Elkins dates the founding to 1140 and says it was founded for 13 nuns. S. Thompson dates the foundation to sometime before 1128 to 1134 and believes the community had an anchoretic origin. She lists Hermit Godwyn as the probable founder. The community was linked with the abbey of Westminster as well (Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 223). The nucleus of the community formed around Kilburn, under the care of the abbey of Westminster, and was granted by Abbot Herbert (1121-c. 1136 at Godwyn's request to 3 maidens, Emma, Gunilda, and Christina, possibly handmaidens of Queen Matilda (Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 25-6). The women were under Godwyn's tutelage and were to remain so.
There were 6 in 1381.
The community was exempt from episcopal jurisdiction (Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 26).
According to a history of the abbey written by John Flete in the 15th century, Abbot Herbert granted the site of the new community as well as some lands and rents. Later abbots confirmed his grants and continued to supply allowences of food to the women (Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 63).
In 1535 the community's net income was over 74 pounds.
British Library Cotton MS Faust. A. iii, fos. 325-326.
Dugdale's Monasticon Volume 3 426, no. 1.
Nunnery of Kilburn, in Middlesex, a Cell to the Abbey of Westminster
Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest
Medieval Religious Houses in England and Wales, 213.
Victoria History of the County of Middlesex1: 178-82. available online at ">http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22118&strquery=kilbur... [Victoria County History]
The community was strictly enclosed.
BOSB--Benedictine order
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