Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]

BISHAM ABBEY.

BISHAM is a very pleasant village, situate on the Berkshire bank of the Thames, about two miles from Hurley, and at a lesser distance, across the river, from Great Marlow in Buckinghamshire.

The Manor House, which is on the site of the Old Abbey, and, notwithstanding the various alterations it has undergone, may be, in some measure, considered as a part of it, is now the seat of George Vansittart, Esq. one of the representatives in parliament for the county in which it stands.

This monastery is said to have been dedicated, on its first foundation, to our Lord Jesus Christ, and the blessed Virgin his Mother, and on the second to the Virgin only. At the same time it appears in the records of the reign of Richard the Second, to be styled the Conventual Church of the Holy Trinity.

At the dissolution, a pension of sixty-six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence, was assigned to Cowdrey the Abbot, who, according to Browne Willis, either voided the same by death, or the appointment to some other ecclesiastical situation before the year 1553, when only the following persons remained in charge, viz. William Walker, John Myllist, William Roke, William Biggs, John Rolfe, and Edward Stephenson.

It appears to have been erected by William Montacute, Earl of Salisbury, in the year 1338, for canons regular of the order of Saint Augustin. In 1536, it was surrendered to Henry the Eighth; its revenues at that time being valued at two hundred and eighty-five pounds eleven shillings per annum. In the following year it was founded anew by that monarch, and more amply endowed for the maintenance of thirteen benedictine monks and an abbot, who was to have the privilege of sitting in parliament. No particular reason appears to account for the various dedications of this reli

gious house, previous to the period, when he confiscated all its possessions to his own use. This abbey was frequently favoured with the visits of that monarch. Queen Elizabeth also, among her many progresses, made a journey thither, and continued to reside there during some weeks. A large state apartment in the house yet retains the name of the Queen's Council Chamber. The late Sir Joseph Ayloffe was in possession of a masque, printed by Caxton, which was presented to Henry the Eighth, on his approach to the abbey, with the dramatis personæ of the family who then resided there.

Bisham church, which is situated near the river, contains a very sumptuous monument, erected to the family of the Hobys, to whom the abbey was granted by Edward the Sixth. The bones of the founder are said to have been removed by Maud, his widow, from Cirencester, in consequence of a license granted by Henry the Fifth.

In some points of view the church unites with the mansion house, and produces a very picturesque effect. From the grounds of Mr. Davenport at Marlow, Bisham abbey appears to very great advantage.

[graphic][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »