Henry Fitzroy. Born Blackmore. June 1519

To commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of the birth of Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII, in Blackmore a display has been mounted around the eight sides of the Font in the Priory Church of St Laurence telling his story and connection with the village.  The display will remain in place throughout the month following its 'unveiling' at the Blackmore Village Fayre over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.  For those unable to see this in person, the eight panels are repeated below.

Henry Fitzroy

Born June 1519, Blackmore

Birth

Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII was born at Blackmore Priory in June 1519.  His mother, Bessie Blount, a lady in the retinue of Queen Catherine of Aragon, was one of the King’s mistresses.  “Without the birth of Henry Fitzroy, Bessie’s own affair would have probably gone unrecorded”.  When Bessie became visibly pregnant Thomas Wolsey discreetly dispatched her to Jericho House in Blackmore, the home of the prior Thomas Goodwyn.  “Bessie made her final appearance at court early in October 1518”.

Baptism

There is no surviving record of Henry Fitzroy’s baptism anywhere.  It is possible that the ceremony was held here at Blackmore around this Font.  Cardinal Wolsey was a godparent. He was absent from Court from 19 June to 29 June 1519.  Wolsey had been godparent for the boy’s half-sister Mary, the only surviving child born of Queen Catherine.   Could this font have been the place where the ceremony quietly took place?

Royal Visitor

Henry VIII is alleged to have been a frequent visitor to Jericho House where Bessie stayed after Fitzroy’s birth.  The King is said to have given orders not to be disturbed hence the expression used in Court, “He has gone to Jericho”.  The Priory was one of the King’s “Houses of Pleasure”.   (The present Jericho Priory was rebuilt c.1712.)   Bessie Blount may have later had a daughter by the King around 1520 at Blackmore.  She was married off to Gilbert Tailbois (or Tailboys), who hailed from a rich Lincolnshire family.  They may have married in April 1522 because “the king began to be conspicuously generous to Gilbert Tailboys”.

Henry Fitzroy Coat of Arms

Priory

Blackmore Priory was dissolved in 1527 because of its immoral goings-on.  In that year there were only four Canons in residence.   From “the records of the dissolution … it does appear that the prior was somewhat more worldly than he should have been”: its debts ran to one third of the annual income.   Perhaps the expenditure was higher than usual, sheltering a future King?  Cardinal Wolsey was granted the income from the dissolution.

Honours

Much admired and spoilt by Henry VIII, Henry Fitzroy was, by the age of six, created Duke of Richmond with the titles Earl of Nottingham and Duke of Somerset.   This placed Henry Fitzroy in an honoured position because the title held precedence over all other Dukes except potential legitimate sons of the King.   By doing so, Henry VIII had elevated his son’s position in society such that he would be a more eligible bachelor.   By the age of eight Henry Fitzroy was Admiral of England, Ireland and Normandy.

Early Marriage & Early Death

Thomas Howard was the 3^rd Duke of Norfolk, a very powerful and ambitious man in the court of Henry VIII.  He brought about the marriage to Henry VIII of his nieces, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard and for good measure his daughter Mary was married to Henry Fitzroy.  Henry Fitzroy died in 1536 of tuberculosis.  He was 17 years old.  His body was buried at Thetford Priory but later transferred to Framlingham Church in Suffolk, where it lies in an ornate tomb alongside other members of the Norfolk family.  Had he survived the course of English history could have changed and Fitzroy crowned Henry IX.

Mother and Son: Bessie Blount and Henry Fitzroy of Blackmore

Two books closely related to the history of Blackmore have recently been purchased for the Library of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History. ‘Bessie Blount, Mistress of Henry VIII’ (told in the title of the book by Elizabeth Norton), a lady in the retinue of Catherine of Aragon, was sent in confinement to Blackmore Priory in 1519 where in the neighbouring house she bore his child, Henry Fitzroy (told in ‘Bastard Prince. Henry VIII’s Lost Son’ by Beverley A. Murphy).

This note unravels the research and establishes whether Henry VIII may have really “gone to Jericho”.

