per an Dugd. 623 l. 13s 2d ob Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 253. 6. Horton A Monastery of Benedictines founded by Ordgar Earl of Devon temp K. Edgari but annexed by Roger Bishop of Sarum to Shirburn about A. D. 1120. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 62 220. 7. Abbotesbury A. D. 1026. Orcus and Tola his wife built an Abby for Black Monks to the honour of St. Peter It was rated 26. Hen. VIII at 390l 19 s. 2d ob Dugd. 485. 3 s. 5 d. ob q. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 276. * Reg. penes D. Joh. Strangways de Abbotsbury 8. Frampton An Alien-Priory being given by R. Will. Conq. to the Abby of St. Stephen at Caen in Normandy Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 571. T. 2. p. 955. 9. Shirburn Not long after the removal of the Bishop's See to Sarum the Canons Secular here were changed into Benedictine Monks by Roger Bishop of Sarum about A. D. 1122. This Abby was dedicated to St. Mary and endowed with 682 l. 14 s. 7 d. ob q. per an at the Suppression Vide Mon. Angl T. 1. p. 62 423. 10. Lodres An Alien-Priory to the Abby of Mountborow in Normandy to which it was given by Riâ—â—ard de Redveriis temp Hen. I. King Rich. II. bestowed it upon the Priory of St. Ann near Coventry Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 570 966. T. 2. p. 992. 11. Warham The Church of St. Peter and St. Ethelwold here being given by Rob. Bossu Earl of Leicester about A. D. 1160. to the Abbat and Convent of Lira in Normandy it became a Cell to that Abby But during the wars between England and France the Alien-Priories were seised into the King's hands so that King Rich. II. gave this to the Abby of Mount-grace in York-shire Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 968. T. 2. p. 985. 12. Bindon Rob. de Novo-Burgo built an Abby for Cistertian Monks here to the honour of St. Mary A. D. 1172. It was valued at the Dissolution at 147 l. 7 s. 9d per an Dugd. 229 l. 2 s. 1 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 911. 13. Tarent A Nunnery of the Cistertian Order founded by Richard Poor Bishop of Sarum about A. D. 1228. It was dedicated to the blessed Virgin and at the Suppression found to be seised of revenues worth 214 l. 7 s. 9 d. per an Dugd. 239 l. 11 s. 10 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 887. 14. Bridport An Alien-Priory dedicated to St. Iohn Baptist valued at 6 l. 15. Stowre An Alien-Priory Cell to the Abby of Preaus in Normandy 16. Holme A Cell to Montacute in Somerset-shire 17. Camestrum Qu. A Monastery of White Nuns dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene Speed DURHAM 1. Hartlepool Heortu Bed A Very ancient Nunnery founded by a Religious woman named Hieu But among many other outrages committed by the Danes in these parts this Monastery was raz'd to the ground 2. Iarrow ol Gyrwi 3. Wermouth King Egfrid A. D. 644. founded these two Abbies they were ruin'd in the Danish wars and never after recover'd their former glory but became Cells to Durham for two or three Black Monks in each The former being dedicated to St. Paul was endowed 26. Hen. VIII with 38 l. 14 s. 4d per an Dugd. 40 l. 7 s. 8 d. Speed The latter dedicated to St. Peter was rated at 25 l. 8 s. 4 d. per an Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 96. 4. Chester ol Cuncacester Bishop Eardulfus being forced A. D. 875. to fly from Lindissam founded the Bishops See here A. D. 883. which was A. D. 995. translated to Durham But at this Chester was afterwards built a College for a Dean and seven Canons of the foundation of Ant. Beck Bishop of Durham 20. Edw. I. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 38. T. 3. P. 2. p. 44. Angl. Sacr. T. 1. p. 699. 5. Durham The Bishops See was removed hither by Bishop Aldwin A. D. 995. The Secular Priests were changed into Benedictine Monks 18. Will. Conq. by Bishop Will. de Carilepho The Tutelar Deity of this Abby and Country was St. Cuthbert It was endowed at the Dissolution with 1366. 10 s. 9 d. per an Dugd. 1615 l. 14 s. 10 d. ob Sp. K. Hen. VIII A. D. 1540. restor'd the Secular Canons Vide Mon. Angl. T. â— p. 38. T. r. p. 845. Angl. Sacr. T. 1. Simeonis Dunelmensis aut potius Turgoti Historiam de Ecclesia Dunâ—lmensi Impress inter X. Scriptores Hist. Angl. Lond. 1652. The Legend of St. Cuthbert with the Antiquities of the Church of Durham by Rob. Hegge Lond. 1663. 12 â— The ancient Rites and Monuments of the Monastical and Cathedral Church of Durham publish'd by Io. Davis Lond. 1672. 12 o. * Cartular Eccl. Dunelem in Bibl. Cotton Faust. A. 6. Titus A. 2. * Nomina Benefactorum Ecclesiae Dunelm ab Edwino ad Hen. VIII in Bibl. Cotton Domit. A. 7. Collectanea MS. Aug. Baker in Bibl. Coll. Jesu Oxon. Vol. IV. * Reg. penes Decanum Capitul Dunelm Chronica Ecclesiae Dunelmensis MS. in Bibl. Bodl. Laud. H. 7. L. 53. * Historiam de vitis Episcoporum Abbatum Religiosorum de Lindisfarn Dunelmia MS. in eadem Bibl. Fairfax 6. * Catalogum Reliquiarum Ecclesiae Dunelmensis MS. in Bibl. Bodl. Digb 11. * Boldon-book sive Inquisitionem de Consuetudinibus redditibus Episcopatus Dunelmensis A. D. 1183. captam MS. in eadem Bibl. Laud. I. 52. 6. Finchale A Benedictine Priory of thirteen Monks subordinate to the Abby of Durham built by Hugh Pusar Bishop of Durham about A. D. 1180. to the honour of St. Godric the Hermite It 's yearly revenues at the Dissolution amounted to 122 l. 15 s. 3 d. Dugd. 146l 19 s. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 512. 7. Egleston A Priory of Black Canons founded by Gilbert de Leya about A. D. 1200. and commended to the Patronage of the blessed Virgin and St. Iohn Baptist. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 196. 8. Overton Alan de Wilton temp Reg. Ioh. founded a Priory of Gilbertines here and made it subordinate to Sempringham It was valued 26. Hen. VIII at 11 l. 8 s. per an Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 825. 9. Langcester About 20. Ed. I. Anthony Beck Bishop of Durham built and endow'd a College here for a Dean and seven Prebendaries Vide Mon. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 38. 10. Aukland A Collegiate Church dedicated to St. Andrew founded by Anthony Beck Bishop of Durham for twelve Prebendaries Vide Monast. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 39. 11. Staindrop A Collegiate Church founded by Ralph Nevil Earl of Westmorland temp Hen. V. for a Master six Priests six Clerks six decay'd Gentlemen six Grooms and six poor men Endow'd with 126 l. 5 s. 10 d. per an Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 142. 12. Bernard-Castle Richard Duke of Glocester 17. Edw. IV. built a College here for a Dean
the story of that time may see And for farther terrour to thâ— rest some Priors and other Ecclesiastick persons who had spoke against the Kings Supremacy a thing then somewhat uncouth being so newly set up were condemn'd as Traitors and executed And now that all this was effected to the end it might not be thought that these things were done by a high hand the King having protested That he would suppress none without consent of Parliament A Parliament being called April 28. Anno 1539. to confirm these surrenders so made as hath been said there wanted not plausible insâ—â—â—ations to both Houses for drawing on their consent with all smoothness thereto the Nobility being promised large shares in the spoil either by free gift from the King easie purchases or most advantageous exchanges and many of the active Gentry advancements to honour with increase of their estates all which we see happened to them accordingly And the better to satisfie the vulgar was it represented to them that by this deluge of Wealth the Kingdom should be strengthened with an Army of fourty thousand Men and that for the future they should never be charged with Subsidies Fifteens Loans or common Aids By which means the Parliament ratifying the before specified surrenders the work became compleated for the more firm setttling whereof a sudden course was taken to pull down and destroy the buildings as had been before upon that Dissolution of smaller Houses whereof I have touch't Next to disperse a great proportion of their Lands amongst the Nobility and Gentry as had been projected which was accordingly done the Visitor General having told the King That the more had interest in them the more they would be irrevocable And least any domestick stirs by reason of this great and strange alteration should arise rumours were spread that Cardinal Pool laboured with divers Princes to procure forces against this Realm and that an invasion was threatned which seemed the more credible because the Truce concluded betwixt the Emperour and the French King was generally known neither of them wanting a pretence to bring them hither And this was also seconded by a suddain journey of the King unto the Sea Coasts unto divers parts whereof he had sent sundry of the Nobles and expert persons to visit the Ports and places of danger who failed not for their discharge upon all events to affirm the peril in each place to be so great as one would have thought every place had needed a Fortification Besides he forthwith caused his Navy to be in a readiness and Musters to be taken over all the Kingdom All