HOUSE OF AUSTIN NUNS
42. THE PRIORY OF ST. LEONARD, GRIMSBY
The priory of St. Leonard, Grimsby, was
probably founded some time during the reign of
Henry II. The name of the founder is unknown,
but the house was placed before 1184 under the
protection of the Austin canons of Wellow, for
in that year the nuns complained to Pope
Lucius II that one of their brethren had by
threats compelled them to sell some of their
property in Ravendale. (fn. 1) The relations of the
nuns and canons apparently became friendly
again soon after, for, in 1232 and 1303 a canon
of Wellow was chosen as warden of the priory. (fn. 2)
The house was a poor and obscure one. Its
temporalities were only rated at 3s. in 1291. In
1296 the nuns had to beg alms to support themselves, (fn. 3) and in 1297 certain men were excommunicated for an unjust distraint upon their property. (fn. 4)
Another licence to beg was granted in 1311, on
the ground that their houses, corn, &c., had been
consumed by fire. (fn. 5) Yet other licence to beg was
granted in 1459 because their buildings had been
burnt and their land inundated. (fn. 6) In 1394 they
were excused from payment of a subsidy at the
bishop's request, on account of their poverty. (fn. 7)
There are no records of episcopal visitations of
this house, though doubtless such were held from
time to time. There are notices in 1337 and 1356
of the absolution of nuns of Grimsby—one for
apostacy, another for a breach of chastity. (fn. 8) In spite
of its scanty revenue the priory was not suppressed
in 1536; it lingered on till 15 September, 1539,
when the prioress received a pension of £4, and
the other nuns annuities of 30s. or 33s. 4d. each. (fn. 9)
The endowment of the priory consisted only of
small parcels of land in the counties of Lincoln
and York, with the churches of Grimsby, Little
Coates, and Ravendale. (fn. 10) In 1291 the prioress was
taxed only for 3s. (fn. 11) In 1534 the clear value of
the priory was only £9 14s. 7d. including the
churches of Little Coates and Ravendale (Randall).
The Ministers' Accounts amount to £22 7s. 7d. (fn. 12)
Prioresses of St. Leonard's
Emma (fn. 13)
Agnes of Bradley, (fn. 14) died 1299
Maud of Graffham, (fn. 15) elected 1299, died 1309
Amice or Avice Franks, (fn. 16) elected 1309, occurs
1321
Alice of Alesby, (fn. 17) resigned 1370
Agnes of Humbleton, (fn. 18) elected 1370, occurs
1393
Eleanor Billesby, (fn. 19) elected 1409
Maud Beesby, (fn. 19) resigned 1465
Joan Saxby, (fn. 20) elected 1465, occurs 1490
Beatrice, (fn. 21) occurs 1507
Anne Mallet, (fn. 22) occurs 1529
Margaret Riddesdale, (fn. 23) last prioress
The pointed oval conventual seal (fn. 24) represents
St. Leonard standing in an elaborately carved
niche, with trefoiled canopy and tabernacle work
at the side, in the right hand a pastoral staff, in
the left hand a book. The inner edge of the
field engrailed.
SIGILLŪ: COVNE: MONALIU: SBI:
LEONARDI: DE: GRYMMESBY
Cabled borders.