Ellerton.info

Ellerton Priory, of the order of St. Gilbertine, was founded by William, son of Peter of Goodmanham, between May 1199 and December 1212.

 

 

The Gilbertine Order

 

Saint Gilbert of Sempringham (c. 1083-1190) was the only Englishman to found a conventual order.

 

When his father died in 1130 he became lord of the manor of Sempringham, and immediately began using his inherited wealth to fund expansion of the Gilbertines, his new order. He originally wished to found a men's order, but found that to be impracticable. Instead, he accepted seven women whom he had taught in the village school and in 1131 founded an order of nuns based on the Cistercian Rule.

 

In 1139 the small order opened its first new foundation on the island of Haverholm, a gift from Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln. Over the years, more and more new foundations were established, and Gilbert became overwhelmed. In 1147 he left England for Continental Europe to seek assistance, and approached the Cistercian Order at its major house in Cîteaux to take on the running of his foundations. The Cistercians declined, apparently because they felt unable to administer houses for both men and women, but Pope Eugenius III, himself a Cistercian, intervened to ask the abbot, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, to assist Gilbert in drawing up Institutes for a new Order. Pope Eugenius then appointed Gilbert as the first Master of the Order of Sempringham or Gilbertines.

 

Eventually he had a chain of twenty-six convents, monasteries and missions. Gilbert died in 1190 and in 1202 he was canonised by Pope Innocent III.

 

The Order had 5 priories in Yorkshire: Old Malton and Watton, both founded by Eustace FitzJohn around 1150; Ellerton, between 1199 and 1212; St. Andrew, York, founded around 1200 by Hugh Murdac, the Archdeacon of Cleveland, later to become Archbishop of York; and Ovington or Overton in Richmondshire, founded by Alan de Wilton, around 1204.

 

Brian Golding, in his seminal work: Gilbert of Sempringham and the Gilbertine Order: Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1995, states that “Each Gilbertine priory had one church, divided inequally by a wall. The nuns had the larger part, and the canons the smaller.” However, The National Archives, in their description of the Gilbertine Order, says “Some houses were founded for canons only”. I believe the latter statement to be true, as despite the fact that Ellerton is frequently referred to in historial records as the ‘Prior and Convent of Ellerton’, I can not find a single reference to nuns at Ellerton, and none were listed  in the pension list or any other Dissolution documents. It would appear that any lady wishing to make the profession were directed to nearby nunnery of Thickhead Priory, as the following two examples indicate:

 

1301: register of Archbishop Thomas of Corbridge, part 1, Surtees Society, Vol CXXXVIII,  page 123

22 Apr. Commission to the Prior of Ellerton to admit the profession of lady Elizabeth de Lasceles, 2IN DOMO DE Thykheued sub habitu regulari diucius conversate,”  in the presence of the prioress and convent, if she should of her own free will be willing to make her profession.

 

1405/6: The York Sede Vacante Register, 1405-1408: A Calendar, 156

25 Feb. Memorandum of a commission to Brother Giles, prior of Ellerton, to enclose Agnes Derwent in a house adjoining the conventual church of Thicket.

 

 

The Founder

 

Ellerton Priory was founded by William, son of Peter of Goodmanham. The Goodmanhams were sub-tenants of the Hays, who were important landowners in the area, holding lands in Goodmanham, Bubwith, Aughton, Ellerton and Laytham.

 

William not only gave lands in Ellerton for the foundation of the priory, but also gave a mill at Goodmanham. The bonds between the Goodmanhams and the Hays were not confined to tenant and sub-tenant, as William’s nephew married the daughter of Thomas Hay, the lord in 1225.

 

Mary, a kinswoman of William, married Alan de Wilton, who founded another Gilbertine priory in Yorkshire, at Ovington, while Agnes, sister to William, and relict of Adam de Linton, was another benefactor.

 

 

Foundation Charter

 

The original charter (in Latin) was formerly in the possession of Richard Robinson esq., of Thicket, and printed in Monasticon Anglicanum Vol 6, pt 2, page 976 (N. 1). An English translation was printed in Early Yorkshire Charters II, pages 425-6, William Farrer, 1915, but without the witness list (in English). The following includes the witness list:

 

Grant by William, son of Peter, for the health of king John and Geoffrey, archbishop of York, Robert de Turneham and Joan his wife, Geoffrey earl of Essex, Alan de Wilton and Mary his wife, and Alice, wife of the grantor, and for the souls of kings Henry and Richard, Peter the father and Christiana the mother of the grantor, and Hugh Murdac, to St. Mary and the order of Sempringham to found a priory at Ellerton of the canons of that order and to feed 13 poor people, of his land in Ellerton with the wood of Lathingholme and the ridding to the south thereof, 2 bovates in Laytham with 16 acres of arable towards Harlthorpe and 12 acres of arable in Aughton.

 

Witnesses: Geoffrey, archbishop of York, Robert of Turneham, Henry of Puteaco, Alan of Wilton, John of Beverley, John of Bulmer, William Aguillon, John of Hotham, Hugh of Kellingthorpe, Robert of Baravill, Jordan the priest, Thomas of Hugarth, William Battel, Ada Battel, Robert son of Savine, Geoffrey Furremage.

 

The Foundation Charter was inspected by Gilbert II, the master of the order, and summarised in his notification to the newly elected first Prior, John -

 

Notification by Gilbert II, master of the order of Sempringham, and John, prior, and the convent of Ellerton, that they are bound to provide for the support of 13 poor people in the hospital of the church of Ellerton, as provided by arrangement between the said Gilbert and John, and William son of Peter (de Goodmanham), founder of the said church, and subjection of themselves and their successors to the power conferred upon the archbishop in case of default. 1199-1210.  M.a.v.6.p977b. Nos. vi and xi.

 

Date of the Foundation

The above charter grants land to found Ellerton Priory ‘for the health of king John’ and ‘Geoffrey, Archbishop of York’ among others. John was crowned 27 May 1199, and Geoffrey, Archbishop of York died 12 December 1212, so the charter is dated between these dates. These are the reasons that Farrer in Early Yorkshire Charters dated the charter to 1199-1211. However, a witness to the charter, Robert of Turneham, and the movements of Geoffrey, Archbishop of York, another witness to the charter, constrain the date further still.

 

Robert de Turnham, was sent abroad by John in 1201 to suppress a revolt in Poitou, and was there for the next four years, being taken prisoner towards the end of 1204 or beginning of 1205, and regaining his liberty towards the end of 1205. He next appears in England in January 1206 with John (Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 57). We also know that Robert was definitely in England between March 1200 and the summer of 1201.

 

We also know that king John’s half-brother, Geoffrey, Archbishop of York, was sent into exile in France in 1207, and never returned, dying there in 1212.

 

This now constrains the date of the charter to between May 1199 and the summer of 1201, or between January 1206 and late 1207.

 

I believe that the date of the foundation is more likely to be the January 1206 – late 1207 period. In 1243, in  response to a Quo Warranto concerning illegal weirs built across the Derwent, the Prior claimed that they had built no weirs and that the weirs had been there 40 years ago (Curia Regis, 131, Michaelmas 27 and 28 Hen. III).

 

Whether the Priory had built the weirs or not, the Prior was clearly attempting to claim that the weirs had been built before the Priory had been founded.

 

In The buildings of England: York and the East Riding (1995), Pevsner, Nikolaus & Neave, David, page 37, the authors concur, giving a date of 1207 for the foundation, but unfortunately do not give a reference.

