perhaps the most interesting ecclesiastical edifice in the county. On
the site there stood in the eleventh century a timber church, built by
Siward, a Saxon nobleman, and dedicated to St. Peter. In the last
quarter of that century Odilirius, “a lover of justice,” who had
possession of the humble structure, counselled Roger de Montgomery, Earl
of Shrewsbury, to build a monastery. The Earl consented, and in 1083 the
monastery or abbey was built, and consecrated to St. Peter and St. Paul.
St. Paul, however, was served rather scurvily, for the Earl gave the
whole of the suburb—then denominated _Before Yette_—to “the blessed
Peter.” The abbey was splendidly endowed by the Earl and by Siward, and
in consideration of the endowments the monks were “to diligently pray for
their souls, and for the souls of their ancestors and heirs.” These
endowments were added to from time to time by several other benefactors,
with the same object. Thus Warine, the sheriff of the county gave
several hides of land for the salvation of his soul; and after his death,
lest he should be in jeopardy, his widow gave her house for his effectual
security. Warine’s brother, Reginald, gave a village; Herbert de Ferches
a farm; Gerrard de Tourney a village; Randulph de Gernon, Earl of
Chester, two houses; and Hugh Pantulf his mills at Sutton “for the
salvation of his soul, the soul of his wife, and each of their souls.”
These benefactions vastly increased the riches of the abbey, and in
consequence of its revenue the abbots were mitred and elevated to the
privilege of a seat in the Upper House of Parliament. The value of the
monastery was, according to Dugdale, £132 4s. 10d., to Speed £615 4s. 3d.
In the twenty-sixth year of Henry VII. the annual income was £572 15s.
5d., a revenue equal to about £4,750 of modern currency. At the time of
the dissolution of the monasteries the abbey was suppressed, and the
estates and buildings passed into lay hands. Some were sold for the
value of the materials, and others were converted into dwellings.
Odericus Vitalis, one of the earliest and best of English historians, was
educated at this monastery, whither he was sent by his father, priest at
Atcham, where he was born in 1074.
In 1728 an incident capable of a modern application occurred here. The
clergyman of the parish presented a petition to the bishop praying for
the removal out of the church of a picture representing the Saviour upon
the cross. The petitioners presented a counter petition; but their
memorial failed, and the bishop ordered the picture to be removed. This
dispute between the vicar and his flock caused a great sensation, and
gave occasion to a number of lampoons. The parishioners attacked the
vicar in this style:
_The Parson’s the man_
_Let him say what he can_
_Will for gain leave his God in the lurch_;
_Could Iscariot do more_
_Had it been in his power_
_Than to turn his Lord out of the church_.