Torrensis olim abbatiae in com.Devon: nunc in ruinis, prospectus (1842)

Oliver, Rev. George and Jones, Pitman. A view of Devonshire in MDCXXX. Exeter: William Roberts, 1845. pp. 425-6.[…] let us imbay ourselves for our more security, in Torbay. Here the shore falling back gives the sea free and large liberty to follow upon it, taking up well near some ten miles in compass, by which opportunity it maketh a large creek called the Bay of Tor, or Tormohun, or Tor Abbey, close seated upon it: a very safe harbour.Very near unto this place is a village where the Lord William Brewer, so named for that his father was found in a heath-field, which in the Norman-French was called briewer, in New-forest, and taken up by King Henry II. in a hunting, and proved a very good man, great and very gracious both in court and country. This his son was highly favoured by King Richard I., and generally beloved; and married Beatrice de Vannes, the relict of Reginald, Earl of Cornwall; whose four daughters, (his son dying sans issue,) brought large patrimonies to their husbands, Wake, Braos, Mohun, and Percye, builded here an abbey and placed therein Premonstratensian Canons, as appeareth by their charter at the foundation: and at the general deluge, that ruined all such structrues, was valued at £396. 0s. 11d. After the dissolution it came to be the possession of Rudgway; who re-edified those almost decayed cells to a newer and better form.It stands both pleasantly and commodiously both for sea and land, having Torwood, a fair and large demesne belonging to it, with other the like, and a bay or pier at the sea side.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Etching

217x283mm

Facsimile of edition issued in 1662