 

Endowments

 

Lands &c.	Donor	Reference
Aughton	William, fil. Petri, for the good of the souls of Peter and Christian, his father and mother, and of Alice, his wife; gave twelve acres of land in this territory	M.a.v.2, p.822, et v.3 p. 825
	Peter, son of Peter de Malolacu, confirmed the grants of two tofts and crofts and forty acres of land, with a culture here, called Danskelandes; which Adam de Linton confirmed	ibid, p. 823
	This church was given to the priory of Ellerton, and was an ancient rectory of the patronage of the Del Hay's, knights, and afterwards given to this priory; which before it was a vicarage, presented a clerk to the custody of it, who was one of their own canons regular. The rector had sometimes a vicar under him to serve the cure; for on the 16 Kal. Dec. (16 Nov.) A. D. 1229, apud Wylton, Walter Gray, archbishop of York, collated Thomas de Newark clerk to this vicarage of Acton, then vacant by the death of Thomas Murdak the last vicar; because Thomas then parson of the church, had presented another clerk thereto. And apud Cawood, 4 Kal. Sep. (25) Aug.) A. D. 1231, the said Walter Gray, by the assent of Roger de Thurkilleby, parson of the church of Acton, and at the presentation of Roger Hay, patron thereof, had conferred the same vicarage on Conbilius, clerk, and had given him the tythe-garbs of Lathum, the tythes of corn and hay of Seton and Folkerthorpe, and the tythe-corn of Wyhetoft, in the manner of a simple benefice, to be by him possessed without burden, annates, or episcopal dues, upon condition that after the cession or decease of the said Conbilius, the said tythes shall again return to the church of Acton and to the parson thereof for the time being, without any contradiction. And the said Roger and vicar of the church shall bear all burdens epilcopal and archidiaeonal, due and accustomed	Rot. maj. Walteri Grey, no. 85, 180, 181
Beverley	Nicholas de Middleton confirmed the grant of one oxgang of land in Beverley to the monastery of Ellerton in Spaldingmere with a toft, and Alexander the carpenter, with all his family and their cattle, as his brother Richard de Middleton had held the same, which was confirmed by Fulco Basset provost of Beverley about the year 1229 These premises were again confirmed to the same monastery in 1253 by sir William Ross.	Mon.Ebor, page 261
Brech...	Alan de Wilton, for the good of the foul of Mary, his wife, &c. gave fix oxgangs of lands, with tofts and crofts, &c	M.a.v.2, p.825
Bergh Magna	John Hassake, and others, for the prior, had a grant of 3 s. per annum, rent, out of this place	Cart. 33, Edward I, no. 180, in Turre Lond. in catalog, Anthoris, p. 109
Burnby	Robert de Tibetorp, son of Walter de Bovington, gave one oxgang of land in this place	Append. no. 1
Cathweyt (in Sutton-upon-Derwent)	Peter, son of Peter de Malolacu (Mauley) confirmed the grants of two tofts and crofts, and twenty acres of land, here	M.a.v.2, p.822, et v.3 p. 825
	A nativus in Cathwayt was granted temp John. [Donor not named]	BM. Add. 20553
Cliff	Henry de Puteaco (Pudfey) for the foul of Alice de Percy, his mother, and of Dionisia, his wife, gave the meadow towards cliff, between Weighton and Gudmunham	M.a.v.2, p. 824
Cottingwith, West	It appears by Kirkby's inquest, that the prior of Ellerton was lord hereof	Nomina Villarum of 1316
Cottingwith, West and Crossum	Peter de Malolacu confirmed to them three oxgangs of land here, and at Crossum, with tofts and crofts	M.a.v.2, p.822, et v.3 p. 825
Cotun-west	Alan de Wilton gave five leeps of fait annually, out of his salt-works at this place	Append. no. 1
Edeston	Alan de Wilton gave three tofts, and three acres and an half of land, in this town	Ibid, et cop. cart. v.1. p.70, B.8, no. 6
Ellerton	Adam Crust, and others, for the prior, had a grant of thirteen acres of land, two acres and one rood of meadow, and two acres of wood, and a toft here	33 Edward I, no. 180
	William Fitz-Peter gave all the land of his fee at this place; together with the services, as well of freeholders as others; as also his whole wood of Lathingholm, and his assart, or new improvement, on the south-side of that wood	M.a.v.2, p. 822
	In A. D. 1255, 30 Henry III. Peter, son of Peter de Malolacu, confirmed to the canons all the lands which they held of his fee; being the site of the priory, with the church here, and one carucate and an half of land in this territory, with tofts and crofts	M.a.v.2, p. 822
	And by Kirkby's inquest, it appears that the prior hereof, was joint lord of this manor with John de Pickering. [There is no entry in Kirkby’s Inquest, rather the entries are for the Knights Fees of 1302 and the Nomina Villarum of 1316, where the joint lords are the Prior of Ellerton, and Thomas Pickering]	Knights Fees of 1302; Nomina Villarum of 1316
Folkerthorpe cum Latham	It appears by Kirkby's Inquest [the entries are for the Knights Fees of 1302 and the Nomina Villarum of 1316 [the entries are actually for the Knights Fees of 1302 and the Nomina Villarum of 1316], that the prior of Ellerton was joint lord of these places, along with Jacob de Milerton.	Knights Fees of 1302; Nomina Villarum of 1316
Goodmanham	John de Hovedon (Howden) gave five oxgangs of land in this territory, with the advowson and patronage of the nave of the church in this town, with all services, suits, &c. all which were confirmed by German Hay of Acton, nephew of the said John de Hovedon	App. no, 2.
	Nicholas, son of Sir Roger Hay of Acton, in A. D. 1268, 52 Henry III. gave his windmill, with its appurtenances, in this territory; which Peter, son of Peter de Malolacu, con- firmed	Append. no. 3; M.a.v.2, p. 822
	William, son of Samson, son of Hugh de Traneby, confirmed two oxgangs of land in this place, which had been given by his father and grandfather	Ibid, append. no. 4
	Romund Tyree gave one oxgang of land here	Append. no. 6, 7
	Hugh de Colevile gave another oxgang	Append. no. 6, 7
	Nicholas Ward gave three oxgangs in the fame territory; all which were confirmed to the canons in A. D. 1337, by Sir Roger de Grimeston of Goodmanham, coz. and heir of Thomas de Grimeston	Append. no. 6, 7
	Peter, son of Peter de Malolacu, confirmed the grants of seven oxgangs of land in this territory	M.a.v.2, p. 822
	And Adam de Linton confirmed six oxgangs of land here, being half a carucate; together with a toft in Chiriflat (Cherry-flat) and the moiety of the mill towards the east, with the pool and suit of the said mill	M.a.v.2, p.823; cop. cart. v.1. p.70, B.8, no. 6
Habbeton	Here six carucates made a knight's fee.
	William, son of Nichol, or Nubot, son of Patric de Habbeton, confirmed to them twelve oxgangs of land here	cop. cart. v.1. p.70, B.8, no. 6
	Reginald, son of Ralph de Laistorp, gave one oxgang of land, with a toft, at the east-end of the town	Append. no. 8
	William de Habbeton confirmed the oxgang of land here, given by Hodierna, her sister	Append. no. 9
	William, son of Hugh de Riton, with the consent of Alice, his wife, gave one oxgang of land in this territory, and passed a fine in court to secure the grants	Append. no. 10; Append. no. 11, penes me.
	Absalon, son of William de Calveton, in A. D. 1247, gave two oxgangs of land in this place	Append. no. 12
	Alan de Wilton gave six oxgangs of land here, with tofts and crofts	M.a.v.2, p.825
	By Kirby's Inquest it appears, that Robert de Garton, and the prior of Ellerton, were joint Lords of Alleton magna and parva (Habbeton) in Ridal.
Henholme, in Howdenshire	The prior of Ellerton and Watton, were lords hereof, as appears by Kirby's Inquest.
Houm, near Watton	Alan de Wilton gave twelve oxgangs of land, with seven tofts and crofts in this place	Ibid, p.824; cop. cart. v.3. p.10, B.9, no. 36
	Peter de Malolacu confirmed to the canons five oxgangs of land, with tofts and crofts	Ibid, p.822
	Sir Gerard Salvain, of Hersewell, knight, used to receive of the canons 15s. per annum, for two carucates of land which they held of him in this place; which annual rent he gave to Thomas Riplingham, and to William de Holme, in A. D. 1346, 28 Edward III.	Append. no. 13
Huggate	Walter, son of Gaufrid Knight (filii Gaufridi militis) de Hugate, gave all his land upon Stirkebou and Stodfield, belonging to his carucate of land in this territory	Append. no. 14
	Roger, son of Galfrid de Hugath, gave all his land here upon Ovenkotes, in this territory	Append. no. 15
	Nicholas, son of Galfrid Knight de Hugate, gave one oxgange of land here, with a toft and croft	Append. no. 16
	Robert Jopin, son of Peter Knight of Hugath, gave four acres and an half of land in this territory	Append. no. 17
	Walter, son of Galfrid Knight de Hugate, gave half a carucate of land here, with four tofts, and with other parcels of land, as described in the appendix; and with all his pasture in this territory	Append. no. 18
	He also gave his carucate upon Mikilflac, with other lands, &c. as specified in the carta	Append. no. 19
	And by another carta, he gave two oxgangs of land; besides several other lands, tofts, and crofts	Append. no. 20, 21
	Peter, son of Peter de Malolacu, confirmed to the canons five oxgangs of land here; and Adam de Linton confirmed other lands in the fame territory	M.a.v.2, p.822, 823
Latham (p. Aughton)	William Fitz-Peter, the founder, gave two oxgangs of land, that Nicholas Fitz-Pain (fil. Pagani) held; besides other ten acres in the fame territory, on the north-side, next the boundaries of Herlethorpe: And Peter, son of Peter de Malolacu, confirmed to the canons the six oxgangs of land (being half a carucate) with tofts and crofts, and the mill here, with the suit thereof; which Adam de Linton also confirmed	M.a.v.2, p.822, 823
	John Hassake, and others, for the prior of Ellerton, had a grant of nineteen acres and an half, in this place	33 Edward I. cart. 180
Marton	Alan de Wilton gave the mill in this town	M.a.v.2, p.824 et totam sequelam custumariorum ameorum, qui ad dictum molendinum bladum suum molent, ad sextum. decimum vas. et Braseum, suum sine muitura.
Middleton on the Wolds	Richard, son of Robert, son of Alan de Everingham, about A.D. 1236, gave one oxgang of land in the field of this town	Append. no. 22
	Nicholas de Midelton, confirmed the grant of one oxgang of land in this territory, with a toft; and Alexander, the carpenter (carpentarius) with all his family, and their cattle, as his brother, Richard de Midelton, had held the fame;	Append. no. 23
	which was confirmed to them by Fulco Basset, provost of Beverley (propositus Beverlacensis) about A. D. 1229;	Append. no. 24
	which premisses Sir William de Ross, in A. D. in 1253, confirmed, along with one carucate of land in West-Cottingwith and Crossum	Append. no. 25
	Helias, son of Robert, son of Alan de Everingham, in A. D. 1250, quitclaimed the oxgang which Richard, his brother, had given	Append. no. 26
	The said Richard, son of Robert, son os Alan de Everingham, and Agnes, daughter of Thomas, gave one oxgang here	Append. no. 27
Spaldington (p. Bubwith)	Peter, son of Peter de Malolacu, confirmed the grants of five tofts and crofts, and seven acres, in this territory; and Adam de Linton confirmed six oxgangs of land here	M.a.v.2, p.822, 823
Thorpe-parva, juxta Hayton	By an inquisition held in 24 Edward III. it appeared, that there was no damage to the king, if Sir Gerard de Salvain, of Hersewell, knight, should give twelve messuages, and twenty-four oxgangs of land in Thorp, juxta Hayton, towards the support of two chaplains, to pray for the soul of the said Sir Gerard, and Agnes, his wife, in the church of the said priory of Ellerton	M.a.v.2, p.825
Weighton	Sir William de Ross, gave a free passage for the carriages, &c. of the canons, over his land, &c. from Hundegarthe, at Weighton, to Godmanham	Append. no. 28
York	Robert de Dictona (Dighton) citizen of York, in A. D. 1258, gave all his land on the east-side of the burying-place of St. Lawrence, out of Walmgate-Bar, extending, in length, from the high road of Walmgate to the king's Foss	Append. no. 29
	the canons paying to him, and his heirs, an annuity of 1d. which he soon after remitted to them	Append. no. 30
	and Margaret Bodewyn, wife of the said Robert de Dicton, join'd in the grant of the said lands	Append. no. 31

