ST. MICHAEL'S MOUNT. 



237 



one can scarcely resist the supposition that there is a confusion 

 with St. Michael Penkevel, which was an archpresbytery. 



As already stated, St. Michael's, from being a mere cell of 

 its Norman namesake, with a Prior removable at will, gradually 

 acquired independence and became a distinct corporation with a 

 Convent, a Seal and a perpetual Prior. In consequence of its 

 having thus become independent, it was held to be exempt from 

 seizure, under the different statutes and orders for taking 

 possession of alien priories in the reigns of Henry IV and V.* 

 In the course of a few years — 1402 to 1414 — no less than one 

 hundred and twenty two such cells were suppressed, and out 

 of their revenues were endowed All Souls', Magdalen and Kings' 

 Colleges. It stood to reason that the English would not continue 

 to send rents to France during their long war with that country, 

 and, moreover, there was a general and growing discontent with 

 the monastic system in any form. Bishop Oldham, of Exeter, 

 was but echoing an idea that was every day gathering strength 

 throughout the country, when he urged Bishop Fox, of Win- 

 chester, to found a coUege (Corpus Christi) at Oxford rather 

 than "provide livelodes for a companie of bussing monks" (see 

 2 Social England ed. H. D. Traill p. 235). But at first there was 

 a desire also for reform, and one of the methods of reform was 

 to abolish the smaller monasteries which were supposed (and 

 probably with truth) to be more vicious and less useful than the 

 larger ones. Under the act of 4 Henry PV only such alien 

 priories as were not Conventual were liable to be seized. Never- 

 theless Henry IV seized the Mount, but owing to the illegality of 

 his conduct had to restore it.f Henry V, under the authority of 

 Parliament confirmed by the clergy, transferred St. Michael's to 

 his new monastery of Syon near Brentford. J Subsequently a 



*It had been seized more than once in earlier times, e.g. on 20th June, 1338 

 (Pat. EoUs 12 Edw. Ill, pt. 2, m. 22) Eeginaldde Boterels and John Hameley, 

 Sheriff of Cornwall, were appointed by the King to the custody of the fortlet of 

 St. Michael's Mount, then in the King's hands among other possessions of the 

 prior, an alien. In 1383 (Pat. Rolls 7 Rich. II, pt. 1, m. 25) the King revoked 

 a grant of its custody during war with France, because the advowson had been 

 assigned to his mother in dower, and because, by ordinance of Parliament, the 

 Prior, having a life estate, was entitled to the custody in preference to others. 



t See Rol. Pari. 5 Henry IV, m. 12 ; Acts of Priory Council (1834) 1,190. 



:|: Oliver, Mon, Dio, Exon. p. 28, 