According to Beverley Murphy, the King’s affair with Elizabeth may have been brief and began following the pregnancy of Catherine in April 1518. “It is a sad irony that Katherine’s happy condition was probably the impetus for her husband to seek solace in the arms of Elizabeth Blount” (Murphy, 27).  Elizabeth Norton disagrees, because as early as autumn 1514 Bessie had met the King: “without the birth of Henry Fitzroy, Bessie’s own affair would have probably gone unrecorded” (Norton, 119).  The birth date of Henry Fitzroy is unclear other than he was six years of age in June 1525.  About the time that Bessie was to become visibly pregnant Thomas Wolsey discreetly dispatched her to Jericho House in Blackmore, the home of the prior Thomas Goodwyn (Murphy, 30).  “Bessie made her final appearance at court early in October 1518” (Norton, 131). 

Wolsey was charged with taking an active interest in Henry’s illegitimate child: Blackmore was “sufficiently quiet not to rouse unwelcome gossip” (Norton, 133). Henry VIII is alleged to have been a frequent visitor to Jericho House and is said to have given orders not to be disturbed hence the expression used in Court, “He has gone to Jericho”. This has entered into local folklore fuelled by Philip Morant who used these words in his ‘History of Essex’ (1768) adding that the Priory was one of the King’s “Houses of Pleasure”.  Subsequently historians have suggested that Blackmore Priory was dissolved in 1527 because of its immoral goings-on. From “the records of the dissolution … it does appear that the prior was somewhat more worldly than he should have been” (Norton, 134): its debts ran to one third of the annual income.  But then if a future King lived there perhaps the debts were with some justification? 

Henry VIII may have visited Elizabeth at Blackmore, contrary to the view expressed by Murphy. Bessie certainly did not resume her duties following the birth of Fitzroy (Murphy, 31) and there is no record of the King staying overnight (Norton, 134). But this should not suggest the King had nothing further to do with Bessie.  Blackmore is relatively close to Newhall, Chelmsford, which was renamed Beaulieu in 1523, from where the King “set out to visit her. This is once again evidence that Bessie’s departure from court was not the end of the affair between her and the King” (Norton, 134). It is possible that she later had a daughter by the King around 1520 (Norton, 139) perhaps conceived in Blackmore (Norton, 151). Fitzroy’s biographer disagrees (Murphy, 32).  

The King was delighted with the news of the birth of a son and whilst in Essex that summer might have held a formal celebration at the manor of Havering-atte-Bower (Murphy, 31).  Cardinal Wolsey was named the child’s godparent, as he had been for his half-sister Mary, the only surviving child born of Queen Catherine, some three and a half years earlier. Although no christening records survive Wolsey’s absence from Court from 19 June to 29 June 1519 may have been due to his attendance at Fitzroy’s baptism probably at Blackmore.  Could the font have been the place where the ceremony quietly took place?

Bessie Blount was married off to Gilbert Tailbois (or Tailboys), who hailed from a rich Lincolnshire family.  This may not have happened as quickly as historians have suggested: the first record of marriage is recorded in June 1522 (Murphy, 33; Norton, 139). They may have married in April 1522 because “the king began to be conspicuously generous to Gilbert Tailboys” (Norton, 141).

Historians are again divided as to whether Bessie had any involvement in Fitzroy’s upbringing. Her biographer suggests “it seems probable that she would have retained custody of her son … perhaps playing a part in raising both Henry Fitzroy and Elizabeth Tailboys until her marriage in 1522” (Norton, 151).

Much admired and spoilt by Henry VIII, Henry Fitzroy was, by the age of six, created Duke of Richmond with the titles Earl of Nottingham and Duke of Somerset. This placed Henry Fitzroy in an honoured position because the title held precedence over all other Dukes except potential legitimate sons of the King. By doing so, Henry VIII had elevated his son’s position in society such that he would be a more eligible bachelor. By the age of eight Henry Fitzroy was Admiral of England, Ireland and Normandy but died in 1536, aged seventeen of tuberculosis. He was buried at Thetford Priory.  Had he survived the course of English history could have changed and Fitzroy crowned Henry IX.

Andrew Smith

Principal Sources:

Murphy, Beverley. A.. Bastard Prince. Henry VIII’s Lost Son (Sutton Publishing, 2001)

Norton, Elizabeth. Bessie Blount. Mistress to Henry VIII (Amberley, 2011)

Blackmore: Augustinian Priory

Augustinian Priory

“Historic Custuming” by Nevil Truman Pitman p143 Habit Austin Canons. Black tunic, tight sleeved rochet w[ith] girdle. Black cloak & small hood. Black biretta.