which preparations being made against a danger believed imminent seemed so to excuse this Suppression of the Abbies as that the people willing to save their own Purses began to suffer it easily especially when they saw order taken for building such Forts But let us look a little upon the success wherein I find that the said Visitor General the grand Actor in this tragick business having contracted upon himself such an Odium from the Nobility by reason of his low birth tho' not long before made Knight of the Garter Earl of Essex and Lord High Chancellour of England as also from the Catholicks for having thus operated in the Dissolution of Abbies that before the end of the before specified Parliament wherein that was ratified which he had with so much industry brought to pass the King not having any more use of him gave way to his Enemies accusations whereupon being arrested by the Duke of Norfolk at the Counsel Table when he least dream't of it and committed to the Tower he was condemn'd by the same Parliament for Heresie and Treason unâ—eard and little pittied and on the xxviii of July viz. four days after the Parliament was dissolved had his head cut off on Tower Hill And as for the Fruit which the People reapt after all their hopes built upon those specious pretences which I have instanc'd it was very little For plain it is that Subsidies from the Clergy and Fifteens of Lay-mens goods were soon after exacted And that in Edw. VI. time the Commons were constrained to supply the Kings wants by a new invention viz. Sheep Clothes Goods Debts c. for three years which Tax grew so heavy that the year following they prayed the King for mitigation thereof Nor is it a little observable that whilst the Monasteries stood there was no Act for the relief of the Poor so amply did those Houses give succour to them that were in want whereas in the next age viz. 39. Eliz. no less than eleven Bills were brought into the House of Commons for that purpose So far this Learned Knight Many other ill consequences that attended the Suppression of these Religious Houses might be here farther observed but besides that they would lead me into a long and tedious digression it is an an invidious subject which few in this age can bear So that 't is my design at present to take notice only of the great decay of Learning that was like to ensue the Dissolution in so much that in the Parliaments held 2. Edw. VI. and 3. Edw. VI. there were Bills brought in for incouraging men to give lands for the maintenance of Schools of learning And the loss of good Books was irreparable for Bale honestly tells us Never had we bene offended for the loss of our Lybraryes beynge so many in nombre and in so desolate places for the more parte yf the chiefe monumentes and most notable workes ' of our most excellent wryters had bene reserved If there had bene in every Shyre of Englande but one solempne Lybrarye to the preservacyon of those noble workes and preferrement of good lernynge in oure posteritye it had bene sumwhat But to destroye all without consideracyon is and wyll be unto Englande for ever a moste horryble infamy amonge the grave Senyours of other Nacyons A great nombre of them whych purchased those superstycyouse mansyons reserved of those Lybrary bokes some to serve theyr Iakes some to scoure their candelstyckes and some to rubbe their bootes Some they sold to the Grossers and Sopesellers and some they sent over See to the Bokebynders not in small nombre but at tymes whole Shyppes full to the wonderynge of foren Nacyons Yea the Vnyversytees of thys Realme are not all clere in this detestable fact But cursed is that bellye whyche seketh to be fedde with suche ungodly gaynes and so depelye shameth his natural Countrey I knowe a Merchaunt Man whych shall at thys tyme be namelesse that boughte the contentes of two noble Lybraryes for xl shyllynges pryce a shame it is to be spoken Thys stuffe hath he occupyed in the stede of graye paper by the space of more than these ten years and yet he hath store ynough for as many years to come A prodygâ—ouse example is this and to be abhorred of all
who endeavoured to give any account of Monasteries Such unjust and ill-natured Reflections have been the principal reasons that have deterred several of our Historians from discoursing so largely about them as they could or indeed their occasions required and have been the chief causes why so few have treated purposely of them or published any things immediately relating to them or their Lands 'T is well known Mr. Camden and Mr. Weaver were forced to apologize for barely mentioning the Monasteries and what outcries were made upon the Publication of that glorious work the Monasticon In so much that a very Learned and ingenious person wroto a Latin Letter to Dr. Langbain to whom Mr. Dugdale had communicated his Collections to encourage the design by shewing the great use of such a work and removing all objections that could be raised against it Which is printed in some few Copies of the first Volume Nay so much are some people possess'd against them that the least mention is odious and ungrateful But there are no grounds for it seeing these Religious places were by the well intended charity of their Founders and Benefactors built endowed and adorned how much soever they were afterward abused to the Glory of God the service of Religion and the relief of poor Christians But I would not be thought in this or any other expressions that may be found in this discourse in the least to vindicate the Superstition or vices of the Monks tho' perhaps it would be but common justice to infuse a better opinion of Monasteries into the generality of Protestants And indeed considering the provisions that are made in the Universities for the encouragement and attainment of Learning and the many Hospitals that have been since the Reformation built for the relief of the poor there is less reason to lament their loss It will be here expected that something of the general state of Monasteries should be said by way of Preface And 't is readily own'd that this would have been a very proper place for a Dissertation concerning the first beginners of a Monastick life the Original of Monasteries in this Isle the Institutions of the old British Monks and Clergy the Monks of the Roman Communion the manners of Secular married Clergy before the Conquest the introducing of the Benedictine Order into this Kingdom and the several Tribes of it viz. the Cluniac Cistercian Carthusian and other Orders as also of the Regular Canons Austins Praemonstratensians Gilbertines c. giving a summary of their Rules Habits and the most remarkable of their local Statutes To this might be added an account of the Original and Constitutions of the Templers Hospitalers of Collegiate Churches Frieries Gilds and Hermitages The whole might have been interwoven with pertinent digressions touching the state of Learning among the Monks their Privileges Riches and contentions with the Friers and Secular Clergy The reasons pretended for founding and endowing Religious Houses the methods of the Suppression and several other things would naturally fall in with these and very much tend to the illustration of our English Civil and Ecclesiastical History Something of this nature was intended to have been drawn up and prefixed to this Book but the compleating of it requiring more time and pains than a greater work which I have now upon my hands would permit and more materials than my years and small reading could furnish me with I am forced to lay aside that design at present and must desire the Reader to be content with the following lines which will serve to explain the subject and method of this Book and in some measure to understand the Rise Progress State and Suppression of Monasteries in England It was before observed that little had been done toward the History of Monasteries in this Kingdom for which reason some well versed in Antiquities were pleased to think that this Manual would not be ungrateful to the World At the Dissolution of these Places King Henry VIII wisely ordered the famous Antiquary Iohn Leland under the Broad Seal to examine all their Archives and to take an account of their Founders and Benefactors The effects of whose labours in this kind we have the rude draughts of in his MSS. Collections but he diâ—d and left this with several other Noble Designs unfinish'd His MSS. coming into the hands of Mr. Burton of Leicestershire he drew up a Catalogue of the Religious Houses within the Realm of England and Wales with their many Orders Founders and Values most of them being Suppressed by King Henry VIII Together with such other sacred places as either then mere by him left standing or since have been erected This Catalogue which is Printed at the end of Mr. Speed's Reign of King Henry VIII I ever thought to have been drawn up by Mr. Speed himself and have still mentioned it under Mr. Speed's name but Sir H. Spelman has better informed me and restored it to it 's genuine Author As for the Orders Names and true Valuations of the Monasteries the Author in the Preface owns he had them out of the Original Book taken by Commission and given to the King the Founders and the time of the Foundations in all probability he had out of the imperfect Notes of Leland and Camden's Britannia How defective and erroneous this Catalogue is may bâ— seen by our Notitia in which the Reader will find some hundreds of mistakes and omissions corrected and supplied out of the Monasticon and other good Authorities Besides this Catalogue or Table of Mr. Burtonâ—s I could never find any thing done to this subject till the publication of the Monasticon by the joint labours of those two famous Antiquaries Roger Dodsworth Esq and Mr. Will. Dugdale Indeed Mr. Rich. Broughton a Missionary Priest and Author of the Ecclesiastical History of Great Britain from the Nativity of Christ unto the happy conversion of the Saxons c. Doway 1633. fol. had collected a rapsody of stories which he entitled Monasticon Britanicum or an Historical Narration of the first Founding and flourishing estate of the ancient Monasteries Religious Rules and Orders of Great Britain in the times of the Britains and primitive Church of the Saxons c. This was not Printed till after the Author's death which was in A. D. 1634. viz. A. D. 1655. 