# Archaeological Journal/Volume 11/Ancient Church within the Castle of Exeter

ANCIENT CHURCH WITHIN THE CASTLE OF EXETER.
BY THE REV. GEORGE OLIVER, D.D.
On a former occasion (Arch. Journal, vol vii., p. 128) a detailed account was given of the Castle of Exeter and its military and civil annals, and in order to render that account more complete, we now subjoin the history of the ancient church within its walls, founded for four prebendaries at a very remote period. In letters patent, addressed by William Avenel to Robert Chichester, Bishop of Exeter, it is styled "Ecclesia de Castello Exonie cum quatuor Prebendis."—Mon. Dioc. Exon., p. 136. Robert Chichester was bishop of the see from 1128 to 1150. We have not been able to meet with the original grant, but tradition attributes the foundation of the church to the family of De Briwere; it is not improbable, however, that its existence was coeval with that of the castle. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and not to the Holy Trinity, as stated in the Chantry Rolls. Annexed to the church were the four prebends, Hayes, Cutton, Carswell, and Ashclist, the patronage of all belonging to the Barony of Okehampton.
In a deed, dated 14th of Feb., 1259, is mentioned a spot of ground "in prebenda de Heghe," charged with the yearly payment of threepence at Easter, "luminari B. Marie in Capella B. Thome Martyris." This chapel stood "in capite Pontis Exonie." Amongst the obligatory yearly payments of the Prior and Brethren of St. John's Hospital, Exeter (Cartulary, p. 37), is half a pound of wax to be offered at St. Mary's Chapel within the Castle of Exeter, on the feast of her Assumption (15th of August).
1. Hayes or Heghe, as it stood first in rank, appears also to have been the richest of the Prebends. John Stephyns, prebendary thereof, in consideration of a fine of 40l., leased it on 10th of October, 1543, to Anthony Harvey, of Culm John, Esq., for a term of twenty-one years, under the yearly rent of 37l. 7s. 11d., which was its yearly value in King Henry VIII.th's taxation, eight years before. The said Prebendary, ​on the 22nd of September, 1548, alienated the fee, described as the Prebend of Hayes and Manor of Hayes in Cowick, and of Clistmoys (Cliston Hayes, in Broadclist Parish) to Robert Kelweye, Esq., his heirs and assigns; and this alienation was ratified, approved and confirmed on the 30th of November next ensuing, under the hands and seals of Edward, Duke of Somerset, "the verye and indubitate Patrone thereof," and of John Veysey, "Byshope of Exeter." On 1st of April, 1550, Robert Kelweye conveyed this estate to King Edward VI., who granted it at Greenwich on the 8th of the same month to Nicholas Wadham, Esq., to hold it of the Crown in capite, by the service of the fortieth part of a Knight's Fee. From Nicholas Wadham it passed to his only sister, Jane, who married John Foster, Esq., of Baddesley, in Hampshire. The above-mentioned Anthony Harvey, on the 12th of January, 1557, disposed of the residue of his term to the said John Foster for 166l. 13s. 4d., who, with his son and heir-apparent, Andrew Foster, on the 1st of October, 1563, covenanted to sell the whole Prebend and Manor of Hayes to John Petre, Esq., of Exeter, younger brother of Sir William Petre, Knt. In the conveyance dated 5th of November, 1563, the purchase-money is stated to be 800l. The Fosters had previously sold to the same purchaser Clistmoys, in Broadclist, which had produced the yearly rent of 13l. 16s. In Hilary Term, 6 Elizabeth, 1564, a chirograph of a fine was made at the Castle of Hertford, between John Petre, Esq., Plaintiff, and John Foster, Esq., and Jane his wife, and Andrew Foster, son of said John and Jane, Deforciants, of the "Manor and late Prebend of Hayes with the appurtenances, and of 4 messuages, 4 gardens, 100 acres of land, 60 acres of meadow, 100 acres of pasture, and 8l. rent, with the appurtenances in Hayes within the Castle of Exeter (infra Castrum Exon.), Stoken-Tynhed, Okehampton, Ken, Cutton, Aysshe-Clyste, and in the Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle, without the west gate of the City of Exon."
