Elkins (1988) dates the community's foundation at 1078. According to S. Thompson, Judith, niece of the Conqueror and widow Waltheof, the Earl of Huntingdon, is the probable founder of the community (Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 221). Thompson speculates that she may have founded the nunnery as an act of reparation for the betrayal of her husband, who was executed in 1076 Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 167).
There were 19 nuns in 1442. After the suppression the abbess ad 23 nuns were granted pensions.
A confirmation charter of Henry I shows that at least 3 of the benefactors made grants to Elstow when their daughters became nuns there Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 187).
It was a wealthy house.
In 1535 the community's net income was valued over 284 pounds.
Elstow Abbey;
Medieval Religious Houses in England and Wales, p. 212;
Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest;
Joannis Lelandi antiquarii De rebus britannicis collectanea, i (i), 41;
The Nuns of Elstow;
Injunctions of John Longland, Bishop of Lincoln, to certain Monasteries in his Diocese (1531);
Excavations at Elstow Abbey, 1965-1970: a progress report;
Research Designs: Timber Phases and Outbuildings with Special Reference to Elstow Abbey and Grove Priory, Bedfordshire, and a Note about the Availability of Information;
Dugdale's Monasticon Volume 3;
Benedictine Nunnery of Elstow, Helenestow, Elnstowe, or Alnestowe, in Bedfordshire
The Victoria History of the County of Bedford available online at ">http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=40034&strquery=Elstow"> [Victoria County History]
[V0330]
