12. THE PRIORY OF FREISTON
The priory of Freiston was probably founded
soon after the year 1114. It was in that year
that Alan de Creoun presented to Crow land
Abbey the church of Freiston, (fn. 1) and later on,
according to Peter of Blois, placed there a prior
and monks. (fn. 2) A few years after the monastery
was built he increased the endowment by
further gifts. (fn. 3)
The house has very little history apart from
Crowland. In 1283 a commission of oyer and
terminer was issued against certain persons who
broke through the doors of the monastery into
the church, stole the keys, and consumed the
victuals provided for the household, and for
some time maintained themselves in the priory
at the expense of their unwilling hosts. (fn. 4)
The priors of this house were not presented
to the bishop for institution, and consequently
few of their names can be recovered. One of
them was cited before the bishop in 1416 for
withholding altarage and oblations from the
vicar of Butterwick. (fn. 5) Not long after this,
Bishop Gray, visiting the abbey of Crowland in
1431, discovered that the number of monks at
Freiston had dwindled to seven; and these were
all aged and infirm, and unable to maintain the
divine office in a seemly manner day and night.
He gave orders that as soon as possible the
original number should be made up, and that
they should be young men, able to keep the
choir: at the same time enjoining that they
should be properly fed and provided for that
they might continue to serve God dutifully and
contentedly. (fn. 6) In 1440, however, when Bishop
Alnwick made inquiries, the number had not
yet been made up, and a monk of Crowland
said that the fall of the house was daily expected,
through the negligence and non-residence of the
prior. (fn. 7) We may presume that a reform was
effected at this time, as the cell continued until
the dissolution of the mother house in December,
1539.
The original endowment of the cell included
the churches of Freiston, Butterwick, South
Warnborough, Stonesby, and Burton Pedwardine,
with divers parcels of land. (fn. 8) In 1291 its revenue
amounted to about £32 9s. in temporals and spirituals. (fn. 9) In 1534 it, was valued at £167 8s. 1½d.
clear annual income. (fn. 10) The Ministers' Accounts
give a total of £105 15s. 9d. exclusive of the rectory of Freiston which was worth £44 18s. 3d.
a year. (fn. 11)
Priors of Freiston
John, (fn. 12) occurs 1158
Nicholas, (fn. 13) occurs 1208
John Sutton, (fn. 14) occurs 1503
Richard Sleaford, (fn. 15) occurs 1534