Some Early Professions of Canonical Obedience to the See of Canterbury by Heads of Religious Houses

( 53 ) SOME EARLY PROFESSIONS OE CANONICAL OBEDIENCE TO THE SEE OE CANTERBURY BY HEADS OE RELIGIOUS HOUSES. BY C. EVELEIGH WOODRUFF, M.A. Hx the courtesy of the Editor of the St. Paul's Ecclesiological Society I was permitted to publish in their Transactions t(1916) a list of the Episcopal professions of canonical •obedience to the metropolitical see, which are amongst the •Chapter archives at Canterbury. There is also in the same -depository a number of similar professions made by abbots. J have now transcribed the latter, and arranged them, as far =as possible, in chronological order under the names of the .religious houses to which respectively they belong. Since the •" professions," with a few exceptions, are those of Kentish .-abbots, it seems suitable to offer the series to the notice of the Kent ArchEeological Society, in the hope that its publication may supply some fresh information, and possibly correct ;Some errors in the lists which have been drawn up already of 'the heads of religious houses in the county. As a rule, an abbot made profession of canonical -obedience to and was blessed by his own diocesan. If, however, the see was vacant, the profession was made, and the hallowing was performed, by the Archbishop; or, if there happened to be contemporaneous vacancy in a suffragan see .and the primacy, the profession was made " to the Church of Canterbury," which means to the prior and chapter of 'Christ Church as guardians of the spiritualities, which body .granted a commission to one of the bishops to perform the ••ceremony of benediction. From, outside the diocese of ^Canterbury we have three " professions " only, namely: one 54 PROFESSIONS OP CANONICAL OBEDIENCE each from the abbeys of Chertsey, Glastonbury, ancf Malmesbury. Twenty-three are extant from abbeys within the diocese, of which Faversham supplies the greatest number, viz., eight. The others are: Bradsole, four; St. Austin's, four; Langdon, six; Cumbwell, one. In additioni to these, there is a single "profession" of a prior of Leeds. If this had not occurred, one would have been inclined toinfer that these " professions " were not exacted from the heads of the smaller religious houses. The formula used in the earliest examples of these documents is simple and brief, e.g., the profession of Scolland,. who, according to Thorne, became abbot of St. Austin's,. Canterbury, in 1070,, is as follows: " I Scolland abbotelect of the Church of the blessed Peter and Paul and St.. Augustine, profess canonical subjection to the holy Church of Canterbury (Dorobemensi) and its vicars." It would seem, however, that the abbot elect, if be cared to do so,, might compose a formula of his own if it contained, certain essential clauses. An example will be found in theprofession of Clarembald, the first abbot of Faversham.. The formula used in the professions of two other abbots, of Faversham is extraordinary, and can be explained only by assuming that there must have been something abnormal in the condition of the monastery at the time, concerningwhich some remarks are made on a later page of the presentarticle. Perhaps the most interesting information contained in these documents is to be found in the endorsements which many of them bear, since they supply dates not given in thedocuments themselves; notes concerning attendant circumstances, and, occasionally, of contemporary events. There can be no doubt that Gervase had access to these documents, and that he made use of them, but in one or two instanceshe appears to have read them wrongly. William Somner also made use of them, and it would seem that some have disappeared since he compiled his-- Antiquities of Canterbury (see Battely's edition, Appendix,. p. 51). TO THE SEE OP CANTERBURY. 