Scenes & Characters of the Middle Ages by Rev. E. L. Cutts p18 Chap. 3 The August’n Orders. Augustinian Order founded c850 A.D. by decree of Leo III & Emperor Lothaire. Suggested rule compiled by Ivo de Chartres from writings of Augustine of Hippo. Augs. divided into

Canons Secular. Clergy of cathedral & collegiate churches who lived in community on monastic model.

Habit: Long black cassock, Surplice (for divine service), Fur tippet (almuce) (for divine service), Black cloak and hood, Leather girdle.

Canons Regular. Enyol de Provins says “among them one is well shod, well clothed & well fed.  Came to England time of Henry I. Eventually 216 houses of that order. 

Friends of St Laurence Blackmore Brochure Sold Out

All copies of 'St Laurence Church Blackmore 900th Anniversary' brochure have been sold, the Friends of St Laurence Blackmore reported to its members this week. 

Blackmore: Priory Church of St Laurence. 900th Anniversary Celebrations

A new booklet has just been published by the Friends of St Laurence, Blackmore.  It coincides with the 900th Anniversary Celebrations of the foundation of a church in Blackmore back in 1114.  The full colour 24 page brochure has contributions from three local historians, an artist and photographer. It will be available from this coming weekend price £3.00.

The weekend's celebrations have a medieval flavour, with a Medieval Parade from the Village Green at 11.00am on Saturday 7 June 2014 to begin a Medieval Fayre in the church grounds, which will continue until 4pm. The Essex Police Band will be making an appearance at 2pm.  Then in the evening for ticket holders there will be a Medieval Feast in the church, starting at 7pm.  

A Pentecost and Celebration Service will be held on Sunday (8 June) at 11am, when the preacher will be The Venerable David Lowman, Archdeacon of Chelmsford.  The Service will include the re-dedication of a stained glass panel depicting the martyrdom of St Laurence.  This glass has been restored using funds from the Friends of St Laurence.  There will be a Songs of Praise Service at Horesfayre Green at 6.30pm.

The events begin this Friday, 6 June, with a Family Musical Evening in the church from 6.30 to 8.30pm: music and drama, refreshments, free entry.

Blackmore Cresset Stone

Cresset Stone, Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore

Cresset Stone

74, Cannon Grove,

FETCHAM, Surrey.

28th July, 1973.

Dear Rev. Knott,

Having now returned from my expedition into Essex I would firstly like to thank you for your help and co-operation on the occasion of my visit to see your cresset stone at Blackmore. Secondly, I set out below my conclusions as promised, not forgetting that I promised you a copy of any future article.

I believe the cresset to be 14th century and not Norman. Although hitherto described as being of Norman capital form, the top surface, as viewed through your show case, suggested the later date, taking into account the overall design, the well pronounced rims to the cups, the tooling, and the handles. It closely resembles a 14th century cresset now in the City museum, Winchester.

It was then thought possible that the 14th century cresset maker had reused a redundant Norman capital from your original church. However, now that it has been possible to remove the stone from the case and actually see the underside, this belief can no longer be held.

The sculpture of the underside is undoubtedly of Gothic rather than Romanesque form. The outer four cups are scooped into the 'mouths of 'cones’ sculpted out from a central core of stone, tapering away from the cup to the base. Had this been in the Norman Romanesque style the cones or Scallops would have descended in a direct formal arrangement to the base, as is well seen on so many Norman capitals. The sculpture on your cresset, however, does no such thing. From the springing at the base, each scallop takes a beautiful sweeping form round to the right, so that all four spiral round the stone. This is a Gothic theme. In the 13th century the straight scallops of the Normans were twisted sideways and usually carved into "stiff leaf" foliage. In the 14th century this became much more pronounced. Such dates are of course only a rough guide. I believe the spiralling sculpture on your cresset dates from this time. Although well-carved, it is not especially fine, although it would seem to be the finest cresset stone in the country of this type. It is of interest that the carver chose this spiralling motif for an item to be seen so often in flickering flame light. This would be appropriate and also very effective.

I hope this information will be of interest to you. Please write if I can be of further assistance in any way. Should you write to Winchester I ought to point out that they have a second plain cresset also, and so do make it clear which one you are talking about!

Yours sincerely,

[Signed: Christopher Hawkins]

Bequests Relating to Blackmore

An extract from ...
BEQUESTS RELATING TO ESSEX

EXTRACTED FROM Calendar of Wills proved and enrolled in the Court of Husting, London.

WITH ADDITIONAL NOTES BY A. BENNETT BAMFORD, V.D.

