5. THE PRIORY OF LITTLE MALVERN
The Annales record that the priory of St.
Giles of Little Malvern was founded in 1171 by
two brothers who were born at Beckford, the
name of the one who became the first prior
being Jocelin, and that of the second Edred.
They adopted the habit and rule of St. Benedict,
and customs (consuetudines) from the chapter of
Worcester. (fn. 1) This brief account has been amplified into a story much resembling that of Great
Malvern, according to which the first colony
was composed of a union of monks who had forsaken the priory of Worcester with the intention
of leading in the forest, 'the wilderness of Malvern,' the more austere life of hermits. Of these
Jocelin and Edred, 'brethren by nature and
religious profession,' either by drawing recluses
together or by the bestowal of their temporal
goods before they entered into religion, became
the founders of this priory dedicated to St. Giles
and built within the see of the bishop of
Worcester. The subsequent history of Little
Malvern differs considerably from that of its
greater neighbour, and from the earliest time it
was subject to the diocesan and united to the
fraternity of the cathedral church in no ordinary
degree. In a ledger of the priory of Worcester
exists a deed whereby Simon, bishop of Worcester,
decreed that Little Malvern and the church of
St. Giles should be eternally united in frankalmoign with the church of Worcester, that no
person should be admitted to the monastic habit
without the joint consent of the bishop, prior, and
chapter of the cathedral church, that the prior of
Worcester might remove the monks of Little
Malvern by way of correction and replace them
by others from the cathedral chapter, and that
the prior of the smaller monastery should be
elected in the chapter of Worcester. (fn. 2)
The principal benefactors of Little Malvern
are said to have been William de Blois, Henry III.,
and it is conjectured Gilbert de Clare, earl of
Gloucester and lord of Malvern Chase, from the
fact of 'his honourable coat appearing in the
church.' (fn. 3) A still earlier benefactor was Mauger,
bishop of Worcester, who in 1200 assisted the
poverty of the little community by bestowing on
them as much fuel from his wood of Malvern as
they needed for domestic requirements, with the
yearly grant of an oak tree, the only condition
attaching to this gift being that the brethren
should celebrate their obsequies and anniversaries
on the death of the donor and all future bishops
of Worcester. (fn. 4) The grant was confirmed by
the chapter of Worcester, with the addition of
20s. pension from the church of Hasfield in
Gloucestershire, given by the bishop with the
consent of Richard de Pauncefote the patron. (fn. 5)
Early in the thirteenth century Giles, bishop of
Hereford, confirmed assarts 'de la Dirfaud,' the gift
of William his predecessor, and land at 'Horton'
given by John de Stanford. (fn. 6) Gilbert the cook
of Longdon gave all his land at Longdon and
5s. yearly for the provision of a light before the
altar of the Blessed Mary in Longdon church; (fn. 7)
two further grants placed them in possession of
the manor. (fn. 8) The advowson and the chapel of
Eldersfield in Longdon was granted to the convent by Reginald Folet: (fn. 9) a charter of William
Folet confirmed to the church of God and
St. Giles 'my patron' of Little Malvern the gift
of land in the town of 'Bichemers' with further
grants, the donor concluding his deed of gift by
commending himself and his family to the same
church, desiring that the brethren should receive
him as a monk. (fn. 10) The prior of Little Malvern
acquired the manor of Pendock by purchase, (fn. 11)
and held lands at Naunton in Gloucestershire
with the advowson of the church of St. Andrew
there, which advowson he made over to Bishop
Giffard, reserving a pension of 8s. (fn. 12) In Worcestershire the monastery possessed the manor of
Horwell, (fn. 13) a yearly allowance of 40s. from Elmley
Castle, and the patronage of the church of
Coberley in Gloucestershire. (fn. 14) The abbot and
convent of Lyra in France conveyed to the
priory of Little Malvern the churches of Hanley
Castle and Eldersfield, (fn. 15) and in addition the convent held the rectory of Welland with the chapel
said to have been bestowed by Simon, bishop of
Worcester, (fn. 16) the advowson of the church of Cold
Ashton, (fn. 17) and later on portions in the chapels of
Nafford and Birlingham. (fn. 18) According to the
Taxation Roll of 1291 the priory had an income
of £17 1s. 6½d. derived from spiritualities and
temporalities in the diocese of Worcester, (fn. 19) and
10s. from temporalities in the diocese of Hereford. (fn. 20) Besides their English possessions the
prior and convent had property in Ireland, though
by what means this was acquired cannot be
stated. (fn. 21)
The supremacy claimed by Worcester over
the small community was rigorously exercised by
Bishop Giffard. In May, 1269, he appointed
William de Broadway on the death of Richard,
late prior of Little Malvern, (fn. 22) and similarly in
