Exeter — St James Priory
Cluniac·England·Ruins·12th century
St James Priory in Exeter was founded in 1146 by Baldwin de Redvers, 1st Earl of Devon, as a cell of the Cluniac monastery of St Martin-des-Champs near Paris. Its lordship was held by various noble families and notably by King's College, Cambridge, from 1444 until 1992. The priory's historical significance is tied to its landholdings and its role within the monastic system of its time.
Key Facts
- ›Founded in 1146 by Baldwin de Redvers, 1st Earl of Devon.
- ›It was a monastic cell of St Martin-des-Champs, a Cluniac monastery near Paris.
- ›The priory's lordship was granted to King's College, Cambridge, in 1444.
- ›King's College retained possession of the lordship until 1992.
- ›The priory was located in the area now known as Heavitree, a suburb of Exeter.
Feudal Manor of St James Priory
St James Priory, Exeter
Baldwin De Redvers, Richard De Redvers, Henry Vi
- Founded In 1146
- Lordship Granted To King's College, Cambridge In 1444
About Exeter — St James Priory
St James Priory, located in the Heavitree district of Exeter, Devon, England, was a monastic institution with a history dating back to the 12th century.
Founding and Early History
The priory was established in 1146 by Baldwin de Redvers, the 1st Earl of Devon, who was a kinsman of the Dukes of Normandy. It functioned as a cell for the Cluniac monastery of St Martin-des-Champs, situated near Paris. The priory's lordship was inherited by Baldwin's son and heir, Richard, and subsequently passed through his descendants.
Later History and Land Ownership
Between 1284 and 1431, the Prior of St James held the Lordship in alms from the Barony of Plympton, which was itself held by the Earls of Devon. This arrangement continued until the reign of Henry VI. In a significant shift, Henry VI granted the Lordship of St James Priory to King's College, Cambridge, which he had founded in 1441. The priory's lordship remained in the possession of King's College until as late as 1992.
Location and Land Assessment
The Feudal Manor of St James Priory was situated in what is now the Heavitree suburb of Exeter. Historical records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, indicate that the land parcel had a value of 20 shillings (£1) and comprised one villager, two slaves, and two carucates of land. A carucate was a tax assessment unit, representing the amount of land an eight-ox team could cultivate in a season, typically around 120 acres. The actual land extension of the Manor was likely considerably smaller than the nominal 240 acres suggested by two carucates, as the relationship between a carucate and taxed land size was not always direct.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was St James Priory founded?
St James Priory was founded in 1146. The founding was carried out by Baldwin de Redvers, who held the title of 1st Earl of Devon.
What monastic order was St James Priory affiliated with?
St James Priory was a cell to the Cluniac monastery of St Martin-des-Champs, located near Paris. This indicates its affiliation with the Cluniac order.
Who held the lordship of St James Priory over time?
The lordship was held by various figures, including the Earls of Devon. Significantly, it was granted to King's College, Cambridge, in 1444 and remained in their possession until 1992.
Where was St James Priory located?
The priory was situated in the Feudal Manor of St James Priory, which is now part of the Heavitree district, a suburb of Exeter in Devon, England.
Related Monasteries
Aldgate Priory
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Ankerwycke Priory
Ankerwycke Priory was a small and relatively poor Benedictine nunnery established around 1160 in Buckinghamshire, England. Dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, it held lands across several counties. Dissolved in 1536, its revenues were transferred to Bisham Abbey, and the priory site later saw the construction of a manor house. Today, only a small section of ruins remains, situated in Berkshire.
Arthington Priory
Arthington Priory was an English monastery for nuns of the Cluniac congregation, located in Arthington, West Yorkshire, and founded in the mid-12th century. It was one of only two Cluniac nunneries in England. The priory experienced periods of disciplinary issues among its nuns and prioresses, as documented by Archbishop William Greenfield's visits and injunctions. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, the priory was surrendered in 1540, and its lands were eventually granted to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. Today, little remains of the original priory structures, with a residence known as Arthington Hall built on the site around 1585, and the priory church potentially occupied by a farmhouse named The Nunnery.