Monastic Wales.








Event detail for site: St Clears

1288: Debts

The prior of St Clears (William Arraines) reputedly absconded with debts outstanding to the bishop of St David’s who duly seized the priory.

It is not however certain if the debt owing to the bishop had arisen from a loan negotiated by the prior himself or if the debt preceded his appointment as prior. Moreover, as Chris Pearce has recently argued (forthcoming), given that William was appointed to office (he was transferred to St James's, Exeter) it is not perhaps appropriate to describe him as 'absconding'.

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

The Heads of Religious Houses in England and Wales, II, 1216-1377, ed. D. M. Smith and V. London (CUP: Cambridge, 2001) p. 249

Cowley, F. G., The Monastic Order in South Wales 1066-1349 (Cardiff, 1977) pp. 213, 230

Graham, Rose, 'The Cluniac priory of St Martin des Champs, Paris, and its dependent priories in England and Wales', Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 3rd series, 11 (1948) p. 48

Other events in the history of this site

1147-1184: Foundation - The priory was founded in the second half of the twelfth century. [1 sources]
1279: Monastic observance - The prior of St Clears was summoned to Barnstaple Priory, another of St Martin's dependencies, to answer questions regarding the state of monastic observance.  [2 sources]
1288: Debts - The prior of St Clears (William Arraines) reputedly absconded with debts outstanding to the bishop of St David’s who duly seized the priory.  [3 sources]
c.1291: Wealth - According to the Taxatio the house had only twelve acres of arable land and its spiritualities and temporalities totalled £15 19s 2d.  [2 sources]
1294x1414: Custody - During these years the house was generally in royal custody. [2 sources][1 archives]
1305: Wealth - The royal officials valued the cell at £8 10s  [1 sources][1 archives]
c.1333: Resignation - By September 1333 John Seyer had resigned as prior of St Clears on account of his dissolute conduct.  [1 sources]
1339: Custody - On 16 July 1339, Pontius, a monk of St Clears, was granted the keeping of St Clears during the French Wars.  [1 sources]
1377: Poll tax - Only the prior is listed. [1 sources][1 archives]
1378-1409: Papal Schism - Contact between Cluny and her houses in England and Wales was severed.  [1 sources]
1378: Valuation - By 1378 the value of the priory had increased to £19 6s 8d. [1 archives]
c.1414: Dissolution - St Clears was dissolved c. 1414.  [1 sources]
1442: Custody - St Clears was granted to All Souls College, Oxford [1 sources]
 
Graphic.