8. THE PRIORY OF CHARLEY
The circumstances of the foundation of the small
Augustinian priory at Charley, in Charnwood
Forest, are unknown. The first definite mention
of the house occurs in 1190, when the Countess
Parnel of Leicester gave to the Norman abbey of
St. Évroul, Orne, the house of Charley, with a
carucate at Anstey, on condition that the prior
whom the abbot should appoint to Charley should
be left undisturbed while he continued to be of
good life. (fn. 1) The gift of Charley was confirmed,
between 1203 and 1206, to the Prior of Ware,
the subordinate in England of the Abbot of St.
Évroul. (fn. 2) About 1220 the priory was described as
a hermitage where there were usually three
brothers. Its patron was the Earl of Winchester, (fn. 3)
and it was apparently independent. (fn. 4) There is no
definite evidence that Charley was then an
Augustinian house, and it may still have been a
hermitage not subject to any definite rule. At a
later date it was certainly Augustinian, (fn. 5) and its
priors were sometimes drawn from other houses
of that Order. (fn. 6) The priory possessed the advowson of Ratcliffe on the Wreak by about 1220. (fn. 7) In
1291 the house's temporalities were valued at
only £9. 2s. 9½d. (fn. 8) A licence was granted in 1307
for the alienation in mortmain to Charley of the
advowson of Markfield (Leics.), and of 30 acres
of land near Charley. (fn. 9) The title to the advowson
was disputed, (fn. 10) and in 1327 the Prior of Charley
seems to have been forced to abandon his claim
to it. (fn. 11)
Information concerning the internal life of the
priory is scanty. In 1285 the prior and one of
the canons were accused of robbery. (fn. 12) When the
prior, Thomas of Evesham, resigned in 1298 and
became a Cistercian, the bishop refused to confirm
the election of Robert of Radcliffe as his successor. (fn. 13) In 1444 Bishop Alnwick, hearing that
the Prior of Charley was neglecting the celebration of the divine offices and spending his time in
taverns, while the buildings'of the priory were
lapsing into ruin, and its resources being wasted,
ordered an inquiry into the state of affairs at
Charley. The results of the investigation are not
recorded, but the prior resigned shortly afterwards. (fn. 14) It was stated in 1444 that there was
danger of the priory ceasing to exist, (fn. 15) and in 1465
Sir John Bourchier and his wife, as patrons,
petitioned the Bishop of Lincoln to unite the
priory with the adjacent Augustinian house of
Ulverscroft. (fn. 16) This plan was apparently carried
out shortly afterwards. (fn. 17) Mass continued to be
celebrated yearly at Charley on Easter Day. (fn. 18)
Priors of Charley
William, occurs early 13th century. (fn. 19)
Simon, resigned 1264. (fn. 20)
Robert of Grimesby, elected 1264, (fn. 21) resigned
1272. (fn. 22)
John of Bawtry, elected 1272, (fn. 23) occurs 1283. (fn. 24)
Stephen of Keyham, resigned 1291. (fn. 25)
Thomas of Evesham, admitted 1291, (fn. 26) resigned 1298. (fn. 27)
Robert of Radcliffe, elected 1298, but confirmation refused by the bishop. (fn. 28)
John of Bawtry, admitted 1298, (fn. 29) resigned
1309. (fn. 30)
William of Segrave, elected 1309, (fn. 31) died
1318. (fn. 32)
William of Leicester, elected 1318. (fn. 33)
Henry of Stratford, resigned 1335. (fn. 34)
Roger, occurs 1371 and 1386. (fn. 35)
Richard Haitlee, presented 1382. (fn. 36)
John atte Well, occurs before 1390. (fn. 37)
Ralph, occurs 1390. (fn. 38)
John Ince, admitted 1414, (fn. 39) occurs 1418. (fn. 40)
John Botyler, admitted 1422. (fn. 41)
John Belton, resigned 1444. (fn. 42)
John Whitewyk, admitted 1444. (fn. 43)
Thomas Frisby, resigned 1458. (fn. 44)
John Zouche, admitted 1458. (fn. 45)
No seal is known.