55 BOXLEY. Boxley Abbey was founded in 1146 by William d'Tpres, earl of Kent, for monks of the Cistercian order. Many particulars relating to the history of the abbey are to be found in Cave-Browne's History of Boxley Parish,*' but his list of abbots is by no means complete. THOMAS. [1153.] The earliest profession now extant is that of Abbot Thomas, the second abbot of the monastery, though that of Lambert, the first abbot, was apparently amongst the Canterbury archives in Somner's time.f The document has an interesting endorsement, in a contemporary hand, stating that the ceremony of benediction was performed by Archbishop Theobald before the high altar of his Cathedral Church on 2 March 1153, and that the abbot elect had been a monk of the abbey of Fontenay in Burgundy.:): To this the monastic chancellor has added the following note : " In this year Henry earl of Anjou and duke of the Normans came into England." Henry Plantagenet landed in England early in January, and the death of Eustace, son of King Stephen, brought about a treaty which provided for the succession of Henry to the throne on the death of Stephen. This, no doubt, was recognized by the monastic scribe as so happy an augury of peace that he could not refrain from recording it even in a somewhat incongruous place. Profession. Ego Thomas ecclesie de Boxleia electus Abbas promitto see Cantuariensi ecclesie et tibi reuerende pater Teobalde Archiepiscope ac totius britannie primas, atque apostolice sedis legate tuisque successoribus canonicam obedientiam quam manu propria signo crucis confirm o + • * Maidstone, 1892, pp. 27—82. f See Somner's Antiquities of Canterbury, ed. Battely, Appendix, p. 51. j Fontenay in Auxerre, sometimes called the second daughter ot the mother house at Clairvaux. 56 PROFESSIONS OF CANONICAL OBEDIENCE Verso. Anno ab inc' diii fneliij0 vener) Arepo T totius britannie ac aptice sedis legatus benedixit Thomam monachum de funtenei burgundis in abbatem monasterii de Boxleia vi Non Martii ante altare Xpi Cantuarie accepta prius ab eo hac manuscripta professione de subiectione et obedientia sibi et see Cantuariensi ecclesie exhibenda. Hoc anno venit Henricus comes Andegavensium et dux Normannorum in Anglia. WALTER. [1162—1170.] Walter succeeded Thomas according to Gervase, who, however, says t h a t he was blessed by Archbishop Theobald.* This is a curious mistake, since the profession to which Gervase must have had access states distinctly t h a t it was made to Archbishop Thomas (Becket) (1162—1170). It was Walter, abbot of Boxley, who officiated at t h e first and hurried obsequies of the murdered Archbishop, when no Christ Church monk dared to perform the sacred rites.f Profession. Ego Walterus ecclesie de Boxleia electus abbas promitto see Cantuariensi ecclesie et tibi reuerende pater Thoma Archiepe tuisque successoribus canonicam per omnia obedientiam quam manu propria signo crucis confirmo »{•. JOHN. [1174—1185.] Gervase says that John was t he next abbot, and that he was blessed by Archbishop Richard (1174—1185), but he gives no date. His profession is preserved at Canterbury, and is as follows:— Profession. Ego Johannes Abbas ecclesie see Marie de boxleia promitto see Cantuariensi ecclesie et tibi reuerende pater Ricarde Archiepe ac toeius britannie primas atque apostolice sedis legate tuisque successoribus canonicam per omnia obedientiam quam manu propria signo crucis confirmo -1-. * Actus Pont., R.S., p. 385. t. William FitzStephen in Materials for the Life of Becket. R.S., vol. in., 148. TO THE SEE OF CANTERBURY. 57 DENTS. [1185—1190.] The profession of Abbot Denys was made to Archbishop Raldwin (1185—1190). In it the clause "saving the right -of our order " appears for the first time. Profession. Ego Dyonisius de Boxleia Abbas profiteor Baldwino see dorohernensis ecclesie Archiepiscopo eiusque successoribus canonicam subiectionem salvo iuris ordinis nostri. WILLIAM. Abbot William is difficult to place, since his profession, -though made when the see was full, does not name the archbishop. From the character of the script and style -of the formula I am inclined to think that he succeeded Abbot Robert I., who died in 1214.* Profession. Ego frater Willelmus Abbas Boxleie subiectionem reuerentiam obedientiam a Sanctis patribus nostris constitutam tibi pater sancte Archiepe tuisque successoribus canonice substituendis et see •sedi Cantuariensi salvo ordine nostro perpetuo me exhibiturum promitto. Neither Abbot William nor the next three abbots, viz., Simon, Robert II. and Gilbert, are included in Cave- Browne's list, although their " professions " are preserved. SIMON. His profession was made to Archbishop Edmund -(1234—1240) ; in it the clause " according to the rule of •S' Benedict" occurs for the first time. Profession. Ego fr Symon Abbas Boxleye subiectionem reverenciam et •obedienciam a Sanctis patribus constitutam secundum regulam sancti Benedicti et tibi pater domine Eadmunde Archiepe tuisque successoribus canonice substituendis et sancte sedi Cantuarien' salvo ordine nostro perpetuo me exhibiturum promitto. * See Cave-Browne, ut supra, pp. 74, 75. 