FORD ABBEY. IxxxiiL 



The entrance porch contains a fine west window of the same character as those 

 of the adjoining great hall, which in their turn correspond with those of the 

 cloister, and above them is a frieze of grotesque animals. To quote once more 

 from the book already referred to : 



'* This part of the building has been shorn of its length, as, on minute inspection, 

 will appear. The royal arms are not in the centre, as they no doubt originally 

 were. They consist of a rose crowned, encircled with a garter, and supported 

 by a dragon and greyhound, the badges of Henry VII. . . . Although the 

 remaining portion of this wing has been altered, it was built by Thomas Chard, 

 the battlements corresponding with the tower and chapel ; and, as a more 

 decisive proof that it was so, there is, at the western end of the building, but hid 

 by ivy, the portcullis cut in stone, another of the badges of Henry VII. ; and to 

 the north, or back side, are the initials T. C., with the crosier and cap." 



The ancient guest-chamber, so integral a part of these old foundations, appears 

 to have been at right angles to the great hall, as it was noticed some years ago on 

 the collapse of portions of the ceiling that the ancient timber roof was still in situ. 

 The antiquary, Leland, visiting the Abbey during Dr. Chard's alterations, 

 writes : " Canobium mine swnptibus plane non credendis abbas magnificentissime 

 restaurat" * This beautiful structure had scarcely had its delicate stonework 

 mellowed by the soft winds from the Devonshire moors, when the Dissolution, 

 long impending, burst in fury upon the larger religious houses, and on March 8th, 

 1539, Thomas Chard was induced to sign the surrender of his beloved Abbey of 

 Ford, which was endeared to him by many sacred associations, and on which 

 he had lavished his own private fortune and the artistic genius of a master 

 mind. 



No sooner had the document been signed than the work of pillage commenced ; 

 but one is inclined to agree with the Devonshire historian Prince that, "by 

 what lucky chance he knew not, Ford Abbey escaped better than its fellows, and 

 continueth for the greatest part standing to this day." At the same time there 

 is little doubt that much havoc took place, although, perhaps, not to the extent 

 recorded by Eisdon, who says it now merely "somewhat showeth of what 

 magnificence once it was." 



It is just possible that Thomas Chard's beautiful work softened the hearts of 

 the spoilers, and its very wealth of ornament caused it to be retained as too 

 valuable a prize to be utterly demolished ; but, whether standing entire or razed 

 to the ground, it appears to have been an encumbrance, for on October 28th, in 

 the year of its surrender, it was granted by the King, " with all and singular its 

 manors, lordships, and messuages, etc.," to Eichard Pollard, Esq. 



At the time of its dissolution the annual revenues of the Abbey were com- 

 puted at 374 10s. 6d. by Dugdale and at 381 10s. 6d. by Speed, and the net 

 revenue was, no doubt, somewhere between these two sums. 



* " The Abbot at incredible expense is now restoring the monastery most 

 gloriously." 