 

Entries on the Fine, Chancery and other Rolls, Inquisitions, etc.

 

1225: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Henry III, Vol 1, pages 584-5

No date: Eboracum.—Eodem modo scribitur justiciariis etc. in comitatu Eboraci, de assisa mortis antecessoris, que summonita est etc. coram eis inter Thomam Hay, petentem, et Adam de Linton et Agnetern uxorem ejus, tenentes, de 32 bovatis terre in Acton, Gudmundharn, et Lathum: et inter eundem Thomam, petentem, et Willelmum de Beleby, tenentem, de duabus bovatis terre in Acton: et inter eundem Thomarn, petentem, et priorem de Eslerton, tenentem, de medietate j molendini, in Gutmundham: et inter eundem Thomam, petentem, et Johannem Bataille, tenentem, de duabus bovatis terre in Lathum, capienda cum in partes illas venerint ad assisas nove dissaisine etc. Et mandatum est vicecomiti etc.

 

Similarly written, to the justices etc. in the county of York, of an assize of mort d’ancestor, etc., which has been summoned in the presence of them, between Thomas Hay, the claimant, and Adam of Linton and Agnes his wife, holding 32 bovates of land in Acton (Aughton), Gudmundharn (Goodmanham), and Latham: lying between the said Thomas, plaintiff, and William of Beleby, tenant of two bovates of land in Acton: and between the same Thomas, the claimant, and the prior of Eslerton (Ellerton), tenant, of a moiety of a mill, in Gutmundham: and between the same Thomas, plaintiff, and John Bataille, tenant of two bovates of land in Latham, come into those parts to be taken with the assize of novel disseisin restored etc.. And orders the Sheriff etc.

 

1243: Curia Regis, No. 131, Mich. 27 & 28 Hen. III. m. 22 d.

The Abbat of St. Mary's, York, the Prior of Elreton, Roger Hay, and Robert de Anner were attached to answer by what warrant they had built weirs in the King's water of Derewente, thereby impeding the passage of the water; also by what warrant they had exacted tolls from those passing the weirs.

 

The Abbat and the others came, and said that they had built no weirs nor taken any toll, and that the weirs there were built 40 years ago. The Sheriff is commanded to go to the weirs and diligently to inquire concerning them, and to reinstate them as they were in the times of King Richard and King John, saving to the King his amercements from the defendants if they have narrowed the weirs.

 

1252: Fine Roll C 60/49 m.5

The prior of Ellerton on Spalding Moor gives the king 20s. for having a writ of grace before him (coram Rege).

 

1262: Fine Roll C 60/59 m.16

The prior of Ellerton on Spalding Moor gives one mark for taking an assize before Martin of Littlebury.

 

1265: Curia Regis, No. 174, Mich. 49 Hen. III. m. id., 13 d.

No. 175, Hil. 50 Hen. III. m. 21, 21 d.

Laurence de Broke, who sues for the King and the Master of St. Leonard's Hospital, York, v. Roger, Prior of Watton, John, Prior of Malton, and Henry, Prior of Ellerton: a plea wherefore, when he and the Brethren of the said Hospital ought to have yearly from each plough ploughing in the counties of York, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lancaster, I thrave of corn for the sustenance of the infirm poor in the Hospital, by the grant of the Kings of England and the confirmation of the present King, and they have hitherto peacefully received the said thraves, the said Priors have now for two years withheld the thraves, to the defrauding of the Master and Brethren and the said infirm poor in the Hospital. 

 

1272: Fine Roll C 60/69 56 m.7

The prior of Ellerton on Spalding Moor gives half a mark for an assize to be taken before John de Oketon.

 

1272: Fine Roll C 66/91 m. 4

The prior of Ellerton gives half a mark for having a writ ad terminum.

 

1272: Fine Roll C 66/91 m. 4

The prior of Ellerton gives half a mark for an assize to be taken before J. de Oketon.

 

1276: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Edward I, Vol 1, page 150

1 Jul. Simple protection, until All Saints, for the prior and convent of Ellerton

 

1282: De Banco, Hil. 10 Edw. I. m. 13.

The Sheriff has found on inquiry by the oaths of proved and lawful men that Adam de Scardeburg, Prior of Ewerton [sic, Ellerton], John de Wyntringham, Adam de Lathum, William de Mathersay, and William de Thorp, had entered into the free warren of Robert de Ros at Storweyt, Meldeburne, and Seton [Storthwaite and Melbourne, in the parish of Thornton, and Seaton Ross, all neighbouring parishes], and taken and carried away hares without license. [See next]

 

 

1282. De Banco, Mich. 10 & 11 Edw. I. m. 73; East. 12 Edw. I. m. 50. Mich. 12 & 13 Edw. I. m. 39.

Robert de Ros complained of the Prior of Ellerton, Adam de Scardeburgh, Adam de Lathum, and others, for taking hares in his free warren at Stortheweyt, Meldeburn, and Seton, without leave.

 

1300: De Banco, Trin. 28 Edw. I. m. 35 d

John son of Emma of West Cottingwyth claimed 2 acres and half a bovate of land in West Cottingwyth against the Prior of Ellerton, by writ of formedon.

 

1301: Register of Archbishop Thomas of Corbridge, part 1, Surtees Society, Vol CXXXVIII,  page 123

22 Apr. Commission to the Prior of Ellerton to admit the profession of lady Elizabeth de Lasceles, “in domo de Thykheued sub habitu regulari diucius conversate,”  in the presence of the prioress and convent, if she should of her own free will be willing to make her profession.

 

1303: Cal. Var. Chan. Rolls, 1277-1326, page 71

Sept. 19. Thomas de Multon of Gillesland has letters to the justices of the Bench for respite of the assize of novel disseisin that John de Castre and Isabel, his wife, arramed against him concerning tenements in Thurgramby near Westcottyngwyth, co. York, and the assize of novel disseisin that John and Isabel arramed against him concerning a tenement in the same town, and the assize of novel disseisin that the prior of Ellerton arramed against him concerning a tenement in the same town until Easter next.

