Lavendon Abbey
Lavendon Abbey was a Premonstratensian abbey near Lavendon in Buckinghamshire, England.[1]
The abbey was established by John de Bidun between 1154 and 1158 and dedicated to John the Baptist.[2] Bidun's donations to the abbey, together with those of Sibyl de Aungerville, Ranulf Earl of Chester, Ralf de Bray and Richard de Beauchamp, were confirmed by Henry III in 1227.[3] At this point the abbey's possessions included the churches of Lavendon and Lathbury in Buckinghamshire, Wootton in Northamptonshire, Shelton in Bedfordshire and Stow Bedon, Kirby Bedon and Thompson in Norfolk.[4] However, a succession of unsuccessful legal actions caused the abbey to lose control of all but Lavendon and Lathbury, though they later acquired the churches of Brayfield, Ashton and Shotteswell.[5]
The abbey was suppressed in 1536, as part of the first phase of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. At this point the inhabitants comprised 11 canons (9 priests and 2 novices) and 20 servants; its revenues were estimated at £79 13s 8d (equivalent to £58,923 in 2023[6]).[7] The last Abbot, William Gales, was granted a pension of £12 (equivalent to £8,874 in 2023[6]).[3]
Nothing is visible above ground of the original buildings of the abbey, but the surrounding earthworks, field system and the remains of two fish ponds are a scheduled monument.[2]
References
- ^ Page, William, ed. (1927). "Parishes: Lavendon". A History of the County of Buckingham. Vol. 4. London: Victoria County History. pp. 379–387 – via British History Online.
- ^ a b Historic England. "Lavendon Abbey: the site of a Premonstratensian abbey, fishponds and field system at Lavendon Grange (1011309)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ a b Page, William, ed. (1927). "House of Premonstratensian canons: The abbey of Lavendon". A History of the County of Buckingham. Vol. 1. London: Victoria County History. pp. 384–386 – via British History Online.
- ^ Farrer, William (1924). Honors and Knights' Fees. Vol. 2. Manchester University Press. p. 2.
- ^ Britnell, Richard (1 May 1964). "Medieval Lavendon" (PDF). Bucks Standard.
- ^ a b UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Records of Buckinghamshire. Vol. 2. 1863. pp. 217–220.
52°10′23″N 0°41′02″W / 52.173°N 0.684°W
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