58 PROFESSIONS OF CANONICAL OBEDIENCE ROBERT I I. Abbot Robert I I . made his profession to Archbishop Boniface, who was primate for twenty-five years (1245— 1270), so he may not have been the immediate successor of Abbot Simon. With the exception of the archbishop'sname, the formula is word for word the same as that used by his predecessor given above, so it is thought unnecessary to repeat it. GILBERT. The latest profession of an abbot of Boxley now extant is that of Abbot Gilbert, who, according to the continuator of Gervase's chronicle,* was blessed by Archbishop Peckbam in the parish church of Otford 5 April 1289, but the document itself does not give the archbishop's name. Profession. Ego Frater Gilebertus Abbas Boxleye subiectionem reverentiamet obedientiam a Sanctis Patribus constitutam secundum regulamsaneti Benedicti vobis reverende pater dfie Archi§pe tuisque successoribus canonice substituendis et see sedis Cantuariensi salvoordine nostro perpetuo me exhibiturum promitto. BRADSOLE. The abbey of St. Radegund at Bradsole, near Dover,, was founded in 1191 for canons of the Premonstratensian order. The late Sir W. H. St. John Hope, who published an article describing the architectural remains of the house in the XlVth Volume of our Transactions, says that there is uncertainty as to the founder. The professions of only four abbots are now extant at Canterbury, viz.:— HENRY I. Elected during a vacancy in the primacy, probably after the death of Archbishop Hubert (1205). * TJt supra, vol. ii., 294. TO THE SEE OF CANTERBURY. 59* Profession. . Ego frater Henricus Abbas electus see Eadeg' profiteor see- Cantuariensi ecclesie eiusque vicariis canonicam subiectionem. RICHARD. From a contemporary endorsement on his " profession "* we learn that it was made in the presence of Benedict,, bishop of Rochester. Benedict of Sansetun acted as assistant to Archbishop Stephen Langton from 1215 to 1226, so- Abbot Richard must have been elected between these dates. Profession. Ego Ricardus ecclesie see Radeg' electus Abbas profiteor dno- Stephano Cant' Archo eiusque successoribus canonice substituendiset ecclesie Xpi Cant' obedientiam et debitam subiectionem •J*- Verso. Hee professio facta est in ecclesia X1 Cant' iiij XI. Januaris in presentia Benedicti Roffensis episcopi. This is repeated in a hand of some seventy years later,, with the addition of the words " Qui benedixit eum." JOHN. [1271.] Abbot John was blessed by Anian (Schonaw), bishop of St. Asaph, when the see of Canterbury was vacant after the death of Archbishop Boniface. Anian afterwards acted for some years as assistant to Archbishop Peckham. Profession. Ego frater Johannes electus in abbatem see Badegundis ordinis premonstratensis a Eeuerende pater Anyane Assauensis ecclesie episcope vice et auctoritate capituli ecclesie Xpi Cantuarie metropolitice, sede vacante, benedicendus eidem capitulo et see Cantuariensis ecclesie et eiusdem futuro Archiepo ac successoribus suis canonice substituendis debitam et canonicam obedientiam et subiectionem me per omnia exhibiturum profiteor et promittosecundum decreta romanorum pontificum predictorumque capituli et Cantuariensis ecclesie ac futuri Archiepiscopi eiusdem acsuccessorum illius, iuriuvn et libertatum adiutor ero ad defendendum et conservandum ac retinendum, salvo ordine meo, sic me Deus-- adiuvet et predicta omnia propria manu subscribendo confirmo. ^50 PROFESSIONS OF CANONICAL OBEDIENCE HENRY TJ. He makes his profession to an archbishop, but does not name him, hence I am unable to place him, but I think he is later than Abbot John. ^Profession. Ego frater Henricus Abbas See Eadegund2 premonstr9 ordin5, •Cant' dioc' subiectionem & reverenciam & obedienciam a Sanctis patribus constitutam secundum regulam beati Augustini tibi Teverende pater Archiep' Cant' tuisque successoribus canonice substituendis salvo ordine meo perpetuo me exhibiturum promitto .