286 



fetation of Jte at Jralteskqr, 1327. 



By the Rev. Canon Jackson, F.S.A. 



^jf^OME particulars about Ambresbury Priory , derived chiefly 

 from papers at Longleat, have already been given in this 

 Magazine (x. 61) ; and various documents relating to it may be 

 found in Hoare's " Modern Wilts " 1 and the " New Monasticon." 2 

 Among them are two lists of nuns of this house : one, of thirty-four 

 who were dismissed with pensions at the Dissolution ; the other, of 

 twenty who were still living and receiving their pension in 1556-7 

 (2 Phil. & Mary). 



The following document (here translated from the Latin) has, 

 hitherto, escaped discovery. It was found 3 in Drokensford's Register 

 in the Episcopal Registry at Wells. It relates to the consecration 

 of nuns in A.D. 1327, a very early period in the history of the 

 Priory. How it came to be in the registry of Wells, in Co. Somerset, 

 Ambresbury being within the diocese of Sarum, is explained in this 

 way. The Bishop of Sarum of that day being hindered from per- 

 forming the ceremony himself, issued a Commission to his brother 

 Bishop of Bath and Wells to discharge the duty for him : — 



"Commission feom the Bishop of Saeum to the Bishop of Bath 

 and Wells to Conseceate Virg-in Nuns at Ambeesbuey. 



" To the Venerable Father in Christ and Reverend Lord, the Lord J ohn * by 

 divine grace Bishop of Bath & Wells, Rogee "j" by the same permission 

 Bishop of Saeum, Greeting & continual increase of brotherly love. Our be- 

 loved daughters in Christ the Prioress and Convent J of the Priory of Ambresbury 



1 Hund. of Ambresbury, p. 65. 

 2 Dugdale, New Monast., Amesbury, pp. 334, 340. 

 3 By the late Rev. John Wilkinson, of Broughton Gifford. 

 • John de Drokensford, Bishop of Bath and Wells, A.D. 1309—1329. 

 + Roger de Mortival, Bishop of Sarum, A.D. 1315—1330. 

 t Here the word " Convent," used at a later period for the building, clearly signified the society : 

 as in Shakespeare, Hen. VIII. :— 



"the reverend ahbot 

 With all his convent, honourably received him," 