1280, (fn. 23) 1287, (fn. 24) and 1299 (fn. 25) a vacancy was supplied
by the bishop's provision. In 1274 he published
a grant whereby Prior John and his brethren gave
to Henry, son of Geoffrey Bernard, in return for
benefits conferred on them the right of presenting two secular clerks to the monastery who
should pray for the souls of the said Henry and
various members of his family. The right of
presentation should descend to Nicholas de
Mutton and his heirs and assigns after the death
of the said benefactor. (fn. 26) Five years later this
undertaking was revised, and a chantry ordained
at the altar of the Holy Cross within the priory
church for the benefit of the said Henry and his
family. (fn. 27) The church was probably rebuilt about
this period, as in the course of Giffard's visitation of the diocese in 1282 he stayed two days
at the monastery of Little Malvern, and visited
the chapter and dedicated their church, the
charge of the two days' entertainment being
borne by the convent. (fn. 28) During the rule of
Giffard an inquiry was made concerning one
Simon Chamberlayn, who was reported to have
entered the monastery of Little Malvern and
become professed therein as a monk of the order
of St. Benedict, but who, notwithstanding, had
returned to the world and married, when he was
in no way capable of paternal inheritance, to the
prejudice of his brother. (fn. 29) The bishop, being
appealed to in the face of a serious family
problem, made reply 'that of old custom the
prior of Malvern is as it were the bishop's
minister in that place,' so that the bishop could
nominate or put there whom he would without the
election of the monks, but that without his consent
the prior could not give the habit to anyone or
receive anyone for profession' which makes the
monk more than the habit,' and that the said
Simon had not made profession to the bishop or
to any other in his name. (fn. 30) This did not end
the matter, but the final conclusion is not
recorded.
John de Dombleton, who was appointed prior
in 1299, (fn. 31) did not retain the office long. (fn. 32) After
his resignation the annalist who records the
appointment of his successor, William de Molendinis or Mills, states that he was not admitted to
his former estate by the chapter of Worcester.
On being recalled for the election of Giffard's
successor in 1302, he sent renouncing all right
or voice in the election on the ground that he
had been translated to Malvern and there made
prior, 'wherefore because of his present condition the same John tarries at the schools of
Oxford at the expense of the prior and chapter
of Worcester.' (fn. 33) The latter received an order
from the presidents of their general chapter to
re-admit their former member, and quickly complied. (fn. 34)
The convent appears to have suffered various
losses from time to time. Giffard, in a licence
for the appropriation to the brethren of the
church of Stoke Giffard, states that it was granted
on account of their sufferings during the Barons'
War and the war in Wales. (fn. 35) Thomas, earl of
Warwick, bestowed on them the advowson of
the church of Notgrove with the rent of a pound
of pepper in 1338, (fn. 36) and the prior and convent
were permitted to appropriate the church of
Whatcote in 1368, in consequence, it is said, of
the loss of divers possessions in Ireland. (fn. 37)
These distant possessions of the priory proved
a charge in many ways, involving the personal
residence of the prior or the appointment of
attorneys to represent him. One of the monks
was as a rule appointed, but the post does not
appear to have been much sought after by the
brethren. Bishop Cobham, after his visitation
in 1323, reproved one of the community for
refusing to go, in consequence of which a less
suitable person had to be sent, to the loss and
injury of the convent; (fn. 38) and in 1336 brother
Nicholas de Upton, upon whom the duty had
devolved, obtained a dispensation from the bishop
absolving him from the office on the ground that
it was to the danger of his life to cross the Irish
Sea. (fn. 39) Cobham suggested that it was not fitting
for a monk to live alone, and advised that in
future two brethren be sent, means permitting. (fn. 40)
After much loss and expense the brethren were
finally relieved of a troublesome charge in 1484,
when Bishop Alcock permitted them to lease all
their lands, churches, and chapels in Ireland to
the abbot and convent of the Blessed Virgin
Mary of the Cistercian Order in Dublin in
perpetuity for the annual sum of 450 marks. (fn. 41)
The spirit of devotion which animated the
early founders of the priory does not appear to
have largely inspired their successors. It should
be remembered that, though the community had
their estates apart from the church of Worcester,
the terms of the federation which bound them
placed the convent in the position of being used
as a house of correction by the larger monastery,
and no instance is recorded of the head of the
smaller house resigning his post to take up a
position of greater dignity and responsibility.