8â—â— The very same year was published at London the First Tome of the Monasticon containing the Charters and Muniments of the Benedictine Cluniac Cistercian and Carthusian Orders The Second Volume did not come out till A. D. 1661. In this were comprised the Houses of the Regular Canons of St. Austin the Hospitalers Templers Gilbertines Premonstratenses and Maturins or Trinitarians The Third and last Volume of the Cathedral and Collegiate Churches with Additaments to the two former was publish'd in the year 1673. These three Folio's being too voluminous and costly for the generality of Readers I am willing to believe that this Short History will be grateful
Chaplains Singing-men Clerks and Choristers Preceptories or Commanderies were Mannors of the Knights Templers and Hospitalers where erecting Churches for the Service of God and convenient houses for habitation they sent part of their Fraternity thither who were to be under the government of the Preceptor or Commander and to take care of the Lands and Rents belonging to the Order in the neighbouring Country and so they were Cells to their principal Mansions in London Of all these Religious Houses in England and Wales the Reader may expect a Short History viz. the Foundation the Order Dedication and Valuation Concerning the Foundation the Reader will be troubled with no more than barely the Names and Qualities of the Founders and the time of the first Foundation It may be necessary here to note that in our Monastick Writers we find often mention of the First Second c. Founder and I have seen the Sixth Founder But the first may only be properly said to be the true Founder the others by their great Benefactions either restoring the old oâ— making some new additional Foundation Iâ— may be also observed that the Successors of the Founders the Patrons and chief Lords of the Fee were sometimes stiled Founders The Orders were either Religious or Military of the first were all Monks and Canons Of the Monks the most ancient anâ— the Benedictines or those that follow the Rulâ— of St. Benedict or Bennet who was born at Nuâ—sia in Italy about the year 480. He founded twelve Monasteries in his own Country the chief whereof was Mont Cassin and gavâ— them a Rule which was afterward approved 〈◊〉 by Pope Gregory the Great A. D. 595. They were called also Black Monks from the colour of their Habit which was a black loose Coat of stuff reaching down to their heels with a cowl or hood of the same and a Scapular and under that Coat another white Habit as large as the former made of white flannen and boots on their legs Of this Order were all our Cathedral Priories except Carliol and most of the richest Abbies in the Kingdom The Reformation of some things that seemed too remiss in St. Bennet's Rule by Odo Abbat of Cluny in Burgundy about A. D. 912. gave occasion to the rise of the Cluniac Order Most of our English Houses of this Order were subordinate to the Abby of Cluny or some other foreign Cluniac Monastery and so were seisâ—d as Alien-Priories during the wars with France but were afterward made indigenae and so discharged from all subjection and obedience to any forreign Abby Their Habit was little different from the Benedictines The Carthusians were also a branch of the Benedictines whose Rule with the addition of a great many aâ—sterities they follow Their Author was one Bruno born at Colen in Germany who first instituted this Order at Chartreuse in the Diocese of Grenâ—ble about A. D. 1080. Their Rule is the most strict and severe of any of the Religious Orders they never eat flesh always wear a hair Shirt next their skin none ever stir out of their Monasteries which are called Charter-houses upon any pretence whatsoever except the Prior and Procurator Their Habit is all white except their plaited Cloak which is black Rob. Harding an English man Abbat of Molisme in Burgundy first planted the Cistercian Order at Cistertium or Citeaux in the Bishoprick of Chalons A. D. 1098. They were called Bernardines from St. Bernard Abbat of Clarevall a great propagator of this Order and also White Monks from the whiteness of their Garments For their Habit was a white Cassock with a narrow Scapulary and a black Gown with long sleeves when they went abroad but going to Church they wore it white Their Monasteries were all of them dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary These were all the Orders of Monks that were to be met with in England The Canons were either Secular or Regular The Secular Canons were â—â—ergy men called Secular because they served the world Seculum in performing spiritual Offices for the Laity and taking upon them the care of Souls which the Regulars were incapable of They differed in nothing from ordinary Priests save that they were under the government of some local Statutes but were not so strictly obliged to live under one Roof as the Monks and Regular Canons but generally lived apart and were severally maintain'd by distinct Prebends in almost the same manner with the Canons and Prebendaries of our Cathedral and Collegiate Churches aâ— this day Regular Canons â—were so called because they were obliged to a strict observance of the Rule of St. Austin which enjoin'd them to have all things in common c. Their Habit is a long black Cassock a white Rochet over it over all a black Cloak and Hood They wear also beards the Monks were always shaved and a Cap upon their heads They pretend St. Austin of Hippo to have been their Founder but they were not eminent till the tenth or eleventh Century and not in England till after the Conquest For Authors disagree about the time when this Order was first brought into England Iohn Rosse saith that it was placed first at Colchester in the reign of King Stephen Reyner tells us Nosthell in Yorkshire was the first this Kingdom had which was founded temp Hen. I. Stow saith that Trinity within Aldgate London was the first which was founded A. D. 1107. But Mr. Somner's opinion is more consonant to truth who tells us that S. Gregorie's in Canterbury was the first that being built by Arch-bishop Lanâ—ranc A. D. 1084. So that the Reader is desired to take notice that tho' he may find mention made in this book of Black or Regular Canons before the Conquest yet they were the same at the foundation with Secular Canons but afterwards assumed the Habit and Rule of St. Austin For it was usual in those old times to stile the Secular Canons of Cathedral and Collegiate Churches Canonici Regulares to distinguish them from ordinary Parish Priests The Premonstratensian Canons lived according to the Rule of St. Austin reformed by one Norbert who instituted this Order about A. D. 1120. at Praemonstratum in Laon in France They were called also White Canons from their Habit which was a white Cassock with a Rochet over it and a long white Cloak The Sempringham or Gilbertine Canons were instituted by St. Gilbert at Sempringham in Lincolnshire A. D. 1148. His Rule is composed out of those of St. Austin and St. Bennet with some special Statutes of his own The Habit of these Canons is a black Cassock over which they wear a furred Cloak and a Hood lined with Lamb skins The Monasteries of this Order consisted both of Men and Women who lived under the same Roof and were separated by a wall Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulcher were founded in imitation of those Regulars instituted in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher of our Saviour at Ierusalem Their Habit was the
