130 REPORTS 0¥ MEETINaS FOR 1910 



Descending by the steep approach, from which a delightful 

 glimpse of the river was obtained, tlie party came suddenly 

 in sight of the Priory Church, nestling between its wooded 

 banks and practically concealed from every point of view. 



Through the kindness of Mrs Hugh Fenwick, 

 Priory of they were conducted over the restored building 



Brinkburn. by Mr Dixon, whose local knowledge warranted 



their acceptance of him as historian and guide. 

 Brinkburn was already known by that name when, in the 

 reign of Henry I., William Bertram I., of Mitford, selected 

 it for the site of a convent of Austin canons. With the 

 consent of his wife and sons, the founder granted to " dominus " 

 Osbert Colutarius, possibly a master builder, a place called 

 Brinkeburne, that he might there build a monastery for Sir 

 Ralph, the priest, and his brethren of St. Mary de Insula. 

 The Priory apparently was dedicated at first to St. Peter only, 

 but from the reign of Henry II. it is referred to as the 

 convent of St. Peter and St. Paul. A seal belonging to it, 

 and preserved in the Cathedral at Durham, presents St. Peter 

 on the right, holding a book in his right hand and the keys 

 in his left, with St. Paul on the left, holding a book in his 

 right hand and a sword in his left. The canons originally 

 numbered twelve, and were subordinate to the prior and convent 

 of Pentney in Norfolk, founded by Robert de Vauz, a vassal of 

 William the Conqueror. They received from Roger Bertram I., 

 son of the founder, the Church of Felton and other gifts, which 

 were confirmed by his son, William Bertram II., together with 

 valuable grants of land in the parishes of Rothbury, Long 

 Horsley, etc., while in 1386 the convent acquired from Ralph, 

 Lord Greystoke, the church of Long Horsley. 



From the chartulary of the Priory for the most part are to 

 be obtained the facts of its history. On 19th February 1200-1, 

 King John, while at Hexham, granted a confirmation to the 

 canons, and another such charter was given by Henry III. on 

 10th March 1252-3. About the year 1322, the prior and 

 convent petitioned the King for some relief in view of losses 

 sustained at the hands of the Scots, in compliance with which 

 an order, made on 8th October 1331 on the treasurer and 

 barons of the exchequer, discharged them of the sum of £32 