& propria manu subscribo. CANTERBURY, ST. AUSTIN'S. The " professions " of four out of the first five post-Con- dni mcclx primo. CUMBWELL. The abbey of St. Mary Magdalene of Cumbwell was founded in the reign of Henry I I . for Augustinian canons. The profession of only one abbot is preserved at Canterbury, namely, that of Abbot John, who, according to Gervase, was blessed by Archbishop Baldwin.f As, however, his profession was made to the " Church of Canterbury," it would seem that Gervase is in error, and t h a t John did not become abbot until after the death of Baldwin, which occurred in 1190. JOHN. [C. 1191.] Profession. Ego Johannes ecclesie Cumbewelle electus abbas profiteor see •Cantuariensi ecclesie eiusque vicariis canonicam subiectionem •{*• * Aymer de Lusignan died 4 Dec. 1260; his successor, John of .Exeter, was not enthroned until 19 Oct. 1262. t Gervase, Act. Pont, U.S., ii., 405. 64 PROFESSIONS OF CANONICAL OBEDIENCE GLASTONBURY. The great Benedictine house at Glastonbury supplies the profession of one only of its long list of abbots, viz., that of Abbot John, who was blessed by Archbishop Kilwardby in 1274, the see of Bath and Wells being vacant for upwards of eight years after the death of Bishop Robert in 1266. From a contemporary endorsement we learn that the profession was made in the parish church of Harrow, and that he was afterwards blessed at Lambeth. Profession. Ego Jones ad regimen monasterii Glaston prefectus & more antecessorum meor' a te venerande pater frater Robt miseracoedivina Cant' Archiepe tocius Angi primas, sede vacante in Bathon' & Wellen' dioc' iuridcoem habens et gerens et existens benedicendus Abbas scis Bathon' & Wellen' eccliis & tibi futurisque pontificibus in eiusdem canonice substituendis canonicam subiectiouem & obedientiam me per omnia exhibiturum & per marram propriam confirmo. Verso. Ista professio facta fuit in ecclia pochiali de Herges anno dfii mcc septuagesimo quarto, die dominiea proxima post festum ualentini martiris. Iste electus fuit confirmatus a cant'' archiepo apud Lamhethe in crastino predicti martiris. FAYERSHAM. The abbey of St. Saviour of Faversham was founded in: 1147 by King Stephen and Queen Matilda for Benedictine: monks of the Cluniac order. John Lewis in his History of Faversham gives a list of the abbots which, as far as theearly ones go, is not altogether trustworthy. The "professions " of the first seven abbots are preserved at. Canterbury. CLAREMBALD. [1147.] That of Clarembald, the first abbot, has a curious preamble, in which the abbot elect remarks that it is only fair and reasonable that persons who expect to be obeyed by TO THE SEE OF CANTERBURY. 65 their subordinates should shew the same spirit of obedience to their own prelates, even as the lesser limbs of the body work in agreement with the greater ones, and as the head harmonises all. Having said this, he makes his profession of canonical obedience to Archbishop Theobald in the usual way. But the verso of the document has a long and interesting note, stating that Abbot Clarembald was blessed 1148 by Archbishop Theobald before the altar of Christ Church, Canterbury, and that before the ceremony was performed letters were read from Peter, abbot of Olugny, and from B prior of St. Mary of Charity, absolving the abbot elect and the monks he had brought with him to Faversham from the priory of Bermundsey from all subjection and obedience to the mother house of Clugny, and that this was done in the presence of Queen Matilda and the bishops of Worcester, Bath, Exeter and Chichester; and that the bishops—with the exception of the bishop of Chichester— had come to Canterbury for the purpose of receiving the Archbishop's absolution from the sentence of suspension pronounced on them by the Pope for their neglect to attend the Primate at the Council of Rbeims. This endorsement must have been seen by Gervase, since he quotes it at length in his Actus Pontificum (vol. i., p. 138, R.S.). It is fortunate that he does so, since, owing to Clarembald's profession having being pasted down on a sheet of paper in modern times, the endorsement cannot now be read in its entirety. Profession. Quisque a subditis suis