor any Officer to hold his place by Inheritance but removable at the Will of the Abbot and Canons The like Confirmation was made by King Richard Valued at 900 l. 4 s. 3 d. per Annum PENTNEY in Norfolk FOunded to the honour of God the glorious Virgin Mary and the blessed Mary Magdalen by Robert de Vauz and by him endow'd with divers Lands and Churches This Robert came into England with the Conqueror from whom descended by an Heir General the Lords Roos who became thereupon Patrons of this Priory Valued at 170 l. 4 s. 9 d. per Annum WALSINGHAM in Norfolk GAlfridus de Favarches endowed a Chappel here which his Mother had founded in honour of the perpetual Virgin Mary with divers Revenues confirm'd by Robert Brucutt and Roger Earl of Clare The Chappel here was first begun in the Reign of Edward the Confessor but the Canons introduced in the time of William the Conqueror Here was a perpetual Chantry establisht for the Souls of Thomas de Felton c. in the Chappel of St. Ann in the Priory consisting of four Chaplains 8. R. 2. Valued at 391 l. 11 s. 7 d. per Annum THREMHALE in Essex GIlbert de Montefixo or Munfichet who was a Roman by birth and Kinsman to the Conqueror came into England in his Army and having attained large Possessions here gave Land in Thremhale for the building a Religious House with some small Possessions and returning to Italy the place of his Nativity lest issue Richard de Munfichet who gave to God and the Church of St. Iames the Apostle at Thremhale divers Lands and Priviledges from this Richard are descended by an Heir General the Veres Earls of Oxford who became Benefactors to this House Valued at 60 l. 18 s. 7 d. ob per Annum The Priory of Huntington EVstachius the Viscount who also held the Barony of Lovetot founded the Priory of St. Mary of Huntingdon and endow'd it with divers Lands confirm'd by King Henry the I. In the Town of
therein transcribed could not upon diligent Search be otherwise recovered Further this Book is of use to enlighten and assiâ—â— the young Student of 〈◊〉 Common Laws it shewing in divers parts of it the Commencemenâ—â— of â—enures the Nature and manner of Corrodies Appropriations Endowmenâ— of Vicarages Reservation of Services upon Grants in Frankalmoine or upon Tenures by Divine Service the old Ways of tithing Conveyancing and something of Pleading It is also useful in History giving us a lively Idea of the manner of our Forefathers way of Living their Zeal for Gods Publick Worship as then profest and the Simplicity of their Devotions and of the great Charity to the Poor and Hospitality and Beneficence to all Comers maintain'd and exercised in the Monasteries But these things have been thought faults and therefore I will mention no more of that but observe in the last place that this Book is of great use in matters of Heraldry and Genealogies there being few or none among the Great Families and old Nobility of England who have not been Founders or Principal Benefactors to some Monastery or Religious House and the Monks and Canons have for the most part taken special Care to record in the Leiger Book of their respective Houses the History of their Founder's and Patron 's Family setting down their several Matches and Issue and often-times the day of their Births and Deaths with the most remarkable Circumstances of their Lives and where buried which seems also to be done at the time when every thing happen'd or soon after and is therefore of greater Credit In this Work we must note that the Author saies nothing of the four Orders of Fryers viz. The Franciscans or Gray-Friers the Dominicans or Black-Friers the Carmelites or White-Friers and the Augustine Friers the Reason was I suppose because their Houses generally speaking were not endow'd with Lands and Revenues but they subsisted for the most part by daily and accidental Charities Thus much of the Book at large now as to this Abridgment or Epitome I have only this to say It gives you a short view in English of the Principal and as I thought most material Passages of what is contain'd in Latin and sometimes old French in the three great and copious Tomes of the Monasticon Anglicanum The Names of Persons and Places â—â—ing variously written according to the different Orthography of several Ages and Writer I have not thought convenient to alter the ancient way of spelling but have transcribed them here in the same variety as I found 'em there In the Margin I have exactly observed and markt out the Pages successively in order that so the Reader may have a ready recourse to the Book at large for a fuller and more particular Information And in my opinion this is the best use that can be made of any Abridgment namely to serve as a larger and better sort of Table which not only represents the substance of a voluminous Author in little but refers and directs the Reader to the place where the Subjects is more expresly handled On the whole you have here a short Historical Account of the Foundation of all the Principal Churches and Religious Structures in England and Wales as well those that were demolisht at the Suppression of the Monasteries as those that are still in being except Parish Churches And here we must note that of all those Cathedral Churches and Episcopal Seats whose venerable Fabricks we behold at this day some were formerly Abbies where the Prior and Convent of Monks were the Bishops Chapter such were Canterbury Rochester Winchester Ely Norwich Worcester Durham Carlile and in such Churches where there was a Bishop the Superior of the Monks was always call'd a Prior the Bishop being in effect the Abbot others never were Abbies but the Chapter did always consist of a Dean and Secular Canons or Prebendaries as at present such were York London Lincoln Salisbury Exeter Wells Litchfield Herefored Chichester and in Wales St. Davids Landaff Bangor and St. Asaph Besides these there were five new Bishopricks erected by King Henry VIII in certain Ahbies after their dissolution viz. Peterborough Oxford Chester Glocester and Bristol whose Churches were left standing with some of their old Buildings for the Habitation of the Bishop Dean and Chapter c. for which see the Statutes 31 H. 8. ch 9. 