32. THE PRIORY OF HYRST

The little cell of Hyrst in Axholme was built on lands granted by Nigel d'Albini to the prior and convent of St. Oswald's, Nostell, probably early in the twelfth century. Roger de Mowbray confirmed the gifts of his father. It seems probable that there never was but one canon living there, to take charge of the lands; the charter of Nigel speaks of 'Ralf the Canon' being resident there, and the charter of Roger names 'Osbert Silvanus the Canon.' The property consisted only of the grove and marsh of Hyrst, with certain tithes of corn, malt, and fish from the neighbourhood. In 1534 it still belonged to St. Oswald's Priory, and was worth £7 11s. 8d. a year; in the Ministers' Accounts the value is said to be £9 8s. (fn. 1)

There is a seal of the twelfth or early thirteenth century. (fn. 2) The obverse is pointed oval representing the Virgin seated on a throne, with nimbus, in the right hand the Child, in the left hand a sceptre fleur-de-lizé.

[S]IGILLV . . . . . . . . . HERS . . . . . . .

The reverse is a small oval signet or counter seal representing Athena Nikephoros, to the right from an oval Greek gem.

s . . . . . . . . . .

Footnotes