subiectionis et obedientie reuerentiam sibi exhiberi desiderat prelatis suis iustum et rationabile est ut et ipse earn exhibeat sic maioribus rnembris membra minora conveniunt sic omnibus caput suum consentit. Hoc ego Clarembaldus monasterii de Fauershazn electus Abbas profiteor see Cantuariensi ecclesie et tibi venerabilis pater Teobalde Archiepiscope et totius britannie primas tuisque successoribus canonice substituendis in omnibus et per omnia canonicam subiectionem et obedientiam et manu propria confirmo +. Verso, MCXI/VIII anno ab incarnacione diii id9 Novemb' Theo- VOL. XXXVII. F 66 PROFESSIONS OF CANONICAL OBEDIENCE bald9 Cantuariensis Arepc & totius britannie primas benedixit ante altare Xpi Cant' Clarembaldum in abbatem monasterii de feuresham primum lectis coram omnibus litteris absolutionis Petri Abbatis Cluniacensis & B prioris Marie de caritate que predictum Clarembaldum & monachbs qui secum venerant, de bermundesia ab omni subiectione & obedientia ecclesie Cluniacensis absoluebant, ne videlicet ecclesia Cluniacensis aliquia subiectionis in eundem Clarembaldum sive in successoribus eius vel aliquia iuris in monasterium de feuresham calumniare posset in posterum. Presentibus Episcopis Simone Wigornensis, Eoberto Bathoniensis, Eoberto Exoniensis, Hylario Cicestrensis, & regina Matilda que predictum monasterium de feuresham incepit & terris aliisque donis ditavit. Illos siquidem episcopos omnes prefer Cicestr9 idem Areps pridie ante altare Xpi absoluit suspensi namque fuerant a dfio papa Eug' pro eo ab eo iniunct' . . . . [illegible']. GUERRIC. [1178.] Abbot Guerric made his profession to Archbishop Richard—Lewis says in 1178, and adds that he, like his predecessor, came from the priory of Bermundsey. Profession. Ego Guerricus monasterii de Fauersham electus Abbas profiteor sancte Cantuariensi ecclesie et tibi uerande pater Ricarde Archiepe •et tocius Britannie primas atque apostoliee sedis legate tuisque successoribus canonice substituendis in omnibus et per -omnia canonicam subiectionem et manu propria signo crucis confirmo *}•• ALGAR. [1190.] Algar, the next abbot in Lewis's list, was, according to Gervase,* blessed by Archbishop Baldwin—Lewis says in 1188, but inasmuch as his profession was made " t o the •Church of Canterbury," the see was apparently vacant at t h e time, and the date must be put two years later, that is t o say, after the death of Baldwin, which occurred in 1190. Profession. Ego Algarus ecclesie de Fauersham electus Abbas profiteor see •dorobernensi ecclesie eiusque vicariis canonicam subiectionem. (, * Gervase, ut supra, ii., 405. TO THE SEE OF CANTERBURY. 67 ^NICHOLAS. Lewis places Abbot Nicholas after Algar, but gives no •date. Southouse, in his Monasticon Favershamiensi, does not mention him, nor is bis profession extant. .PETER I. [1204—7 ?] There were three abbots of Faversham who bore the name of Peter in the thirteenth century. Peter of Linstead is the earliest in Lewis's list, but he gives no date, and says "that " to whom he made profession does not appear." The " profession " is, however, extant, and from the character of the script and the fact that it was made when the see was vacant, it seems likely that it was made in- the interval •which occurred between the death of Archbishop Hubert •(1204) and the confirmation of Archbishop Stephen (1207). Possibly it may have been made «some twenty years later, :after the death of Stephen Langton in 1228. Profession. Ego Petrus ecclesie sci Salvatoris de Fauersham electus Abbas profiteor sci Dorobernensi ecclesie eiusque vicariis canonicam subliectionem. PETER II. [1244.] Lewis, apparently on the authority of Gervase, calls Peter II., Peter of Rodmersham, and says that he was blessed by Archbishop Boniface in 1244, and that he was •deposed from his office by the same archbishop in 1275. Boniface, however, died five years earlier, and Lewis himself -states that Peter II. was succeeded by Abbot John in 1254. Gervase also states that it was Peter of Rodmersham who was deposed for irregularity, but as he adds that his successor was Osward of Eastry, it' is clear that the offending ahbot must have been Peter III., of Herdeslo, who made his profession in 1270 (see below). The profession of Peter II. and that of his successor Abbot John are extraordinary documents, quite unlike any -other of the series. Instead of the usual brief formula 3? 