Although Bernard de St Valery endowed a community of nuns at Studley at Bernwood his son Thomas is traditionally considered the founder.
Similarly to Godstow, the community shows a sharp drop in the number of members.
There were 50 in about 1300; 9 in 1445; 10 in 1520. At the time of suppression there were 15 nuns and there were 7 nuns besides the prioress in 1539.
There are letters and/or visitations from the Bishop of Lincoln in 1294, 1445, 1520, and 1530 objecting to guests at the house, to visiting town scholars and to matters relating to dress.
In 1300 the community enjoyed patronage of the crown. Benefactors included Bernard and Thomas de Valery and William de Stratford in 1188. In the thirteenth century Count Robert of Dreux and Godfrey del Craucomb gave several manors. Henry del Anna and Edmund, Duke of Cornwall, were also known to be benefactors.
Secular masters were requested by Prioress Clementia and began in 1292.
The communities assets were derived mostly from land holding in Lincoln, urban property in Oxford, and a chapter house. Revenues never exceeded 100 pounds. The community lived in poverty in 1352, 1389, 1520. In 1520 it was in debt for over 84 pounds.
The community collected tithes and rents from urban property. In 1535 the net income of the community was valued at over 82 pounds.
Secular masters were requested by Prioress Clementia and began in 1292.
[1] The first document, dated 1176, records a donation of land holding by Bernard de St Valery.
[2]The second document, 1188, is the gift of a land holding by William de Stafford.
A seal representing the Annunciation with the Blessed Virgin Mary and Angel Gabriel with a cross between them was used in the 12th century.
Women Religious: The Founding of English Nunneries After the Norman Conquest
Medieval Religious Houses in England and Wales, 219.
Injunctions of John Longland, Bishop of Lincoln, to certain Monasteries in his Diocese (1531)
Dugdale's Monasticon Volume 4
Stodely, or Studley Nunnery, in Oxfordshire
A history of Studley Priory : 1184 to the present day
The Victoria History of the County of Oxford2:77-79 available online at ">http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40180&strquery=studl... [Victoria County History]
The community either hung on or was refounded after the first suppression.
MAD 6/11/97
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