â—ame as of other black Canons with the distinction of a double red Cross upon the breast of their Cloak or upper garment The endeavours of these Religious for the regaining of the Holy Land after the loss of Ierusalem coming to nothing their Lands Revenues and Privileges were transferred to the Maturines or Friers of the Order of the Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives who were instituted by S. Iohn de Matta and Felix de Valois about A. D. 1200. It was confirmed by Pope Innocent III. who gave them white Robes with a Cross red and blew on their breasts and appointed that all the possessions which they should enjoy should be equally divided into three parts one for the entertainment and reception of Religious persons the other to relieve the poor and the third to redeem Christians kept Captive by the Infidels These Canons were also called Trinitarians because all their Churches were by the Rules of their Order to be dedicated to the Holy Trinity And here in England they were said to be of the Order of Iâ—gham because that Monastery in Norfolk was the chief House of that Rule There were another Order of Canons of the Austin Rule in England called Bonhommes or Good-men They were first brought into this Kingdom A. D. 1283. 11 12. Edw. I. and placed in a Rectory or College founded by Edmund Earl of Cornwall at Asserâ—g in Bucks Of which Order in England there was but one more viz. at Edingdon in Wiltshire The Reader may observe that they were not the same with the Friers Minimes or Franciscans whom some Authors call Bonhommes because our Bonhommes were amply endowed with Lands and Rents which that Mendicant Order could never be possess'd of Neither could they be of the Order of Grandmont the Religious whereof were called Bonhommes because these were only Benedictines reformed As for the Nunneries of the Benedictine Climiac Cistercian and Carthusian Rules and the Austin Premonstratensian and Gilberâ—ine Nuns they were â—nstituted by the same as the Monks of those Orders they follow the same Rules with the Monks omitting only that which is not convenient for their Sex and wear habits of the same colour their Heads being always covered with a Vail Besides these we had in England three other Orders of Religious Females 1 Clarisses or of the Order of St. Clare who instituted it at Assise in Italy about A. D. 1225. 2 Brigettan Nuns who were founded by St. Bridget Queen of Sweedland about A. D. 1360. 3 Nuns of the Order of Fontevrault who wear a black Habit with a white Vail This Order was a Reformation of the Benedictine begun by Robert de Arbusculo at Font Ebrald in Poictiers A. D. 1117. There were also Monks of this Rule but none I think in England except it were in such Alien-Priories as were Cells to that Abby So without doubt other Alien-Priories that were subordinate to St. Victor at Paris and Grandmont in France the Canons of the first and the Monks of the last having particular Rules distinct from any other Order were of the same Constitutions with those Abbies Of the Military Orders there is mention made but of two in this book viz. of the Knights Hospitalers of S. Iohn of Ierusalem and the Knights Templers The Hospitalers since called Knights of Rhodes or Malta were first taken notice of about A. D. 1090. and were mightily favoured by Godfrey of Bullen and his successor Baldwin King of Ierusalem They followed partly St. Austin's Rule and wore a white Cross upon their black Habit. There was also in England one House of Nuns of the Order of St. Iohn of Ierusalem viz. Buckland in Somersetshire The Knights Templers so called from having their residence in certain Rooms adjoining to the Temple at Ierusalem were instituted A. D. 1118. They followed the Cistercian Rule and their duty was to guard Pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land Their Habit was white with a red Cross. Thus I have in short traced the several Monastick Orders by their Original Institutions and Habits and in the Notitia have been very careful to note the Order of every Religious House which may be very useful besides the curiosity of knowing what sort of Monks inhabited every Country in the matter of tithes especially The Cistercians Premonstratenses Hâ—spitalers and Templers being discharged from the payment of tithes in their own Demâ—snes Such Monasteries I mean of those Orders as were founded before the Council of Lateran A. D. 1215. and such of the Cistercians and Premonstratensians being valued above 200 l. per an as were not dissolved by the Statute of 27. Hen. VIII See Sir Sim. Degge's Parsons Counsellor Lib. II. Cap. 21. The next thing the Reader will be informed of in this Short History of the Religious Houses is their Dedication which is very necessary to be known for distinction sake in great Towns or Cities where are two or more Monasteries This may be also of some use in reading our old Historians for in them the Monastery is often mentioned under the bare name of the Saint to whom it is dedicated Thus we frequently meet with Monasterium or Abbatia S. Aldhelmi for Malmsbury in Wiltshire S. 〈◊〉 for Chich in Essex Prioratus S. Swithini for the Cathedral at Winchester and several other instances of the like nature which some even the more understanding Readers may stick at But this is remedied in the following book by turning to the Index of Names wherein under the Saints Name may be found the Pages in which are any Monasteries dedicated to that Saint The Virgin Mary must be excepted because she being the Patroness of all the Cistercian Houses and of a great many other Monasteries is mentioned once or twice in almost every Page And that the Reader may know what revenues every Religious House had and so partly guess at the number of the Foundation here is set down the valuation of them which was taken by the Kings Commissioners 26. Hen. VIII Of this valuation we have two very different Copies the one given us by Mr. Burton or Mr. Speed in the Catalogue of Religious Houses which was taken from the very Original delivered in to King Henry VIII by the Commissioners The other at the end of the first Tome of the Monasticon taken by Sir Will. Dugdale out of an ancient Copy in the Cottonian Library These two valuations seldom or never agree in the same sum and for that reason because there is good Authority for both it is thought fit that the revenues according to both Rates should be inserted That of Dugdale's in the Monasticon generally amounting to a less sum than that of Speedâ—s I shall not endeavour to reconcile them or to give a reason of the difference It was once thought that Dugdale's valuation had been the clear revenues over and above all Pensions Corrodies Alms c. but adding the sums of these Reprises which are at large mentioned in Sir Will. Dugdale's History of the Monasteries
particular terms ad vestitum Monachorum ad victum ad luminaria ad hospitalitatem faciendam ad fabricam Ecclesiae ad reparanda Ecclesiae ornamenta and other uses to which those revenues were particularly appropriated The last grievance that shall be mentioned which indeed affected the Clergy in general was the Conqueror's charging Church-Lands with Military Services This is taken notice of by Matthew Paris but I shall crave leave to describe it in the words of a late ingenious Writer Whereas saith he before the Conqueror's time the Clergy held all their land by Franc Almonage and subject to no duties or impositions but such as they laid upon themselves in their Ecclesiastical Assemblies This Prince finding above a third part of the Lands of the Kingdom in the possession of the Clergy and the Forces of the Crown which consisted in Knights service lessened in proportion by their Immunities He reduced all their Lands to the common tenure of Knight's Fees and Baronage and thereby subjected them to an attendance upon the King in his wars and to other services anciently due and sometimes raised upon all Lands that held in Fee from the Crown This innovation touched not only the Bishops but all the Abbats throughout the Kingdom many of whom were endowed with great Lands and Revenues But Sir Will. Temple must pardon me if I suspend my opinion in this particular till better inform'd viz. That the Conqueror found above a third part of the Lands of the Kingdom in Possession of the Clergy ' The truth of this may be examined with more certainty than any other part of English History the Lands of the Ecclesiasticks being all particularly recorded in Doomsday-book so that it will be easie to compute the proportion But not having in this place the opportunity of consulting the Original it cannot be very accurate However by the transcript of those few Counties we have a pretty exact guess may be made In Cheshire were but twenty seven Mannors belonging to Churchmen in Warwickshire not fourty in Berkshire about sixty in Staffordshire about fifty and in Nottinghamshire but fourty Besides it ought to be considered that one fourth of the Lands that were in Church-men's hand in the time of King Edward III. at which time the Commons shewed the King that the Temporalities of the Clergy amounted only to above a third part of the Kingdom was not given to Religious places at King William's first coming to the Crown For there were not above an hundred Monasteries and endowed Churches founded before the Conquest which tho' they were richer for the most part than any after founded yet according to the highest account the revenues could not amount to above a fourth part of the incomes of the Religious Houses in the time of Edward III. And if so then the Ecclesiasticks had but at most a twelfth part of the Lands of the Kingdom in their hands at the time when the Conqueror imposed these services viz. A. D. 1170. After this digression we must again carry on some brief account of the state of the Monastick Orders here in England It was in the Conqueror's time