34 H. 8. ch 17. Westminister-Abby was also made an Episcopal Seat but that continued so but a while Some other Monastick Churches were made Parochial and are still in being as St. Albans St. Mary Overies Royston c. to conclude I think I may not unfitly apply to my present undertaking the words used on the like occasion in the Second Book of Maccabees ch 2. v. 23. All these things I say being declared by Iason of Cyrene in five Books we will essay to abridge in one Volum For considering the infinite number and the difficulty which they find that desire to look into the Narrations of the Story for the variety of the Matter we have been careful that they that will read might have delight and they that are desirous to commit to memory might have ease and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit To stand upon every point and to go over things at large and to be curious in particulars belongeth to the first Author of the Story But to use Brevity and avoid much labouring of the Work is to be granted to him that will make an Abridgment Here then will we begin the story only adding thus much to that which hath been said that it is a foolish thing to make a long Prologue and to be short in the Story it self MONASTICON ANGLICANUM ABRIDGED VOL. I. OF THE Benedictine Monks CLUNIACS CISTERSIANS and CARTHUSIANS Of the first Institution of Monks THose who have writ of this Subject have produced for Examples of the Monastick Life out of the Old Testament Samuel Elias and the Sons of the Prophets and out of the New St. Iohn the Baptist and our Saviour Christ himself who exhorted his disciples to leave all Secular concerns and follow him After his Ascention the Apostles and Disciples lived in common But after the Apostles were martyr'd some Christians retain'd Property others still endeavour'd to continue the Apostolick Life and live in Common such were the Monks in Egypt Anthony Hilarion Macarius c. After them St. Ierome St. Augustin till at last St. Benedict in the year 516. at Mount-Cassin writ his Rule which was approved by the whole Church Of the Rules of Monks and other Religious Persons there have been several Authors some of the Principle were St. Basil who writ his Rule for Monks Anno Dom. 350. St. Angustin Bishop of Hippo made a Rule for Canons Regular Anno Dom. 400. St. Benedict before-mention'd about Anno 516. St. Bruno for Carthusians An. 1083. Robert an Abbot in Burgundy instituted the Cistercians An. 1098. Norbert the Premonstratenses An. 1120. In the same
such to the Almoner such to the 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 Footmen 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 The Names of the Sacristans of BVRT 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 Abbot of Thorney 14 Richardus de Insula chosen Abbot of Burton and at last Abbot here 1233. 15 Dominus de Newport 16 Georgius first Precentor then Sacristan than Prior here reputed a Saint 17 Nicholaus 18 Simon de Luyton chosen Prior and then Abbot here 1257. 19 Richardus de Horninsâ—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 abovemention'd see the Book at large To the Cellarer of this House whose Office was to make provision for 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 Coventry as was also his Wife Godiva in the Church-Porch of their own Foundationâ— In which Church was formerly kept an Arm of the Great St. Augustineâ— inclosed in Silver Robert de Limesey who was made Bishop of Chester A. D. 1088. and died 1116. obtain'd of King Henry the I. The Monastery of Coventry and constituted 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 Celestine 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 Villages 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 Leofwinus 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 Apostolick Authority 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 Abbot of Peterborough who claim'd the same as parcel of his Estate And this was by Judgment given in the Court of King Hardâ— Canute SPALDING in Lincolnshire a Cell of Croyland c. ANno Dom. 1052. Thoroldus de Bukenhâ—le Brother to Godiva Countess of Leicester having obtain'd six Monks from Wulgate Abbot of Croyland began the Priory of Spalding assigning to it divers Lands and annext it as a Cell to Croyland In the year 1074. Tuo Taylboys Earl of Anjou Andegavia having married 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 Confirmation 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 thereunto belonging All which with divers Liberties was confirm'd to the said Abby of St. Nicholas by King William the I. William the II. and Henry 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 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'dâ— with Lands and Priviledges 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 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 Monasterium 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 with other Mannors in Sussex Surrey Essex Barkshire Oxfordshire and Devonshire with free Warren in all their Lands Yet King William gave this caution or restriction to the Abbot that he should not wast the Alms belonging to
An. Reg. 9. Valued at 147 l. 2 s. 10 d. per Annum HERTLAND in Devonshire FOunded by Gaufridus Son of Oliver de Dynam and the Canons Secular changed to Canons Regular of St. Augustin by the Authority of Bartholomew Bishop of Exeter All whose Possessions King Richard the I. in the first year of his Reign confirm'd with the Grant of great Immunities and Liberties namely to have a Court to hold plea of all things but Life and Member arising in their own Lands and Estate c. Valued at 306 l. 3 s. 2 d. per Annum HELAGHE in Yorkshire FOunded by Bertramus Haget in a place where formerly was a Hermitage in some sort belonging to the Prior and Convent of Marton who by their Deed under their Convent Seal did disclaim resign and quit all title to the same An. 1203. The Lord Iordan de Sancta Maria marrying Alice an Heir General of the foresaid Bertram became a second Founder of this Priory who confirm'd their Estate and so did Alice his Widow after his decease Priors of Helaghe-Park 1218. William de Hamelecis 1233. Elias 1257. Iohn Nocus 1260. Hamo de Eboraco 1264. Henry de Quetelay 1281. Adam de Blide 1300. William de Grimstone 1320. Robert de Sposford 1333. Steven Levington 1357. Richard 1358. Thomas de Yarum 1378. Steven Clarell 45 years 1423. Iohn Birkyn 1429. Thomas York 1435. Richard Areton translated to Gisburn 1437. Thomas Botson translated to Bolton 1440. Thomas Collingham 1460. Christopher Lofthous under an ill Character for the Book says furatus est bona hujus domus 1471. William Berwick 1475. William Brammam Vicar of Helagh 1480. William Ellington 1499. Peter Kendayl William de Percey Lord of Kildale gave to the Canons of St. Iohn the Evangelist of Helagh-Park the Chappel of St. Hilda at Kildale with divers Lands for which the said Canons were to find two of their own House or two Secular Priests to celebrate the Divine Offices in the said Chappel for ever Valued at 72 l. 10 s. 7 d. per Annum CANONS-ASHBY in Northamptonshire THe Pynkeneyes Lords of Wedone were great Benefactors to the Canons here giving them divers Lands in Wedone and Weston with Common for 100 Sheep 8 Oxen 5 Cows and 5 Mares in the Pasture of Wapham and feeding for Sixscore Hogs in the Woods there Valued at 119 l. 4 d. per Annum HAVERFORD in Wales RObert de Haverford gave to the Canons here divers Churches and Tithes in his Barony of Haverford all which were confirm'd to them by King Edward III. An. Reg. 5. Valued at 133 l. 11 s. 1 d. per Annum WODHAM in Essex THis place being formerly a Hermitage of St. Iohn Baptist Maurice de Tiretia founded here a Priory of Canons and gave them divers Lands confirm'd by King Henry II. IPSWICH in Suffolk KIng Iohn in the fifth year of his Reign confirm'd to the Canons of the Church of the holy Trinity at Gypewic the several Lands Churches and Possession given them by many Benefactors among the rest a Fair to last for three days at the Feast of the holy Cross in September FINSHEVED in Northamptonshire FOunded and endow'd with divers Lands and Possessions by Richard Engaine Lord of Blatherwick in the Reign of King Iohn After the year 1367 the Male Line of the said Founder failing his estate