The whole estate descended to the purchaser's nephew, William Petre, Esq., of Tor-Newton in Tor-Brian, whose son, Sir George Petre, Knt., sold Hayes to William Gould, Esq., of Exeter, and by the marriage of Elizabeth Gould, in August, 1739, with James Buller, Esq., of Shillingham, it passed into that family, and is now in the possession of James Wentworth Buller, Esq., of Downes.
​2. Cutton. This Prebend, in Henry VIII.th's taxation, was rated at 8l. After passing through the hands of Brushford and Turberville in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, it shortly after came into the possession of the Aclands, the present holders. The lands of the Prebendal Manor lie in the Parish of Poltimore, and consist of 290A. 1R. 6P. Hoopern pays 3l. 3s. 4d.; the Rectory of Whimple 13s. 4d.; and the Rectory of Hemington, in Somersetshire, 13s. 4d.
3. Carswell or Cresswell. This Prebend consisted of about 141 acres in the Parish of Kenn, but the revenues have passed into lay hands. To the Prebendary is doled out the trifling yearly sum of 2l. 13s. 4d.
4. Ashclist. This Prebend was alienated to Tor Abbey by Robert Courtenay in 1238, and formed part of its possessions until the suppression of the monastery, when it was valued at 12l. 10s 103/4d. per annum, after deducting its yearly payment of 6s. 8d. to the Prebendary of Hayes. The Crown bestowed the Ashclist Estate, which lay in the Parish of Broadclist, on Thomas Godwyn, who, on 29th of August, 1543, was licensed by Henry VIII., in consideration of a fine of 3l. 17s. 3d., to alienate it to John Petre the younger, Gent., of Tor-Brian. On 1st of September, 1626, Sir George Petre, Knt., was empowered by King Charles I., in consideration of a fine of 5l. 6s. 8d., to alienate it to Sir Simon Leach, Knt., and John Vigures, Gent. The royal letters patent were duly enrolled in the Exchequer. The property afterwards came into the family of Evans; and in 1768 was purchased by Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, the grand- father of the present baronet of the same name.
When Westcote wrote, soon after 1630, St. Mary's Chapel was "ruinous." A few years later, in 1639, Bishop Hall was requested to assign it "for the buryall of such Prisoners as shall dye in the Gaole." And the justices resolved that "Mrs. Biglestone, the Lessee of the Castle, be paid out of the County Stock for her contentment, such sums as the Lord Bishop should think fit."
Towards the end of the reign of King Charles II., Bishop Lamplugh, at his own cost, undertook to repair and beautify the chapel; and the justices voluntarily tendered some pecuniary aid, "but soe that the same be accepted as a free gift, and noe obhgacion for the future for the like benevolence." The building appears to have been used for prayers during ​the periods of quarter sessions, until the rebuilding of the Shire Hall, by the "Act of Parliament passed in 1773 for taking down the Shire Hall of the County of Devon, and for rebuilding a new Shire Hall in a more commodious manner;" and in which a new chapel was provided. Another Act of Parliament for making and declaring the gaol for the County of Devon, called the High Gaol, a public and common gaol; and for discharging Denys Rolle and John Rolle, Esqrs., and their respective heirs and assigns, from the office of keeper of the said gaol, and for improving and enlarging the same, or building a new one, and also for taking down the chapel in the Castle of Exeter, and for other purposes, was passed 27 Geo. III., 1787. In 1792 the ancient building was removed: there is an engraving of it from a sketch by the late R. S. Vidal, Esq., which indicates no architectural beauty, indeed, all its later reparations appear to have been most unsightly.
A quantity of ancient armour which had been deposited in the chapel, was given by Lieutenant-General Simcoe, the commander of the district, to John Houlton, Esq., of Farleigh Castle, Colonel of the Wiltshire Militia; an act as ill-advised as it was illegal, and extremely to be regretted by those who take an interest in the preservation of local vestiges and memorials of by-gone times.