{A transcription of an article taken from the Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society (now the Essex Society for Archaeology and History), ‘new series’ Volume 13 part 4, published in 1914. Items in curly brackets { } have been added for the convenience of the modern reader on the Internet.  Your feedback on this article would be appreciated, especially if you have referred to it in the course of research.  The full transcription will be published in Spring 2014 on www.esah160.blogspot.com }

ALL now, who are interested in genealogical research, and in the manners, customs and dress of the Middle ages, realise the important light that is thrown upon the subject by the wills of the time. In going through the wills proved and enrolled at the Court of Husting, London, published in two volumes by order of the Corporation of the City, and edited, with an introduction, by Dr. Reginald R. Sharpe, it is very noticeable how many of the citizens, whose wills were enrolled during the latter half of the thirteenth century and the first half of the fourteenth, bore Essex names, i.e., names of towns and villages whence they or their fathers had come. Surnames, as we know them, were then uncommon, and when men were not known by the name of the birthplace or former residence, it was usually by their trade or occupation, such as Draper, Taylor, Baker, Smith, etc. A list of names of places in Essex, used as surnames, will probably not be uninteresting, and will shew how many of the citizens of London were of Essex descent. These wills also contain much matter of interest to the Essex antiquary, such as gifts of plate, ornaments, and books, money for founding chantries in the churches, or for their repair or rebuilding; and bequests to the different religious houses, especially Stratford and Barking, where many of the citizens had daughters or relatives. These bequests help to fix the date of many of the additions to our parish churches, i.e., Bartholomew Denmars, in 1352, leaves money towards the work of the church of South Benfleet; Alice Hongreforth, in 1491, leaves directions to her executors to see that the roof of Blackmore church is "properly seled with Estryche boord "; and John Draper, in 1496, desires his lands and tenements in the parish of Colne (Colne Engaine?) to be sold, and the proceeds to be devoted to the purchase of forty thousand bricks, towards the work of the belfry of the said parish church.

The wills included in this present paper are from the commencement of the calendar in 1258 to 1361-2, dividing those of local interest more equally into two parts, than if the extracts had ended in 1358, with Dr. Sharpe’s first volume.  Some of the notes are by Dr. Sharpe, and others have been added. The Guildhall Library Committee kindly say that they are only too pleased to see the work make some use of, and members living in, and well acquainted with the places mentioned in the wills, may be able to give further information concerning the bequests and testators.

ABSTRACT FROM WILLS

1287. GODFREY ROSAMUND.—To the Prior and Convent of la Blakemore {Blackmore}, five shillings annual rent in the parish of All Hallows de Fancherche, on condition that his name be put in their obituary (martilogio), and his obit kept. (No date.)

1291. WILLIAM HERVI. - To the Prior and Convent of BIakemore {Blackmore}, his shop, so that his servant John hold the same for a term of three years after his decease, rendering to the said prior half a mark for pittance. (No date.) (Afterwards let on lease to Sir Richer de Refham.) 

Blackmore: Cresset Stone

Cresset Stone in Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore

Essex Review

Extract from No. 185 Volume XLVII (January 1938)

A Cresset Stone at Blackmore

By John Salmon, B.A.

Some years ago I noticed a cresset stone among several fragments (including parts of the monument to Thomas Smyth, 1594) lying loose in the tower of Blackmore Church.  More recently I took the opportunity of revisiting the church while staying with friends near by, on which occasion I photographed and took some detailed notes of this particular stone.  That it is a cresset stone no one who is familiar with these objects will, I think, deny, more especially since Blackmore was a monastic church.  A cresset stone has several cup-shaped hollows or recesses varying in number from 5 to 12.  These recesses were filled with oil in which was placed a floating wick.  Cresset stones were generally used in monastic houses.  Blackmore was a house of Austin Canons founded in the middle of the 12^th century.  The present church was always parochial and so was preserved at its Dissolution.  Of the eastern, monastic half of the church, nothing remains, the gardens of Jericho covering the site.  One of the commonest uses of cresset stones was to light the night stairs down which the monks came from the dormitory to the church for the night offices.  The ‘Rites of Durham’ mention three cresset stones, one in the church, two in the dormitory.

