9 



In 1236, Gadogan, Bishop of Bangor, resigned his see to become a monk of 

 Dore. He was a scholar and author of a Book of Homilies called " a Looking 

 Glass for Christians." In 1330, the abbot was Richard Straddel, no doubt a 

 native of these parts, as the name occurs in two or three places near. He also 

 was a writer of homilies, a branch of literature now little cultivated, I think. In 

 1380, Walter de Blasel, probably one of the monks, was presented by the Abbot 

 and convent of Dore to the vicarage of Avenbury. The household expense book 

 of Eichard Swinfield, Bishop of Hereford, shows that he called at Dore, on the 

 invitation of the Abbot, who is also recorded to have visited the Bishop. The 

 Kings of England at different times employed the abbots of this secluded place on 

 important embassies. In the eighth year of Edward III., the abbot was so sent 

 to Philip, King of France, and again the next year. The abbots were also named 

 in commissions to appease disorders on the Welsh border. 



Dore abbey is specially mentioned as one which was always on good terms 

 with the bishop — a somewhat rare and notable fact — and some proof of blameless 

 conduct. Indeed the only piece of evidence which I have met with that tells 

 against this monastery is, in another way, equally strong in its favour. 



In the Harleian MSS. is a letter from the young Prince Arthur, the elder son 

 of Henry VII., written about 1501, when he was a boy of 14, living on his manor 

 of Bewdley. He writes as follows to the Bishop of Salisbury, introducing John, 

 the abbot of Dore : — 

 B. M. Harl., 6158, f. 151. 



"By Prince Arthurs To the Right Reverend father in God our Righte trustye 

 and welbeloved the bysshop of Salisburye. 



" Right reverende fadre in god. Right trusty and welbeloved we grete you. 

 WeU and where we be enformed and also understand that by meane of suche in- 

 ordinate Rule and governance as hertofore hath byn used within the moastary of 

 Dore and precyncts of the same in the dayes of Damp Richard, late Abbote 

 there, as well by graunts and lettres patents passed thens ayenst due ordre ande 

 forme as otherwise, by excessive costs for defaulte of good oversight the said 

 monastery is gretly in ruyn and decay. Wherthrough without the more speedy 

 reformation the Divine service ther cannote be mayntened ne upholden to the 

 laude and prayse of almyghty god, as belongeth in that partie. Wherfore and 

 inasmoche as Damp John, nowe Abbote ther of thordre of Cisteoux, admytted 

 thether by the Reformation, and othrs fadres of that Religeon whiche by gods 

 sufferannce and aide of vertuose and wel disposid people entendeth as he saithe 

 to do for the weale, encrease ande Reducyng of the said place to the former good 

 state and ordre as in hym is or shalbe possible. We desir and hertely pray you 

 that in all suche his matiers and causes as he hath to pursue unto you at this tyme 

 concernyng the premysses, ye wolbe his favorable good lorde accordyng to equitie 

 and conscience, the rathar at this our instance and contemplation of theis our 

 lettres wherby you shall not only in our opinion do a dede meritorioux anempst 

 God but also unto us Right singuler Pleasure, ande over this that it may lyke you 

 to gyve credence to the said nowe abbote in the causes above recyted whiche can 

 declare unto you the circumstances of the same more at legnthe. Geven under 

 our Signet at the manour of beaudeley the viii daye of June." 



