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Confirmation by the King of the Gift to Amicia

In: The Cistercian Houses of Devon: Introductory - 1. Buckland. Trans. Devon Assoc. vol. 7 (1875), p. 352.

by

J. Brooking Rowe

Prepared by Michael Steer

This Deed of Confirmation is one of several documents appended to the author’s seminal article on the foundation and early history of Buckland Abbey. His paper was delivered at the Association’s Torrington meeting, July 1875.  The Abbey of Buckland was founded in 1278   by Amicia, the mother of Isabella, wife of William de Fortze, Earl of Albemarle, a lady connected with both those great families which had shown such love for the Cistercian, which had done so much to extend his order, and which had endowed it with so many rich possessions. Baldwin Earl of Devon had founded Quarr, in the Isle of Wight; and William le Gros, Earl of Albemarle, had founded the Abbeys of Meaux and Vallis Dei, both for the Cistercians, besides houses for other orders; and we may conjecture that it was the consideration of what had been done by her ancestors and the ancestors of her son-in-law, and the good results which were apparent from their benefactions, which induced Amicia, the widowed countess of Baldwin, seventh Earl of Devon, to provide another place of settlement for Cistercian brethren.   The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries.   These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Edward, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine. To all to whom this writing shall come, greeting. Know ye that we have conceded and confirmed to Amicia, Countess of Devon, the manor of Buckland, with the hamlets of Columpton, Walkhampton, and Bickeley, together with all and singular their appurtenances wheresoever situate; To have and to hold to the same Amicia, according to the form and tenor of the deeds which she had from the gift of Isabella de Fortibus, Countess of Albemarle, her daughter; And if it shall happen that the said Amicia should wish to give and to assign the said manor and hamlets with all their appurtenances whatsoever to religious men, and with them to found a new religious house, know ye that we for ourselves and for our heirs, will consider and accept that gift as acceptable, provided that the said house, after the decease of the said Amicia, shall be held of us and our heirs in capite. And we faithfully promise to confirm it, when founded or appointed, in pure and perpetual alms. In witness, &c. Witness myself at Odiham, 8th day of August, in the 4th year of our reign.