258 ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 



Walteof pretended it was an unfit place for devotion, by its being 

 nimis religiofis horridus et incultus fituated on a frightful preci- 

 pice, and a noify tumultuous fhore ; but in reality it was to erect 

 a fortrefs within its precincts, by the order of his fovereign, who 

 had no regard for religion. Robert Mowbra/s motive was of a 

 very low kind. He bore a grudge to the Bifhop of Durham, and 

 thought to mortify him by that arbitrary act (p). But he after- 

 wards took fanctuary at that very altar, which he thus difhonour- 

 ed, for treafon, and under it, if I may fo fpeak, interred all his ho- 

 nours, forfeiting by that rafh act 280 fiefs, left him by his uncle 

 the Bifhop of Conjlance, 



The prior and canons of Tynemouth had 2 7 villas in Northumber- 

 land belonging to them, with their royalties ; viz. Tynemouth, 

 Milnton, Shields, Eaft Chirton, Eafl Prefton, Monkton, Whitley, 

 Murton, Erefdon, Backworth, Seghill, Wolfington, Diffington, 

 Elfwick, Wylam, Hertford, Cowpon, Bebfide, Welden, Hauxley, 

 Ambell, Eglingham, Bewick, Lilburn, Flatworth, Middle Chir- 

 ton, Weft Chirton. Within thefe lordfhips they returned the 

 king's writs (q) 5 and were exempt from cornage (rj. 



They had alfo the lands of Royeley and Denum. 



They had the tithes of Coi-bridge* Ovington^ Wylam^ Neivburn, 

 Dijfington, Calkrton, Elfwick, Bothall, JVarkivortb, Ambell, Rothbury> 



(P) Dugd. Mon. 1. c. 



(q) Prior de Tynemouth habet retorn. omnium brevium regis libertatem de Tynemouth tan- 

 gentem. 



Pat. in dorfo, 6 Ed. II. p. i. m. 10. 

 Tom. i. Rot. Nor thumb. Turri Londinenft. 



(r) Claus. 6. Job. m. 5. quod monachi fint quieti de cornagio. 



and 



