St. Mary's Chapel, formerly in the castle yard, Exeter. From a drawing by R.B.Vidal Esq. ([1831])

Oliver, Rev. George. The history of the city of Exeter. Exeter: William Roberts; London: Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts, 1861. Part II. Chapter II. pp. 193 - 194, 196 197.Ancient prebendal church within the castle of Exeter.We now subjoin the history of the ancient church of St. Mary, founded for four prebendaries, at a very remote period, within the castle of Exeter. […]. We have not been able to meet with the original grant, but tradition attributes the foundation of the church to the family of De Briwere: it is not improbable, however, that its existence was coeval with that of the castle. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and not to the Holy Trinity, as stated in the Chantry Rolls. Annexed to the church were the four prebends, Hayes, Cutton, Carswell, and Aschclist, the patronage of all belonging to the Barony of Okehampton.In a deed dated 14th February, 1259, is mentioned a spot of ground […], charged with the yearly payment of threepence at Easter. […]. Amongst the obligatory yearly payments of the Prior and Brethren of St. John's Hospital, Exeter is half a pound of wax to be offered at St. Mary's Chapel within the castle of Exeter on the feast of her Assumption (15th of August).When Westcote wrote, soon after 1630, St. Mary's Chapel was "ruinous." A few years later, in 1639, Bishop Hall was requested to assign it "for the buryall of such prisoners as shall dye in the gaole." […].Towards the end of the reign of King Charles II. bishop Lamplugh, at his own cost, undertook to repair and beautify the chapel; and the justices voluntarily tendered some pecuniary aid, "but soe that the same be accepted as a free gift, and noe obligation for the future for the like benevolence." […]. In 1792 the ancient building, consisting of a chancel and nave, was removed. There is an engraving of it from a sketch by the late R .S. Vidal, Esq., which indicates no architectural beauty; indeed, all its later reparations appear to have been most unsightly. [Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Steel l.engr

69x80mm