became divided among three Sisters married to the Families of Goldinton Pabenham and Bernake Iohn Engayne gave divers Lands in Blatherwick and Laxton to the Canons of the blessed Mary of Finnisheved for the maintenance of two Chaplains in the Chappel at Finnisheved and two other Chaplains in the Chappel of Blatherwick Valued at 56 l. 10 s. 11 d. ob per Annum KEINSHAM in Gloucestershire FOunded by William Earl of Gloucester at the desire of Robert his Son then dying Dedicated to God the blessed Mary and the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester and Hertford confirm'd the several Lands Possessions and Liberties given to the Canons of this House and so did also King Edward II. An. Reg. 11. KIRTMELE in Lancashire WIlliam Marescallus founded and endow'd this Priory for Canons providing that it should always remain a Priory independent of any other House yet it should never be made an Abby and upon the death of the Prior two Canons to be chosen and presented to him or his heirs of which he or his heirs to elect one to be made Prior. Confirm'd by King Edward II. An. Reg. 17. LESNES in Kent FOunded by Richard Lucy Prefect of England An. 1178. In the year 1179 the same Richard quitting his Office of Chief Justice became himself a Canon Regular of this House and soon after died and was here buried The Lands and Possessions given to these Canons by their founder and others were confirm'd to them by King Iohn and King Edward II. BURSCOUGH in Lancashire FOunded and endow'd with large Possessions by Robert Lord of Lathom King Edward I. granted to these Canons to have a mercate every Thursday and a Fair for five days at the Feast of the Decollation of St. Iohn Baptist yearly at their Mannour of Ormeskirk Walter Lord of Scaresbrek and many others were Benefactors all whose gifts were recited and confirm'd by King Edward II. An. Reg. 17. Valued at 80 l. 7 s. 6 d. per Annum STEVERDALE in Somersetshire RIchard Lovel Chivaler gave certain Lands of the value of 40 s. to the Prior and Convent here for the finding of one Chaplain to celebrate daily for the Souls of the said Richard and his Ancestors in the Church of this Priory This House was founded by the Ancestors of Richard de Sancto maure and united to the Monastery of Taunton 24. Henry VIII DODFORD in Worcestershire FOunded and endow'd by King Henry I. But in process of time the Revenues of this House being so decay'd that there remain'd here but one Canon it was united to the Abby of Hales Owen An. 4. Edward IV. The Abby de PRATIS near Leicester FOunded An. 1143. by Robert Earl of Melent and Leicester and largely endow'd by him and others with Churches Lands Rents Tithes and Liberties in and about Leicester and elsewhere with the grant of two Bucks yearly one at the Feast of the Assumption and one at the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary c. Margaret de Quincy granted to the Canons here divers Possessions among other things House-bote and haybote and timber for repairs out of her Forrest of Charnwood as often as occasion requires also one Buck yearly out of the said Forrest Roger de Quincy granted them among other things the right Shoulder of every Deer taken in his Park of Acle and free pasture for all their Cattle throughout the Forrest of Leicester Their Possessions were confirm'd by King Steven and King Henry II. Robert Earl of Mellent came into England with the Conqueror who gave him the Earldom of Leicester which City being destroy'd with the Castle there he re-edified the
Church of St Mary in the said Castle and placed in it twelve Secular Canons and a Dean appropriating thereunto all the Churches in Leicester except St. Margarets which is a Prebend of Lincoln with divers Lands Robert his Son and Heir having sounded the Abby de Pratis transferred all the Possessions and Prebends of the Church of St. Mary to his new built Abby This last mentioned Robert commonly call'd Bossu took the Habit of a Canon Regular in this Abby and died here An. 1167. He also founded an Abby of Monks at Geroudon and a Nunnery at Eaton in which his Countess Amicia became a Nun. After some time the Male Line of this Robert failing the Estate became divided between two Sisters Co-heirs Amicia married to Simon de Montefort and Margaret married to Sayer de Quincy These Canons had also a Grant of one Load of Wood daily out of the Forrest of Leicester ad focum domus infirmariae Canonicorum for Fewel to serve in the Infirmary Valued at 951 l. 14 s. 5 d. ob per Annum GRIMESBY in Lincolnshire KING Henry the I. founded and endowed this Priory granting to the Canons here among other things the tenth Penny of all his Farmes in Leiseby and Grymesby and the Tith of all Fish in his Port of Honflet in pure and perpetual Alms with large Liberties and Immunities All which were confirm'd by King Henry the II. Valued at 9 l. 14 s. 7 d. per Annum St. THOMAS the Martyr near Stafford FOunded by Richard Peche Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield 1162. who in his later days became a Canon Regular in this House in which Habit he died and was buried his Episcopal Habit being taken away by his Cosin G. Peche a Monk of Coventry Robert de Ferrars Earl of Derby gave to this Priory certain Lands together with his Body after his decease to be buried here Valued at 141 l. 13 s. 2 d. per Annum NEW-STEAD in the Forrest of Sherwood in Nottinghamshire FOunded by King Henry the II. for Canons Regular to whom he gave the Town and Church of Paplewic and other Lands with large Liberties Also two great Wastes called Kygell and Ravenshede King Iohn while Earl of Morton gave other Lands all which he confirm'd after he was King An. 6. Valued at 167 l. 16 s. 11 d. ob per Annum HICKLING in Norfolk FOunded and endow'd by Theobaldus de Valeines Confirm'd by King Iohn An. Reg. 5. Valued at 100 l. 18 s. 7 d. ob per Annum STONELEY near Kimbolton in Huntingtonshire THIS was a Prioy of seven Canons founded by William Mandeville Earl of Essex To this House the Rectory of Kymolton was appropriated The Bigrames were Benefactors and lay here buried Valued at 46 l. 0 s. 5 d. ob per Annum MODBERLEY in Cheshire FOunded by Patricius de Modberley for Canons Regular and by him endow'd with several Lands and Commons of Pasture He also granted the Canons free power upon the decease of their Prior to elect another according to their own pleasure SPINEY in Cambridgeshire FIRST founded by Beatrice Malebisse one of the Co-heirs of the Lordship of Wikes within the said Lordship for three Canons Regular Afterwards Maria de Basingburne encreased the number to four two of which were to come daily and officiate in the Church of Wykes She also gave a Messuage and other Lands for the Prior and Canons to maintain therein seven Poor men allowing to each daily a Loaf of a Farthing and among all a measure of Ale of a Penny to each three Ells of Linnen Cloath at two pence per Ell and every two years a Woollen Garment price two shillings and six pence c. Also to make three distributions of Alms per Annum to three thousand poor People But these Charges being found to extend to much more then the Revenue of the Lands by her given Richard Aithilwald and Matilda his Wife Cousin and Heir of the Foundresses did An. 6. H. 5. release the