The last monks of worcester cathedral priory
Date
2018
Authors
Editor(s)
Advisor
Supervisor
Co-Advisor
Co-Supervisor
Instructor
Source Title
Midland History
Print ISSN
0047-729X
Electronic ISSN
1756-381X
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Volume
43
Issue
1
Pages
3 - 21
Language
English
Type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
This paper traces the history of the Benedictine community of St Mary’s Cathedral Priory, Worcester, from 1534 until its surrender in 1540, with the aim of determining the number and identity of the monks of Worcester at the time of the dissolution. No deed of surrender survives for the priory that would record the names of the monks, and it is argued here that previous studies have underestimated the size of the conventual community during its final days. Using pension lists as well as a hitherto unstudied document preserved in Bishop Bell’s Liber Visitationis, a more accurate figure for the convent can be offered and the fortunes of many of the monks in the years after the dissolution determined.