Monastic Wales.








Event detail for site: Chepstow

1394-1398: Custody

From 1394 until 1398 there were no monks at Chepstow; in June 1398 John Workman, a monk, was granted keepership of the farm of the priory and Benedict Cely, knight and royal marshal, was given custody of the house.

According to the terms of the agreement Benedict was to maintain three monks of Cormeilles at Chepstow. Two would be sent immediately and a third would follow. Benedict was to provide the monks with food and clothing, and keep the buildings in good repair. In addition he was to pay the Exchequer £4 a year throughout the duration of the war; thereafter he was to make an annual payment of five marks to Cormeilles.

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

The Heads of Religious Houses in England and Wales, III, 1377-1540, ed. David M. Smith (CUP: Cambridge, 2008) p. 169

Graham, Rose, 'Four alien priories in Monmouthshire', Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 35 (1930) p. 114

Other events in the history of this site

pre 1071: Foundation - Chepstow was founded by Earl William fitz Osbern, lord of Chepstow Castle, as an alien priory of his foundation of Cormeilles in Normandy. It was the first Norman house founded in Wales. [3 sources]
c.1291: Wealth - According to the Taxatio Ecclesiastica the priory received £7 7s 2d annually in assized rents and 6s 8d from its courts.
 [3 sources]
1387: Royal custody - The priory was seized and handed to royal commissioners until the prior of Chepstow paid a significant sum for having retained custody of the house since the start of the war.  [1 sources]
1391: Custody - On 13 October the king granted Chepstow Priory to Giles Wenlok, clerk, as farmer of the priory, during the French wars. [1 sources]
1394-1398: Custody - From 1394 until 1398 there were no monks at Chepstow; in June 1398 John Workman, a monk, was granted keepership of the farm of the priory and Benedict Cely, knight and royal marshal, was given custody of the house.  [2 sources]
1442: Independence - Chepstow became an independent priory with a community of English monks. [1 sources]
1458: Custody - On 25 July Chepstow was granted to God’s House, Cambridge.  [1 sources]
1534: Numbers - At this time the community comprised a prior (Roger Shrewsbury) and one monk who subscribed to the Act of Supremacy. [5 sources]
c.1535: Wealth - According to the Valor Ecclesiasticus the priory had an income of over £32.  [4 sources][1 archives]
1536: Dissolution - The house was surveyed on 30 May 1536 and dissolved 6-7 September that year. [4 sources]
 
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