coming of the two Canons to the Church of Wykes and changed the three distributions abovesaid to the giving thirteen shillings and four pence yearly in Alms to the Poor of Wykes c. King Henry the VI. An 27. granted his License to the Prior and Convent of this House to give their Convent and all their Revenues to the Prior and Convent of Ely MOTESFONT in Hantshire FOunded by William Briwer who endowed this Priory with divers Lands and gave his Mannor of Merton for the maintenance of four poor men in Diet and Aparel c. Divers others were great Benefactors among whom Peter de Rivallis Brother of the Founder then commonly call'd The Holy Man in the Wall Alienora Wife of King Edward the I. gave divers Possessions for an Anniversary and for daily Alms to seven poor Widows c. Confirm'd by Margery de la Ferte or Feritate Daughter of William Briwer and Co heir after the death of William her Brother William Son of Reginald de Brus married Grace eldest Daughter and Co-heir of this William Brewere from whom descended four Daughters married to the Earl of Hereford Cantelow Fitzherbert and Mortemer The Estate of these Canons was confirm'd by King Iohn An. 6. Valued at 1 â— 4 l. 3 s. 5 d. ob per Annum FRITHELSTOKE in Devonshire IT was found by Inquisition 15 Iohn That Robert Son of Robert de Bello Campo founded and endow'd the Priory of Canons here dedicated to God the blessed Mary and St. George saving to the Patrons the liberty of appointing one to guard the Gare of the said Priory in time of Vacation and take care that the Goods of the same be not wasted the said Guardian to have nothing but his sustenence and upon confirmation of a new Prior to retire Valued at 127 l. 2 s. 4 d. per Annum WROXTON in Oxfordshire FOunded by Master Michael Belet in the time of Hugh Bishop of Lincoln and by him endowed with his Mannors of Wroxton where it was founded and Thorpe near Rowell in Northamptonshire Confirm'd by King Hen. the III. with Liberties of Sac and Soc c. Valued at 78 l. 13 s. 4 d. per Annum DE PRATO between North-Creyke and Burnham in Norfolk ANno 1206. Robert de Nerford founded a Church here which Robert was principal Warden of Dover Castle under Hubert de Burgo then Chief Justice of England He also built a Chappel to the honour of St. Bartholomew with an Hospital for thirteen poor men and four Chaplains and a Master After the death of the said Founder the said Master and his Brethren took the Habit of Canons Regular and from that time were called Prior and Canons The Chappel and new erected Priory was dedicated An. 1221. Alice Widow of the said Robert made several Orders for the Government of the said Hospital among others that the Brethren who should be admitted into the said Hospital should at their entry promise Chastity and Obedience to the Master that none should have property
it the Hospital of St. Giles It was endowed with several Revenues by the said Queen and others all which were confirmed by her Grandson King Henry the II. Vid. in s p. 400. St. MARY of Bethelem without Bishopsgate in the Suburbs of London SImon Fitz Mary Cittizen of London having an extraordinary affection to the memory of the Incarnation and Nativity of our Saviour which was wrought in Betholem gave all his Lands in the Parish of St. Butolph without Bishopsgate to a Church of St. Mary of Bethelem by him there erected and for the instituting of a Priory of a Prior Canons Brethren and Sisters to live according to the Rule and Order of the Church of St. Mary at Bethelem all which were to wear the Sign of a Star on their outward Garment this Priory was also for the reception of the Bishop of Bethelem or any of the Canons or others belonging to that Church when they should come into England to which Bishop as a sign of Subjection this Priory was to pay a Mark yearly at the Feast of Easter in nature of a Rent The Deed of Foundation and Endowment of this House by the said Simon Fitz Mary bears date An. 1247. St. MARY's Hospital without Bishopsgate at London FOunded by Walter Brun Citizen of London and Roisia his Wife on a a parcel of Land given for that purpose by Walter Fitz Aldred Alderman and endowed with divers parcells of Land and Rents of Tenements in several Parishes in and about London A Composition was made between Iohn Witing Rector of the Church of St. Butolph without Bishopsgate and Godefrey then Prior and the Canons and Brethren of this Hospital about Parochial Rights containing that the said Prior should pay to the said Rector in lieu of Tithes and Offerings for the territory and space of Ground belonging to his Priory 10 s. yearly at four quarterly Payments in all other their Lands without the said Bounds Tithes to be paid the said Prior and Canons to admit no Parishoner of the said Church to make oblation or pay any Right that is due to the Parish Church nor to be buried with them unless the Parish Church be first satisfied and for the Performance hereof the said Prior made Oath before the Bishop of London and so were all his Successors to do The first Stone of this Hospital was laid by Walter Archdeacon of London An. 1197. Valued at 478 l. 6 s. 6 d. per Annum St. BARTLEMEWS Hospital in the Suburbs of London KING Henry the I. granted and confirm'd to the Prior and Canons of St. Bartholomews and to the Poor of the Hospital belonging to that Church very great Liberties Et liberam esse sicut coronam meam whose Charter bears date An. 1133. 33 H. I. This Hospital was founded for the receit of all poor infirm People till such time as they should be cured of their Infirmities and for the lying in of poor Women and maintenance of their Children in case the Mothers should die in Childbed in the Hospital till the said Children be seven years old On this Account King Edward the III. freed the Master Brethren and Sisters of this House from being taxt to the Publick Taxes of that time Valued at 305 l. 6 s. 7 d. per Annum St. INNOCENTS near Lincoln FOunded by King Henry the I. for ten Lepers and a Warden with two Chaplains and a Clerk and endowed with several Rents c. as appeared by Inquisition in the Reign of King Edward the III. at which time there was here nine Brethren and Sisters and but one of those a Leper and he taken in not of Charity but for 100 s. paid for his entrance here were also seven Women taken in for money contrary to the first Institution King Henry the VI. An. 35. granted this Hospital and all the Revenues thereunto belonging after the death of the then Warden to William Sutton Master of the Order of Burton St. Lazarus Warden of the Hospital of St. Giles of Lepers without London and to the Brethren of the said Order and their Successors for the finding and maintenance of three Lepers of the Kings Houshold Servants if any such shall be c. ILLEFORD in Essex THis Hospital was Founded by the Abbess and Convent of Barking for thirteen Leperous Brethren two Chaplains and a Clerk For whose Regular Government Ralph de Baldock Bishop of London made Certain Orders viz. That the Lepers were to be chosen out of the Demâ—asns of the Abby of Barking if any such there That the Abbess present to one place and the Master and Brothers to the next alternately That no married Leper shall be admitted unless the Wife is minded to vow Chastity That every Brother