 

1304: Yorkshire Inquisitions, Vol iv, pages 113-114

1 Nov. [33 Edw. I. No.180] John Hassok' and others for the Prior and Convent of Ellerton. Inq. ad q. d.

[33 Edw. I. No. 180.]

Inquisition taken at Ellerton before the sheriff, on Tuesday after the feast of St. Edmund the King, 33rd year (24 Nov., 1304), by Richard de Pokelington, Thomas in the Willows (in salicibus), Robert Westiby, John Hardy of Elvington, Adam son of Gilbert of Ellerton, Thomas Russell of Beleby, Adam son of William of the same, Augustine le Cu of Naburne, Peter Ode of Lathum, Laurence de Thorneton, Robert Tintelove, and Henry Kyngesman.

 

It is not to the damage, etc., if the King grant leave to John Hassok' of Lathum to give 19½ acres of land in Lathum to the prior and convent of Ellerton, as he holds them of the prior by the service of 5s. a year, and the prior of the King in frankalmoign,  worth 6s. 6d. a year, and so there remain clear to the prior and convent 18d. only. Or to Adam Crust' to grant 13 acres of land, 2 acres and 1 rood of meadow, 2 roods of wood, and half a toft in Ellerton, held of the prior by the service of 6s. a year, worth 10s. a year, and so there remain for the use of the prior 4s. only. Or to William Sayf to grant an acre of wood in Ellerton, held of the prior. Sayf pays nothing, but the wood is worth 12d. a year. Or to Thomas son of John son of Simon, to give an acre of wood in Ellerton, worth 6d. a year. Or to John de Waplington to give 3s. rent in Great Bergh'.  Or to Alice de Hayton to give a rood of wood in Ellerton. All the donors have sufficient remaining to support all burdens.

Dorso: — Let it be done for a fine of 40s., and let it be inrolled in Chancery. [See next]

 

1304: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Edward I, Vol 4, page 302

3 Dec. Licence, in consideration of a fine made by the prior in the Chancery for the alienation in mortmain to the prior and convent of Ellerton of the following lands, &c. :-

 

19½ acres of land in Lathum by John Hassok of Lathum.

13 acres of land, 2 acres 1 rood of meadow, 2 roods of wood and the moiety of a toft in Ellerton by Adam Crust.

An acre of wood there by William Sayf.

The like by Thomas son of John son of Simon.

3s. rent in Great Bergh by John de Waplington.

A rood of wood in Ellerton by Alice de Hayton.

 

1305: De Banco, Hil. 33 Edw. I. m. II.

Ralph, Prior of Ellerton, v. Thomas de Multon and Thomas the Reeve, for taking and unjustly detaining the Prior's cattle.

 

 

1305: DC Banco, Hil. 33 Edw. L Attorney Roll, m. 5 d.

A day is given to Robert le Champenays, plaintiff, Brother Ralph, Prior of Ellerton, Brother Robert de Cottyngwith, and John le Prioure serjaunt, defendants, in a plea of detention of cattle, on the octave of Trinity at the prayer of the parties.

 

1316: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Edward II, Vol 2, page 395

12 Feb. Protection, with clause nolumus, for one year, the Prior of Ellerton.

[By the clause Nolumus a person was specially exempted from the risk of having his horses, carts, or provender commandeered for the king's use].

 

1316: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Edward II, Vol 2, page 540

26 Aug. Pardon to the prior and convent of Ellerton, for acquiring in mortmain without licence of Edward I. or of the king, 17 acres and a rood of land in Lathum from John Hassok of Lathum.

 

By fine of 40s., because they had licence of king Edward to acquire the same, but his charter then granted to them was conceived in an insufficient form.

 

1318: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Edward II, Vol 3, page 209

12 Sep. Protection, with clause nolumus, for one year, the Prior of Ellerton.

 

1318: Ancient Petitions, SC 8/311/15543   

Petitioners: Prior of Ellerton. Addressees: King and council. Places mentioned: Ellerton, [East Riding of Yorkshire]. Nature of request: The Prior of Ellerton requests payment of 63s 6d which the King owes him for various purveyances taken in the 11th year of his reign. Endorsement: He should go to the Wardrobe and make account and have a bill and then it will follow.

 

1325x1337: Ancient Petitions, SC 8/72/3561       

Petitioners: People of the vill of Spaldington. Addressees: King and council. Places mentioned: Spaldington, [East Riding of Yorkshire]. Other people mentioned: Prior of Ormesby; Prior of Ellerton. Nature of request: The people request that the prior of Ellerton be distrained to pay his portion of the tax in the manner of other farmers of the grange of the prior of Ormesby in Spaldington. The taxers excluded the prior of Ellerton by favour to the impoverishment of the petitioners. Endorsement: Because the prior of Ellerton is a farmer he ought not to have advantages that other farmers before this have not had; let it be ordered to the taxers that they tax the prior with the vill as the other farmers have been before this time.

 

1331: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Edward III, Vol 2, page 156

16 Jul. License for the acquisition in mortmain by the prior and convent of Ellerton of land and rent, not held in chief, to the yearly value of £10

 

1332: Cal. Inq. Misc. Vol II, pages 320-321

28 Mar. Commission to Roger de Somervill, Thomas Deyvill and Adam de Hoperton. Tower of London. By the Council.

 

Inquisition before the said Thomas and Adam. York. Monday before St. Simon and St. Jude.

 

Ships and boats, laden with victuals and other goods, used to pass by the water of Derwent to Staynfordbrig and elsewhere along the banks of the said water from time beyond memory.

 

The water is obstructed by weirs and sewers, Gerard Salvayn of Doffeld having a weir at Duffeld, newly made and narrowed three years past; Maud de Swyn having a weir at Duffeld raised ten years past; the prior and convent of Ellerton having a weir at Ellerton, made from time beyond memory, but raised and narrowed after memory; the abbot and convent of St. Mary's, York, having three weirs at Cottyngwith, whereof two were raised and narrowed twenty years past, and one was built in time beyond memory; the prioress and nuns of Thikheved having a weir at Cottyngwith, made before the time of memory; the abbot and convent of Fountains having a weir at Qweldrike, raised and narrowed in time beyond memory; Walter de Heselarton, knight, having two weirs at Sutton on Derwent, raised and narrowed before the time of memory; and Henry de Moreby having a weir at Elvyngton, made after the time of memory, but almost carried away. Consequently ships and boats cannot in these days pass to the parts of the East Riding, co. York, and the adjacent parts, to the damage of Henry de Percy, knight, Isabel de Vescy, Thomas Ughtred, knight, and Margery his wife, Walter de Heselarton, knight, and Eustacia his wife, Henry de Moreby and Alice his wife, the abbot and convent of Fountains, William de Roos of Hamelak, knight, the prioress and nuns of Thikheved, the abbot and convent of St. Mary's, York, Thomas de Manneby, William in the Wyleghes, the prior and convent of Ellerton, Robert de Garton and Alice his wife, Thomas de Pekeringe, Maud late the wife of Robert Tyliole, Gerard son of John Salvayn and Agnes his wife, the abbot and convent of Selby, Walter de Hawekesworth and Elizabeth his wife, and William Darel of Qweldrike, and their tenants having lands on the banks of the said water, of 100l., and to the nuisance and impoverishment of all the people of those parts and of merchants wishing to pass with their goods. Floods are caused yearly by the weirs and sewers and several men have been drowned. Cf. Patent Roll Calendar, p. 290.

C. Inq. Misc. File 121. (21.)

 

1337: Cal. Close Rolls, March 28. To the taxers and collectors of the tenth and fifteenth in the East Riding, co. York. Order to cause the prior of Ellerton to be taxed in his goods and chattels in the grange and other lands of the prior of Ormesby, in Spaldyngton, and the fifteenth thereof to be assessed with the men tenants of the towns of Spaldyng, levying the portion of the fifteenth touching the prior of Ellerton of his goods and chattels as was wont to be done in the time of other fermors of the said grange and other lands, as the said men and tenants have shown the king, by their petition before him and his council in parliament, that whereas the fermors of the said grange and lands annexed to the church of the prior of Ormesby, paid the fifteenth of their goods and chattels in the grange and other lands in every taxation of a tenth and fifteenth, and paid their portion of such goods in such charges imposed upon the men of the town of Spaldyngton as on other towns of the realm, by the king or his progenitors before these times, with the men and tenants of that town; and although the prior of Ellerton is now fermor of the said grange and other lands, yet the taxers and collectors cause as great a sum of money to be exacted from that town as was levied in the last taxation, leaving out the prior of Ellerton; wherefore those men have besought the king to provide a remedy. By pet. of C.

