Bridlington Priory History

This brief survey can only mention a few of the chief events and most eminent characters in the long history of the Priory. When the Canons Regular of St. Augustine were fully established in the Priory there was no lack in munificent benefactions. It grew in wealth and power and its property was to be found in many parts of the country. There were periods when declension set in due to the misrule of the Prior, but on the whole it maintained its highly respected place among the monasteries of Yorkshire. In the 13th and 14th centuries the Prior took an important part in national affairs and was summoned to Parliament by writ on at least ten occasions; and in 1308 he was summoned to attend the Coronation of Edward II

Some of the Priors and Canons were distinguished for their piety and learning, and their names became known throughout Europe - names which have found a permanent place in the history of our land.

Probably the first amongst these was Robert the Scribe, the fourth Prior, who flourished about l160 in the reign of Henry II, who transcribed voluminous works. The historian Leland, on his visit to the Monastery in 1534, says that this famous writer was buried near the door of the chapter-house, and upon a stone, which has long since disappeared, was the brief inscription: "Robertus Scriba, auartus Prior".

King John in 1200 granted a licence to the Prior and Canons to hold a fair annually for two days and to hold a weekly market. About this time William of Newburgh, so-called because he spent many years at Newburgh Priory, after having spent his early years at Bridlington

Priory, returned in later life as a Canon of the Priory and wrote his Chronicle of English History. Early in the fourteenth century another Canon, Peter of Langtoft, brought distinction to the Priory by several books which he wrote, the chief of which was a Chronicle of England written in the form of a poem in French.

The most illustrious name associated with the Priory is that of John de Tweng who came from the village of Tweng or Thwing on the Wolds. He was educated at the Priory and later at Oxford. Returning to the Priory, he became a member of the Community, filling many offices and finally becoming Prior in 1362. His sanctity of life and good government immeasurably advanced the prestige and influence of the Monastery. Some years after his death he was canonised in 1401, and the shrine of St. John of Bridlington, as he became known, was reported to be the scene of numerous miracles. This attracted pilgrims from all walks of life including Henry IV, Henry V, and many other members of the Royal Family. A few years later, in 1409, the Pope conferred on Prior John Wheldrake and his successors the privilege to wear mitre, ring and other pontifical insignia. The importance of this dignity can be appreciated when it is realised that the abbots of St Mary's, York and Selby were the only other mitred heads north of the Trent.

King Henry IV bestowed upon the Priory the Rectory of Scarborough, and an extract from the Charter of Edward IV to Prior Peter Ellard (1462-1472) and the Canons reads as follows:-

"Now We .. . by these presents do grant land confirm to the Canons and Convent of the Monastery of the Blessed Mary of Bridlington, and their successors, the said church of Scarborough with all its chapels, rents, etc., and the advowson and patronage of the said church with everything appertaining". This appropriation of the church of Scarborough to the Priory has left its indelible mark an the history of the Church in the North, and accounts for the anomalous position of Scarborough, situated in the North Riding, being in the archdeaconry of the East Riding of Yorkshire.

One of the most interesting figures amongst the outstanding personalities of the fifteenth century is George Ripley, a Canon of Bridlington, who was known throughout Europe as a philosopher and alchemist of great distinction. He travelled much on the Continent, and while in Rome received a dispensation from the Pope exempting him from the obligations of his Order so that he might apply himself fully to the pursuit of his scientific studies, upon which he wrote many original works.

It is not within the scope of this brief survey to discuss the reforms of Henry VIII, but it appears that his measure to dissolve the lesser monasteries together with the fear of similar aggression against monasteries like his own led the Prior, William Woode, to take an active part in the insurrection in Yorkshire, known as The Pilgrimage of Grace, in 1536. The insurrection was ruthlessly crushed and the Prior, with other leaders of the rebellion, was arrested, tried and finally executed in 1538.