Canonsleigh Abbey
Encyclopedia
Canonsleigh Abbey, the original Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist, Leigh (now Canonsleigh, near Burlescombe
) in Devon
, England, was founded for the Augustinian Canons Regular
circa 1161 by William de Clarville, lord of Burlescombe.
By 1284 the number of canons had declined to seven, who were evicted in 1285 when Maud (Matilda) de Clare, Countess of Devon refounded the establishment as the Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Etheldreda.
In 1286 the abbess was granted the license to hold weekly markets but not much more seems to be known. It was not especially wealthy however it remained open until 1539, towards the end of the dissolution of the monasteries
.
The remains consist of a substantial gatehouse dating from the 15th century, now within the yard of Canonsleigh Barton farm, whilst some way to the east lie fragments of wall possibly once part of a mill.
Burlescombe
Burlescombe is a village and civil parish in the Mid Devon district of Devon, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 911. The village is about south west of Wellington in Somerset....
) in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England, was founded for the Augustinian Canons Regular
Canons Regular
Canons Regular are members of certain bodies of Canons living in community under the Augustinian Rule , and sharing their property in common...
circa 1161 by William de Clarville, lord of Burlescombe.
By 1284 the number of canons had declined to seven, who were evicted in 1285 when Maud (Matilda) de Clare, Countess of Devon refounded the establishment as the Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Etheldreda.
In 1286 the abbess was granted the license to hold weekly markets but not much more seems to be known. It was not especially wealthy however it remained open until 1539, towards the end of the dissolution of the monasteries
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
.
The remains consist of a substantial gatehouse dating from the 15th century, now within the yard of Canonsleigh Barton farm, whilst some way to the east lie fragments of wall possibly once part of a mill.
See also
- Abbeys and priories in EnglandAbbeys and priories in EnglandAbbeys and priories in England lists abbeys, priories, friaries and other monastic religious houses in England.-Article layout:The list is presented alphabetically by ceremonial county...