Though a well-endowed Chapel within a Royal Castle, it would be an error to suppose that it was exempt from the visitation of the Ordinary, as the old prebendal chapels of our sovereigns weve at Wolverhampton, Gnoushale, in Leicestershire, St. Mary's at Stafford, Penkridge, Tetenhall, Bridgenorth, St. Mary's at Shrewsbury, All Saints, Derby, Bosham, in Sussex, St. Martin's, London, and Wimburne Minster (Stapeldon's Reg. fol. 28); and subsequently St. George's, at Windsor. That our bishops did exercise their right of visitation and jurisdiction here, is manifest from their registers; it is sufficient to specify the one so publicly made by Bishop Stapeldon, on 19th of January, 1321, of its neglected condition:—"Memorandum quod xix die Januarii MCCCXXI. Dominus existens personaliler in Castro Civitatis Exon' ingressus est in capellam ejusdem Castri, que prebendalis est, assistentibus sibi Henrico de Walmesford, tunc tenente locum Vice Comitis Devon. Domino Roberto de Stokhay, Milite, Henrico do Bokerel, et aliis in multitudine ​copiosa, et vidit eandem capellam, in quâ singulis diebus celebrari consueverant Divina, ruinosam et in nonnullis partibus ejusdem discoopertam, hostia fracta, et quasi penitus sine celebratione Divinorum desolatam: dicebat quod remedium super hoc, quamcitius commodè posset apponeret oportunum." Registre, fol. 164. We may mention also Bishop Lacy's Commission on 26th of August, 1438, "ad inquirendum de et super defectibus in Prebendâ de Cutton," the return to which is not to be found in his Register.
In the last volume of this Journal we gave the Genealogy of the Redvers and Courtenay Families, so intimately connected with the History of the Castle of Exeter and its Prebendal Chapel. Many of the distinguished persons named in the following lists will there be found.
PREBENDARIES OF HAYES.
Thomas de Wimundesham, translated from the Prebend of Asheclyst, 7 February, 1261, "ad prebendam de Heghes ultra Ex'am;" on the presentation of John, Lord de Courtenay.
Robert de Littlebury, admitted 4 June, 1278. Patron, Hugh de Courtenay. This Prebendary is mentioned in Pope Nicholas' taxation, 1288-1291.
William de Strete succeeded on 20 June, 1309. Patron, Lady Alianora de Courtenay. He died on 14 February, 1313.
John de Skodemer appears to have been instituted 5 March, 1313, on the presentation of the same countess (Stapeldon's Register, folio 70), yet we find in the next folio that
Walter de Wereminster was instituted 6 April, 1313, on the presentation of the last Patroness.
Robert de Sambourne . . . on whose death
Patrick Wode followed, 21 June, 1382. Patron, Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon.
Richard Buttelkys, 16 March, 1395-6. Patron, King Richard II.
Nicholas Bubbewith, 16 June, 1396; he was afterwards Bishop of London, and then of Sarum. Patron, King Richard II. On Bubbewith's resignation, Richard Courtenay, LL.B., eldest son of Sir Philip Courtenay, Knt., of Powderham, by Margaret Wake, succeeded, on 3 July, 1403. Patron, Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon. On his resignation for the See of Norwich, Thomas Henderman succeeded, 3 September, 1413. Patron as before. He became Chancellor of Exeter, and exchanged his Prebend for the Rectory of Crukern, with Walter Collys, 18 December, 1427. Patron, hâc vice King Henry VI. He died Precentor of Exeter, and on his death Thomas Mannyng was instituted 22 May, 1457. Patron, Thomas Courtenay, Earl of Devon.
John Symons . . . . died 30 May, 1497, buried at Stokeinteignhead.
John Rhese, or Rise, Treasurer of Exeter; he died 9 May, 1531. Hoker, his grandson, says he was about 90 years of age.