2 68 PROFESSIONS OF CANONICAL OBEDIENCE expressed in general terms, we have a lengthy declaration, in which the abbot elect gives promises that be will notconspire against the life or person of the archbishop, or disclose his secrets; that he would attend his synods, and give hospitality and assistance to his envoys. The reason for the stringency of the formula in the case of these abbotsof Faversham can only be surmised. Their house, which was situated eight miles from the metropolitical church, was a convenient stage in the journey to and from London,, and as such was often used as a resting-place by the Primate and his envoys. Probably the hospitality of the house had been grudgingly displayed and possibly seriously abused- Hence the stringent nature of the profession exacted from its abbots. Profession. Ego frater petrus abbas ecclesie de Fauersham a te dne Bonefacii ArchiSpe Cantuarien' tocius Anglie primus benedictus ab hac hora in antea fidelis ero see Cantuarien' ecclesie tibique dno nostro ArchiSpo tuisque successoribus canonice intrantibus, non ero in consilio neque in facto ut vitam perdas aut membrum vel capias mala captione, consilium quod michi per te aut per litteras tuasaut per nuncium manifestabis ad dampnum eorum nulli pandam. Jura Cantuarien' ecclesie et regulas sanctorum patrum adiutor ero ad deffendendum et retinendum, salvo ordine nostro, contra omneshomines. Yocatus ad synodum seu vocationem tuam veniam nisi prepeditus fuero canonica prepeditio. Nuncios tuos Cantuarien' ecclesie quos certos cognovero in eundo et redeundo honorifi.ee tractabo, et in suis necessitatibus adiuabo, reverenciam subiectionem et obedientiam tibi et successoribus et eorum officialibuspro mittens, sic me deus adiuvet et hee sancta Evangelia. JOHN. [1254.] Lewis says Abbot John was blessed by Archbishop Boniface in 1254. His profession is extant, but is not dated; the form used is almost the same as that of his predecessor' Peter I I. Profession. Ego Frater Jones Abbas ecclie de fauresham tibi reverendeTO THE SEE OF CANTERBURY. 69 Pater Bonifaci see Cantuariensis ecclie & successoribus tuis in •eadem eeclia canonice substituendis debitam & canonicam obedien- Jtiam subiectionem & reverenciam me exhibiturum promitto a Sanctis patribus instituand' ab hac hora in antea tibi fidelis ero non •ero in consilio neque in facto ut vitam perdas vel membrum vel capiaris mala captione. Consilium quod michi per te aut per literas aut per nuncium manifestabis ad tui vel ecclesie Cantuariensis dampnum nulli pandam iurium tuorum & ipsius ecclesie deftendendum & retinendum adiutor ero, salvo ordine meo, contra -omnes. Yocatus ad Synodum vel alia veniam nisi canonice fuero prepeditus, nuncios tuos quos certos esse cognovero in eundo et redeundo honorifice tractabo, & in suis necessitatibus adiubo, Sic me Deus adiuvet, & hee sea Evangelia propria manu subscribo. PETER H I . DE HERDESLO. [1271.] The profession of Peter of Herdeslo—as we learn from a •contemporary note on the verso of the document recording it—was made 4 March 1271, when the see was vacant after the death of Archbishop Boniface, in the presence of Robert of Wrotham, the sub-prior* of Christ Church, Canterbury, and Geoffrey of Romney, official of the Church of Canterbury during the vacancy of the see. It seems likely that it was Peter of Herdeslo, and not Peter of Rodmersham, who was deposed in 1275, since Gervase records that Abbot Peter (whom he calls " de Rodmersham ") was succeeded by Osward of Eastry, a Christ Church monk,f of whom Lewis says that he was blessed by Archbishop Kilwardby, and that he was present at the interment of Archbishop Peckham in 1292. Profession. Ego Petrus de Herdeslo Abbas de Faversham ordinis Sci Bene- •dicti sede Cantuariens' vacante per mortem bone memorie Bonefacii 'Cantuariens' Archiepi sacrosancti ecclie Xpi Cantuarl & eiusdem futuro Arehiepo & suis successoribus debitam et canonicam obe- * The prior, Adam of Chillenden, was elected to the primacy on the •death of Boniface, and went to Rome for confirmation, but the election was set aside by the Pope. Probably he was in Rome when Peter of .Herdeslo made his profession. t Gervase, ut supra, ii., 282. 