As far as I am aware the Blackmore specimen is the only cresset stone in Essex, though other examples are to be found elsewhere.  I recently noticed several in the museum adjoining the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey at York.  At Westow in the East Riding of Yorkshire is perhaps the most interesting cresset stone in England.  On its face are 12 of the usual cup-shaped hollows, but on the back is carved a well preserved and most interesting Crucifixion (of early, possible Saxon, date) with the attendant figures of the Virgin and St. John, also (at the top) the hand of God the Father and the Dove, presumably to complete the three persons of the Trinity.  This stone may have come from Kirkham Priory, only two miles distant.

To return to the Blackmore example.  As will be seen from the illustration the stone is square in shape with five recesses, one at each corner and a fifth in the centre.  The stone has been broken at two corners thus mutilating two of the recesses.  These recesses are just over three inches in diameter, the stone itself being some 13 inches in width.  The Blackmore cresset stone is more carefully worked than other examples.  Between each of the corner recesses is a slight carving in relief and the underside of each recess is capital shaped, all, however, uniting in one circular shaped base.

The term cresset was originally used to describe a metal cup filled with charcoal or other material for burning.  The was either attached to a pole and so used as a kind of portable lantern or it was placed in a fixed iron frame.  A cresset of the latter type was often placed in a framework on top of a church tower so as to guide travellers after nightfall.  A modern reproduction of such a beacon may be seen on the tower of Monken Hadley church in Middlesex.  A similar beacon with cresset cup is carved on the south porch of Sutton Courtney church in Berkshire, and four are also engraved on an early 16^th century brass formerly in Netley Abbey Church, Hampshire, but now in private possession.  A fire beacon was a badge of the Compton family, two members of which this brass commemorates. 

Blackmore: Annals of England

Annales of England – John Stow

The following are extracts from a book published in 1605, the year of John Stow’s death.  The book is introduced as “A BRIEFE DESCRIPTION OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, WALES AND CORNWALL”, set out in chronological order and running to 1437 pages, abruptly ending in July 1605.

Page 966

“1536

Henry, Duke of Richmond

The 22 of July, Henry Duke of Richmond and Somerset, earle of Nottingham, a bastard son of K. Henry, borne at Blakamore in Essex, of the lady Tailboise, that time called Elizabeth Blunt, died at St James, and was buried at Thetford in Norfolke.”

Page 1112

“1563

Tempest at London.

The 8 of July, in the morning, hapned a great tempest of lightning & thunder, wherethrough a woman and three kine were slaine in the Covent garden neere to Charing crosse.  At the same time in Essex a man was torne to peeces as he was carrying hay, his barne being borne downe, and his hay brent: both stones and trees were rent in many places.”

Transcribed with acknowledgement to the Essex Society for Archaeology and History.

Blackmore: Picturesque Essex (2)

An extract from 'Picturesque Essex' by Moul and Hill, published by F E Robinson & Co. Bloomsbury in 1905.

Blackmore has another quaint wooden church tower, built probably about the same time as the two we have just mentioned [Stock and Margaretting]. The parish is not mentioned in the Domesday Book, but the church exhibits some excellent Norman masonry in its west front and part of the nave; the rest of the building is Early English. It was attached to a Priory of Austin Canons, founded here in the reign of Henry II, and dedicated to St Lawrence. Not a vestige remains of the monastic establishment, but a few relics have been dug up at various times. The old house shown in our view near the church stands on the site of the priory, and has been kinown since Henry VIII's time as "Jericho". That masterful monarch used it as a suitable place of retirement and privacy, and the popular expression "Go to Jericho!" is supposed to have arisen from that circumstance. The church and house make an exceedingly picturesque group, and the village, with its rustic bridge across the stream, is an excellent subject for a sketch. This stream is still known as the "Jordan," though its real name is the Cam.

Blackmore: Augustinian Priory

As part of our Henry VIII season ....

British History Online provides some interesting information on the Augustinian Priory at Blackmore. After the dissolution all but the Nave, which has always been used by the people of Blackmore, was destroyed. It is now the Priory Church of St Laurence.