shall constantly frequent the Divine Offices at the Church unless hinder'd by Sickness c. That no Woman be admitted to enter the said Hospital unless the Abbess near Relations to visit when Sick or the Common Laundress and that at open day That no Leper shall go abroad without special License That the Abbess shall appoint the Master of the said Hospital That every Leper shall at his reception make Oath to live chastly to be obedient to the Abbess and Convent of Barking to have nothing in propricty c. Which Orders bear date An. Dom. 1346. Valued at 16 l. 13 s. 3 d. per Annum St. PETERS in the City of York KIng Henry I. gave and confirm'd to the Hospital of St. Peter at York divers Lands by him and Eustachius Fitz-Iohn and others granted together with divers Liberties as Sac Soc Tol Them c. and as a more especial Mark of his favour to this House took to himself the name of a Brother and Warden of the same Frater enim Custos ejusdem Domus Deisum The Like did King Henry III. and King Iohn Their Possessions were also confirm'd by King Henry II. and King Edward I. Other Benefactors were William de Fortibus Earl of Albemarl Several of the Percys and Moubrays c. St. MARY MAGDALEN at Colchester in Essex FOunded by Eudo Seneschal of King Henry I. by that Kings Command King Richard I. granted to the Lepers of this Hospital a fair two days yearly viz. on the Vigil and day of St. Mary Magdalen St. JOHN and St. Leonard at Alesbury in Buckinghamshire FOunded and endow'd by Robert Ilhale Robert atte Hide c. for the maintenance of Leperous and other poor People of Aylesbury Confirm'd by King Henry I. and King Henry II. These were two Hospitals That of St. Iohn valued at 33 s. 4 d. per Annum and that of St. Leonard at 20 s. per Annum But it was found by Inquisition 34 Edward III. that for eleven years before they were both decay'd and their Possessions come to the hands of Laymen BURTON Lazers in Leicestershire FOunded for Leperous people by Roger de Moubray and dedicated to God St. Mary and St. Lazerus of Ierusalem and by him endow'd with divers Lands in Burton
Pope Clement the Knights Templers being accused of hainous Crimes he issued out his Commission to certain Cardinals to examine the Matter in France before whom the Master and Preceptors of this Order for that Kingdom appeared and being sworn confest themselves guilty of the Crimes whereof they were accused and shewing great signs of Repentance were absolved After which the same Pope sent out his Bull into England to commissionate the Archbishop of Canterbury and divers other Bishops to make the like enquiry in this Kingdom An. Dom. 1309. The Articles exhibited against these Knights were principally these That at their Reception into the Order they are caused by those who receive them to deny Christ crucified and sometimes God That they affirm and teach that Christ is not true God That they hope not to have Salvation through him That they spit and piss against the Cross and Image of Christ thereon and tread it under foot that they used to assemble together for that purpose on Good Friday it self That they do not believe the Sacrament of the Altar nor any other Sacraments of the Church that they injoyn the Priests of their Order not to say the words of Consecration in the Canon of the Mass That they affirm and believe that the Great Master of their Order can absolve them from their Sins so their Visitor and Preceptors tho' Laymen That they use several obscene and wicked actions at their admission deosculabantur in ano seu spina dorsâ— ali quando in virgâ virili That they mutually commit the Sin of Sodomy with one another and affirm it to be no Crime but lawful that they adore Idols especially in their great Chapters and Assemblies as their God and Saviour that such Admissions are therefore private none suffer'd to be present but those of the same Order that they are sworn not to reveal the manner of their Reception under pain of Death or Imprisonment and that these things are reported by publick same common opinion and also confest for the most part by many of their own Order in full Consistory before the Pope and Cardinals The abovesaid Inquisitors sate upon these Matters in the Bishop of London's Hall in Octob. 1309. â—efore whom divers Knights of this Order appearing two of which being severally examin'd discover'd the manner of their Reception into the said Order but not any thing appear'd to be criminal absolutely denying that any are received in any other manner The like Inquisitors sate at Yoâ—k and tho' both at London and York they were accused of many things yet nothing appear'd for which the Order deserved in Justice to be suppressed nihil inventum est quod de jure videretur statum illorum anullare However they were all in one day seized on throughout England and imprison'd And in the Council of Vienna An. Dom. 1312. the whole Order of the Templers was condemn'd and perpetually annull'd with an Inhibition that none for the future should take that Order profession or Habit under pain of the greater Excommunication After which the Knights Hospitallers of St. Iohn obtain'd most part of their Possessions At this time William Archbishop of York moved with Charity to consider the helpless condition of the Templers in his Diocess placed them in several Monasteries in that County and order'd them maintenance during Life Vid. inf 943. and Vid. Vol. 3. p. 62. 108. Valued at 2385 l. 12 s. 8 d. per Annum THomas Wolsey Cardinal Priest of St. Cicily and Archbishop of York by Virtue of a Commission from Pope Leo X. An. Dom 1519. Composed certain Ordinances and Decrees for the better Government of the Canons Regular of St. Augustin in England Consisting of these several Heads Of the Union and General Chapter of all the Canons Regular in England to be once every three years Of their admittance into the Order and form of Profession Of their Obedience Poverty Clausure Habit and Tonsure Of the Canonical Hours and Offices in the Church and the manner of their Divine Service in their lesser Houses Of their Dormitory and Refectory The Duty of Abbots and Priors of Recreations of the Accounts of the Houses of forreign Affairs of teaching Latin and sending their Students to the University of Oxford and of the number of Canons in their Houses or Monasteries These Statutes to be publisht and observed in every House or Monastery of Canons Regular in England by their several Abbots c. A CANNON REGVLAR OF St. SEPVLCHRE Vol. 2 P. 573 Of the Canons of the Holy Sepulcher The Priory of the Holy Sepulcher in the Suburbs of Darwick ANno Dom. 1109. Black Canons were first brought into England and settled first at Colchester then at London c. Henry Earl of Warwick erected the Priory of the Holy Sepulcher at Warwick About that time the Christians had newly taken the Holy Land and had instituted Canons in the Church of the Sepulcher at Ierusalem which Canons wore the same Habit with other Canons Regular without any distinction besides a double Cross of red in the Breast of their upper Garment This House in Warwick was the first and Superiour of this Order in all England Wales Scotland and Irelaâ—d till the loss of Ierusalem after which this Order decay'd almost to nothing their Profits and Priviledges being transferr'd to the Trinitarians Simon Bishop of Worcester dedicated their Altar and Cimitery at Warwick with express provision that the Parish-Churches of All-Saints and St. Maries should not suffer any diminution or detriment in their Tithes Buryings Oblations Confessions visiting the Sick or any other accustomed Benefits to the said Churches belonging and that these Canons should pay to the Parish or Mother Church of All Saints an acknowledgment of 30 d. yearly at the Feast of all Saints Valued at 41 l. 10 s. 2 d. per Annum THETFORD in Norfolk BUilt and endow'd with Lands and Revenues by the old Earls of Warren for Canons of the Holy Sepulcher Who enjoy'd here large Liberties Hamelin Earl of Warren base Brother of King Henry the Iâ— granted to these Canons among other things three Fairs viz. One on the Invention of the Holy Cross in May another on the Feast of the Holy Sepulcher and the third on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross c. All which Grants of his Ancestors were confirm'd by Iohn Earl of Warren An. Dom. 1315. 