|
Thom. Canterbury; Thom. Howlett, vicarius;
Robt. Johnson, vicarius; Will. Heysted; Dominus Jugerinus, quondam
abbas; Joh. Newyngton; Rich. Belton; Will. Bylloke; Thom. Martyn.
Three years later, the following are the Nomina
Canonicorum: Dominus Johannes Newyngton, abbas; Dominus
Jugerinus Franceys, quondam abbas (Vicarius de River); Fr.
Willielmus Kyrkeby, supprior; Fr. Thomas Howlett, vicarius de
Schepwold; Fr. Thomas Canterbury; Fr. Willielmus Wyngham, presbiter;
Fr. Edmundus Norwich, presbiter; Fr. Gylbertus Babram, accolitus.
The indefatigable Leland also visited (in another sense)
the Abbey a few years before its suppression, and recorded: *
"S. Radigundis standeth on the toppe of a hille iij
litle myles by west and sumwhat by sowth from Dover. There be white
chanons and the quier of the chyrcheis large and fayr. The monastery ys
at this time netely mayntayned, but yt appereth that yn tymes past the
buildings have bene ther mor ample than they be now. There ys on the
hille fayre wood, but fresch water lakyth sumtyme." |
|
The Abbey was suppressed in 1538, with
the lesser monasteries; its clear annual value being £98 9s. 2 1/2d.;
and its total value £142 8s. 9d. The house was then under the rule of
Thomas Dale, prior; the abbacy being vacant. †
The site ‡ was granted by the King to Archbishop Cranmer, but shortly
afterwards returned by him to the King, by way of exchange. Leases for
lives were subsequently granted to various tenants, but Hasted's account
of the grant to the Earl of Essex, and its forfeiture, is an error.
Queen Elizabeth, by deed dated Jan. 31st, in the 32nd year of her reign,
sold and granted the Abbey and its appurtenances to Simon Edolph in fee,
he having previously been a lessee for life. This grant and the
subsequent title-deeds are now at Pett Place, Charing. Simon Edolph
altered the buildings and resided there. The flint chequer-work,
* Iten., vii., p. 127.
† Or perhaps the Abbot, like his brethren at
Glastonbury, Reading, etc., refused to surrender the Abbey, and was
turned adrift in the world without losing his life, as they did.
‡ For these notes I am indebted to the owner of St.
Radegund's, John Sayer, Esq., of Pett Place, Charing. |