88 Plympton in the Olden Time, hy James Hine, F.R.I.B.A. 
It was one of the principal quarters of Prince Maurice's army 
whilst besieging Plymouth, from October, 1642, to January, 1643. 
The King had a garrison here, which however was taken by the 
Earl of Essex, in the month of July, 1044. The castle at this 
period w^as mounted with eight pieces of ordnance. 
The fertile valley of the Plym was often a tempting field for 
plunder to the Plymouth parliamentary troops, as it had been to 
the archers of King Stephen five centuries before. Its rich 
pasturage and produce induced a fraternity of pious monks at a 
very early period to settle here ; which brings me to speak of the 
once famous priory of Plympton, the richest and most flourishing 
in Devon. 
The first monastery or college existing here is said to have been 
founded by one of the Saxon kings, possibly Ethelwolf, who had 
a palace, so tradition informs us, at Yealmpton, about four miles 
distant. This establishment, however, early came to grief. " The 
glory of this towne (Plymptoun Marie)," says Leland, " stoode by 
the priorie of blake chanons, there buildid and richely endowid 
with landes. 
" The original beginning of this priorie was after this fascion : 
one William Warwist, bisshop of Excester, displeased with the 
chanons or prebendaries of a fre chapelle of the fundation of the 
Saxon kinges, because they wold not leve theyr concubines, found 
meanes to dissolve their college, wherin was a deane or provost, 
and four prebendaries, with other ministers. 
" The prebende of Plympton self was the title of one, and the 
prebend of S. Peter and Paule at Sultown, now caullid Plym- 
mouth, another. Bisshop Warwist, to recompence the prebendaries 
of Plymton, erectid a college of as many as wer ther at Bosenham 
in Southsax, and annexid the gift of them to his successors, 
bisshops of Excester. Then he set up at Plympton a priorie of 
canons regular, and after was ther buried in the chapitre house. 
" Diverse noble men gave after landes to this priorie, emong 