8 E. 2. Valued at 39 l. 6 s. 8 d. per Annum Of the Order of Premonstratenses THE Founder of this Order was St. Norbert born in the Diocess of Colein of noble Parents About the Age of thirty three years he was made Deacon and Priest and renouncing all Church Preferments and a large Partimony he distributed what he had among the poor An. Dom. 1120. he retired to a place call'd Praemonstratum with thirteen Companions in the Diocess of Laudunum or Laon a City in Picardy and there began this Order called from the place Premonstratenses according to the Rule of St. Augustine
by the Payment of one pound of Cummin Cimini or 2 d. at Easter yearly for all Services and Demands Divers other Benefactors gave other Lands in Northamptonshire and elsewhere among whom were Iohn de Lacy Constable of Chester Ralph Basset c. All confirm'd and recited by King Edward the II. An. 9. Valued at 258 l. 8 s. 5 d. per Annum COKERSAND in Lancashire FOunded by Theâ—bald Walter Brother of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury for Canons of the Premonstratenses to whom he gave in pure and perpetual Alms the Hay or inclosed ground call'd Pyling for the â—recting of this Abby Confirm'd by King Iohn An. 2. All which with other Lands granted by William de Lancaster Iohn de Lasey Earl of Lincoln and Constable of Chester and the Ieffrey Son of the Lord Iohn and others were recited and confirm'd by King Richard the II. An. 7. A Contest happening between the Prior of Lancaster and the Abbot of Cokersand about Tithes and other Rights of the Church it was agreed and settled by Papal Authority An. 1216. that the Prior should have two parts of the Corn Tithes in Lancaster and Pulton and this Abbot one third part also that the Abbot of Cokersand shall not admit any of the Parishioners of the Prior of Lancaster to Sepulture at his Convent without the Priors License c. The Abbot and Convent of Leicester de pratis granted to the Canons of Cokersand the Scite of the Hospital of Cokersand for the making of an Abby which change from an Hospital to a Monastery of Premonstratenses was made An. 1190. BEGEHAM in Sussex THIS Abby was first founded at Hotteham by Ralph de Dena and by him endow'd with Lands c Translated from thence to Begeham otherwise call'd Benlin by Ela de Saukvile Daughter of the first Founder whose Son Ieffrey de Saukvile confirm'd the Estate of these Canons Confirm'd also by Gilbert de Aquila Robert de Tuâ—nham Walkelin Maminot and Richard Earl of Clare and Hereford were also Benefactors all whose Gifts were confirm'd by King Iohn King Henry the III. An. 35. granted to these Canons a weekly Market on the Thursday at their Mannor of Rokeland and a Fair there for three days at Midsomer Which with their other Possessions was confirm'd by King Edward the II. An. 6. Vid. Vol. 3. p. 77. BARLINGS in Lincolnshire FOunded by Ralph de Haye with the Consent of Richard Haye his Brother confirm'd by King Henry the II. and King Iohn An. 16. The Bardolfs and Longspes were Benefactors BRODHOLME in Nottinghamshire KING Edward the II. An. 12. recited and confirm'd the several Lands and Possessions given to the Brothers and Sisters of Brodholme by divers Benefactors among whom Ralph de Albaniaco Walter de Clifford and Agnes his Wife c. Valued at 16 l. 5 s. 2 d. per Annum COVERHAM in Yorkshire THIS Monastery was first founded at Swayneby An. Dom. 1190. by Helewisia Daughter and Heir of Ranulf de Glanvilla a Baron and Capital Justice of England in the time of King Henry the II. and Richard the I. It was afterwards translated from Swayneby to Coverham near Midleham by Ralph Fitz-Robert descended from the said Helewisia The Lands c. given to this House by the Foundress and her Son Walleran Fitz-Robert and Ralph Fitz-Robert Edric Neusum and others were all confirm'd by King Edward the III. An. 22. Of this Family did descend two Sisters Co-heirs Mary Lady of Midleham married to Ralph de Nevile and Ioan married to Robert de Fatershall Valued at 160 l. 18 s. 3 d. per Annum St. AGATHA near Richmund in Yorkshire FOunded by one Roaldus the Constable possibly of Richmond Castle Roger de Moubray Alan Bygot and others were Benefactors whose Grants were recited and confirm'd by King Edw. III. An. 3. Richard le Scrope of Bolton by License of King Rich. II. granted to the Abbot and Convent of this House a yearly Rent of 150 l. for the Maintenance of ten Canons over and above the common number then in the Monastery and of two Secular Chaplains to celebrate for the said Richard and his Heirs c. and for the Maintenance of twenty two poor men in the said Abby This Richard le Scrope had been the Kings Chancellour and gave also to this Abby the Mannor of Brompton upon Swale then valued at 10 l. 3 s. 4 d. per Annum Valued at â— 11 l. 17 s. 11 d. per Annum TORRE in Devonshire THIS Church and Abby of St. Saviours of Torre was founded by William Briwer and by him endow'd with many Lands and with the Church of Torre c. to hold in free pure and perpetual Alms. King Iohn confirm'd to these Canons all their Possessions with the Grant of large Franchises and Immunities from Scutage and all Gelds and Tolls c. for themselves and their men From this William Briwere the Founder descended Reginald de Mohun who in the thirty six of King Henry the III. had a grant from this Abbot and Convent of Liberty to erect a Chappel in his Court at Thorre for himself and proper Family but not to baptize there nor admit any of the Parishioners to any Ecclesiastical Rights the said Abbot and Convent to receive one Moiety of all Oblations or Obventions arising in the said Chappel c. Valued at 396 l. 11 d. per Annum HALES-OWEN in Shropshire THE Mannor and Advowson of the Church of Hales was given by King Iohn An. 16. to Peter de Rupibus Bishop of Winchester for the erecting of a Religious House which was accordingly founded here by that Bishop and by him endowed with this Estate Confirm'd by King Henry the III. Roger Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield An. 1248 appropriated the Church of Waleshale to this Abby after the death of Vincent then Rector of the said Church saving out of the same a Vicaridge of thirteen Marks to be assigned to a Vicar with all Obventions c. An. Dom. 1270. Godfrey Bishop of Worcester made a Settlement between the Abbot of Hales and the Perpetual Vicar of the Parish Church there the said Vicar to have and receive from the Abbot ten Marks yearly a House with Out Houses Orchard Garden and the Vesture of the Church-yard The Canons to find another Priest to be under the Vicar Presbiterm secundarium and to bear all ordinary and extraordinary Charges Iohn de Hamptone Ioan Botetourt and Iohn her Son gave divers Mannors and Advowsons to this Abby conditioning for Chantrys Wolstan Bishop of Worcester appropriated to this Abby the Church of Clent and Chappel of Rouley reserving to the perpetual Vicar who hath the Cure of Souls there a Revenue of 10 l. viz. a Messuage and Curtelage on the South side of the Church-yard with Tith of Calves Lambs c. and all small Tithes except of the Monasteries proper Lands Mortuaries the Herbage and Trees of the Church-yard and all the Altarage Valued at 280 l. 13 s. 2 d. ob per Annum LANGLEY in
