90 Plympton in the Olden Time, by James Hine, F.R.I. B. A. 
The venerable building had been destroyed before Leland s 
time, as is evident from his saying " the chirch that there a late 
stood," meaning, of course, the priory church. 
" At present," says Dr. Oliver, " scarcely a vestige remains of 
any of the conventual buildings;" but in this respect, as we shall 
hereafter see, he is not quite correct. 
Within one hundred and fifty years after the erection of the 
priory church, another sacred edifice was required for the growing 
population around ; and Bishop Stapeldon, on Friday, October 29, 
1311, consecrated one in honour of the Virgin Mary, for the use of 
the parishioners. The present chancel and north aisle of Plymp- 
ton S. Mary Church, are portions of the church then dedicated, — 
the great body of the church, as we now see it, having been re- 
built in a later age and style. It was situate " infra cemeterium 
prioratus;'' "and, as a mark of subjection, the parishioners were 
required to assist at divine service in the conventual church on 
the feast of its dedication, and to receive the blest palms there on 
Palm-Sunday, and walk in the solemn procession of that day. 
This obligation was sanctioned by Archbishop Courtenay, when he 
made a visitation of the diocese of Exeter in 1387, and confirmed 
by Pope Boniface IX. For some neglect of this ancient custom 
Bishop Lacy expressed his high displeasure, and enjoined its strict 
observance in the future." 
In Plympton S. Mary parish there were several chapels, 
subject to the priory : — one at Newnham, another at Hemerdon, and 
a chapel attached to a lazar-house, of which there are now no 
remains. Sutton or South- town, now part of Plymouth, belonged 
to the priory of Plympton. In the priors court there the por- 
treve of the commonality was elected and sworne into office by his 
steward, and the markets, the instruments of punishment, and the 
assize of provisions belonged to him." 
Those were not exactly the " furzy down " days of Plymouth ; 
hut it was quite an insignificant place at that time, compared with 