John Stephyns, instituted 22 May, 1531, on the presentation of "The Noble Henry Courtenay, Knight of the Garter, Lord of Okehampton and Plymton, Earl of Devon, and Marquis of Exeter." We are not to confound this John Stephyns with the Canon of Exeter Cathedral of the same name, Rector of Doddiscombesleigh, who died 21 March, 1560, and was buried in the chancel there. This Prebendary of Hayes must have lived to a great age, for in Bishop Woolton's Register, folio 49, we find that on 17 December, 1591, Queen Elizabeth presented Walter Herte, A.B., "ad prebendam de Hayes juxta pontem Exon' in Castro Exon' ab autiquo fundatam," void by the death of John Stevens, the last incumbent—nomen sine re.
PREBENDARIES OF CUTTON.
Henry de Esse, admitted 20 December, 1260, "ad prebendam Capello Castri Exon' de Cuteton vacantem, ad presentationem Johannis de Curtenay veri patroni." He was inducted 5 April, 1261. Bronescombe's Register, folios 16th and 17th, occurs in Pope Nicholas' taxation.
John Moriz . . . . on whose death Walter de Clopton, Rector of Kenn, instituted 29 July, 1322, "ad presentationem Domini Hugonis de Courtonay." Bishop Grandisson, on 21 August, 1328, licensed the celebration of divine service "in capella manerii sui de Cutton infra parochiam de Poltymore," in favour of this Prebendary. Reg. vol. 2, folio 59. We believe the chapel was dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
Thomas de Courtenay, second son of Hugh, Earl of Devon, by Margaret de Bohun, admitted 30 November, 1346, on the presentation of his father, Hugh de Courtenay, Earl of Devon and Lord of Okehampton. Grandiss. Reg. vol. 3, folio 59. He was buried in the Augustinian Church, London.
Robert de Paston succeeded "ad prebendam de Cutton vacantem," 11 December, 1348. Patron, the same.
Otho de Northwode, archdeacon of Exeter, followed, 9 May, 1350. The same Patron.
Philip de Courtenay, a relative of the above-mentioned Thomas, was admitted on 15 November, 1360, "ad prebendam vacantem." The same Patron.
Robert Vaggescombe succeeded, 2 October, 1366. The same Patron. On his resignation William Bermyncham was admitted; on whose death Robert Vaggescombe was re-appointed on 30 April, 1382, but dying shortly after his second induction.
Henry Cole was admitted 29 June, 1382, on the presentation of Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon. Brantyngham's Register, vol. 2, folio 72.
Thomas Kerdyngton . . . . on whose resignation John Radeclyff was admitted on 15 May, 1400. Patron, Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon. This Prebendary exchanged for Clare, the second Portion in the Church of Tiverton, with Walter Robert, who was admitted on 2 August, 1406. Patron of both preferments, the aforesaid Earl.
Thomas de Kerdyngton was reappointed on 11 February, 1407-8. The same Patron.
Richard Donscombe, or Dunscombe, admitted 1 August, 1419, on Kerdyngton's death. The same Patron. Dunscombe died 7 June, 1421.
Richard Aldryngton, a Canon of Exeter Cathedral, was admitted on 14 June, 1421. On the preceding day it had been found by inquisition, that Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon, was the true Patron, jure hereditario—that this Prebend paid 6s. 8d. yearly at Michaelmas, to the Prebendary of Hayes—that Cutton was taxed at 5l 13s. 4d. per annum, and that Richard Aldryngton was 70 years of age and more. Inquisition in Lacy's Register, vol. 2, folio 34 b.
Robert Felton . . . . on whose death Richard Beauchamp, afterwards Bishop of Salisbury, was admitted on 25 August, 1438. Patron, Thomas Courtenay, Earl of Devon.
Thomas Bekyngton, LL.D., afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells, admitted 13 December, 1441. The same Patron. On Bekyngton's resignation John de la Bere succeeded, 31 October, 1443. The same Patron.
Geoffry Motte, a Canon of Exeter followed on 24 April, 1448. The same Patron.
Thomas Copeland was admitted 25 April, 1450, on Motto's resignation. The same Patron.
Thomas Copleston, a Canon of Exeter, admitted 1 July, 1460, on the death of Thomas Copeland. Patron, Thomas Courtenay, the second of that name, Earl of Devon.
