Brigantes Nation Coverham Abbey

Coverham Abbey

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Coverham (Premonstratensian) is a much-converted site, and now a private residence. It is nevertheless an interesting survival from a little-researched order.

The Glanvilles erected, and endowed seven monasteries, or religious houses, in various parts of the kingdom, viz.:- Bromholm Priory, Butley Priory, Leiston Abbey, Bungay Priory, Somerton Hospital, Coverham Priory, Stroud Priory, and Wooton-Glanville Chapel, besides various benefactions to different religious institutions.

The framed document at the back of St Mary's Church, Kettlewell refers to an award of half of St. Mary's income in 1380 to the monks of Coverham, to save their priory from closure.

"The chief feature of interest in the township is the abbey, which once stood here, only a few fragments of which now remain. It was founded about A.D. 1215, by Ranulphus Fitz-Robert, son of Helewise, daughter and heiress of Ranulph de Glanville, Lord Chief Justice of England under Henry II. The inmates were White Canons of the Premonstratensian Order, who had previously been located in a monastery at Swainby, founded by Helewise, his mother, in the latter part of the reign of Henry II. Disputes arose, it is said, between Ralph Fitz-Robert and the Canons of Swainby, which led to the foundation of Coverham, and the removal thither of the brotherhood; but a more probable reason for the translation was that the sound of the abbey bells might be within hearing of his castle of Middleham. Helewise, his mother, had been buried at Swainby, but after the erection of Coverham, her bones were removed thither, and reinterred in the Chapter House.

The founder gave to the canons the church of Coverham and various lands and tenements, and subsequent benefactors added largely to their possessions. The church of Sedbergh, with three oxgangs of land, was given by Geoffrey le Scrope, of Bolton, to the canons, in commiseration of their great poverty, arising from "the frequent hostile inroads of the Scots and other events of adverse fortune," and the church of Downholme by another Lord Scrope. They had also the church of Kettlewell, and the rectory of Seaham, in the County of Durham. When the fiat of dissolution went forth, the lands, tenements, tithes, &c., belonging to the abbey were valued by the Commissioners at £207 14s. 8d. per annum, but after deducting pensions and other expenses, the net income was reduced to £160 18s. 3d.; Coverham was consequently included among the lesser monasteries, and surrendered into the king's hands in 1536. In 1547, the demesne lands, amounting to 1901 acres, were leased to Ralph Croft, at a yearly rental of £13 19s. 10d., and ten years later they were sold by the Royal Commissioners to Humphrey Orme for £419 15s. The other lands were granted away or sold on equally indulgent terms. The site, with the adjoining grounds, subsequently came into the possession of the Bainbridge family, from whom it passed to the Atkinsons, thence to the Listers, and from them to Christopher Other, Esq., J.P. and D.L., the present owner.

A modern mansion has been built out of the ruins, and the few fragments that remain are scarcely sufficient to enable one to form a conception of the original beauty of the abbey. The Norman gateway, which gave entrance to the sacred precincts, is still entire, and two arches of the nave of the abbey church remain, which appear from their style and ornamentation to belong to the latter part of the 13th century. The outline of the church can be traced, but the greater part of the site is occupied by a farmhouse and opt offices. Another building, now converted into cottages, appears to have been the abbot's lodgings. In the wall is a remarkable window of nine low lights, with transoms and trefoil-heads, and over a door is the inscriptions, "BUDSA....BYGO....ABBS. IMS. BINFELDE." Above another door is a falcon and "A" with "F.B.S. MERCY." also three shields with T.M. and a cross patonce. Several inscribed stones are built into the walls of the mansion, one of which states that "the abbot happily finished this house in 1508;" probably a restoration.

Two stone effigies, discovered during the progress of some building operations about the beginning of the present century, are supposed to represent two of the early lords of Middleham. They are habited in armour and cross-legged. The hands of one are folded in the attitude of prayer, and at the side of the other are represented two dogs chasing a stag, whilst a third dog is playfully biting the knight's scabbard. There is also the trunk of a third statue, probably another of the Fitz Randolphs.

The church dedicated to the Holy Trinity stands on an eminence near the ruins." Bulmers 1890 history and directory.

Document held in British Library - Bargain and sale indented with warranty by Thomas Croftes, of Coverham (North Riding), to Edward Croftes of York, of a messuage with appurtenances situated within the liberty of Coverham Abbey and all the grounds thereunto belonging called Jobcroft House now in the tenure or occupation of Anthony Appleby. Consideration £30. Signed 13 Jan 1649 by Thomas Croftes. Seal. Endorsements. Annexed: Bond in £60 of Thomas Croftes to Edward Croftes. 13 Jan.1649. Condition: for the performance of all covenants specified in the bargain and sale of even date. Witnesses. Signed: Thomas Croftes. Seal.

"COVERHAM ABBEY, in the parish of Coverham. A short distance from the church are the small remains of Coverham Abbey, which stands on the north-side of the rapid brook of Cover which gives name to the dale.
This Abbey was built by Radulphus, son of Robert Fitz Ralph, for white Canons of the Praemonstrantensian order, about the year 1213, who endowed it with several lands and tenements. He died in 1251, and was buried here. The house is stiled a Priory, by Leland, but Tanner says it was an Abbey. By an inscription in latin which is now placed over the door of Mrs Lister's house, which leads into the garden, it appears that this Monastery was either thoroughly repaired or rebuilt about the latter end of the reign of King Henry VII. It bears the date of 1501, and states the Abbot "finished this house." in building some out-houses, were dug up, some years since, two statues larger than life, habited in the armour of knights-templars, in a cumbent posture, ornamented with foliage and animals, but in a very rude style. -Leland, -Dugdale, -Gale, -Tanner.

These statues, in 1812, were placed on each side of the door leading into the garden of Mrs Lister, and which are said to be the figures of the founder of the abbey, and Robert Fitzrandolph, founder of Middleham-Castle. Its revenues at the time of the dissolution, 1538, amounted to 160L. 18s. 3d. clear. It was sold in 1557, to Humphry Orme, for 419L. 15s"

The Premonstratensian order was founded in 1121 by St.Norbert at Prémontré near Laon in Northern France. Premonstratensians followed a strict version of the rule of St.Augustine and were closely related to the Cistercians in their lifestyle and choice of isolated sites for their monasteries.
Their first English abbey was founded at Newsham in Lincolnshire (near Grimsby), in 1143. The canons (as Premonstratensian monks were known) wore a white habit and cap and were often called 'the white canons'. Unlike ordinary monks, they did not always stay within the cloisters of the abbey, but served as village priests and missionaries in the local community.

Agriculture, especially wool production, provided most of their income and over the years they accumulated many gifts of land. Barlings Abbey became one of the richest and most influential of the Premonstratensian houses in England, ultimately overshadowing its mother house in importance. The nearby abbey of Tupholme, founded a few years after Barlings, was also a Premonstratensian house.