the foresaid twenty ninth year of Henry VIII Pag. 648. LENTON KIng Steven granted the Chruch of the Holy Trinity at Lenton which William Peverell and others had endow'd to the order of Cluniac Monks to be enjoy'd with all its possessions inviolably The Priory of HORKESLEY RObert Fitz God bold gave divers Lands Churches and Tithes to the Cluniac Monks of Tefford with intention that the Convent of that House should transmit some of their Monks to the Church of St. Peter at Horchesley there to reside in the Services of God and St. Peter Their Possessions so given was confirm'd to them by Gilbert Bishop of London and Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury Pag. 867. SIBETON WIth King William the Conqueror who came into England in the year 1066. came Walter de Cadamo who after the Conquest held the Barony of Horsford He had issue Robert who built the Church of St. Peter at Sibton who had issue Iohn call'd the Vicount and William Iohn being very infirm in his health vow'd to erect an Abby of Cistercian Monks but himself dying left his vow to be perform'd by William his Brother and heir who enjoy'd after his death his Barony and Vicounty This William founded the Monastery of St. Mary at Sibton in the Reign of King Steven An. Dom. 1149. And endow'd the same with Lands and Revenues He had issue Margaret married to Hugh de Cressy who confirm'd her Fathers Guift An. 28. Henry VIII William then Abbot of Sibton Com. Suffolk and the Convent there of their free will and unanimous Consent gave granted and confirm'd to Thomas Duke of Norfolk Anthony Rouse Esquire and Nicholas Hare Gent. their heirs and assigns to the use of the said Duke his heirs and assigns for ever all the said Monastery and Estate thereunto belonging and Constituted Thomas Heydon and Robert Whinwery their lawful Attorneys to deliver Seizin accordingly This was under their Convent Seal and Sign'd by the Abbot and seven Monks of the House Pag. 887. HOLMCOLTRAM DAvid King of Scotland confirm'd the Donations of his Son Henry to this Abby the like did afterwards Malcolm king of Scotland Son of the said Henry Iohn King of England in the 16. year of his Reign granted to the Monks here the Hermitage of St. Hilda in the Forrest of Englewode with all the Land which Roger Croky late Hermit held and a Vaccary there for forty Cows c. Iohn Bishop of Carlile licensed the Monks of Holmcoltram to build a Church or Chappel in their territory of Arlosk for their Tenants and the Inhabitrants of those parts which Church or Chappel he did appropriate and annex to the said Monastery and exempt the same from the Visitation of the Ordinary The said Church to be served by a secular Priest of their election but to be presented to the said Bishop or his Successors and by them admitted to the said Cure The said Priest so admitted to receive for his support 4 l. to be pay'd him yearly out of the profits of the said Church and a House and Curtilage to be assigned him The said Priest to pay to the Bishop in the name of a Cathedratic half a mark and to the Archdeacon when he Visits 40 d. for procurations Which Deed of Appropriation bears date at Linflock An. 1304. Hugh Morville Cecily Countess of Albemarl Lambert de Multon and others were Benefactors to these Monks William Earl of Albemarl gave them a Forge and Iorn Mine at Egremond Robert King of Scots whose Father lies buried in their Church at Holmcoltram gave them a yearly farm of 10 l. Pope Lucius III. confirm'd to them their Lands and Revenues and granted them divers Liberties as to be free from the payment of Tithes for their Cattel and Fishing c. Whose Bull bears date An. 1185. Pag. 914. CROKESDEN THe Abby of the Vally of St. Mary of Crokesdene was founded by Bertram de Verdon and by him endow'd with divers Revenues in Crokesdene Stanfort Castretone c. and a Salt work in Midlewich Additions to the Second Volum Pag. 461. NORWICH JOhn Bishop of Norwich exemplified the Deeds belonging to the Hospital of St. Paul in Norwich viz. the Charter of the Convent of the Holy Trinity of Norwich who founded and endow'd the said Hospital to the support of poor people for the Soul of Bishop Herbert c. of Adam de Bellofago Morellus de Morley some Bishops of Norwich his Predicessors and King Henry I. who were all Benefactors Which Deed of Exemplification bears date in the year 1301. Pag. 181. TWINEHAM IN the Reign of King Steven An. Dom. 1150 Henry Bishop of Winchester and Hillary then Dean of Christ Church at the Petition of Earl Baldwin introduced Canons Regular into the said Church in place of the Canons secular that then were there the secular Canons to enjoy their Prebends while they lived But all the Lands and Revenues belonging and possest by the said Church in the time of the Deans to be for the future to the only use of the Prior and Canons Regular Pag. 152. GISBURNE WAldenus Son of Earl Cospatric gave the Town of Apleton to the Church of St. Bridget commonly call'd Brydekirk in the County of Cumberland The Lady Alice de Rumeley gave this Church of Brydekirk with Apleton and all other Lands thereunto belonging to the Canons of Gisburne Pag. 272. WORSPRING WIlliam de Curtenai founded a Convent for Canons Regular of St. Augustin at the Chappel of St. Thomas the Martyr in Worspring and notifying so much to Iohn then Bishop of Bath desired that by his authority the Church of Worle at that time vacant might be appropriated to the said Convent Pag. 263. WORMLEY JOhn de Baskerville gave to God and the Church of St. Leonard of Pyonia and to the Prior and Canons there in Frankalmoine all his Land of Stanley which he held of the Mannour of Wormley and Nickolas de Wormley Lord of the said Mannour reciting the said Grant confirm'd the same to the said Prior and Canons and also released and quit claimed to them one pair of spurs or sixpence of yearly Rent by which the foresaid Iohn held that Land Robet de Staunton Gilbert Talebot Robert Boter and others were Benefactors to the said Canons confirm'd by Roger de Montuomari Lord of Winfretone An. Dom. 1304 Gerard de Eylesford gave them the Advowson of the Church of Pyona Regis or Kings Peâ—ne Peter Bishop of Hereford appropriated the Church of Wormesley of which these Canons were Patrons to this Convent for the said Canons to enjoy the Fruits thereof to their proper use but so as not to defraud the said Church of due Service Whose Deed bears date An. 1262. Here was a Chantry tounded by the Lady Basilia de Bourhull Pag. 941. RANTON RObert Fitz-Noel or Son of Noel founded and endow'd the Priory of Ranton for Canons under the Rule and obedience of the Church of Haman Hamanensis Ecclesiae Whose Donation was confirm'd by Thomas Noel his Son Noel who came