John Fulford, afterwards successively Archdeacon of Totnes, Cornwall, and Exeter, on whose resignation Thomas Gilbert, D.C.L., was admitted 8 February, 1494-5. Patron, Edward Courtenay, the second of that name, Earl of Devon. Arundel's Register, folio 9.
Thomas Harryes succeeded, 10 September, 1503, on the death of Gilbert. The same Patron. Harryes was Archdeacon of Cornwall and Treasurer of Wells, and died Precentor of Exeter late in 1511.
John Skelton . . . . on whose death Jphn Touker, admitted 27 December, 1529. Patron. Henry Courtenay, Marquis of Exeter, K.G. This Prebendary was living when the taxation was made in 1535, his Prebend was then valued at 8l. a year.
​John Blackston, a Canon of Exeter Cathedral, collated by Bishop Turberville, per lapsum, on 24 May, 1556. On his deprivation, Richard Tremayne, D.D, (a younger son of Thomas Tremayne, of Collacombe, by Philippa, daughter of Roger Grenvile, of Stow in Cornwall), Treasurer of Exeter Cathedral, was admitted 21 February, 1560-1, on the presentation of Reginald Mohun, John Trelawney, Peter Courtenay, John Vyvian, and John Killigrew, as Trustees of Alexander Arundel. Tremayne's will was proved 15 December, 1584.
John Bradford succeeded Tremayne, on 27 January, 1584-5. Patron, Nicholas Turberville, Gent., of Crediton.
John Bradford, jun., instituted 8 October, 1619, by simony of the preceding Prebendary. Patron, King James I.
Thomas Atwill . . . . on whose death Humphry Saunders, M.A., was admitted 19 January, 1634-5. Patron, John Acland, Esq.
John Procter was admitted 10 February, 1662-3, on the deprivation of Saunders. Patron, Margaret Acland, widow, of Killerton.
Bernard Galard was admitted on 6 May, 1671,on the death of Procter. Patron Lady Margaret Acland, widow, of Killerton. This Prebendary died at his Rectory at Poltimore, and was buried in the parish church, 23 November, 1693.
Thomas Bate succeeded, on 21 August, 1694. Patron, Sir Hugh Acland, Bart., of Killerton. On his resignation Thomas Acland, M.A., admitted 25 September, 1703. Patron, as before.
Edward Reeks followed on 2 October, 1735, on Mr. Acland's death. Patrons, Sir Thomas Acland, Bart., of Killerton, Rev. Thomas Troyte, and Dame Cicely Acland, alias Troyte, his wife.
George Drake was admitted on 15 June, 1748, on Reeks' death. Patrons as in the preceding presentation, only the first is called Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart., of Collumb John.
John Pitman, admitted 20 July, 1752, on the death of Drake. Patron, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart. Mr. Pitman died 2 February, 1768, aged 50.
John Acland succeeded 10 June, 1768. Same Patron. Mr. Acland was buried at Broadclist, 16 August, 1795.
John Pitman, jun., admitted 20 November, 1795. Patrons, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart., an infant, with the consent of Hugh Acland, Esq., the Hon. Sir Francis Buller, Bart., and John Rolle, his trustees.
Francis Huyshe, M.A., instituted 4 July, 1831, on the death of Mr. Pitman, which happened on 29 December, 1830, aged 81. Patron, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart.
William Barker, M.A., was admitted 27 February, 1840, on the death of Mr. Huyshe, on 28 August, 1839, aged 71. Patron the same.
The Hon. Charles Leslie Courtenay, M.A., fourth son of William Courtenay, second Earl of Devon, was admitted 17 June, 1842, on Mr. Barker's death, which happened on 31 March, 1841. Patron the same.
Peter Leopold Dyke Acland, M.A., instituted 30 December, 1845, on Mr. Courtenay's resignation, 22 August, 1845. The same Patron, his father.
PREBENDARIES OF CARSWELL.
Philip de Dutton occurs in Pope Nicholas' taxation.
William Strete held the Preferment about a month, together with Hayes, but at the end of the month ceded the Preferment. Patron, Lady Alianora de Courtenay. Henry de Soler, afterwards Rector of Kenn, was then admitted on 18 July, 1309. Patron, the same lady.
