Buckland Abbey (1834)

Hearder, G. & J. The South Devon monthly museum. Plymouth: MAY 1st, 1834. VOL. III. No. 17. PRICE SIXPENCE. pp.180 -181.BUCKLAND ABBEY. Buckland Abbey, seated on the eastern banks of the Tavy, was founded in honor of our Lady and St. Benedict, in the year 1278, by Amicia, Countess of Devon. For this new foundation she obtained a colony of Cistercian monks, from Quarrer, in the Isle of Wight. This order first settled in a place, called Cisteaux, in the neighbourhood of Dijon. It acquired the highest ascendancy over the greater part of Europe; and enjoyed unrivalled patronage and immunities. These Religious, without the previous licence and approbation of Walter Bronescombe, the bishop of Exeter, presumed to celebrate mass, and to exercise their functions. The bishop resented this trespass on his diocesan jurisdiction, and subjected the community to excommunication and suspension. But he soon relieved them from this penalty, at the solicitation of the Queen Eleanor.The yearly revenues of Buckland Abbey, have been rated at £341. This abbey had also very considerable property in Bampton. The manors of Bocland, Bykeley, Wolcampton and in Dertemer, Colompton and Wykecombe are mentioned as tributary to the abbot.That learned antiquary, and truly Catholic writer, the reverend G. Oliver, observes that he has seen an indenture made between the abbot of Buckland, Thomas White, and Robert Derkeham, organist. It is dated 28. May, 1522. The Abbot engages to pay Robert an annuity of £2. 13s. 4d.; to provide him a decent table, to allow a furnished room over the west gate of the monastery, and a gown every year, of the value of twelve shillings. He farther engages to Robert the reversion of a tenement at Milton, then occupied by John Brooke; and in the meanwhile to provide a decent dwelling-house, and garden, the moiety of the rent to be paid by Robert Derkeham, who is however to have the feeding of two cows, until he obtains possession of John Brooke's tenement. Robert is also to be allowed five ounces of bread and a quart of beer every night throughout the year; a wax candle from Nov. 1. until Feb. 2. and thirty horse-loads of faggots for his fire. In consideration of all this, the said Robert is to assist in the choir every day, during divine service, and to teach four boys of the convent, any one of whom he may choose to wait upon him as his servant. He farther engages to instruct the boys, and those monks who may wish to learn, in the art of Music and playing the organ. N. B. This indenture was admitted and allowed by the Augmentation Court, 18th December, 1540.The Abbey of Buckland is said to have planted the earliest orchards in the county.After the dissolution of this monastery, the scite was first granted "33. Henry VIII." to Richard Greynfeld, and four years after, it was conveyed to Richard Crymes of London. In the time of Queen Elizabeth, it was purchased by Sir Francis Drake, in the possession of a descendant of whose family it still continues. [Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Steel l.engr

86x135mm