that the third and last Regulation of Monks was made by Arch-bishop Lanfranc in the Council held at London A. D. 1075. This Reformation brought the English Monks nearer the Benedictines than ever before I mean those of the old Foundations but as for the new Monasteries they were replenished with Monks of what Order the Founder pleased For during this Reign were brought into England the Orders of Regular Canons of St. Austin and of Cluniac Monks Of each sort were six founded in this Kings time as also sixteen Benedictine Abbies and Priories besides fourteen Alien-Priories A note annexed to an old MS. book of Ecclesiastical Constitutions in the Bodleâ—â—n Library desires us to note the slyght of the Pope that when he had causyd the Deuke of Normandy to Conquer England under pretence of penance causyd him to give muche Lands to Abbyes and that Deuke dyd bylde many of the Order of Cluny because Pope Gregory VI. was a Monk of Cluny Thoâ— I cannot find that ever he founded any of this Order yet he built and endowed the great Abbies of Battel Com. Suss. and Selby in Com. Ebor. and the Priory of Hitchinbroke in Com. Hunt and the Alien-Priories of Frampton in Com. Dors. Paunsfeld in Com. Essex Derehirst in Com. Gloc. Andover in Com. Hants and Stayning in Com. â—uss Will. Rufus succeeded next heir to the vices not the vertues of his Father He miserably oppressed the Religious seised upon the Revenues of the vacant Abbies and Bishopricks and would never let them be filled without some Simoniacal bargain In this Kings Reign several of the Bishops of whom Walkeline Bishop of Winchester was the chief made strong efforts to expel all the Monks out of Cathedral Churches and to place Secular Canons in their rooms This infallibly they had accomplished having got the Kings consent had not Archbishop Lanfranc a man of universal Goodness and approved Wisdom maintain'd the cause of the Monks with a great deal of courage and not only brought the King to change his mind but also procured a Bull from the Pope prohibiting the like attempts for the future In the thirteen years of this Kings reign were not above thirteen Religious Houses except Priories Alien founded viz. seven of the Benedictine four of the Cluniac and two of the Austin Order and about nine Alien-Priories but not one Collegiate Church in this or the preceeding Reign The King built only the small Priories of Armethwait in Com. Cumb. and S. Nicholas in Exeter King Henry I. is recorded to have been a very pious good Prince an encourager of Learning and Piety and one that had a great esteem for the Church and all Religious Persons His founding nine or ten Monasteries confirms the truth of this character viz. the Episcopal See and Priory of Regular Canons at Carlisle the Abbies of Cirencester in Com. Gloc. and Mertâ—n in Com. Surr. with the Priories of Dunstable in Com. Bedf. St. Dennis at Southampton and Wells near Grimsâ—y in Com. Linc. of the same Order as also the stately Benedictine Abby at Reading besides the Alien-Priories of Steventon in Com. Berks. Tackley in Com. Essex and Newent in Com. Gloc. In the beginning of this Kings Reign the Knights Hospitalers settled in London A. D. 1128. the Cistercians were first brought into England and placed at Waverâ—â—y in Surrey and about this time the Canons 〈◊〉 the Holy Sâ—pulcher came to Warwick The number of Religious Houses founded in the Reign of King Henry I. were above an hundred viz about thirty of the Benedictine Monasterieâ— fourty of the Austin Order five Cluniac ten Cistercian Houses four Colleges two Preceptories and thirteen Alien-Priories King Stephen was Virtuous Religious and Liberal and after the wars between him and Maud the Empress were ended a great builder of Religious Houses To
him the Benedictines at Carow in Com. Norf. and at Heyham in Com. Cant. the Black Canons at Thornâ—olm in Com. Linc. and the Cluniac Monks at Feversham in Com. Cant. owe their Foundations and endowments and the Knights Hospitalers their Commanderies at Cressing Temple in Com Essex and at Egle in Com. Linc. A. D. 1146. the Premâ—nstratensian Order was brought into England their first Monastery being Newhouse in Lincolnshire Two years after the Gilbertine â—rder had its rise at Sempringham in that County The troubles the Kingdom was for a great part of this Reign embroiled in could not restrain the Piety and Charity of the English from building Religious Houses to the number of fifteen of the Benedictine Order twenty five Priories of black Canons thirty five Cistercian Abbies six Houses of the Premonstratensian six of the Gilbertine and four of the Cluniac Rule one College two Preceptories and three Alien-Priories King Henry II. was very obliging to the Clergy especially after the murder of S. Thomas Becket of Canterbury He founded the first house the Carthâ—sians had in England viz. Witham in Somersetshire as also Waltham in Com. Essex Newstede in Com. Nott. Ivy Church in Com. Wilt. and Marton in Com. Ebor. of the Austin Order Newstede in Com. Linc. for Gilbertine Canons Stonely in Com. Warw. for Cistercian Monks and the Alien-Priory of Hagh in Com. Linc. In his Reign were founded twenty two Benedictine thirty Austin eight Premonstratensian four Gilbertine and six Cluniac Monasteries three Collegiate Churches six Preceptories for in the year 1185. the Templers came into England eight Alien-Priories and what is more remarkable almost twenty Cistercian Abbies notwithstanding it was contrary to a Canon made at the general Chapter of the Cistercian Order A. D. 1152 wherein the erection of any more Abbies of that Rule was expresly forbid because there were above five hundred of them already founded In Richard I. time the humour of going to recover Holy Land from the Saracens mightily prevail'd in England as well as in all other parts of Christendom And the mony design'd for pious uses being expended in those Wars and for the Ransom of the King there were few Monasteries built in this Reign viz. six of the Benedictine four of the Austin one of the Cistercian four of the Premonstratensian and two of the Gilbertine Order with one Alien-Priory This King is said to have mortally hated the Black Monks the Cistercians and the Templers and not only those three sorts but also all Religious Men for we do not find that he built one Monastery in England King Iohn tho' he was always prejudiced against the Ecclesiasticks yet he founded a stately Abby for the Cistercians at Beaulieu in Com. Hants to which he made Farendon in Com. Berks. a Cell He built also the Ben. Nunnery of Lambley in Com. Northumb. and made Otterington in Com. Devon an Alien-Priory In his Reign were founded seven Benedictine Abbies and Priories eleven for Regular Canons seven for Cistercian Monks one Preceptory two Premonstratensian Abbies six of the Gilbertine Order and two Alien-Priories In King Henry the third 's long Reign we find but four Benedictine Abbies and Priories built fifteen of the Austin nine of the Cistercian and of the Gilbertine and Cluniac Orders each one as also one of the Premonstratensian viz. Tichfield in Com. Hants which was the last of that Order that was built in England and one Alien-Priory viz. Rumney in Com. Cant. the last that was subjected to any foreign Monastery And the King himself founded only the small Gilbertine Cell of Fordham in Com. Cantab. For during this Reign came the Dominican or Preaching Friers into this Kingdom A. D. 1217. and the Franciscans or Friers Minors A. D. 1224. who for the pretended severity of their lives and their frequent Preaching were at first mightily admired by the people to the great loss of the parish Priests as well as the Regulars King Edward I. succeeded next who built the stately Abby of Vale-Royal in Com. Cest. In this King's time the Charity and Devotion of the English began to be very cold the greatness and riches of the Ecclesiasticks being envied by the Nobility and Gentry and the affections of the people alienated by the Sermons Pamphlets and secret insinuations of the begging Friers The Nobility and Commons being thus prepared the Statute of Mortmain easily passed A. D. 1279. 