 

1343: De Banco, Mich. 17 Edw. III. m. 578; 1344 Mich. 18 Edw. III. m. 321 d.

The Prior of Ellerton near Aghton v. Ralph de Bulmere, to acquit him of the service which Andrew Luterel requires for his free tenement in Great Bergh and Little Halton in Rydale.

 

1343: De Banco, Mich. 17 Edw. III. m. 578 d.

The Prior of Ellerton near Aghton v. Adam de Birkesheved, to render an account of the time when he was bailiff and receiver in West Cottyngwyth.

 

1344: De Banco, Trin. 18 Edw. III. m. 324; Mich. 18 Edw. III. m. 169.

The Prior of Ellerton v. William Pacok of Hugate, to give up to him William son and heir of William de la Gerge of Hugate, whose wardship belongs to the Prior, because the said William de la Gerge held his land of the Prior by knight's service.

 

1349: De Banco, Mich. 23 Edw. III. m. 123.

The Prior of Ellerton demands against Gilbert de Welton, clerk, William son of Walter de Feryby, clerk, Roger de Styandby, clerk, and Anketil Maillorre, the advowson of the Church of Aghton, of which John, formerly Prior of Ellerton, was seised in the time of Henry III. Judgment for the Prior.

 

1350: Hull University Archives, Ref: DRA/550

20 Sep. Confirmation and Quitclaim: Peter de Malo Lacu V, Lord of Mulgref, to the Prior and Convent of Ellerton . Advowson to Aghton, given to the Priory by William Fitz Peter for the sustenance of 13 poor: Recites a Recovery of the premises in the King's court by the Prior from Gilbert de Welton clerk, William son of W[ ] de Friby, clerk, Roger de Styandley, clerk, and Anketil Maillor. Witn. Sir Robert de Zouche, Sir Marmaduke le Conestable of Flaynburgh, Sir William Playte, Sir Ralph de Hastynges, Sir Christopher Maillore, Peter de Richemond, John de Moubray, John del Flete, given at Mulgref

 

1351: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Edward III, Vol 9, page 134

Jul 16. License in mortmain for the prior and convent of Ellerton to grant to William la Zouche, archbishop of York, a rent of £40 yearly out of the priory and the church of Aghton (Aughton), which they hold appropriated by a recovery thereof lately had before the justices of the Bench, and for the archbishop to assign the same to certain chaplains to celebrate divine service daily in a chapel, built by him adjoining the cathedral church of York, for the good estate of the king and him, for their souls when they are dead and for the souls of the king’s progenitors, and of William de Melton, the archbishop’s predecessor, and his other predecessors.

By K. because he gives 100 marks in another charter.

Vacated because otherwise below.

 

1351: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Edward III, Vol 9, page 136

16 Jul. Whereas the prior of Ellerton by judgement of the court of Common Bench lately recovered against Gilbert de Welton, clerk, William son of Walter de Feryby, clerk, Roger de Styandby, clerk, and Anketil Maillore, the advowson of the church of Aghton to hold to him and his successors as appropriated, and of their advowson, the prior has now made petition to the king to provide for his security against any future impeachment of his right in the church, which is the chief part of the food of him and the convent of the same place, and the king for the devotion which he bears to the order of Sempyngham, of which order the priory is, and for 100 marks, which the prior will pay him, ratifies the estate which the prior and convent have in the church, notwithstanding that the judgment was rendered by default after the parties put themselves on the great assize and not upon a verdict, and notwithstanding any right which he might have in the advowson by reason of any statute or ordinance, escheat, forfeiture or wardship, or on the ground that Peter de Malo Lacu ‘le quynt,’ of whom the advowson is held immediately and who holds it of the king in chief, has not presented to the church as in his right by pretext of the statute of mortmain after the recovery aforesaid, or any other mesne lord of whom the advowson could be said to be held has not presented within the time limited by statute or that the advowson was at some time alienated without the royal licence and

appropriated to the priory.

And the 100 marks have been paid in the hanaper. By K. on the information of Thomas de Brembre.

 

1351: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Edward III, Vol 9, page 146

16 Jul: Licence in mortmain for the prior and convent of Ellerton to grant to certain chaplains to celebrate divine service daily in a chapel built by William la Zouche, archbishop of York, adjoining the cathedral church of York, or elsewhere, for the good estate of the king and the said archbishop, for their souls when they are dead, and for the souls of the king's progenitors, William de Melton, the archbishop's predecessor, and his other predecessors, as the archbishop shall ordain, a rent of £40 out of the priory and the church of Aghton, which is appropriated to the priory by pretext of a recovery thereof lately had in the court of Common Bench.

By K. because he gives 100 marks in another charter

 

1354: Cal. Close Rolls, October 23. William de Housom, prior of Ellerton, acknowledges for himself and convent that they owe to Master William de Fenton £200; to be levied, in default of payment, of their lands and chattels and ecclesiastical goods in the county of York.

 

Enrolment of indenture witnessing that whereas three weeks from Michaelmas in the 28th year of the reign Master William de Fenton recovered before the justices at Westminster against William de Housom, prior of Ellerton, a yearly rent of 20 marks to be received of all the prior's lands in the county of York for Fenton's life, as is fully contained in the deed made thereupon to Fenton and in the record of the said recovery, and afterwards for the greater security of that rent the prior made the preceding recognisance for £200 to Fenton, the said Fenton grants that if the prior pay him that rent yearly for life, in the church of St. Peter, York, in the presence of the official of the court of York or of his commissary or other trustworthy persons, so that the payment of the rent is not in arrear, the recognisance shall be null, and it shall be annulled after his death. Dated Westminster, 24 October, in the said year.

 

Memorandum that both Fenton and the prior came into the chancery at London on 24 October and acknowledged the preceding indenture.

 

1363: The Papacy, Scotland and Northern England, 1342-1378, Barrell, page 177

Jul. In July 1363 and again in 1367, Urban V surrogated Robert de Pothow into the claim of Hugh de Bolton to the church of Aughton: there had been a dispute between Hugh and Ellerton Priory over whether the church was appropriated, and the case, heard by the auditor John Robinelli, was still not concluded when Hugh resigned, although in the event the priory ultimately won the suit and the church remained annexed to it.

 

1366: Yorkshire Deeds, YAJ Vol 12, page 262

18 Oct. Demise by the Prior and convent of Ellerton to Richard… and Joan his wife of a plot of land with houses and dovecot and croft adjoining…. 2 oxgangs of land in the town and territory of Howsom, for 60 years; for… two shillings rent and suit of court. Mutilated

Note: Howsom is in the parish of Scrayingham, between York and Old Malton.

 

1371: De Banco, Hil. 45 Edw. III. m. 164.

William, Prior of Ellerton, v. John Doggeson and Peter Milner for seizing and taking away a horse at Aghton, price 100s.

 

1385: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Richard II, Vol 3, page 7

20 Jul. Licence, for 60s. paid to the king by James de Pykeryng, knight, for the alienation in mortmain by him of 13s. 4d. of rent receivable by him from two messuages, 160 acres of land and 4 acres of meadow in Aghton (Aughton) in Spaldyngmore, not held in chief, to the prior and convent of Ellerton in Spaldyngmore, in aid of the maintenance of a canon to celebrate divine service daily in the priory church at a parochial altar there for his good estate, for his soul after death, and for the souls of his parents, friends and others.

 

1387: Magna Brittania Antiqua, page 695

No date. In the year 1387 German de Hay then Patron of this Priory, obtained a Grant from the Prior and Convent of this House by Indenture that whereas the said German had then but the Presentation of one poor Man of the thirteen that were to be maintained in this Priory; for the future, he the said German, his Heirs, and Assigns, Lords of the Manor of Aghton shall present nine of the thirteen with the Penalty of ten Pounds for every Refusal to admit any poor Man so presented.

 

1397: A Calendar of the Register of Robert Waldby, Archbishop of York, BTC 2, page 38

7 Apr. Ordination of Robert Barker as priest, to title of Ellerton priory.

 

1397: A Calendar of the Register of Robert Waldby, Archbishop of York, BTC 2, page 33

10 Oct. Admission of Br. Thomas de Hovedon (Howden), a canon of the Gilbertine priory of St. Mary, Ellerton [on Spalding Moor], to the custody of the parish church of Aughton, in accordance with papal indults granted to the order, and on the presentation of the prior and convent of Ellerton, to whom the benefice was appropriated.

