Totnes Priory facts for kids
Totnes Priory was an important religious building located in the town of Totnes in south Devon, England. It was a type of monastery, founded a long time ago by a powerful person named Juhel de Totnes, who was the feudal baron (a kind of lord) of Totnes.
How it Started
The story of Totnes Priory began around the year 1087. This is when its official founding document, called a charter, was created. This special paper is kept safe at the Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter today.
The charter explains that Juhel de Totnes gave the Church of St. Mary in Totnes to God and to two saints, Sergius and Bachus. He also gave it to the Abbot (the head) of a monastery and a monk named Tetbaldus, who represented all the other monks.
What was given?
- The Church of St. Mary itself.
- Land that belonged to priests and other people.
- The land right under the church.
- Tithes: These were like taxes, usually a tenth of someone's income or farm produce, given to the church.
- A dam for fishing.
- Several valuable church items, like special robes (called copes), an altar covering, and crosses made of silver and wood.
Juhel made this gift to help ensure the salvation (safety of the soul) of King William of England, his Queen, and their children. He also did it for himself, his parents, and his brother. The gift was officially given to Tetbaldus using symbolic items like the monastery's key, a bell-rope, and a knife. Many important people witnessed this event.
The charter also mentioned how tithes were divided in different areas that belonged to Roger de Nunant, who took over from Juhel later.
When it Closed Down
Totnes Priory eventually closed during a period in English history known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This happened in the 1500s when King Henry VIII decided to close down many monasteries and religious houses across England.
After the priory closed, its buildings and some of its lands were bought by a merchant from Totnes named Walter Smith. He passed away in 1555. You can still see his special tomb in St. Mary's Church in Totnes.
In 1544, Walter Smith transferred these properties to other people, called feoffees, who held them for the benefit of himself and his son, Bernard Smith. Bernard Smith was an important person in Totnes. He was born around 1522 and died in 1591. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Totnes in 1558, meaning he helped make laws for the country. He was also the mayor of Totnes a couple of times and held another important role called escheator for Devon and Cornwall, which involved managing property that went back to the king.