7. Edw. I. By this Act it was not allowed to any Religious person to enter upon any Fees either to buy them or to receive them of the gift of others without licence of the chief Lords upon pain of forfeiture and the reason of this Statute was because the services due from such Fees and which at the beginning were provided for the defence of the Realm are wrongfully withdrawn and the chief Lords do loose their escheats of the same Upon the making this Statute the Religious seem'd to complain and to supply the loss of new benefactions procured pensions privileges from paying Tithes and what the Church finds the inconvenience of to this very day Impropriations These last thoâ— they were sometimes used before yet after the enacting this law were obtained by Bulls from Rome on every small occasion A. D. 1295. the King seised all the Aliâ—n-Priories the rents and profits which issued out of them to foreign Monasteries in case they received as formerly being conceived of advantage to the Kings enemies In this King's time were founded three Monasteries of the Benedictine Order two Austin Priories three Cistercian Abbies one Preceptory and nine Colleges as also one Gilbertine Priory viz. Pulton in Wiltshire which was the last House of that Order in England In King Edward II. his Reign we find no great stir made about the Monks or their lands Indeed the Knights Templers were seised and their goods and revenues confiscated tho' they were not appropriated to any Secular use but settled on the Knights Hospitalers by Act of Parliament 17. Edw. II. In which Statute there are some things very remarkable which shew the opinion Parliaments in those times had of Church-lands It seemeth good these are the words of the Act to our Lord the King the Noblemen and others assembled in Parliament for the health of their Souls and the discharge of their consciences that whereas the Military Order of Temples were originally instituted for the defence of Christians and the Universal Holy Church subversion of the enemies of Christ and Christians and canoniz'd to the augmentation of the honour of God and liberal almsgiving That the foresaid lands and tenements in demesnes Lordships Services c. according to the wills of the givers shall be assign'd and delivered to other men of most holy Religion to the intent the fruits obventions and profits of the same lands tenements and other things may be converted and charitably disposed of to godly uses I can't meet with any Monastery founded by this unhappy Prince and indeed
Men which love their Nation as they should do Thus Bale one of the bitterest enemies the Monks ever had is forced to lament the great damage the Learned World sustained at the Dissolution Indeed those well furnish't Libraries that were in most Monasteries plainly shew that we are too much prejudic'd against the Monks when we rashly condemn them as idle ignorant and discouragers of Learning and that on the contrary we ought to esteem many of them to be Learned and industrious and promoters of several usefull parts of knowledge In every great Abby there was a large Room called the Scriptorium to which belonged several Writers whose whole business it was to transcribe good Books for the use of the publick Library of the House Tho' sometimes they wrote the Leiger-books as also Missals and other Books used in Divine Service yet generally they were upon other Works viz. Fathers Classicks Histories Philosophy c. And to give but one instance the care they had to encrease the number of good Books will appear by the large Catalogue of Books which were transcrib'd at Glastonbury in one Abbat's time and are as follow Bibliotheca una Plinius de Naturali Historia Cassiodorus super Psalteriam Tria Missalia magna Duo Lectionaria Breviarium in domo infirmorum Jeronimus super Ieremiam Isaiam Origines super Vetus Testamentum Ejusdem Omeliae Idem super Epistolam Pauli ad Romanos Hieronymus super Epistolam ad Galathas ad Ephesios ad Titum ad Philemonem Vitae Patrum Collationes Patrum Breviarium Hospitum Antiphonarium Pars una Moralium Cyprianus Registrum Liber dictus Paradisus Jeronimus contra Iovinianum Ambrosius contra Novatianos Septem Volumina de Passionibus Sanctorum per totum anni circulum Vitâ—e Caesarum Gesta Britonum Gesta Anglorum Gesta Francorum Pascasius Radbertus de corpore sanguine Domini Summae quaedam Liber Abbatis Clarevallensis de amando Deo Hugo de S. Victore de duodecim gradibus Humilitatis de Oratione Physionomia Lapidarium Liber Petri Alfimii in uno volumine Rhetorica prima secunda Vnum Volumen Quintiliani de causis Epistola Augustini de oratione Dominica super Psalmum Miserere mei Deus Benedictionale unum Episcopale Decreta Juonis Carnotensis Episcopi Jeronimus super XII Prophetas Lamentationes Ieremiae Augustinus de Trinitate Augustinus super Genesin Ysidori Etymologiae Paterius Augustinus de verbis Domini Hugo de Sacramentis Cassianus de Incarnatione Domini Anselmus cur Deus Homo These valuable Books could never have been without the expence of a great deal of time and money transcribed had not the Monks had a Spirit of Learning and industry There were no less than 1700. MSS. Tracts in the Library at Peterburgh and the Catalogues of Books belonging to the Priory of Dover and the Abby of St. Mary de la Pre at Leicester clearly evince that those Houses had no mean Libraries and those kept in very good order Nay so zealous were the Monks for the encouragement of Learning that they very often got Churches appropriated ad libros faciendos And in the Abby of St. Austin at Canterbury there was temp Edw. II. an order made by Thomas the Abbat with the unanimous consent of the whole Convent that yearly on the first day of Lent Prayers should be made for the Souls of the dead and the good estates of the living Benefactors to the Library that for the living the Mass of the Holy Ghost should be solemnly sung and for the dead the Mass Pro Defunctis with the Prayer Inclina c. And not only their diligence in procuring new Books but their care in preserving the old was very commendable Of this St. Aldhelm's Psalter at Malmsbury and St. Cuthbert's Gospels kept till the Dissolution in Durham Abby and now among that curious Collection of MSS. belonging to Sir Iohn Cotton at Westminster are pregnant instances And Leland tells us that in Bath Library he found several Books given them by King Ethelstan To this end they had in some Monasteries Librarians as Flaccus Albinus at York and William Somerset at Malmsbury and in others there is reason to believe the Libraries were under the care of the Camerarius It would be too hard a censure to think that those who were so great lovers of Books should not make some use of them The ancient British Irish and Saxon Monasteries we find were the Schools and Universities of those times they were not only Cells of Devotion but also Nurseries of Learned Men for the use of the Church The works of Bede are a sufficient argument of the knowledge the Monks of those times had in all parts of Learning Their skill in the Learned Languages was so very eminent that 't is reported some of them understood Greek and Latin as well as their Mother-tongue But it is to no purpose to enlarge any more in this matter which requires a particular Treatise When the Monks were rooted out by the Danish wars an universal ignorance overspread the land in so much that there was scarce any one in England that could read or write Latin But when by the care of King Edgar and Arch-bishop Dunstan Monasteries were restored Learning found it's former encouragement and flourished very much within the walls of the Cloisters So that Leland who was no great friend to the Monks often confesses that in these old times there few or no Writers but Monks and that all the knowledge of those dark ages was amongst them Even after the Conquest tho' by reason of the introducing several new Orders of Religious who minded their Devotions more than Books there were but few Learned Men yet all or most of the Writers were Monks and Regular Canons till the rise of the Mendicant Orders in the beginning of the Reign of King Henry III. In the preceding Centuries Learning began to flourish in our Universities tho' the original or at least the Restoration of one of them is owing to the â—onks of Croiland In them were taught â—chool Divinity and Canon Law then mightily 〈◊〉 vogue and the Friers resorting thither in â—reat numbers and applying themselves to â—earning with indefatigable industry went beâ—ond the Monks in all parts of the then fashioâ—able knowledge But in the next age the â—onks had Colleges in the Universities foundâ—â— and liberally endowed for the education of â—â—eir Novices Thus Leland tells us The â—â—mes of Peterburgh Haulle Semplingham and â—auldey remain at Stanford as places for those â—ouses of Men of Religion that sent their Scholars â—â—ther to study And in Oxford we had Glocester â—â—rham Canterbury and London Colleges for 〈◊〉 Benedictines St. Marie's near North-gate 〈◊〉 the Austin Canons and the College of St. 〈◊〉 for the Cistercians Here the young â—onks were instructed for some years in Grammar Rhetorick Philosophy School Divinitâ— c. and
