9. THE PRIORY OF BRADLEY
Neither the date nor the circumstances of the
foundation of Bradley Priory are known. According to Leland, it was founded by Robert Bundy. (fn. 1)
The priory is first mentioned in 1233-4, when
Robert de Burnebi was the patron, (fn. 2) and it is possible that he may have been the founder. The
priory is not referred to in the Matriculus of the
Archdeaconry of Leicester (c. 1220), (fn. 3) so that the
priory was probably founded between 1220 and
1234. The original endowment has not been
recorded, though in 1317 it was stated that a
windmill at Holt had belonged to Bradley Priory
since its foundation. (fn. 4) In 1385 Lord Scrope of
Bolton, with Thomas Shepesheved, a former
rector of Allexton, granted to the priory the
manor of Blaston, (fn. 5) and in 1392 Scrope obtained
licence to grant some further small items of
property to Bradley. (fn. 6) Leland describes Scrope as
the fundator modernus of Bradley, (fn. 7) and he seems
to have been its principal benefactor. In 1503
John Penny, Abbot of Leicester and from 1505
Bishop of Bangor also, became Prior of Bradley,
but after Penny's translation to the see of Carlisle,
Lord Scrope, as patron, presented a canon of
Bradley, who was admitted as prior at the beginning of 1509. (fn. 8) In 1535 the priory's possessions
consisted of land in the villages of Blaston,
Slawston, Holt, and Holyoak, all adjacent to
Bradley. The net yearly income of the house was
only just over £20. (fn. 9) In 1535 it was reported that
there were only two canons at Bradley; both were
of virtuous conversation, and desired to continue
in religion. The house had five servants, and a
child was supported in the almonry. The buildings
of the priory were in good repair. (fn. 10) Very shortly
afterwards the priory was dissolved. The prior
was granted a pension of £4 yearly. (fn. 11)
Bradley was probably at all times a very small
monastery. There seems to be no doubt that it was
a house of Augustinian canons of the normal type.
In 1535 the prior stated that he and his companions
were 'white canons of St. Augustine', (fn. 12) but canons
of well-known Augustinian houses became priors
of Bradley, (fn. 13) and one Prior of Bradley became
abbot of the Augustinian abbey of Owston. (fn. 14) The
colour of the habits worn by Augustinian canons
seems to have varied. (fn. 15) The First Minister's
Account shows a net revenue of £9. 14s. 5½d. (fn. 16)
Priors of Bradley
Robert, elected 1233-4. (fn. 17)
Henry, appointed by the Bishop of Lincoln,
1263. (fn. 18)
Walter of Drayton, confirmed 1290, resigned
1295. (fn. 19)
John of Kirkby, confirmed 1295. (fn. 20)
Walter of Drayton, elected 1300, (fn. 21) deprived
1302. (fn. 22)
John of Quorndon, elected 1302, (fn. 23) occurs
1309. (fn. 24)
Richard of Brownknave, (fn. 25) elected 1381, (fn. 26)
Richard Chanon, (fn. 25) occurs 1389. (fn. 27)
Richard Stokes, (fn. 25) resigned 1393. (fn. 28)
William Wenge, elected 1393, (fn. 29) died 1415. (fn. 30)
John Coventry, elected 1415. (fn. 31)
Henry Medburn, resigned 1481. (fn. 32)
Thomas Leicester, died 1493. (fn. 33)
Thomas Horninghold, elected 1493, (fn. 34) resigned 1503. (fn. 35)
John Penny, Abbot of Leicester, admitted
1503, resigned 1508. (fn. 36)
John Oundle, confirmed 1509, (fn. 37) last prior. (fn. 38)
No seal is known.