Robert de Brandone succeeded 26 April, 1312. Patron the same lady.
John Alcyn . . . . on whose resignation John Southdon, 1 Nov. 1376. Patron Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon.
Richard Danyell . . . . on whose resignation Robert Good was instituted, 16 July, 1414. Patron, Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon.
John Colo . . . . on whose death John Seger succeeded, 15 April, 1457. Patron, Thomas Courtenay, Earl of Devon.
​John Caperton admitted, 10 October, 1477, on the death of Seger, at the presentation of George, Duke of Clarence, Earl of Sarum, Lord of Richmond, and Great Chamberlain of England.
Peter Courtenay, afterwards Bishop of Exeter and Winchester, on whose death John Courtenay, described as "Senior." We apprehend that he was the fourth son of Sir William Courtenay, Knt., the second possessor of that name of Powderham, but perhaps of the Molland Branch. He succeeded on 2 March, 1492-3, on the presentation of Edward Courtenay, the second Earl of that name. Earl of Devon.
John Pampyng was admitted on 3 August, 1495, to the vacant Prebend. Patron ut supra.
John Walrond, on Pampyng's death, succeeded on 13 December, 1512, on the presentation of the most noble Lady Catherine, Countess of Devon. He was probably the second son of Hamphry Walrond, of Bradfield, by Eleanor, daughter Henry Ogan, Esq.
David Hensley, Rector of Kenn, was admitted on 24 September, 1566, on the death of the last Incumbent. Patron, Geoffry Tothill, Gent. Queen Elizabeth, on 10th June, 1564, had granted to William and John Killigrew, brothers, the Advowson and Patronage of Carswell, which they sold the next day to William Ployer and Geoffry Tothill. Mr. Hensley died on 3 Sept., and was buried at Kenn on 7 September, 1573.
Geoffry Collyns, "a Layman," was admitted on 19 January, l573. Patron, as the last. On his death, Thomas Barrett, Archdeacon of Exeter, was collated by his father-in-law. Bishop Woolton, on 28 May, 1584. Register, folio 17. On his resignation
John Bridgeman was admitted 20 February, 1603. Patron, Gasper Bridgeman.
George Bridgeman succeeded on John's resignation, 28 July, 1613. Patron as the last. He was afterwards Bishop of Chester.
Thomas Baker, collated by Bishop Valentine Carey, per lapsum, on 6 October, 1624, On his death, John Snell, afterwards Canon of Exeter Cathedral, 10 January, 1660-1, on the presentation of Hugh Potter, Esq., and George Potter, Merchant. On Snell's death, which happened 15 April, 1679, George Snell, afterwards Archdeacon of Totnes, was instituted 10 August, 1679, on the presentation of his brother, John Snell, of Exeter, Merchant.
Thomas Snell . . . . on whose death Thomas Snell, jun., on 25 March, 1718. Patron, John Snell, Clerk.
Chichester Tomkins, 22 April, 1758. Patrons, Sir John Colleton, Bart., Wenman Nutt, of Loudon, and Mary his wife, and Gertrude Snell, of Exeter.
John Vye, admitted 5 May, 1781. Patrons, Wenman Nutt, Esq. and Mary his wile, Gertrude Snell, spinster, and Louisa Colleton, spinster.
Jonas Dennis, B.C.L., admitted 29 July, 1799. Patrons, Wenman Nutt, Esq. and Mary his wife. He held this single preferment until his death, on 6 December, 1846.
William Ludlow, instituted 3 April, 1847, on Dennis's death. Patrons, Edward Erskine Tustin, and Frederick Pratt Barlow, Esqrs., on the death of General Richard Dickinson, on 5 December, 1846.
PREBENDARIES OF ASHCLIST.
In the Episcopal Register of the See of Exeter, two institutions only to this Prebend are noticed, after its appropriation to the Abbey of Tor, viz.—
Thomas de Wimundeham . . . .
On his resignation William Stanfer was admitted by Bishop Bronescombe, 7 February, 1261, on the presentation of John Lord Courtenay. Bronescombe's Register, folio 16b.