Modbury Priory facts for kids
Modbury Priory was an old religious building in Modbury, Devon, England. It was a Benedictine priory, which is a type of monastery. It was built before the year 1129. Modbury Priory was special because it was one of the last "alien priories" to remain open in England. Most of these priories, which were linked to foreign countries, were closed down in 1414. The priory was near the St George church in Modbury. However, its exact location is not known today.
Contents
The Story of Modbury Priory
How Modbury Priory Started
Modbury Priory was founded sometime before 1129. Two brothers, Ralph de Vautort and Reginald I de Vautort, started it. Reginald I de Vautort died around 1123. He was a powerful lord from Trematon in Cornwall. The Vautort family came from Normandy, a region in France.
Reginald de Vautort was a supporter of Robert, Count of Mortain. Robert was the half-brother of King William the Conqueror. Reginald owned many lands in Devon and Cornwall, including Modbury. The priory was connected to the Abbey of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives in Normandy, France. This connection made it an "alien priory."
The right to choose a new leader for the priory, called a prior, belonged to the lord of Modbury. For many years, this right was held by the Champernowne family. They needed the approval of the Bishop of Exeter to make their choice. For example, Thomas Champernowne chose a prior in 1361 or 1362. Hugh Champernowne did the same in 1429 or 1430.
Given to Eton College
Many "alien priories" were closed by King Henry V in 1414. However, Modbury Priory managed to stay open for a while longer. But in 1441, during the time of Prior William Benselyn, King Henry VI officially closed it down. The king then gave all of Modbury Priory's lands and belongings to his new school, Eton College.
Given to Tavistock Abbey
Later, King Edward IV took over from Henry VI in 1461. In 1466, King Edward IV gave Modbury Priory's lands to Tavistock Abbey in Devon. He liked Tavistock Abbey very much. However, these lands were soon given back to Eton College. Eton College continued to own many of these properties for a very long time, even into the 1800s.