 

1402: A calendar of register of Richard Scrope, Archbishop of York, 1398-1405, page 66

12 Aug. Confirmation, following examination of title, of the appropriation to Ellerton priory of the churches of Ellerton and Aughton, with the latter 's dependent chapel of Thorganby: and approval of the arrangement whereby Ellerton was served by a stipendiary chaplain rather than a perpetual vicar.

 

1402: Cal. Pat. Rolls, Henry IV, Vol 2, page 196

4 Oct. Commission to Aubin de Enderby,Richard Beverle and John de Enderby to arrest John Brygham of Malton, William Clotheroun of Malton, Thomas Thurnyf of Malton, John Barowe of Watton, William Poclyngton of Ellerton and John de Riskyngton of Haverholm, professed in the order of St. Gilbert of Sempyngham, who have put off the habit of their religion and wander about in secular dress, as William, master of the order, has signified to the king, and to deliver them to the said master for chastisement.

 

1405/6: The York Sede Vacante Register, 1405-1408: A Calendar, 156

25 Feb. Memorandum of a commission to Brother Giles, prior of Ellerton, to enclose Agnes Derwent in a house adjoining the conventual church of Thicket.

 

Fines Rolls, Vol XIII, Henry IV, 1405-1413, pages 140, 242

1409/10, 19 Jan. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the tenth…the priories of Ellerton, Watton… from of old accustomed to be excepted by the clergy and still claiming exception by reason of their wretchedness and notorious poverty

1412, 1 Jul. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the moiety of the tenth…the priories of Ellerton, Watton…excepted.

 

Fines Rolls, Vol XIV, Henry V, 1413-1422, pages 51, 98, 188, 236, 324 and 411

1413, 17 Nov. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the tenth…the priories of Ellerton, Watton…being wholly excepted

1415/6, 30 Jan. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the two tenths…the priories of Ellerton, Watton…being wholly excepted

1417/8, 28 Jan. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the tenths …the priories of Ellerton, Watton…being wholly excepted

1418/9, 19 Mar. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the tenth…the priories of Ellerton, Watton…being wholly excepted

1420/1, 27 Jan. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the moiety of the tenth…the priories of Ellerton, Watton…being wholly excepted

1421, 27 Oct. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the tenth…the priories of Ellerton, Watton…being wholly excepted

 

Fine Rolls, Vol XV, Henry VI, 1422-1430, page 255

1428, 10 Dec. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the moiety of the tenth…the priories of Ellerton, Watton…being wholly excepted

 

Fine Rolls, Vol XVI, Henry VI, 1430-1437, pages 23, 180

1430, 16 Dec. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the tenth…the priories of Ellerton, Watton…being wholly excepted

1433, 13 Nov. Order to archbishop of York to appoint some trustworthy men of the clergy of his diocese to levy and collect in the said diocese the fourth part of the tenth…the priories of Ellerton, Watton…being wholly excepted

 

1436: De Banco, Hil. 14 Hen. VI. m. 20 [2nd Nos.]; East. 14 Hen. VI. m. 251.

John Walker and Elizabeth his wife, executrix of the will of Thomas Browenne, late of Pykeryng, v. John Barneby, Prior of Ellerton, 40s. debt.

 

1438: De Banco, Hil. 16 Hen. VI. m. 85 d.

Henry Thwaytes v. Thomas Fynche, Prior of Ellerton, Walter Thweyng of Gatehemelsay, gentleman, Hugh Hurlot of York, gentleman, and six others, for killing 5 young sheep, price 40s., at Sandhoton, and for fishing in his several fishery there, and taking fish to the value of 3Ol.

 

1441/2: Ditto (Fine Rolls, collecting the clerical subsidies, Ellerton excepted)

1443: Ditto

1445: Ditto

1453: Ditto

 

1506: Cal. Pat. Rolls. Hen. VII, 1494-1509, page 498

29 Dec. Pardon and release to Henry Mathewe, prior of the Gilbertine, monastery of Ellerton, co. York, Thomas Tandfeld,prior of the Augustinian monastery of Thomeholm, co. Lincoln, and John Warner, citizen and alderman of London, executors of John Vavasour, knight, one of the justices of the Common Bench.

 

1510: L&P Hen VIII, Vol I, page 163

15 Jun. For Peter Vavasour.

Licence to found a chantry for one chaplain in the chapel of St. James, in the hamlet of Spaldington, in the parish of Bubwith, York; to pray for the King and Q. Katharine, and for the said Peter and Elizabeth his wife, and for the soul of Sir John Vavasour; according to the appointment of the said Peter and Henry Mathewe, prior of Ellerton, York, Thomas Tanfeld, prior of Thorueholme, Line., and John Warner, alderman of London. Also mortmain licence for the said Peter to alienate lauds to the said chaplains of the annual value of 9 marks. Greenwich, 18 May, 2 Hen. VIII. Del. Westm., 15 June.

Pat. 2 Hen. VIII. p. 1, m. 16.

[This chapel was founded in the grounds of the Vavasour’s moated mansion in Spaldington. Henry Mathewe, prior of Ellerton, was to be the chaplain]

 

1538: Hull University Archives, Ref: DRA/551

3 Nov. Demise: at £3. 7. 8d. rent: Robert, Master of the Gilbertine Order, and John, Prior of Ellerton, to Richard Thurisby of South Duffeld, gent.: Grange in West Cotynwithe and Thorganby and a shaw or spring called the Parsons Hagge. For 30 years from the expiration of a recited lease of the grange from James, Prior of Ellerton, to Philip Ryche and Edward Crake, for 35 years (16 May 1535). Signed by the Master and Prior, and by Roger, the sub-prior, Richard Symson, Robert Mychylson, Wellyam Spenser, Hugh Fuller.

Royal Grant

In 1463, Edward IV, reciting a charter by his ancestor [Edward I], did, by Letters Patent, receive into his custody and special protection the Gilbertine Houses of Sempringham and Ellerton (sic), like a demense Lordship: Quit of all dues everywhere; the canons to have power to appoint a new Prior on the death of the previous Prior; answerable only to the king. No-one to molest or do injury to these houses or their sheep, under penanlty, as by the confirmation of the lord John, grandfather of the king [Edward I] who swore to this, who also took into his protection these houses and the newly founded houses of Ellerton, Fordham and Welles.

On the 18th May 1476 Edward IV confirmed the grant to the Gilbertine Houses of Sempringham and Ellerton.

[These royal grants were copied into the York House Books on fols. 28 and 29, and have been printed by Attreed, Vol 1, pages 53-57].

 

Seals

Two seals are known to exist for Ellerton Priory.

One is held by the British Library Department of Manunscripts, number 3104 in the Catalogue of Seals, dated to the 12th century, and is a Sulph. cast from an imperfect impression. It is in the shape of a pointed oval, and depicts the Annunciation of the Virgin. The inscription reads ‘…ANCTE MARIE DE ELRETO…’.

The second seal was found in 2008 in a cultivated field by metal detector. It is made of copper alloy, and double-faced.

One die depicts the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus, with two angels, wings outstretched, either side of Mary’s head. Underneath are three arches, and then a person kneeling and praying with SIG and W'LLI either side of him (short for the Latin ‘sigillum Willelmi’ i.e. the seal of William). As there were just two priors with this name, William of Housom who occurs in 1348, and William Hesyll who occurs in 1371, this seal is undoubtedly 14th century.

The other die depicts a figure climbing a ladder; this could be St Lawrence on his gridiron. The inscription reads: DISPERSIT DEDIT PAUPERIBUS, a phrase from Psalm 111, which translates as ‘he has given to the poor’. See the Note on St. Lawrence below.

Seal of the Prior of Ellerton Priory, 14th Century

The whole seal probably represents the two aspects of the foundation. The priory, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the hospital for the care of 13 poor people, dedicated to Saint Lawrence.

Further details can be found at the Portable Antiquities Scheme website, from whence the image of the seal was downloaded, with due acknowledgement.

Note: Saint Lawrence, c. 225–258, was one of the seven deacons of ancient Rome serving under Pope Sixtus II who were martyred during the persecution of Valerian in 258. After Sixtus had been put to death, the prefect of Rome demanded that Lawrence turn over the riches of the Church. Lawrence asked for three days to gather together the wealth and worked swiftly to distribute as much Church property to the poor as possible, so as to prevent its being seized by the prefect. On the third day, at the head of a small delegation, he presented himself to the prefect, and when ordered to give up the treasures of the Church, he presented the poor, the crippled, the blind and the suffering, and said that these were the true treasures of the Church. This act of defiance led directly to his martyrdom. Tradition (but most likely based on myth), was that Lawrence was put to death by roasting on a red-hot gridiron.

