Ford Abbey (1783)

Grose, Francis. Antiquities of England and Wales. London: S. Hooper, 1785. Vol. II. pp. 63-5.FORD ABBY, DEVONSHIRE Ford abby stands about 5 miles N.E. of Axminster, near the river Ex, in the parish of Thorncomb, and deanery of Honiton.[…] Rich. de Brioni, son of Baldwin de Brioni, by Albreda, niece to Wm. the Conqueror, anno 1133, began to erect an abby on his estate at Brightley; which being finished in the year 1136, he endowed it with lands, dedicated it to the V. Mary, and placed therein 12 monks, and their abbot Richard, who had been sent him from the cistertian abby of Waverley, in Surry, in consequence of his application to Gilbert, abbot of that house. He survived the completion of his monastery only one year, and dying, was there buried; leaving his estate, for want of male issue, to his sister, named Adelesia, called countess of Devonshire. Here the monks remained 5 years; at the end of which, on account of the scarcity of provision, and sterility of their lands, they resolved to return to Waverley, and accordingly set out in solemn procession, with their abbot Rob. successor to Rich, at their head, having the cross borne before them. Passing in this order through Thorncomb, where Adelesia dwelt, and to whom that manor belonged, that lady surprised at their appearance, enquired the cause. On receiving information thereof from the abbot, she was greatly moved; and being unwilling that the pious intentions of so kind a brother should be frustrated, offered to exchange her fruitful manor of Thorncomb, abounding with all the necessaries of life, for their barren lands of Brightley. The fathers readily accepted this offer, and remained in the mansion-house then called Ford, and since Westford, six years; in which time they erected this building, in a place named Hartscath, but now Ford. Hither they transported the body of Rich. de Brioni, their founder.[…] The patronage of this abby came into the family of the Courtneys, where it remained a long time; several of them were buried in the abby church; one of whom, named John Courtney, a man of extraordinary piety, was a great benefactor to this house.[…] At the dissolution it was valued at 374l. 10s. 6d. ob. per ann. according to Dugdale. Speed says, 381l. 10s. 6d. ob. The site was granted 23 Henry VIII. to Rich. Pollard. It was long in the possession of a branch in the family of Prideaux; from whence it came, by marriage, to F. Gwyn, of Glamorgan, Esq. in whose family it still remains. It is converted into a dwelling-house; and, although it has doubtless undergone many alterations and repairs, these having been made in the stile of the original building, so that it appears to be quite entire, and is a handsome and venerable Gothic structure.[…] This drawing was made in the year 1752.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Copper l.engr

104x157mm

S008. GROSE, Francis: ANTIQUITIES OF ENGLAND AND WALES.

Reissue of SC2940