he was upon his great sorrow and tears absolved after which he gave divers Lands to this Church Gurcan who succeeded Guinan having lived incestuously with his Mother in Law was therefore in full Synod excommunicated by Bishop Erthguin and after upon his reformation being absolved gave divers Lands to this Church King Clitauc Son of Clitguin was a Prince who governed his Kingdom in Peace and exact Juctice and became afterwards a Martyr on this account A young Virgin of quality was in love with him so far as to declare she would never marry unless to Clitauc whereupon a Nobleman of the Court whose Sute she had refused for the Kings sake in revenge murder'd the innocent King in hunting After whose Murder the Bishop of Landaff caused to be built and consecrated a Church to his memory in the place where he was buried near the River Myngui c. Which with divers Lands given to the same was afterwards a granted to the Bishops of Landaff by King Iudhail Son of Morcant A Noble man of the same name Iudhail Son of Edelvirth going with his Wife on a Sunday to hear divine Service at St. Clitaue's was so far prevail'd upon by the Devils insligation and his own lust 〈◊〉 to lie with his Wife in a Meadow on the Bank of Mingui and having perform'd the Act and about to withdraw he found himself not able to disjoyn but was forced to remain in that Posture inseperable from his Wâ—â—e whereupon he call'd out to his Attendants and order'd them to repair to the Monument of the Martyr Clitauc and there offer in his name that Meadow which he had unjustly taken from that Church this being done with promise of amendment of Life he was again separated from that vexatious Conjunction Convur bought certain Lands of King Fernvail Son of Iudhail for an excellent horse of the price of 12 Cows a Dog that had kill'd Birds with a Hawk cum Ancipitre of the Price of 3 Cows and another Horse of the Price of 3 Cows which Lands so purchased he gave to the Bishops of this Church of Landaff Fernuhail Convelin King Ris Son of Iudhail and abundance of other Kings and great Men in Wales were Benefactors to this Church King Hotel being excomunicated by the Bishop and Synod at Landaff for killing Galcun after a peace swern upon his Absolution gave divers Lands to this Church the like did Ili Son of Conblus who was excommunicated for killing Camauc after a Peace sworn between them Agvod Son of Iovaf having an angry Contest betwixt his family and the Bishops came up to the Church Door and threw stones into the Church and then fled under an Anathema for which he afterwards beg'd pardon and gave divers Lands to Corenhiro then Bishop and his Successors King Nongui gave Lands for violating the Liberties of this Church and committing Sacriledge An. Dom. 955. Pater being then Bishop of this Church six men of the Family of Nongui broke into a Church in this Diocesâ— and there kill'd a Deacon before the Altar who had fled thither for Sanctuary for which they were delivered up to the Bishop and remain'd imprison'd six months in Chains and they were further sentenced by a Synod that they should forfeit all their Lands and Substance to the Church which they had prophaned Asser Son of Marchvid having kill'd Gulagguin by treachery gave to this Church the Town of Segan c. Brochmail Son of Mouric gave to this Church certain Lands which he had before given to his Daughter whom he made a Nun but she being seduced from her Vow by Etgar Son of Levi had a Son incestuously Teudur King of Brecknock King Grifud c. were also Benefactors An. Dom. 982. Gucaun Bishop of Landaff was consecrated by the Metropolitan Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury and had his Pastoral Staff given him by Edgar the Supream King of the English At the same time lived Edgar King of all Britain Hawel da and Morgan hen which two last were subject to King Edgar Etguin King of Guenti having a great contest with Bledri Bishop of Landaff it went so far that the Bishop himself was wounded whereupon he summon'd and assembled all the Clergy from Taratir in Gui to Tigui who in full Synod Anathematized the King with his whole Family and put his Country under interdict but the King seeking absolution obtain'd it and thereupon gave divers Lands to this Church Muric Son of Hivil after he had solemnly sworn to a Peace and Friendship with Etguin a Neighbouring King before Ioseph Bishop of Landaff seized upon the said Etguin cast him in Prison and put out his eyes which occasion'd his death for which being curst in a Synod he afterwards obtain'd absolution and gave several Towns to this Church King Mouric and Caratanc one of his Lords being under censure for violating the Sanctuary of this Church obtain'd remission and gave divers Lands The like happened in the Cases of Catguallaun Ringuallaun Gistinus and others who being guilty of like Crimes made the like Compensations When King William conquer'd England Hergualdus was Bishop of Landaff Catguacaun Son of Mouric King of Glatmorcant Caratoc and Riderch Kings of other parts of Wales all which Kings served King William and died in his time LITCHFELD Cathedral THIS was formerly call'd the Mercian Church and first founded in the year 657. upon the Conversion of this Province to the Christian Religion it was then made a Cathedral and Duina the first Bishop of the Mercians or middle English who govern'd here but two years and died To him succeeded Cellach a Scot. After him Trumhere and after him Iarman both Englishmen but ordain'd Bishops in Scotland To these succeeded St. Cedda An. Dom. 667. who had been before that Bishop of York After whose death succeeded Winfrid and after him Sexwolf who founded the Abby of Peterborough after whose death the Province of Mercia was divided into two Diocesses Parâ—chias Litchfield and Leicester tho' after a while they were both united again under Hedda Bishop of Litchfield who died An. 721. In the time of Ethelred King of Mercia the Bishoprick of Litchfield was divided into five Diocesses viz. Hereford Worcester Litchfield Leicester and Lindisey After this division Litchfield had five successive Bishops till the time of Adulphus who was made Archbishop of Litchfield by Pope Hadrian An. 764. and a Jurisdiction given him over all Mercia and the East-Angles but after him there was no more Archbishops From his time to the Norman Conquest were fifteen Bishops of Litchfield soon after which the Episcopal Seat was translated from Litchfield to Chester An. 1075. The second Bishop of Chester was Robert de Lymesi who An. 1095. removed his Seat again from Chester to the rich Monastery at Coventry not long before built and magnificently endow'd by Earl Leofrick and Godeva his Wife To him succeeded Robert Peche Roger de Clinton Walter Durdent Richard Peche and Gerard de Puellâ all of them successively Bishops of