180 BUCKLAND ABBEY. 



Buckland Abbey, seated on the eastern banks of the 

 Tavy, was founded in honor of our Lady and St. Bene- 

 dict, in the year 1278, by Amicia, Countess of Devon. 

 For this new foundation she obtained a colony of Cis- 

 tercian monks, from Quarrer,in the Isle of Wight. This 

 order first settled in a place, called Cisteaux, in the 

 neighbourhood of Dijon. It acquired the highest as- 

 cendancy over the greater part of Europe ; and enjoyed 

 unrivalled patronage and immunities. These Religious, 

 without the previous licence and approbation of Walter 

 Bronescombe, the bishop of Exeter, presumed to cele- 

 brate mass, and to exercise their functions. The bishop 

 resented this trespass on his diocesan jurisdiction, and 

 subjected the community to excommunication and sus- 

 pension. But he soon relieved them from this penalty, 

 at the solicitation of the Queen Eleanor. 



The yearly revenues of Buckland Abbey, have been 

 rated at 341. This abbey had also very considerable 

 property in Bampton. The manors of Bocland, Byke- 

 ley, Wolcampton and in Dertemer, Colompton and 

 Wykecombe are mentioned as tributary to the abbot. 



That learned antiquary, and truly Catholic writer, 

 the reverend G. Oliver, observes that he has seen an 

 indenture made between the abbot of Buckland, Tho- 

 mas White, and Robert Derkeham, organist. It is dated 

 28. May, 1622. The Abbot engages to pay Robert 

 an annuity of 2. 13s. 4d. ; to provide him a decent table, 

 to allow a furnished room over the west gate of the 

 monastery, and a gown every year, of the value of 

 twelve shillings. He farther engages to Robert the 

 reversion of a tenement at Milton, then occupied by 

 John Brooke ; and in the meanwhile to provide a de- 

 cent dwelling-house, and garden, the moiety of the rent 

 to be paid by Robert Derkeham, who is however to 

 have the feeding of two cows, until he obtains posses- 

 sion of John Brooke's tenement. Robert is also to be 

 allowed five ounces of bread and a quart of beer every 

 night throughout the year ; a wax candle from Nov. 1 . 

 until Feb. 2. and thirty horse-loads of faggots for his 

 fire. In consideration* of all this, the said Robert is 