p. 576. 31. Daunton Fulk de Neweham built a Benedictine Nunnery here to the honour of St. Mary Magdalene Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 501. 32. Ulcomb A. D. 1220. Stephen Langton Arch-bishop of Canterbury founded a Collegiate Church here * Vide Cartas penes Franc. Clerk de ead Armig. 33. Mottinden A Priory of the Order of the holy Trinity founded by Rob. de Rokesly A. D. 1224. It was valued 26. Hen. VIII at 60 l. 13 s. ob Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 833. 34. â—reweleigh An Alien Priory 35. Liâ—â—â— Cherche A Priory of Black Monks dedicated to S. Mary 36. â—ilsington A Priory of Black Canons founded by Iob. Maunsell Provost of Beverley A. D. 1253. and dedicated to the blessed Virgin It was valued 26. Hen. VIII at 81 l. 1 s. 6 l. per an Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 333. 37. â—umney An Alien-Priory founded by Ioh. Maunsell Provost of Beverley A. D. 1257. * Vide Munimenta penes Custodem Socios Coll. Omn. Anim. Cxon 38. Wingham A College for a Rector and six Canons founded by Iohn Peckham Arch-bishop of Canterbury A. D. 1280. and endowed with 84 l. per an Vide Mon. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 52. 39. Ospring A Preceptory of the Templers 40. Swingfield A Preceptory of the Knights Templers valued 26. Hen. VIII at 87 l. 3 s. 3 l. ob per an * Vide Mun. penes Tho. Gomeldon Armig. 41. Badlesmere A Priory of Black Canons founded by Bartholomew Badlesmere 13. Edw. II. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 351. 42. Cobham Iohn Lord Cobham A. D. 1362 built a Collegiate Church here to the honour of St. Mary Magdalene It 's yearly revenues at the Suppression amounted to 128. 1 s. 9 d. ob Vide Hollinshed's History Vol. II. p. 1500. * Cartas penes D. D. Jos. Williamson Eq. Aur. 43. Dertford A Nunnery of the Order of St. Austin founded by King Edw. III. A. D. 1373. and commended to the Patronage of St. Mary and St. Margaret It was rated 26. Hen. VIII at 380 l. 9 s. ob per an Dugd. 400 l. 8 s. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 357. * Particulas terrae ad Mon. de Dertford spectant in Bibl. Arundel 1645. nunc in Bibl. Coll. Gresham Lond. 44. Bredgare A College built by Rob. de Bradgare Clerk 16. Rich. II. and dedicated to the Holy Trinity Vide Mon. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 117. 45. Maidstone Will. Courtney Arch-bishop of Canterbury 19. Rich. II. founded a College here to the honour of All-Saints It was endowed with 159 l. 7 s. 10 d. per an Vide Mon. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 132. 46. West-Peccam A Preceptory of the Templers founded by Ioh. Culpeper 10. Hen. IV. valued 26. Hen. VIII at 63 l. 6 s. 8 d. per an 47. Waye A College of Secular Canons built by Iohn Kemp Arch-bishop of Canterbury 10. Hen. VI. St. Gregory and St. Martin were the Tutelar Patrons of this House whose yearly revenues were worth 93 l. 2 s. ob per an Vide Mon. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 191. 48. Ashford A College founded temp Edw. IV. by Sir Iohn Fogg LANCASHIRE 1. Lancaster AN Alien-Priory Cell to the Abby of St. Martin de Sagio in Normandy whereunto it was given by Roger Earl of Poictiers A. D. 1094. after the Dissolution of these Priories it was appropriated by King Hen. V. to Syon College Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 566. 2. Furnes A Cistercian Abby founded by Stephen Earl of Morton afterwards King of England A. D. 1127. and commended to the Patronage of the blessed Virgin Mary It was endowed at the Dissolution with 805 l. 16 s. 5 d. per an Dugd. 966 l. 7 s. 10 d. Sp. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 704. Registra duo in officio Ducatus Lancast. MS. * Rog. Dodsworthi Collectiones MSS. in Bibl. Bodl. vol. 39. 3. Cokersand or Pyling Theobald Walter temp Hen. II. built an Abby for Praemonstratensian Canons here which he dedicated to the blessed Virgin It was valued 26. Hen. VIII at 228 l. 5 s. 4 d. ob per an Speed 157 l. 14 s. ob Dugd. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 631. Registr MS. vel penes Rob. Bolton de Thornham in Com. Lanc. vel in Bibl. Hatton * Coll. MSS. Rog. Dodsworth in Bibl. Bodl. vol. 149. 4. Burscough A Priory of Black Canons founded by Rob. Fitz-Henry Lord of Lathom temp Hen. II. It 's Tutelar Saint was St. Nicholas and endowed at the Dissolution with 80. 7 s. 6 d. per an Dugd. 129 l. 1 s. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 303. Cartular de Burscough in officio Ducatus Lancastriae 5. Conisheved A Priorv of Black Canons dedicated to St. Leonard and founded by Will. Lancaster Baron of Kendal temp Hen. II. Valued at 124 l. 2 s. 1 d. per an Speed 97 l. 2 d. Dugd. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 424. 6. Cartâ—cle A. D. 1188. Will. Mareschal Earl of Pembroke founded a Priory here of Canons of the Order of St. Austin It was dedicated to the blessed Virgin and rated 26. Hen. VIII at 124 l. 2 s. 1 d. per an Speed 91 l. 16 s. 3 d. Dugd. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 300. 7. Lythom Rich. Fitz-Roger temp R. Ioh. built a Priory of Benedictines here to the honour of St. Mary and St. Cuthbert and annexed it as a Cell to Durham Abby It 's annual revenues at the Suppression were worth 48 l. 19 s. Dugd. 53 l. 15 s. 10 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 499. * Registrum penes Tho. Clifton de Lythom 8. Penwortham Warin Bussel temp ... built a Priory of Benedictines here to the honour of the blessed Virgin which was subordinate to the Abby of Evesham and rated 26. Hen. VIII at 29 l. 18 s. 7 d. per an Dugd. 114 l. 16 s. 9 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 360. * Reg. penes Joh. Fleetwood de Penwortham Armig. 9. Whalley Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln gave the Church here to the White Monks of Stanlaw in Cheshire whereupon they removed their Abby hither A. D. 1296. It 's yearly revenues were worth at the Suppression 321 l. 9 s. 1 d. ob Dugd. 551 l. 4 s. 6 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 897. Registr penes Rad. Ashton Mil. Bar. 10. Holland A. D. 1319. Walter Bishop of Litchfield by the consent and at the petition of Sir Rob. Holland Knight Patron changed the Collegiate Church of St. Thomas the Martyr into a Benedictine Priory It was valued at 53 l. 3 s. 4 d. per an Dugd. 61 l. 3 s. 4 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 544. T. 2. p. 889. 11. Horneby A Cell to the Abby of Croxton in Leicestershire 12. Manchester In 9. Hen. V. Thomas Lord De la Ware obtained licence of the King to found a College consisting of a Warden and a certain number of Priests in the parish
Dugd. 615 l. 4s 3 d. ob Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 375. Registr pen. Ric. Leveson de Trentham 1638. Registr penes Ric. Lee. 1638. 4. Haghmon Will. Fitz-Alan A. D. 1100. founded a Priory of Black Canons here and dedicated it to St. Iohn the Evangelist It 's yearly revenues were worth at the Dissolution 259 l. 13 s. 7 d. q. per an Dugd. 294 l. 12 s. 9 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 933. Registr penes Walt. Barker de ead Arm. 1653. 5. Wombridge A Priory of Black Canons erected by William Fitz-Alan temp Hen. I. and by him commended to the Patronage of St. Mary and St. Leonard It was valued at 65 l. 7 s. 4 d. per an Dugd. 72 l. 15 s. 8 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 252. 6. Bildewas A. D. 1135. Roger Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield built an Abby for Cistercian Monks here to the honour of St. Mary and St. Chad. It was endowed at the Suppression with 110 l. 19 s. 3 d. ob per an Dugd. 129 l. 6 s. 10 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 779. T. 2. p. 914. Historian Fundationis in Bibl. Cotton Nero. C. 3. 7. Bromfield A Benedictine Priory subordinate to the Abby of St. Peter at Glocester for A. D. 1155. the Secular Canons in the Church of St. Mary here were turned into Black Monks Vide Mon. Angl. T. I. p. 464. 8. Abberbury A Cell to the Abby of Grandmont in France to which it was given by Fulk Fitz-Warin temp Hen. II. After the Suppression of Alien-Priories Hen. Chichele Arch-bishop of Canterbury bestowed it on All-Souls College in Oxford Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 605. * Munimenta in Thesaurario Coll. Omn. Anâ—m Oxon. 9. Halesowen b. An Abby of Premonstratensian Canons built by Peter de Rupibus Bishop of Winchester temp Reg. Ioh. to the honour of the blessed Virgin It s yearly revenues were worth 280 l. 13 s. 2 d. ob Dugd. 337 l. 15 s. 6 d. ob Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 655. * Cartas Originales hujus Monasterii in Castrâ— Dudly reservatas * Registr pen. Henr. Littleton Baronettum 10. Chirburâ— or Sâ—ede A Priory of Black Monks valued at 87 l. 7 s. 4 d. per an Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 500. 11. Batlingcope A Priory of Black Canons Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 336. 12. Oswestre Leland tells us that the Church of St. Oswald here was sometime a Monastery called the Whiteminster and the cloister was standing within the memory of some then living in which were monuments of Monks 13. Brerâ—wood or Brewood A Priory of White Nuns valued at 31 l. 1 s. 4 d. per an Speed 14. Battlefield King Henry IV. anno regni XI mo erected a College of Secular Canons here this being the place in which he overcame Henry Percy and other Rebels to the honour of St. Mary Magdalene It s yearly revenues were worth 26. Hen. VIII 54 l. 1 s. 10 d. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 185. 15. Tong. A. D. 1131. Isabel the wife of Fulk Penbridge Knight founded a Collegiate Church here and dedicated it to St. Bartholomew It was endowed at the Dissolution with 22 l. 8 s. 1 d. per an Vide Mon. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 143. 16. Newport A Collegiate Church founded by Tho. Draper 20. Hen. VI. and dedicated to St. Mary Vide Mon. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 201. 17. Shrewsbury The College of St. Mary worth at the Dissolution 13 l. 1 s. 8 d. per an 18. Shrewsbury The College of S. Chad valued at 14 l. 14 s. 4 d. ☞ Mr. Speed placeth Stone and Wigmore in this County the former of which is in Staffordshire and the latter in Hereford-shire SOMERSET-SHIRE 1. Glastonbury THis place is famous in our old Historians for the ancientest Church in Great Britain being as they say built by Ioseph of Arimathea A. Ch. 31. It was also the first Monastery in England founded by St. Patrick about A. D. 425. and afterward liberally endowed by the munificence of King Ina and other Saxon Kings St. Dunstan introduced Benedictine Monks here A. D. ... It was dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary and valued 26. Hen. VIII at 3311 l. 7 s. 4 d. ob per an Dugd. but according to Mr. Speed at 3508 l. 13 s. 4 d. ob q. