Adam of Damerham facts for kids
Adam of Damerham (sometimes called Adam of Domerham) was a Benedictine monk at Glastonbury Abbey in England. He lived in the 1200s and passed away sometime after 1291. Adam was important because he wrote a detailed history of his abbey. He also played a big part in the abbey's dealings with powerful church leaders and even the king.
About Adam's Life
Adam is believed to have come from Damerham, a village in Hampshire that belonged to Glastonbury Abbey. He wrote a major history book about the abbey called Historia de Rebus gestis Glastoniensibus. This book is still around today as a old handwritten copy.
Adam's history book picked up where an earlier history left off. It covered the period from 1126, when Henry of Blois became the abbot, all the way to 1291, when Abbot John of Taunton passed away. A large part of Adam's book includes important official documents. These include special letters from the Pope, called papal bulls, and legal papers known as charters. These documents help us understand how the abbey was run.
Adam likely joined the abbey sometime between 1235 and 1252. During this time, Glastonbury Abbey faced many challenges. It had lost some of its independence and property to the Bishop of Wells. Adam wrote his book to encourage people to help protect and improve the abbey's wealth and freedom. He wanted to remind everyone how important Glastonbury Abbey used to be.
Adam was involved in choosing new leaders for the abbey. For example, when Abbot Roger Forde was removed from his position in 1255, Adam was one of five monks chosen to elect a new abbot. They chose Robert of Petherton. Even though Roger was later put back in charge by the Pope, Robert became abbot again after Roger died.
Adam held important jobs within the monastery. He was first the cellarer, which meant he was in charge of the abbey's supplies, including food and drinks. He even mentioned that one abbot made the beer stronger, which might show he enjoyed his job! Later, Adam became the sacristan, a role that involved looking after the church building and its sacred items.
Adam showed great courage during a big argument between the Bishop of Bath and Abbot Robert. The bishop claimed he had control over the abbey, but the abbot insisted the abbey answered only to the king. When Abbot Robert died in 1274, the monks tried to keep his death a secret. They wanted time to make sure the king recognized their independence. However, the bishop's officers found out. They came to Glastonbury, made the abbey's workers promise loyalty to the bishop, and took control of the abbey's properties.
When the king's officer arrived to take control for the king, the bishop's men blocked him. But Adam was not afraid. He bravely spoke up for the abbey and its monks, arguing against the bishop's actions. The very next day, the king's officer was able to enter the monastery. The bishop's men had to leave quickly. Adam saw all of this happen himself.
Adam also wrote about a special visit from King Edward I and his queen in April 1278. During this visit, the tomb of the legendary King Arthur was opened at Glastonbury. King Edward and his queen helped move Arthur's bones, along with those of Guinevere, to a new resting place in front of the main altar.
Adam, like his abbot, John of Taunton, worked hard to get back some of the valuable items and properties that the monastery had lost. His history book is usually said to end in 1290, but Adam actually recorded events up to 1291. He wrote about the burial of King Edward I's queen, Eleanor of Castile, in December 1290. He also mentioned that Abbot John was called to the funeral of the king's mother in September 1291. Abbot John was sick but still went, and his death later that month is the last event Adam recorded.
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