The Victoria County History Vol II (1907) covers religious places in Essex. The House of Austin Canons – Blackmore can be found under: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=39843&strquery=blackmore

John de Pleyces, one of the Priors at Thoby Priory, Mountnessing (appointed 1306) was also a Canon at Blackmore. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=39849&strquery=blackmore

Blackmore Priory was granted by King Henry VIII to Waltham Holy Cross in 1532. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=39852&strquery=blackmore

In relation to the Priory at Little Leighs we learn that John Webb, prior of Leighs in 1479, had also been a Prior at Blackmore and that Thomas Ellys (Ellis) who was elected in 1527, and was to be the last Prior of Leighs, was presented as the Vicar of Blackmore in 1538. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=39847&strquery=blackmore

VCH Vol VIII (1983) mentions under the parish of South Weald that Boyles once belonged to Blackmore Priory. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=63843&strquery=blackmore

Blackmore: Henry Fitzroy

Blackmore Priory has a royal association because it was to the neighbouring house that a mistress of Henry VIII was sent when it was realised that she was carrying his child. Her name was Elizabeth Blount, a lady in the retinue of Catherine of Aragon. In 1519, she gave birth to a son, taking his father’s name Henry, and the surname for illegitimate offspring, Fitzroy. Henry VIII is said to have been a frequent visitor to the neighbouring Jericho House, so must have known the Priory well. He gave orders not to be disturbed hence the expression used in Court, “He has gone to Jericho”. The original house is no more. The stream that feeds the moat around Jericho House is nicknamed the Jordan.

The King was delighted with the news, which proved his ability to father a son. His previous attempts with Catherine had ended in miscarriage or infant death. Cardinal Wolsey was named the child’s godparent, as he had been for his half sister Mary, the only surviving child born of Queen Catherine, some three and a half years earlier. Elizabeth Blount was quickly married off and had no involvement in Fitzroy’s upbringing.

Henry Fitzroy was much admired and spoilt by his father. At the age of six, when it was considered that a child entered adulthood, and the likelihood of death greatly diminished, Henry Fitzroy was created Duke of Richmond with the titles Earl of Nottingham and Duke of Somerset. This placed Henry Fitzroy in an honoured position because the title held precedence over all other Dukes except potential legitimate sons of the King. By doing so Henry VIII, had elevated his son’s position in society such that he would be a more eligible bachelor. His stepfather, Gilbert Taillebois (or Talboys), was knighted. By the age of eight Henry Fitzroy was Admiral of England, Ireland and Normandy. At 14 he married Mary Howard, daughter of Thomas, Duke of Norfolk. On 23rd July 1536 he died of tuberculosis. He was seventeen. It was said that he was poisoned on the orders of Anne Boleyn, but he witnessed her execution in London just weeks beforehand. Henry was distraught and, following an offer from Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, accepted an offer to have his son discreetly buried at Thetford with other family members. It was an event for which Thomas was not thanked when the King changed his mind. Following the Dissolution of Thetford Priory in 1540, Fitzroy’s final resting place became St Michael’s Church in the shadow of Framlingham Castle in Suffolk.

For more on Henry Fitzroy go to: http://tudorhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/henry_fitzroy

Blackmore: William Barlow, Prior

In 1509, William Barlow, a Canon at Blackmore and St Osyth resigned (26th May) to become Prior of Tiptree. He was Prior of Bromehill, Weeting, Norfolk when it was suppressed by Wolsey (in 1528). In 1529 Barlow was employed by Henry VIII and engaged in diplomacy in France, Rome and later Scotland. He became a strong reformer: he is on record for having preached at St Paul’s Cathedral, London against the use of images and is credited for translating portions of scripture into English. William Barlow then held a number of senior posts in the new Church of England, the final being Bishop of Chichester, where he died in 1568 and is buried next to the former shrine of Richard.

Blackmore: Suppression of Augustinian Priory

Henry VIII became King of England, following the death of Henry VII on 21st April 1509. Perhaps one of the most instantly recognisable monarchs, he is known to have dissolved many monasteries (including Blackmore Priory) and ‘created’ the Church of England declaring himself ‘Supreme Head’. But the suppression of the monasteries began earlier than the 1530s.

In 1524, authority was granted by Henry to Cardinal Wolsey to dissolve a number of smaller priories. This included Blackmore. It was intended that the money raised would fund a college in Oxford. In the following year, Blackmore Priory was assessed at £85.9s.7d. In a further declaration, in March 1526, the rectories at Blackmore and Margaretting were granted to Wolsey. The legal process over, the four remaining Canons were ejected and the Priory transferred to Wolsey in 1527. However, two years later, Wolsey was stripped of his wealth when he fell out with the King over the divorce of Catherine of Aragon (Henry’s first wife). In 1531, the Priory was passed from the Crown to the Abbey at Waltham Holy Cross. This was the last monastic establishment to be dissolved, in England, in 1540. About this time much of Blackmore Priory was demolished.