60 TOR ABBEY. 



shire ; and in the course of a few years, no less than 

 thirty-two houses of this foreign denomination were 

 reared and supported by the hood-winked devotion 

 of our credulous forefathers. Human life then lay 

 oppressed by superstition,* under a cloud ; above 

 which it frowned with horrible aspect on the trembling 

 nations. From this " disastrous twilight " shed 

 through the gloom of primeval ignorance, the illus- 

 trious WicklifF was the first reformer to rescue the 

 nation ; and in the fourteenth century, this venerable 

 champion of Truth advanced to the lists, under the 

 banner of John of Ghent, "time-honoured Lancaster." 



Of these religious fraternities, the one that was es- 

 tablished at Torre, was the most affluent in its various 

 endowments. It was dedicated to the honour of the 

 Holy Saviour, the Holy Trinity, and the Blessed 

 Virgin, in manifold claims of adoration to six divi- 

 nities. 



To the canons of this house were granted, A. D. 

 1 196, the lands of Torre, where the church of the Holy 

 Saviour then stood ; also the free fishery of Torbay, 

 the church of Tor, and the town of Woolborough, 

 with the advowson of that church ; also lands at 

 Grendall, and many other possessions, specified in 

 the foundation deed to be seen 2. Dugd. Monast. 

 p. 652. 



It may be observed that the Abbey was placed in 

 a select and delicious situation, of which the retired 

 yet romantic beauties inspire the spectator with the 

 liveliest admiration. From the venerable remains 

 of the church, of the chapter house, and other build- 

 ings, it is evident to judge that the magnificence of 

 the fabric corresponded with its rare and majestic 

 position as well as with the taste and liberality of its 

 founder. When Leland visited the Abbey, three 



* Humana vita jaceret oppressa sub gravi religione ; 

 Quae caput a cceli regionibus ostendebat, 

 Horribili super aspectu mortalibus instans. 



Lucret, I. Lib. 



