182 ANTIQUITIES OF OKEHAMPTON. 



cate its former sanctities. But I have said the place acquires 

 interest from its connexion with Ford Abbey. 



If the original site of this celebrated house can be dubious : 

 not so the manner and circumstances of its foundation. Richard 

 Fitz Baldwin, in the year of King Stephen, as we learn from Dug- 

 dale's Monasticon, placed at Brightley 1 2 monks sent by Gilbert 

 their abbot from the monasteries of Waverley in Surrey. His en- 

 dowment for their maintenance is said to have comprised the ma- 

 nor of Brightley and the honor of Okehampton. The monks began 

 their journey on Holy Rood day (14. Sep.) which derives its name 

 from a piece of the true cross being recovered from the infidels 

 on that day by one of the Greek Emperors. In an old song, 

 called the Collier of Croydon, youths are specially exhorted to go 

 a nutting on that day. It does not seem, however, to have been 

 too propitious to the holy pilgrims ; for 5 years after we find them 

 petitioning to be recalled from Brightley urging in plea of their 

 suit that the country about them " produced only thyme and wild 

 night shade." I find that complaints which bore on the refectory 

 and its supplies had due weight in those times : one of the grounds 

 stated in the Pope's bull for removing the old cathedral at Sarum 

 runs " forasmuch as the fathers are obliged to buy water at a price 

 sufficient to purchase the common drink of the country." In 

 short they were travelling on their way home again with* 

 Roger de Ponnington, second abbot of Brightley, at their head, 

 and walking two and two, the cross borne before them, when the 

 incident occurred which ended in their final settlement at Ford 

 Abbey. The Viscountess Adeliza, sister and heiress of the above 

 Richard — who died seized of the largest estate in the country — 

 chanced to encounter the holy brethren as they journeyed through 

 her manor of Thorncombe. On being told the cause of their 

 return she set herself immediately to obviate it : " Far be it from 

 me," she said, " that what my lord and brother hath devised for 

 the honor of God, and the welfare of His church should fail through 

 stint of mine." And she forthwith bestowed on them her manor 

 and mansion of Thorncombe : whence six years after they removed 

 to St. Mary's, the splendid abbey built for them at Ford. I may 

 here observe that Sir W. Dugdale's genealogy of the Courtenays 

 is drawn, in its earlier portion, from a register kept by the monks 

 of this house. 



* This deed is in Latin : the oldest deeds of this country are in English ; 

 but the Norman or Low French began to be in ase toward the close of this 

 reign. 



