ASHRIDGE 99 



pomp and feasting, over 30,000 dishes being 

 provided. 



This monastery or college of the Bonhommes 

 (founded by Edmund, Earl of Cornwall) consisted 

 of a rectory and twenty brethren (thirteen to be 

 priests). Their rule was that of S. Austen, and 

 they wore the "amice " grey habits as required by 

 their statutes. This was the first settlement of their 

 order in England, and there were never more than 

 two or three of their houses in this country, as their 

 influence was not wide. 



The Bonhommes were brought from the South 

 of France by the Earl of Cornwall many writers 

 think they held beliefs similar to those of the 

 Albigenses, who were a plain, uncorrupt people who 

 strove to attain a more perfect holiness and a purer 

 faith than what they thought were professed by the 

 Romish clergy. " There were likewise," says 

 Newcome, " in the South of France sects of 

 Religious who put themselves under monastic rules 

 and were incorporated by the Pope and dis- 

 tinguished by the name of the Bons Hommes. The 

 charter of the foundation of Ashridge was confirmed 

 by Edward I. at Langley, in Hertfordshire. By it 

 the founder "gave to God and the Blessed Mary 

 and the Rector and Brethren of the College his 

 manor of Ashridge and Pichelstorne and his manor 

 of Little Gaddesden and Hemel Hempstead and 

 other possessions with numerous rites and privileges." 