The bishops of Worcester claimed to hold a veto
on all admitted to the monastery, and in 1290
Giffard stopped at Little Malvern to receive the
profession of two monks, and remained a day at
his own expense. The following day being
Sunday he dedicated three altars at Redmarley,
but remained on at the priory at the prior's
charge. (fn. 42) In October, 1303, Bishop Gainsborough
warned the convent of his intention to visit their
monastery. (fn. 43) The prior, William de Molendinis,
resigned his office on the occasion of this visitation, and his resignation 'for certain and legitimate causes' was accepted by the diocesan, and
appointment made of Roger de Pyrie or Pyribrok
to succeed him. (fn. 44) The brethren were admonished
a year later not to alienate the goods of their
house. (fn. 45) The priory was visited on the death of
the bishop in 1307 by the commissioners of the
prior of Worcester, at the special request, it is
said, of all the convent. (fn. 46) Probably the best
description of the state of the monastery may be
gathered from Bishop Cobham's injunctions after
his visitation in 1323. (fn. 47) In regard to the rule of
the house the bishop ordained that a sub-prior be
appointed to take the place of the prior when
absent, that the cellarer and principal officers be
appointed by the prior with the consent of the
convent or the greater and wiser part of it, 'that
it is not usual to choose young leaders whose
worth has yet to be proved,' and for that reason
the monk who filled the office of bursar, and was
but in deacon's orders, should be removed, and a
senior monk in priest's orders substituted. The
cellarer should be deposed, and the steward
(villicus) who was suspected of wasting the goods
of the house either removed or compelled to
render account of his stewardship. The prior
was forbidden to dispose of timber, goods, or
valuables without the consent of the chapter,
and prohibited from fishing in the fishpond belonging to the sick unless approved by the whole
community, and then he should make good what
he had taken. The brethren were enjoined to
take better care of the sick, and especially of
brother Hugo de Crombe, and to restore the
ancient portion of the poor on obit days, reported
to be reduced by one half. The bishop desired
brother Henry de Wigorn, studying at Oxford
at the sole discretion of the prior, and spending
money which had better be applied to the needs
of the sick, to be recalled, 'since whoso does not
work in the Lord's vineyard should have no share
in the daily wage,' but directed that he and others
of studious tastes should have liberty after the
completion of the hours to read good works.
The novices should have a master to instruct
them diligently in manners and habits of discipline. That general discipline was lax appears
evident. Several members were warned against
meeting to discuss secretly the affairs of the convent and criticize the prior and his friends, etc.
The voice of scandal was not unheard, and the
prior was enjoined to admit brother Hugh de
Pyribrok to purgation respecting a charge of immorality. It is to be hoped that brother Hugh
was able to clear himself of the imputation, as he
became prior a few years later. (fn. 48) The bishop
finally forbade the expenditure of any of the
goods of the house on relations either of the prior
or any member of the convent, or their appointment to offices save by the consent of the greater
part of the community.
Notices of succeeding visitations are very brief
in character and throw no light on the condition
of the house (fn. 49) until we come to the year 1480.
The decisive action taken by Bishop Alcock in
that year implies that it had been for a considerable time in urgent need of reform. He says
'As it is notary known through all my diocese
to the great displeasure of God, disworship of
the Church . . . the misliving and dissolute
governance of the brethren that hath been inhabit in the place of Little Malvern, being of
my foundation and patronage; the rules of that
holy religion not observed nor kept, but rather
the said brethren in all their demeanance hath
been "vagabunde" and lived like laymen to the
pernicious example of all Christian men.' (fn. 50)
The task of reform was energetically carried
out, the prior, John Wyttesham, resigned his
office, and was sent to the abbot of Abingdon, as
president of the order, with a request that he
might be transferred to Batsel (Battle) where he
had been professed, the bishop bestowing on him
13s. 4d. from the common fund of the monastery. (fn. 51) Four of the brethren were dismissed for
their 'demerits' and sent to St. Peter's, Gloucester, there to be instructed in the rule of St.
Benedict and the vow of their profession; to
each the bishop gave out of his own purse 10s. (fn. 52)
In September following, Henry Morton, a monk
of Tewkesbury, was appointed prior in charge
on the grounds that the community by crimes
and excesses had shown themselves unfit to elect
a superior. (fn. 53) The bishop's care did not end here.
