43. THE PRIORY OF APPLEDURCOMBE
The priory of Appledurcombe was founded
(circa) 1100 as a cell to the Benedictine abbey
of Montebourg in the diocese of Coutances,
on the manor of the same name which had
been granted that community by Richard de
Redvers in 1090.
The priory held land in Sandford, Week,
Appledurcombe and Wydcombe.
A survey of 1295 shows that the priory
possessed 2 horses, 1 bull, 8 oxen, 12 cows,
2 bugles, 9 calves, 130 sheep, 248 ewes, 160
lambs, 4 boars, 12 sows, 48 pigs, 28 young
pigs, and 4 hens and a cock. (fn. 13)
In 1339 Edward III. gave orders for the
removal of the prior of Appledurcombe and
his monks from their priory near the sea coast
to Hyde Abbey owing to the war with France.
We suppose the order was carried out, as it is
entered in the episcopal registers together with
an injunction to the abbot of Hyde to see to
its due performance. (fn. 14)
In 1385 the annual value was returned at
£45. (fn. 1) On 27 March, 1395, orders were
conferred in the priory church or chapel on
four sub-deacons, three deacons, and four
priests by Simon, Bishop of Achonry, acting
as suffragan of Winchester. (fn. 2)
The prior, temp. Richard II. petitioned the
king and council for relief in consequence of
the devastation caused to their property by
the enemy from both France and Spain. (fn. 3)
The priory was held by the Crown during
the wars with France in the reigns of Edward
I. and III., and was suppressed with other
alien houses in 1414, and was bestowed by
the Crown on the Nuns Minoresses without
Aldgate. In 1528 the prioress, Dame Dorothy
Comberford, granted a thirty-three years' lease
of Appledurcombe to Sir James Worsley. (fn. 4)
Priors of Appledurcombe (fn. 5)
Hugh, in the time of Stephen
Lawrence Bertram, 1331
Peter de Mouster, 1385
Thomas atte Tounesende, 1403