 

Testamentary Burials and Mortuaries

 

Most of the following testamentary burials were noticed by Torres and preserved in his manuscripts (East Riding, pages 1207-1213). Some were printed by John Burton in Monasticon Eboracense, (Mon.Ebor). The following is the complete list of Torres’ testamentary burials, supplemented by a further example that has come to light, and further examples are expected as more wills of the local gentry are examined.

 

The information in square brackets are supplemental to that given in Mon.Ebor.

 

1391: In the will of John del Hay de Spaldington, he leaves to canon William de Hessle, of the Order of Saint Gilbert of Sempringham, 20s., and to canon Stephen de Elvelay, 3s. 4d., and 1s. to the other canons. Testamenta Eboracensia, part i, Surtees Society Vol 4, pages 155-156

 

1406: Thomas Pickering, esquire, by will, proved in 1406, directed his body to be laid in the chancel, near his wife. Mon.Ebor, page 262

 

1427: Thomas son of Peter del Hay, lord of Spaldington, by will, proved 1427, was laid next to his mother. Mon.Ebor, page 262

 

1431: Peter del Hay, lord of Spaldington, by will, proved 1431, was buried next Elizabeth, his wife. Mon.Ebor, page 262

 

1440: Alesia Myton of Aughton, (probably daughter of John Aske of Ousethorpe, patron of Ellerton priory at that time), left a gilt silver cup (unam cuppam argenti coopertam et deauratam pro sacramento altaris conservando) to Ellerton priory.

 

1445: John Cartwryght of Ellerton, made his will proven 13 Jan 1445, giving his soul to God, St Mary and all Saints, and his body to be buried in the parish church of St. Mary of Ellerton. Torres

 

1466: Margaret, relict of Richard Aske, of Aghton, esquire, by will, proved 1466, was buried in the quire. Mon.Ebor, page 262

 

1497: Sir John Aske, knight, by will, proved 1497, was buried before the image of St. Mary, where the gospel was read. Mon.Ebor, page 262

[The will is printed in Testamenta Eboracensia, part iv, Surtees Society Vol 53, pages 123-124, and is witnessed by Henry Bell, Prior of Ellerton, and John Steveson, vicar of Aughton]

 

1506: John Vavasour, to be buried in Ellerton Abbey (sic, but definitely Ellerton Priory). £100 to the Prior, whom he makes one of his executors. Will dated 1493/4, proved Dec 1506 at Lambeth, and Mar 1506/7 at York. Adm. to Henry, Prior of Ellerton. Testamenta Eboracensia, part iv, Surtees Society Vol 53, pages 91-92.

 

1507: Kateryne Hastinges, relict of John Hastinges, knyght, to be buried in the parish church of Aughton. To the Prior and convent of Ellerton, as parson of the said church, for my mortuarie, my horse. Witnessed by John Stephanson vicar of Aughton, Testamenta Eboracensia, part iv, Surtees Society Vol 53, page 257.

 

1592: Richard Dove (Dow), vicar of Aughton, made his will proved 25 May 1592, giving his soul to God, and his body to be buried in ye chancell or Queare of the church of Ellerton. Torres

 

1611: Hugh Bethell of Ellerton, Kt., made his will proved 7 Feb 1611, giving his soul to God his creator & Redeemer, and his body to be buried in the parish church of St. Mary of Ellerton. Torres

 

1662: Hugh Bethell of Ellerton, Kt., made his will proved (blank in Torres, but made 30 Dec 1662, and proven 3 Apr 1663), giving his soul to God his creator & Redeemer, and his body to be buried in the Chacel of the church of Ellerton. Torres

 

Dissolution

Following Henry VIII’s break with Rome, Parliament passed Acts in 1532 and 1533 depriving Rome of Annates and other taxes, and in 1534 an Act establishing Henry as Head of the Church of England and an Act requiring the payments wrested from Rome to be paid to the King, the First Fruits and Tenths Act. This last Act required a complete survey of the revenues, possessions and values of all “Archbishopricks, Bishoprick,s Abbeys, Monasteries, Priories, Colleges, Hospitals, Archdeaconries, Deaneries, Provostships, Prebends, Parsonages, Vicarages, Chantries, Free Chapels, and every other dignity, benefice, office, or promotion spiritual within the realm or elsewhere within any of the King's dominions, of what name, nature, or quality soever they be, or to whose foundation patronage or gift soever they belong.”

 

The survey was to be taken by Commissioners sent in the King's name into every part of the Kingdom of England and Wales whose duty it should be to inquire out all such promotions, and to return an exact account of all the temporalities and spiritualities with which they were endowed. The Valor Ecclesiasticus of King Henry VIII is the Return into the Exchequer which these Commissioners made.

 

Valor Ecclesiasticus

Valet In it is worth	£	s.	d.
Scitus prioratus cum terra dominicum ibidem in man’ dictis prioris per annum Site of the priory with demense land in the hand of the said Prior, yearly	10	0	0
Exitus terra & tenementa in Ellerton per annum Issues of the land and tenements in Ellerton, yearly	6	0	0
Exitus terra & tenementa in villata de Issues of the land and tenements in the townships of -
Lathom	4	3	0
Cottingwith	7	0	6
Huggate	0	1	8
Goodmanham	7	8	6
Holme on the Wolds	7	5	0
Beilby	0	45	0
Hapton & Barghe	4	19	8
Garton	0	24	0
Spaldington	0	10	2
Thorganby	0	26	0
Burneby & Hayton	0	9	0
Levening	0	40	0
Easton & Marton	0	20	0
	42	0	10
Exitus rectorie de Ellerton appropriatus dicto prioris & successoribus per annum Issues of the rectory of Ellerton appropriated to the said Prior and his successors, yearly	0	40	0
Exitus rectorie de Aughton in man’ dictis prioris viz in decimis ganorum & feni sing’ anis Issues of the rectory of Aughton in the hand of the said Prior, namely in tithes of grain and hay each year	10	13	4
Exitus agn’ & lani decimal’ sing’lis anis Issues of lambs and wool each year	4	13	4
Oblacoibus & minut’ decimis cum profic’ libri quadragesimalis sing’lis annis Oblations and petty tithes with the profits of the Lenten Book each year	0	53	4
Sma p: The total appears	78	0	10
D quib: Of which
Reprise In Outgoings
Reddu resolut comiti Rutland pro terra in Ellerton per annum iiis. hered’ Radi Salven milit’ pro tr in Holme xviiid. Thome Wyndehm milit’ pro terra in Goodman per annum xs. In toto Rents resolute [chief rents, paid to a superior lord] to the earl of Rutland for land in Ellerton 3s. yearly, to the heirs of Sir Ralph Salven for land in Holme 18d., to Sir Thomas Wyndham for land in Goodmanham, per annum, 10s. In total	0	14	6
Solucoe annuali ecclie coligiat de Beverley pro ecclis de Ellerton & Aughton pro threves per annum lxxiiis. iiiid. pro sinod’ & expen’ procurat’ eccl’iarum predict’ d’no archiep’o & archidiacono per annum xixs. vid. magist’ ordinis S’ci Gilberti in annuali redd’u per annum lviiis. vicar’ de Aughton pro suo sellar’ sive penc’ per annum iiiili Yearly payment to the Collegiate Church of Beverley for the churches of Ellerton and Aughton for thraves, yearly 73s. 4d., for hospitality [?or alms, or hospital?] and expenses of the procurator of the said churches to the lord Archbishop and the Archdeacon, yearly 19s. 6d., to the Master of the Order of St. Gilbert in annual rent, yearly 58s. to the Vicar of Aughton, for his salary or pension, yearly £4	11	10	10
Feodo Marmaduci Constable milit’ capit’lis senli terr’ dci piorat’ per annum xxvis. viiid. feodo Willi Lorance ball’i de Ellerton per annum xls. The fee of Sir Marmaduke Constable chief steward of the lands of the said Prior yearly 26s. 8d. Fee of William Lowrance bailiff of Ellerton, yearly 40s.	0	66	8
	15	12	0
Et valet clare and it is worth clear	62	8	10
X’ma pars inde The tenth part thereof	6	4	10¾

The Valor Ecclesiasticus was followed by a further survey of the monasteries, this time into the morality of life within them, and four commissioners were appointed for this purpose: Doctor Richard Layton; Thomas Legh; Doctor John London; and John Ap Price.

 

In January of 1535/6 Layton and Legh arrived in York following a survey in the south. Layton wrote to the King’s Chief Minister, Thomas Cromwell, informing him that “here in Yorkeshire we fynde gret corruption emongiste persons religiouse, even lyke as we dyde in the sowthe”. The salacious reports from Layton and Legh were assembled into a digest, known as the Compendium Compertorum. The following month Parliament passed an Act to suppress the lesser monasteries, i.e. those with an income under £200 per annum. A further Act established the Court of Augmentations, to deal with and manage the income from dissolved monasteries.

