Print of Dunstable Priory.
Published 24 December 1819.
Longman & Lackington & Co
and Joseph Harding, London.
Illustration: THE VIRTUAL LIBRARY
Text from Wikipedia — the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.
Augustinian Priories.
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In 1274, a long and expensive Suit was begun between the Prior and Convent of Dunstable and Eudo la Zouche, who had become Lord of Houghton and Eaton Bray by his marriage with Millicent de Cantelow.
Eudo refused to recognise the Rights of the Prior (established not only by Charter but by long custom) to a gallows and prison in Houghton; he released one of his men from the prison and overthrew the gallows.
Under the next Prior, William le Breton, the gallows were restored; but Eudo still refused to recognise the prison as the Prior’s Right, and presently erected a gallows of his own.
The dispute went on for some years, and, after the death of Eudo, was continued by his wife, Millicent, until 1289, when it was finally decided in favour of the Prior.
Dunstable Priory.
Recent Investigations.
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In 1286, the Priory had to trim its trees and hedges along the King’s Highway, pursuant to the Statute of Winchester, to curb the activities of highwaymen.[8]
It was just at this time that the King was asking for subsidies for his Welsh Wars. By an accumulation of misfortune, in the same Winter, the Outer Walls of the Priory had collapsed in the wet weather, and their Hay Ricks had been destroyed by fire; and the Tithes due to the Hospitallers from North Marston Church were in such long arrears that a new arrangement had to be made to pay them off.
In 1295, the Priory at Bradbourne was so Poor that all the wool produced there had to be granted to the support of the three Brethren who served the Church and Chapels.
The later pages of the annals are a long story of poverty and struggle to get clear of debt.[6]
PART FIVE FOLLOWS.
