A History of the County of Huntingdon: Volume 1. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1926.
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'Houses of Benedictine monks: The priory of St Ives', in A History of the County of Huntingdon: Volume 1, ed. William Page, Granville Proby, H E Norris( London, 1926), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/hunts/vol1/pp388-389 [accessed 13 December 2024].
'Houses of Benedictine monks: The priory of St Ives', in A History of the County of Huntingdon: Volume 1. Edited by William Page, Granville Proby, H E Norris( London, 1926), British History Online, accessed December 13, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/hunts/vol1/pp388-389.
"Houses of Benedictine monks: The priory of St Ives". A History of the County of Huntingdon: Volume 1. Ed. William Page, Granville Proby, H E Norris(London, 1926), , British History Online. Web. 13 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/hunts/vol1/pp388-389.
In this section
3. THE PRIORY OF ST. IVES
The priory of St. Ives was never more than a cell to Ramsey, and has scarcely any independent history. According to tradition, the relics of St. Ive or Ivo, a Persian bishop, who was a great traveller, were discovered in the fields near Slepe about the year 1000 (fn. 1) by a ploughman in the service of the abbot of Ramsey. The legend is so amusing that it deserves a place here. The ploughman was driven by repeated visions of the saint (who seems to have been a little short-tempered) to report his discovery to Aednoth, the abbot's bailiff, who, however, mocked at his story. 'Would you have us translate the bones of some low cobbler?' he asked. The next night Aednoth himself saw a vision of the saint in full pontificals, his brow dark with wrath. 'Do you call me a cobbler?' he said. 'I will give you a pair of boots that will last you a long time.' The unhappy bailiff arose to find himself crippled with rheumatic gout; and, sorely repenting his rash jest, crawled to the abbot to report the whole affair. The monks rejoiced, the relics were translated with psalms and hymns and solemn processions; but poor Aednoth was not forgiven for his irreverence till fifteen days before his death. (fn. 2)
The priory was probably built before the Conquest; it is mentioned in the early chronicles. The prior of St. Ives had, however, no independent seal; he was appointed by the abbot, with the consent of the chapter of Ramsey, and was merely one of the obedientiaries of the abbey. (fn. 3) In the 12th century the churches of St. Ives, Ellsworth, Knapwell, Hemingford, Broughton, Brington, Haliwell, Great Stukeley, Barnwell, Walton, Steeple Gidding and Over were set apart for the maintenance of the priory. (fn. 4)
William, prior of St. Ives, evidently took the part of abbot Walter against Daniel, for he accompanied him on his expedition to Rome. (fn. 5) In 1207 the priory was burned down; (fn. 6) but t was at once rebuilt, and consecrated by Bishop Grosseteste in 1238. (fn. 7) Several priors of St. Ives became abbots of Ramsey: one of these, Hugh de Sulgrave, increased its revenues, that the monks might be better provided for. (fn. 8)
In the 15th century there were still monks at St. Ives besides the prior; two or three of them are named in Bishop Alnwick's visitation of Ramsey in 1439. But at the Dissolution it seems that no one but the prior was left; at any rate only he received any pension. (fn. 9)
Priors of St. Ives
William, occurs 1143 and 1185. (fn. 10)
Richard Scott. (fn. 11)
Benedict, soon after 1231. (fn. 12)
Hugh de Sulgrave, before 1255. (fn. 13)
Walter de Lilleford. (fn. 14)
John Alconbury, occurs 1439. (fn. 15)
Robert Huchyn, last prior, occurs 1539. (fn. 16)