Canonsleigh
Community ID: 
 
888
 
Alternate Names: 
 
S. Mary
 
Town: 
 
Exeter
 
Diocese: 
 
Exeter
 
Region: 
 
Devonshire
 
Modern Location: 
 
Devon
 
Corporate Status: 
 
Abbey
 
Dedication: 
 
S. Mary, John the Evangelist, and Etheldreda ( Audrey )
 
Date Founded: 
 
1282
 
Date Terminated: 
 
1538
 
Religious Order: 
 
Augustinian
 
Rule: 
 
Augustinian
 
Foundation Information: 
 

The community is on the site of an antique, Augustine male monastery. According to Thompson, the probable founder of the female abbey was Matilda, Countess of Gloucester (Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest, 220).

 
Population Counts: 
 

There were 18 nuns at the time of suppression, 9 were still on the pension list in 1553.

 
Income: 
 

In 1535 the net income was valued over 197 pounds.

 
Published Primary Sources: 
 

Calendar of Entries in the Papal Registers Relating to Great Britain and Ireland: Papal Letters (1198-1492), i, 478. The cartulary of Canonsleigh Abbey : Harleian MS. no. 3660 : a calendar, xi-xii.

 
Secondary Sources: 
 

Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest
Medieval Religious Houses in England and Wales, 227.
Remarks on Some Early Charters and Documents Relating to the Priory of Austin Canons at Canonsleigh [with an appendix of charters]
Theatre-going nuns in rural Devon?

 
Miscellaneous Information: 
 

In the fourteenth century the nuns were prohibited from attending public performances (Theatre-going nuns in rural Devon?).

 
Admin. Notes: 
 

MAD 6/11/97
[V0231]

 
Contributors: 
 
WRL Project
 
Date Started: 
 
1282
 
Date Finished: 
 
1538
 
Length: 
 
956