114. THE PRIORY OF WILSFORD
The priory of Wilsford, for Benedictine
monks, was founded by Hugh Wake, who presented the manor on which it was built to the
abbey of Bec Herlouin during the reign of
Stephen. (fn. 1) Like nearly all the alien cells in
Lincolnshire, it was endowed only for the support of two or three brethren, and never became
at all important; during the wars with France
the prior was usually the only monk in the house.
In 1324 the prior of Wilsford had to give
security that he would conduct himself faithfully
towards the king and not send money or goods
out of the realm, or quit it himself without
licence. He was to be released, however, if he
had been put under arrest as an alien; for the
king had not intended to seize the persons of
religious men governing priories, nor to deprive
them of their property. (fn. 2)
In 1380 the revenue of the house was found
to be so small that after a farm of 12 marks had
been paid by the prior, and a clerical subsidy of
10 marks, the residue was not enough to provide
him with food and clothing; he was therefore
pardoned his arrears for two years. It was not a
monk of Bec who was in charge at this time, but
one who had been prior of St. Peter de Castro in
Aquitaine. (fn. 3)
The scanty revenue of the house diminished
still further under the losses sustained by the recurrent seizures of alien cells during the French
wars, and a payment of twenty marks was due
to the Exchequer nearly all the time. (fn. 4) Some
time during the reign of Edward III the priory
was granted to Thomas of Holland, earl of
Kent, a descendant of Hugh Wake, and by his
influence its property was finally secured to the
abbey of Bourne in 1401. (fn. 5)
The original endowment included only the
manor of Wilsford and 9 carucates of land
besides, worth £16, with the advowson of the
church of Wilsford. (fn. 6) Its revenue in 1371
was valued at £18 2s. 10d., in 1387 at
£29 16s. 2d. (fn. 7)
Priors of Wilsford
Roger, (fn. 8) occurs 1202
Adam de Subyr, (fn. 9) presented 1226, resigned
1229
Peter de Cambren, (fn. 10) resigned 1229
Richard de Flaunvill, (fn. 11) presented 1248
Roger de Gilmore, (fn. 12) presented 1248, resigned
1251
Jordan of Huttoft, (fn. 13) presented 1251
William de Tribus Montibus, (fn. 14) resigned 1274
John de Insula, (fn. 15) presented 1274
Stephen of Stoke, (fn. 16) died 1290
Walter de Ponte Andomari, (fn. 17) presented 1290,
resigned 1298
John de Saunarvilla, (fn. 18) presented 1298, resigned
1300
Richard de Bonebor, (fn. 19) presented 1300, resigned
1303
Michael de Ponte Antonio, (fn. 20) presented 1303
Richard de Flagellon, (fn. 21) presented 1312, died
1314
William of St. Albin, (fn. 22) presented 1314
William de Nassaundres, (fn. 23) presented 1319
Durand of St. Stephen, (fn. 24) presented 1341,
occurs 1345
John de Efreno, (fn. 25) resigned 1367
John de Laomers, (fn. 26) presented 1367