Although originally a community of the Fontevrault order and congregation, this tie was severed by the time of the Bishop of Worcester's list in 1374. Westwood was established in the middle of the 12th century by Eustacia de Say and her son Osbert Fitz-hugh(Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 121). It is possible that the foundation of Westwood may initially have been encouraged and planned by Abbess Matilda, Henry II's aunt (Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 123).
There were 14 nuns in 1381. There were perhaps 6 nuns at the time of suppression (Medieval Religious Houses in England and Wales, 220).
In 1224 the foundation was exempted from episcopal jurisdiction and made to answer only to the pope. In 1277 the house received special protection from King Edward II.
Westwood had connections to the male priory of Worcester. Although the house was originally of the order of Fontevrault there seemed to be little connection between Westwood and the abbey of Fontevrault and it was not listed as a one of its alien houses.
Westwood had important patrons, such as Ida of Boulogne, daughter of Count Matthew and Mary of Blois, who made a grant of land to the community (Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 121, 126); Alicia, the lady of Salwarpe; John English; William Bray; William Fitz-Alewy; Cecilia de Tuberville; John, the dean of Droitwich; Richard, priest of St. Augustine of Dodderhill; Adam Fitz-Adam Luvetun and Robert de Caverugge.
The house was primarily composed of daughters of the nobility.
In 1535 the community's net income was valued over 75 pounds.
The confirmation charter of Henry II included wide privileges for the nunnery, including that the nuns were not to be impleaded for any of their possessions unless before the king himself (Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 122). Westwood had a dispute over the church of Dodderhill (Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 126).
A confirmation charter of Henry II from 1155 or 1158.
British Library Cotton MS Vespasian E. ix, fo. 6.
Recueil des actes de Henri II,Roi d'Angleterre et Duc de Normandie concernant les provinces francaises et les affaires de France, ed. L. Delisle and E. Berger, 4 vols. (Paris, 1909-27), i, 175-6; no. 73.
The Saxon charters of Bradford-on-Avon and Westwood
Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest
Medieval Religious Houses in England and Wales, 220.
Westwood: a rural English nunnery with its local and French connections
The Victoria History of the County of Worcester2:148-51 available online at ">http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=36473&strquery=westw... [Victoria County History]
Salt-making at Droitwich, Worcestershire, in the fourteenth century
Fuel supply and the medieval salt industry in Droitwich
Foundation date at the age of Henry II.
[V0931]
From Foundation Information field "a Pr 1316/not an alien prior in bishop of Worcestershire list"