70 PROFESSIONS OF CANONICAL OBEDIENCE dienciam & subiectionem me per omnia exhibiturum profiteor et promitto predictor! qui Arcftiepi Cantuar' futuri successor) suor) et ecclesie Cantuar' jurium et libertatum fidelis adiutor ero ad defendendum conservandum & retinendum salvo ordine meo [inserted over the line] sic me Deus adiuvet & hee sancta Evangeliaet predicta omnia propria manu subscribendo confirmo. Verso. Ista professio facta fuit in ecclesia Xpi Cant' sedevacante post mortem bone memorie Bonefacii quondam ecclesie eiusdem Archiepi in presentia dfh E. de Wroteham tune supprioris & Gr. de Eomenal offic'. Anno dfii MCCLXX primo m i non Marc'. OSWARD OV EASTRY. [1275.] The profession of Abbot Osward is the latest profession of an abbot of Faversham that is extant at Canterbury. Itwas made to Archbishop Robert (Kilwardby), Gervase says,. in 1275, and he also informs us that Osward was a Christ Church monk, and that he was appointed by the Archbishop.* Profession. Ego frater Osewardus dns in abbatem Fauersham per vos venerabilem dormhum Robertum Cantuar' eiusdem Archiepum electus & assumptus ecclesie Cantuariensi vobis et successoribusvestris canonicam obedientiam et subiectionem promitto et profiteor in hiis scriptis. LANGDON. The abbey of St. Mary and St. Thomas of Canterbury at West Langdon was founded by William de Auberville in 1192 for Premonstratensian canons. The ground plan of the church and conventual buildings was recovered by Sir W. St. John Hope, who published the result of his excavations of the site in the XYth Yol. of Archceologia Cantiana.. Yery little, however, appears to be known of the early Gervase, ut supra, ii., 282. TO THE SEE OF CANTERBURY. 71 history of the abbey, and as I have been unable to discover any list of its abbots, it is not easy to place with certainty the six abbots whose professions are extant at Canterbury. Two made profession to Archbishop Hubert, two to the Church of Canterbury, one to Archbishop Boniface, and one to Archbishop Peckham. I have placed them in the following order, though I cannot be sure t h a t it is the correct one,, since dates are generally wanting. RICHARD. [1193—1205.] Profession. Ego Ricardus electus abbas ecclesie de Langedun profiteor see Dorobernensi ecclesie et venerabili patri Huberto eiusque successoribus canonice substituendis canonicam subiectionem +. WILLIAM. [1193—1205.] Ego Willelmus ecclesie de Langedone electus Abbas profiteor see Dorobernensi ecclesie et tibi Huberte Cantuariensis Archiepe successoribus tuis canonicam subiectionem et obedientiam +. - JOHN. Ego frater Johannes ecclesie de Langedone electus Abbas profiteor sancte dorobernensi ecclesie eiusque vicariis canonicam subiectionem +. ROBERT. Ego frater Eobertus ecclesie beate Marie et Thome martyris de Langedun electus Abbas profiteor see Cantuariensi ecclesie eiusque vicariis canonicam subiectionem. WILLIAM. [1249—1270.] Ego frater Willelmus Abbas de Langedone ordinis premonstr' subiectionem & reverenciam & obedientiam a Sanctis patribus constitutam secundum regulam beati Augustini tibi drie Bonefac' Archiepe Cant' tuisque successoribus canonice substituendis et see Dorobernens' ecclesie salvo ordine meo perpetuo me exhibiturum promitto. 72 PROFESSIONS OF CANONICAL OBEDIENCE. ROGER. [1279—1292.] Ego frater Eogerus Abbas de Langedun subiectionem & obedientiam a Sanctis patribus constitutam secundum reguli beati Augustini tibi dne Johannes Archiepe Cant' &e. [as the last]. Verso. Jolis de Pecham professio patris Rogeri Abbatis de Langedune. MALMESBURY. GREGORY. [1152—1163.] It is difficult to account for the fact that Gregory, abbotelect of Malmesbury, was blessed by Archbishop Theobald, since the see of Salisbury, in which Malmesbury was and is situated, was not vacant during the primacy of Theobald (1153—1163). Gervase, however, states that he was hallowed by Theobald, and the following profession is confirmatory of the statement:— Profession. Ego Gregorius ecclesie Malmesberie electus Abbas promitto see Cantuariensi ecclesie et tibi reverende pater Tiodbalde Archiepiscope ac totius britannie primas atque apostolice sedis legate eiusque successoribus canonicam per omnia obedientiam quam manu propria signo crucis confirmo +.