Ewenny Priory; Monastery and Fortress (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII OWNERS OF EWENNY PRIORY SINCE THE DISSOLUTION Ever since the Dissolution the Priory has been in the possession of two families, Carnes and Turbervills. The latter, who succeeded to the estate by marriage with a Carne heiress, became extinct in the male line in 1771, but their name was perpetuated by their descendants in the female line, Pictons and Warlows. Sir Edward Carne, the founder of the Ewenny branch of that family, was the second son of Howel Carne, of Nash, by Cecil (or Sibyl) Kemeys, of Newport. His family was one of the oldest in Glamorgan, and claimed descent from a Welsh Prince. The exact date of Sir Edward's birth is not known, but it must have taken place at the end of the fifteenth or beginning of the sixteenth century, as in 1524 he was holding the dignified post of head of Greek Hall, Oxford, and had taken his D.C.L. degree. Possessing the most marked ability, and being no more troubled with scruples than most men of his day, he soon brought himself into notice, and became a zealous and trusted servant of King Henry, by whom he was employed as his excusator in the question of the divorce of Queen Katherine. In this capacity he went to Rome in 1530, and remained there for some years. After his return from this mission he took an active part in the dissolution of the minor monasteries, not without considerable profit to himself. In 1536 he was 'recommended' by the King to the Abbot of Gloucester as a fitting tenant for ninety-nine years of the Priory of Ewenny, on terms which were no doubt satisfactory to him, whatever they may have been to the Abbot and Chapter of Gloucester. Some time after this Carne was appointed Chancellor of Salisbury, notwithstanding an indignant protest from a rival candidate: 'I hear...