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 1. T. 2. p. 837. Reyner Apost Bened. Tr. 1. p. 42. H. Spelman Conciliorum Tom. 1. p. 4. Will. Malmburiensem de Antiquitate Glastoniensis Monasterii Inter XV. Script Hist. Angl. edit Oxon. 1689. MS. de Antiquitate Augmentatione vetustae Ecclesae S. Mariae Glaston in Bâ—bl Bodl. Super D. 1. Art 14. Collectiones quasdam MSS. de Glastonia in ead Bibl. Digb 186. Fragmenta Historica Glaston Monasterii in ead Bibl. Laud. D. 145. Secretum Abbatis sive Cartularium antiquum Abbatiae Glastoniensis penes Abbatem ejusdem Monasterii conservari solitum in ead Bibl. Wood. 1. Registrum a fundatione hujus Abbatiae usque ad tempora R. Edvard I. penes Timotheum Clarges A. M. Aedis Christ Oxon. alumnum Annales MSS. in quibus praecipue tractatur de Antiquitate Glastoniensis Monasterii in Bibl. Cotton C. 10. 5. Cronicon Glastonburiense a Wilhelmo I. ad A. Ch. 1388. in ead Bibl. Cleop. D. 4. 1. MS. de Antiquitate Glastoniensis Ecclesiae autore Johanne Monacho ejusdem loci deflorante Will. Malmburiensem continuationem Adami de Domerham in ead Bibl. Tiber. A. 5. Eandem Historiam Johannis ad A. D. 1400. productam in pergameno pulchre exaratam cujus ad finem adjiciuntur plurimae Cartae Index In Bibl. Musaei Ashmol Oxon. N. 760. fol. Registrum penes Comitissam Devon Reg. penes Brian Pope de Butley in Com. Som. Armigerum Reg. penes ... Dier de Sharpham-Park in Com. Som. Reg. in Bibl. Coll. Gresham London 2. Congresbury It is reported by some Authors of no great credit that here was a Bishops See founded A. D. 167. and that it continued here till 't was removed to Wells by King Ina. Vide Angl. Sacr. T. 1. p. 553. 3. Bath A. D. 676. King Osric built a Nunnery here King Offa placed Secular Canons who being expell'd by the command of King Edgar Benedictine Monks were put in their places Iohn Bishop of Wells first assum'd the title of Bishop Bath temp Hen. I. This Abby was dedicated to St. Peter and valued 26. Hen. VIII at 617 l. 2 s. 3 d. per an Dugd. 695 l. 6 s. 1 d. ob Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 184. Angl. Sacr. T. 1. p. 560. Reyner Apost Bened. T. 2. p. 131. 4. Wells A. D. 704. King Ina founded a Collegiate Church here to the honour of the Apostle St. Andrew and as some Historians say removed the Episcopal Seat hither from Congresbury but others with great probability affirm that Athelmus was the first Bishop of this Diocese here placed by
King Edward and Plegmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury A. D. 909. Vide Angl. Sacr. T. 1. p. 554. * Cartas c. penes Decanum Capitulum 5. Banwell Leland tells us that there was a notable Monastery at Banwell in the time of Alfryde King of the West-Saxons 6. Athelncy A. D. 868. King Alfred founded a Benedictine Abby here to honour of St. Peter and St. Aethelwine It was rated at 209 l. 3 d. q. Speed Dugd. Vide Mon Angl. T. 1. p. 202. Reyner Apost Bened. T. 2. p. 132. * Reg. pones Wadh. Windham Iustic ad Placit 1662. 7. Michelney A Benedictine Abby founded by King Aethelstan A. D. 839. and dedicated to St. Peter It s yearly revenues at the Suppression were worth 447 l. 4 s. 11 d. ob Dugd. 498 l. 16 s. 3 d. q. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. P. 197. 8. Bruton A. D. 1005. Algar Earl of Cornwall built here a Monastery for Monks of the Benedictine Order but William Mohun Earl of Somerset temp R. Steph. placed Black Canons here It was dedicated to the blessed Virgin and rated at the Dissolution at 439 l. 6 s. 8 d. per an Dugd. 480 l. 17 s. 2 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 205. * Munimenta penes Dominum Fitz-Harding 9. Dunster William Mohun temp Will. Conq. built a Benedictine Priory here to the honour of St. George and annexed it as a Cell to the Abby of St. Peter at Bath It was valued 26. Hen. VIII at 37 l. 4 s. 8 d. per an Dugd. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 477. 10. Montacute William Earl of Morton temp Hen. I. founded here a Priory for Cluniac Monks and dedicated it to St. Peter and St. Paul It was endowed with 456. 14 s. 7 d. q. per an Dugd. 524 l. 11 s. 8 d. Speed Vide Mon. angl T. 1. p. 17 668. T. 2. p. 909. * Transcripta multarum Cartarum ad Prior. de Montacute pertinentium quae in Mon. Angl. non inveniuntur penes Virum Reverendum Andream Paschal Rectorem de Chedzoy prope Bridgewater in Com. Somers 1692. 11. Taunton A Priory of Black Canons erected by William Giffard Bishop of Winton temp Hen. I. to the honour of St. Peter and St. Paul It was valued 26. Hen VIII at 286 l. 8 s. 10 d. per an Dugd. 438 l. 9 s. 10 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 83. 12. Bristoll A Priory of Black Monks dedicated to S. Iames founded by Rob. Fitz-Hamon Earl of Glocester temp Hen. I. who annexed it as a Cell Teuxbury Abby Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 155 513. 13. Canington A Benedictine Nunnery built by Robert Curcy temp Hen. I. to the honour of the blessed Virgin Valued at 39 l. 15 s. 8 d. per an Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 545. * Cartas penes Hon. Dom. Clifford 14. Bristoll A. D. 1148. Rob. Fitz-Harding Lord of Berkley built a priory of Back Canons here to the honour of St. Augustine It 's yearly revenues at the Dissolution were worth 670 l. 13 s. 11 d. Dugd. 767 l. 15 s. 3 d. Speed King Henry VIII made it a Cathedral Church and founded therein a Chapter of a Dean and ... Secular Canons Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 233. * Registrum apud Castrum de Berkly in Com. Gloc. * Munimenta penes Decanum Capitulum 15. Keynsham A Priory of Black Canons founded by William Earl of Glocester temp Hen. II. and dedicated to the blessed Virgin It was rated 26. Hen. VIII at 419 l. 14 s. 3 l. per an Dugd. 450 l. 3 s. 6 d. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 298. 16. Witham The first house the Carthusian Monks had in England built by King Henry II to the honour of St. Iohn the Baptist. It was endowed with 215 l. 15 s. per an Dugd. 227 l. 1 s. 8 d. Speed Vide Angl. Angl. T. 1. p. 959. 17. Stoke-Curcy Hugh de Nevill temp Hen. II. founded a Priory of Black Monks here and made it an Alien-Priory to the Abby of Lonley in France It was dedicated to St. Andrew King Henry VI. gave it to Eaton College Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 577. T. 3. P. 2. p. 199. 18. Haselburg A Priory of Black Canons founded by William Fitz-Walter about A. D. 1160. Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 113. 19. Buckland The only Preceptory of Sisters of the Order of St. Iohn of Ierusalem in England placed here A. D. 1180. by King Henry II. in the room of the Black Canons here founded a few years before by William de Erleigh Dedicated to St. Mary and endowed at the Suppression with 223 l. 7 s. 4 d. per an Dugd. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 550. 20. Clive Will. de Romare 9. Ric. I. built a Benedictin◠Abby here to the honour of the blessed Virgin It was valued 26. Hen. VIII at 155 l. 9 s. 5 d. per an Dugd. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 530. * Reg. penes Wadh. Windham Iustic ad Placita 1662. 21. Worspring A Priory of Canons of St. Austin's Order erected by William de Curtenai about A. D. 1210. in memory of St. Thomas the Martyr It 's yearly revenuus at the Dissolution were worth 87 l. 2 s. 11 d. ob Dugd. 110 l. 18 s. 4 d. ob q. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 271. T. 3. P. 2. p. 47. 22. Henton A. D. 1227. Ela Countess of Saram founded a Monastery for Carthusian Monks here and dedicated it to St. Mary and St. Iohn It was rated 26. Hen. VIII at 248 l. 19 s. 2 d. per an Dugd. 262 l. 12 s. Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 1. p. 960. 23. Berliz Barlynch Speed A Priory of Black Canons dedicated to St. Nicholas endowed with 98 l. 14 s. 8 d. ob per an Speed Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 249. 24. Bearwe Sp. Minchin-barow Dugd. v. Barrow-Gurney A Benedictine Nunnery dedicated to St. Mary and St. Edwin valued at 23 l. 14 s. 3 d. ob per an Dugd. 29 l. 6 s. 8 d. Speed 25. Linton An Alien Priory to the Abby of St. Iacutus in Britanny 26. Staverdale A Priory of Black Canons built by Sir Will. Zouch to the honour of St. Iames Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 306. 27. Temple-Combe A Preceptory of the Knights Templers endowed with 107 l. 16 s. 11 d. per an Vide Mon. Angl. T. 2. p. 551. 28. North-Cadbury Elizabeth widow to Sir Will. Botreaux Knight founded a College here 4. Hen. V. for a Rector six Secular Canons and four Clerks Vide Mon. Angl. T. 3. P. 2. p. 173. 29. Moundroy A College rated at 11 l. 18 s. 8 d. Dugd. Sp. 30. Stoke under Hamden A Collegiate Church for a Provost and several Priests dedicated to St. Andrew and founded by one ... Gornay Sp. ☞ In Mr. Speed's Catalogue under Somersetshire may be found Dunkeswell which