i 



THE SOUTH DEVON 



MONTHLY MUSEUM. 



PLYMOUTH, AUGUST 1st, 1834. 

 No. 20.] Price Sixpence. [Vol. IV. 



TOR ABBEY.* 



To search into the records of former times is the 

 part of the antiquary; who, in gratifying his own 

 taste, piirveys for the entertainment of readers, less 

 addicted to the study of the past. In regard to the 

 memoirs of rehgious orders and edifices, Dugdale's 

 " Monasticon " suppHes streams of intelligence as 

 from an ample reservoir of erudition. 



From this source of instruction we learn that Tor 

 Abbey was founded towards the close of the twelfth 

 century by Lord Bruer, an eminent counsellor of state 

 in the days of Richard, Cceur de lion, and King John. 

 The Premonstratensian order derived its date from 

 St. Norbert in the year of Christ 1121. Its name is 

 borrowed from the sequestered valley Premontre, 

 in the diocese of Laon ; where his first monastery 

 was erected. The rule of disciphne, under the au- 

 thority of this spiritual master, was severe in its in- 

 junctions. Its devotees were forbidden the wearing 

 of linen, and the sustenance of animal food. Inno- 

 cent supplies were thus interdicted to enforce the 

 exercise of self denial : but on the contrary, it may 

 be asked, whether positive acts of disinterested be- 

 neficence were ever enjoined there for the good of 

 society ? 



A colony of the rehgious, classed under this for- 

 midable order, was planted at Newhus, in Lincoln- 



* Anns— Gules, a chevron between three crosiers, or. 

 VOL. IV.— 1834. G 



