Plympton in the Olden Time, by James Hine, F.R.I.B.A. 89 
whom was Walterus de Valletorta, lord of Tremerton, in Cornewal, 
and, as sum say, of Totenes, who gave onto Plymtown priorie the 
isle of S. Nicolas cum cuniculis, conteyning a two acres of ground, 
or more, and lying at the mouthes of Tamar and Plym ryvers. 
" There were buryed sum of Courteneis and diverse other 
gentilmen in the chirch of the priorie of Plymtoun." 
The second establishment, then, — dedicated to the Virgin 
Mary and SS. Peter and Paul, — of the order of S. Augustine, 
was founded in 1121 by William Warelwast, Bishop of Exeter, the 
nephew and chaplain of William the Conqueror. He was one of 
the most gifted and energetic ecclesiastics of his day, and to him we 
are indebted for the earliest existing portions of Exeter Cathedral, 
including the two noble Norman towers. He seems to have set 
his heart on making Plympton priory the richest and most 
important in this part of the kingdom, and conveyed to it very 
large properties in Exeter. Many noblemen followed his example. 
The rental of the priory shows that certain lands and rents 
were attached to the several conventual offices of almoner, pre- 
centor, cellarer, and chaplain of the infirmary. 
Some idea of the wealth of the monastery may be gathered 
from the fact, that at the dissolution it was rated at £912. 12s. 8d. 
per annum, whereas the whole annual revenue of the 173 Augus- 
tine priories in the kingdom amounted to £33,027., the average 
being about one-fourth that of Plympton. 
The founder. Bishop Warelwast, was buried here (as Leland 
says) in the chapter house of the priory, as were also the remains 
of his nephew, the fifth Bishop of Exeter. *' Whoever is 
acquainted," says Dr. Oliver, " with the deeds and writings of 
subsequent bishops, the immediate patrons of Plympton Priory, 
must have observed how closely they imitated the zeal of the 
founder, in watching and guarding its interests and promoting its 
welfare." Amongst other privileges, the prior and convent pos- 
sessed the right of appointing the rural dean of Plympton. 