In the two years which elapsed before the recall
of the brethren he rebuilt their church and
repaired their lodging, and in October, 1482,
wrote that having been for two years 'in worshipful and holy places' he considered they
should now be sufficiently instructed in their
religion. He laid down regulations that none of the
brethren should go into the town or fields without a companion or without obtaining leave of
the prior, and asked as sole return for his benefactions that a mass should be said for him daily
at 'Our Lady Aulter.' (fn. 54) From this time the
conventual church appears by his ordinance to
have been dedicated to St. Mary, St. Giles, and
St. John the Evangelist. On the resignation of
Henry Morton in 1484 the convent agreed to
elect as his successor whoever the bishop should
appoint, and confirmed his subsequent nomination of Thomas Colman, a monk of Great Malvern. (fn. 55) The convent received the formal visitations paid by the vicars-general of the four
Italian prelates who occupied the see of Worcester in succession, but their record contains no
hint of the state of the priory. In 1533 a
complaint was lodged against John Bristowe,
prior of Little Malvern, for a trespass in Malverne
Chase for the purpose of killing the king's deer. (fn. 56)
Among the signatures of those subscribing to the
king's supremacy in 1534 appear the names of
John Bristowe and seven others dated 31 August, (fn. 57) and we are told that the convent assented
unanimously. The clear income of the priory
amounted at that time to £98 10s. 9d., consequently it fell within the scope of the earlier
Act for the suppression of religious houses of less
yearly value than £200. (fn. 58) The precise date of
its surrender is not known. John Bristowe, the
last prior, appears in a pension list for 1536-7
down for a yearly pension of £11 13s. 4d. (fn. 59)
The possessions of the priory were much coveted
by John Russell, secretary of the Council of
the Marches of Wales. (fn. 60) The site of the monastery was granted however with lands in other
counties to Richard Andrews and Nicholas
Temple; (fn. 61) subsequently the manor and demesne
of Little Malvern came into the hands of Henry
Russell in the reign of Philip and Mary. (fn. 62)
Priors Of Little Malvern
Jocelin, (fn. 63) 1171.
Edred. (fn. 64)
Richard, (fn. 65) died 1269.
William de Broadway, (fn. 66) appointed 1269.
John de Shockeley, (fn. 67) occurs 1274 and 1279
died 1280.
John de Colevylle or Colewell, (fn. 68) appointed
1280, resigned 1286.
John de Wigornia, (fn. 69) appointed 1287, died
1299.
John de Dombelton, (fn. 70) appointed 1299, resigned 1300.
William de Molendinis or Mills, (fn. 71) appointed
1300-1, resigned 1303.
Roger de Pirie or Pyribrok, (fn. 72) appointed
1303, resigned 1326.
Hugh de Pyribrok, (fn. 73) appointed 1326, died
1360.
Henry de Staunton, (fn. 74) appointed 1360, died
1369.
John de Wigornia, (fn. 75) appointed 1369.
Richard de Wenlock, (fn. 76) occurs 1378, resigned 1392.
Richard Brewer, (fn. 77) appointed 1392.
William Brewer, occurs 1435. (fn. 78)
John Estnor, (fn. 79) occurs 1445.
John Clement, (fn. 80) occurs 1462.
John Wyttesham, (fn. 81) resigned 1480.
Henry Morton, (fn. 82) appointed 1480, resigned
1484.
Thomas Colman, (fn. 83) appointed 1484.
John Bristowe, (fn. 84) occurs 1529.
A description of the twelfth-century pointed
oval seal of this house, about 2¾ by 1¾ in. when
perfect, is taken from a cast in the British
Museum. (fn. 85) The impression is indistinct, but
represents St. Giles the Abbot full-length holding
in his right hand a book, in his left hand probably
a pastoral staff. Legend:—
. . . LLVM : SBI : E[GIDII : ABB]ATIS : NOVE :
MELVE . . . .
A fourteenth-century pointed oval seal 2½ by
1¾ in., represents the Virgin with nimbus
standing, in her right hand the Holy Child, in
her left hand a sceptre fleur-de-lizé; on her left
St. Giles with a fawn, on her right St. John the
Evangelist, in a niche with triple canopy and
tabernacle work at sides. In base a shield of
arms: on a fesse between three cocks' heads, a
mitre, Bishop ALCOCK, benefactor. (fn. 86) Legend:—
S'+COE+DOMUS+SIUE+PRIORATUS
MALUARNIE : MIOR
The seal for peculiar jurisdiction, a pointed oval,
represents St. Giles in a canopied niche with
pastoral staff caressing a fawn under a tree, the
corbel carved with a triple branch. (fn. 87) Legend:—
SIGILL'V JVRISDICCIONIS PARVE MALVERNIE