13. THE PRIORY OF DEEPING
The priory of Deeping was founded and presented by Baldwin Fitz Gilbert to Thorney
Abbey in 1139. (fn. 1) The gift was confirmed by
Robert de Chesney, bishop of Lincoln, and by
Pope Alexander III. (fn. 2)
Like all small cells of the greater abbeys,
this house has very little independent history.
The priors were presented by the abbot without
reference to the diocesan, and the right of
visitation was reserved. Some trouble about
the tithes of the two churches of Deeping
brought the priory under the notice of the
diocesan about 1299. The tithes of the two
churches were said to be so confused that it
was not possible to collect them without damage
or discontent either on the part of the rector or
the monks. It was agreed that in future the
tithes from St. James's Church should go
entirely to the priory, and the tithes of
St. Guthlac's to the rector. (fn. 3)
An inquisition taken in 1324 during a vacancy
at Thorney found that the priory had no temporalities, and that from the time of King
Richard I its issues had not been seized by the
escheators during voidance of the parent abbey. (fn. 4)
The cell was dissolved at the final surrender
of Thorney Abbey in December, 1539. A
pension of £8 was reserved to the last prior of
Deeping. (fn. 5)
The endowment of the priory consisted of
the two churches of Deeping, St. James and
St. Guthlac, with lands in the same vill. (fn. 6) Its
temporalities mentioned in the Taxatio of
1291 only amount to £1 15s. 1d. (fn. 7) No valuation
is given in the Ministers' Accounts at the dissolution, because the priory had been granted to the
Duke of Norfolk. (fn. 8)
Priors of Deeping
Jocelyn, (fn. 9) occurs in the twelfth century
James Nassington, (fn. 10) occurs 1299
Thomas of Gosberkirk, (fn. 11) occurs from 1329 to
1347
John de Charteris, (fn. 12) occurs 1358 and 1365
William Lee, (fn. 13) last prior.