 

Local commissioners were then appointed to manage the dissolution of these lesser monasteries from a list provided for the purpose. This list is in the Cottonian MS. and is printed in Letters and Papers of Henry VIII, Vol X, page 515, and was drawn up from the values in the recently completed Valor Ecclesiasticus.

 

The move was not entirely popular in the north. A short-lived rebellion began in Lincolnshire, but a more serious rebellion broke out in Yorkshire headed by Robert Aske of Aughton, called the Pilgrimage of Grace. The force that assempbled under this banner numbered over 40,000 men, and the king made many promises to assuage the insurrection. At the start of 1537 the countryside in Yorkshire was still in a state of excitement, though Aske had seen the king who had promised forgiveness for all those involved, and promised concessions. However, a fresh rebellion broke out, led by John Hallom and Sir Francis Bigod. Hull and Scarborough were attacked, but the attacks failed and Hallom and Bigod were taken prisoner. Although not involved, Robert Aske was arrested too.

 

The trials of the Northern Rebels began in May, 1537, and many of the lords and gentry of Yorkshire were implicated, along with many prominent abbots and clergymen. Most were found guilty, and many were speedily executed, including Robert Aske.

 

Given the support given to the insurrection by many of the greater monasteries in Yorkshire, Henry determined to suppress these too. As there was no Act to justify suppression, commissioners were appointed who were tasked with persuading and negotiating with the Abbeys, with promises of large pensions, to quietly surrender.

 

These tactics were largely successful, however an Act for the suppression of the larger monasteries was eventually passed in 1539 to suppress those who held out against persuasion.

 

As Ellerton Priory had a value of £62 10s 8d in the Valor, it had been dissolved along with the other lesser monasteries. The last prior was John Goldyng, who surrendered the Priory willingly, on the 11 December 1538. Goldyng had been in the post for less than a year, and the fate of his predecessor, James Lowrance, who was the prior when the Valor Ecclestiasticus was taken, is a mystery.

 

 

Suppression Documents

 

Possessions: Churches of Ellerton, Aughton, East Cottingwith.

 

Valuation: 62l. 8s. 10d. (Valor Ecclesiasticus, vol. v., p. 128.)

 

Survey: Site, with orchards and two small gardens, 8s. 8d.

Total value of the demesne lands, including a tenement called "Woodhouse," 13l. 6s.

Rents in divers townships, 8l. 17s. 11d.

Total value, 22l. 3s. 11d.

Rents resolute, 4s. 8d.

Clear yearly value, 21l. 19s. 3d.

A second Survey (11 Dec., 30 Henry VIII.) values the site at 10s., and records a fishery in the Darwent worth 12d.

Total (with farms of tithes of North banke in Aughton, of Ellerton and Estcottingwith), 27l 8d. (Paper Surveys, p. 401.)

 

Surrender: 11 Dec., 30 Henry VIII. (1538). Signed by the Prior and Convent.

 

Pensions: 8 Apr., 1539. John Goldyng, Prior, 13l. 6s. 8d., Roger Dow, Richard Symson, Robert Mychylson, William Spens, priests, 4l. each. (Augmentation Books, vol. 233, p. 112.)

 

Account: of the said William Blitheman upon the dissolution, 11 Dec., 30 Henry VIII., made there.

[Arrears: none, because this is the first account.]

 

Sale of Goods and chattels:

He answers for 69s. 8d. received by him for divers vestments found there, to wit, one suit of "Blod" velvett 40s.; one tunicle of white and red say 2s. 4d.; 1 suit of "livid" velvet, old, and 1 suit of green "Bawdekyng Counterfet," sold to John Horseley, 26s. 8d., the whole being 69s. 8d. as above; and for 20s. the price of 1 "fetherbed," 2 " Mattressez” 2 "blankettes," 3 "Coverynges," 1 "Bolster," 1 "pillow," 1 "teister" of old dornyx, and other furnishings of the chamber of the late prior, sold to John Herbert; and 8s. for the furnishings of the lower chamber there, sold to the said John; and 10s. for the furnishings of the chambers called "Highe Chambre," sold as above; and 12d. for 1 old "Matteresse" and 1 coverlet there; and 13s. 8d. for the kitchen utensils; and 20d. for the utensils in the promptuary; and 30s. for the utensils in the brew-house; and 66s. 8d. for divers "Stampez” or "Mowez" of grain, remaining in sheaf in the granaries; and 16s. for a "stampe" of peas found in the barns there; and 20s. for a "stampe" of oats and 43s. 4d. for 6½ quarters of siligo; and 6s. 8d. for a quarter of wheat; and 22s. for 6 quarters of oats; and 14s. for 6 quarters of oat malt; and 4s. for 1½ quarters of barley malt; and 13s. 4d. for hay in the grange; and 18s. 8d. for hay in the "Oxehowse Barne"; and 6s. 8d. for 3 old waggons, with the "teymez” and other appurtenances; and 20s. for one cistern and other vessels in the melting-house (domo ustrina); and 4l. 16s. for oxen found there, at 12s. a head; and 5s. for 7 cows; and 48s. for eight beasts of various ages; and l0s. for 3 two-year-olds; and 65s. for 5 heifers, 4 "stagges," and 2 mill-horses; and 13s. 4d. for pigs and sucking-pigs; and 64s. for 16 acres of land sown with corn; and 40s. for 1 "horsmyll," all sold to the said John Herbert. Total, 39l. 17s. 8d.

 

Sale of Lead and Bells:

He does not answer for the price of 2 fothers of lead estimated to be on the roofs of the houses there, because it remains reserved to the King till his pleasure be known; nor for any bells, because the Church there forms the Parish Church.

 

Sale of Jewels:

Nor for the price of 1 chalice weighing 9oz., because it is reserved among the others, and delivered to the Master of the King's Jewelhouse. Total of the Receipts, 39l. 17s.

 

Whereof he accounts in payments to John Goldyng, late Prior there, 100s., Roger Dewe, Richard Symeson, Robert Michelson, and William Spencer 26s. 8d. apiece, by the King's grace, in all 10l. 6s. 8d. And in rewards to divers servants there, to wit, to Charles Poole, Robert Wyld, Richard Daye, Ralph Duffeld, and Robert Clarke, 4s. each; to William Ramesey 2s. 6d.; George Kyrke 3s.; Henry Killington 2s. 6d.; John Dewre 3s. 4d.; the kitchen boys 2s.; Simon Johnes, John Brighame, and Agnes Cowper, 20d. each; Robert Williamson 2s.; Reginald Speke 3s.; John Wald 3s. 4d.; Richard Bonobye, 3s. 4d.; Roger Hunt and Henry Hude, 2s. 6d. each; Peter Rede 3s. 4d.; Richard Cooke 12d.; a poor man 8d.; John Ustwhaitt 20d.; Margaret Leche 3s. 4d.; Isabell Thomeson 3s. 4d.; and to Isabell Hall 3s. 4d. in all 73s. 4d. Total, 14l. (Minister's Accounts, No. 7452.)

Lands and Spiritualia held at the Suppression

TNA Reference: SC 6/HenryVIII/4560

m.1

Ellerton manor and Riddynge grange:

Farm of the site of the priory and demense lands with a fishery in the water of Darwent

Ellerton, Agheton, Middilton and Lathome:

Rents and farms, including a mill in Ellerton and a grange with tithes of hay and hemp in Lathome

m.2.

Westcottyngwith, Hapton and Barough and Holme:

Rents and farms, including Cottingwith Graunge

m.3.

Goodmadame, Beilby, Hugate, etc.:

Rents and farms in Goodmadame (including a capital messuage), Beilby, Huggate (including a grange) York, Throkonby alias Thorganby, Burneby and Haiton, Spaldington, Garton and Levenynge.

m.4.

Sprititualia:

Farms of tithes in Estcottyngwith, the demense lands of the priory and Ellerton belonging to the rectory of Ellerton and Estcottyngwith

Farm of “le priste house”, tithe barn and tithes of the rectory of Throkonby.

Farms of tithes of Aughton rectory, tithes and “lez thraves” in Spaldyngton and Wyllowtofte, tithes in Ceytan, tithes belonging to the chapel of Lathome, “lez thraves” of Bubwith and a house in Aughton called “le vycarege” with “le lenten boke” and oblations of Est Cottyngwith.

 

Later History

For details of the later history of the Priory please see St. Mary's Church in the History section.