DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6912#0149
88
architectural antiquities.
ST. EDMUND'S BURY.
The history and description of this building have been so fully given in Mr.
Yates's interesting volume, that it only remains for me to abridge his account, and
adapt the same to the accompanying prints. This elegant and venerable structure
was the principal entrance to the famous and rich monastery of Bury,* and stood on
the western side of the great court-yard, immediately fronting the abbot's palace.
It appears to have occupied the site of a much older edifice, which was destroyed by
the town's people in a violent assault, A. D. 1327-f The present building was
certainly erected a few years afterwards, upon " a plan combining utility with
ornament, and elegance with defence. Its double entrance, portcullis, and brazen
gates, presented a strong barrier to the violence of the turbulent townsmen ; and
its decorative excellence added much to the general splendor of the establishment."!
* "The monastery of St. Edmund's Bury acquired and maintained, during a long succession of ages, a very
distinguished and extended celebrity. In magnificent buildings, splendid decorations, and extensive possessions, it
was equalled by few; and its immunities and privileges, both civil and ecclesiastical, rendered it superior to most
of the conventual establishments in England."—Yates's Bury, Pref.
f The ecclesiastics of Bury Abbey, and the inhabitants of the town, were often involved in litigation and open
hostilities. Mr. Yates has detailed many curious particulars respecting these civil broils. A writ of commission
addressed to the king's justices, A. D. 1327, first of Edward III. states that Richard Drayton, and many others,
vi et armis, viz. gladiis, swords—arcubus, bows—et sagittis, arrows—aketonibus, hauberrionibus, halberts—et
vaccinettis, placis, lanciis, spears—et gysarnis, bill-hooks, lately assembled together, viz.—on the Wednesday after
the conversion of St. Paul, (25th Jan.) did, in a tumultuous and riotous manner, besiege the abbey ; broke down
the gates; destroyed the windows; beat and wounded the monks, with the servants and dependants of the
monastery; broke, destroyed, or carried away 20 chests or coffers, 30 forciaria, 40 carulas, &c. 3 golden chalices,
40 silver chalices, 20 missals, 24 portiforia, 12 bibulas, 20 psalters, 10 journals, 7 paria decretorum, 10 paria
decretal ium, and many other books of science ; 50 capas chori—caps or hoods, 60 albas cum amitis, 30 cassibulus,
30 tunicals, 40 dalmaticulas, 20 frontalia altarium, with many other goods and chattels, valued at L0,000(; 5000Z.
also in money, and 3000 florins—three charters of King Canute, four charters of Hardicanute, one charter of
Edward the Confessor, two of Henry I. two of Henry III. ten papal bulls of Alexander the Fourth, two bulls of
Innocent the Third, with several deeds, &c.—This representation shews the riches and property of the abbey, and
the destructive effects of the contentions that frequently took place between the monks and their lay neigbours.—
History, &c. of Bury, part i. p. 129.
+ History, &c. of Bury, part ii. p. 2.
architectural antiquities.
ST. EDMUND'S BURY.
The history and description of this building have been so fully given in Mr.
Yates's interesting volume, that it only remains for me to abridge his account, and
adapt the same to the accompanying prints. This elegant and venerable structure
was the principal entrance to the famous and rich monastery of Bury,* and stood on
the western side of the great court-yard, immediately fronting the abbot's palace.
It appears to have occupied the site of a much older edifice, which was destroyed by
the town's people in a violent assault, A. D. 1327-f The present building was
certainly erected a few years afterwards, upon " a plan combining utility with
ornament, and elegance with defence. Its double entrance, portcullis, and brazen
gates, presented a strong barrier to the violence of the turbulent townsmen ; and
its decorative excellence added much to the general splendor of the establishment."!
* "The monastery of St. Edmund's Bury acquired and maintained, during a long succession of ages, a very
distinguished and extended celebrity. In magnificent buildings, splendid decorations, and extensive possessions, it
was equalled by few; and its immunities and privileges, both civil and ecclesiastical, rendered it superior to most
of the conventual establishments in England."—Yates's Bury, Pref.
f The ecclesiastics of Bury Abbey, and the inhabitants of the town, were often involved in litigation and open
hostilities. Mr. Yates has detailed many curious particulars respecting these civil broils. A writ of commission
addressed to the king's justices, A. D. 1327, first of Edward III. states that Richard Drayton, and many others,
vi et armis, viz. gladiis, swords—arcubus, bows—et sagittis, arrows—aketonibus, hauberrionibus, halberts—et
vaccinettis, placis, lanciis, spears—et gysarnis, bill-hooks, lately assembled together, viz.—on the Wednesday after
the conversion of St. Paul, (25th Jan.) did, in a tumultuous and riotous manner, besiege the abbey ; broke down
the gates; destroyed the windows; beat and wounded the monks, with the servants and dependants of the
monastery; broke, destroyed, or carried away 20 chests or coffers, 30 forciaria, 40 carulas, &c. 3 golden chalices,
40 silver chalices, 20 missals, 24 portiforia, 12 bibulas, 20 psalters, 10 journals, 7 paria decretorum, 10 paria
decretal ium, and many other books of science ; 50 capas chori—caps or hoods, 60 albas cum amitis, 30 cassibulus,
30 tunicals, 40 dalmaticulas, 20 frontalia altarium, with many other goods and chattels, valued at L0,000(; 5000Z.
also in money, and 3000 florins—three charters of King Canute, four charters of Hardicanute, one charter of
Edward the Confessor, two of Henry I. two of Henry III. ten papal bulls of Alexander the Fourth, two bulls of
Innocent the Third, with several deeds, &c.—This representation shews the riches and property of the abbey, and
the destructive effects of the contentions that frequently took place between the monks and their lay neigbours.—
History, &c. of Bury, part i. p. 129.
+ History, &c. of Bury, part ii. p. 2.