Early in the fourth century, Christianity had become so extensively diffused throughout the land, that Maximius and Galerius, themselves bigoted Pagans, recommended to the Emperor Diocletian the enforcement of extreme measures, in order to crush the growing religion; and the ever-memorable persecution under his reign was the result, when Christians were indiscriminately slaughtered, and churches wantonly destroyed.
Under the empire of his successor, Constantine Chlorus, persecution was extinguished; churches were re-built, the offices of religion generally resumed, and the people enjoyed a long tranquillity.
The recall of the Romans to the defence of the integral parts of their empire, in conjunction with the laborious teaching of the early Christians, led to the speedy decline of their mythology in Britain, where indeed it appears never to have taken any deep root. The growing power of truth supplanted Pagan superstition, and the zeal of the Christian converts, speedily destroyed the statues and altars of its deities, which yet existed in this Island as memorials of its conquest by Roman arms. “Here had been within the bounds of Britain, saith our stories, before the time of King Lucius, whose reign began about the year 179, flamines and arch-flamines, who were governors over others, the priests of that religion, which the people in their Paganism did profess, as idolatry hath ever made a counterfeit show of the true service of God; and when Lucius was converted to the Christian faith, to enlarge the power of Christian knowledge and settle a government in the Church of Christ, abolishing those seats of heathenish idolators, he took advantage of the temples and other conveniences, wickedly used by them, to turn them to the true service of God and Christ; and therefore ordained in England three Archbishops and twenty-eight Bishops; one of which Archbishops he placed at London, to whom was subject Cornwall, &c., &c., and the third was the Archbishop Caerleon, that is Chester. Thus far I note only to show that when Lucius began the Christian religion, it may appear that both Chester had been a place for the Arch-flamines in the time of Paganism, and was also an Archbishop’s see at the first plantation of the truth.”
The ground on which the temple of Apollo once stood (if the tradition be trustworthy) was occupied early in the second century by a monastery dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, “which was the mother church and burial place to all Chester, and seven miles about Chester, and so continued for the space of 300 years and more.” To this monastery (according to Bradshaw the monk) the relics of St. Werburgh, daughter of Wulphere, King of Mercia, were removed from Hanbury in 875, for fear of an incursion of the Danes, and here re-buried with great pomp; a ceremony usually called “the translation of the body.” The same author informs us that the army of Griffin, King of Wales, was stricken with blindness for their sacrilegious boldness, in attempting to disturb these sainted remains. This and other reputed miracles of St. Werburgh appear to have induced the celebrated Ethelfleda, Countess of Mercia, to translate the monastery of St. Peter and St. Paul, to the centre of the city, and to erect on its site a convent or monastery of secular nuns, dedicated to St. Werburgh and St. Oswald. Earl Leofric was a great benefactor to this foundation, having repaired its decayed buildings at his own expense: and in 1093, when (says Rodolphus Glaber) “princes strove a vie that cathedral churches and minsters should be erected in a more decent and seemly form, and when Christendom roused as it were herself, and, casting away her old habiliments, did put on every where the bright and white robe of the churches,” Hugh Lupus expelled the canons secular, and laid the foundation of a magnificent building, the remains of which are still existing; it was established by him as an Abbey of Benedictine Monks from Bec in Normandy, to pray (as the foundation charter expresses it) “for the soul of William their King, and those of King William his most noble father, his mother Queen Maud, his brothers and sisters, King Edward the Confessor, themselves the founders, and those of their fathers, mothers, antecessors, heirs, parents and barons, and of all christians as well living as deceased.” The confirmation charter by the second Ranulf (surnamed De Gernon or Gernons), Earl of Chester, in which the grant of Hugh Lupus is recapitulated, is in the possession of the Marquis of Westminster, by whose kindness, this most important and interesting instrument, has been lent for the use of the Archæological Association, and has just been published in the pages of their journal. It is most beautifully written in columns or pages, for the facility of reading. The charter occupies nine, and commences with the copy of the original grant of “Hugone Cestreasi comite, anno ab incarnatione Domini milesimo nonugesimo” to the Abbey of St. Werburgh, which was witnessed by Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, followed by the grants of several of the other witnesses, and it concludes by the confirmation of them all by the second Ranulf: (“Ego secundus Ranulfus comes Cæstrie concedo et confirmo hos omnibus donationes quos mei antecessores vel barones eor’m dederunt,”) with additional grants from himself. Anselm, Abbot of Bec, afterward Archbishop of Canterbury, regulated the new foundation and appointed Richard his chaplain the first abbot.
Hugh Lupus, following the example of most of his predecessors, lived a life of the wildest luxury and rapine. At length, falling sick from the consequence of his excesses, and age and disease coming on, the old hardened soldier was struck with remorse; and—an expiation common enough in those days—the great Hugh Lupus took the cowl, retired in the last state of disease into the monastery, and in three days was no more.
The Abbey was so richly endowed by the founder and his successors, that at the dissolution, its revenues amounted to no less a sum than £1,073 17s. 7d. per annum.
Peter of Lichfield appears to have been the first Bishop who fixed his seat at Chester, having removed hither from Lichfield in 1075. But his successor, Robert de Lindsey, removed the seat of the see to Coventry in 1095, from whence it was brought back to Lichfield in the reign of Henry 1st. From this latter period until the dissolution, the Bishops of this diocese took their titles from Coventry, Lichfield, or Chester, according as they fixed their residences, those cities being then all included in the same bishoprick. In the year 1540, in the reign of Henry 8th, monasteries were suppressed, and that of St. Werburgh shared the fate of the others. An impartial examination into this eventful period of our history, gives a painful exhibition of the precipitate haste and questionable motive with which these measures were carried into execution, while at the same time we are fully alive to all the important advantages in which they resulted. “It is painful to read, or to imagine, the ruthless violence and wanton waste with which the measures of the Reformation were carried into effect; and we must long mourn for what we lost on that occasion, while we rejoice in what we gained. Recognizing to the largest extent the blessings of the Reformation, believing that it was the source of civil as well as of religious liberty, and that the present proud position of England arises from the effort then made by men to burst the bonds in which it had been held;—admitting all this, it is impossible to deny that the work of reformation was often urged forward by motives of a baser kind than the love of truth; and it is impossible not to regret the unsparing zeal and brutal violence with which it was carried on.” Before proceeding to describe the important changes which transpired under the reign of Henry the 8th, it may not be unsuitable or without interest, to introduce a biographical list of the lordly abbots who presided over this ancient institution:—
Richard, 1st Abbot, had been monk of Bec, in Normandy, and chaplain to Anselm. He died April 26, 1117, and was buried in the east angle of the south cloister.
William, 2nd abbot, is stated in the charlutary to be elected abbot in 1121, the government of the church having been perhaps intermediately confided to Robert the prior, who died in 1120. He died 11th non. Oct. 1140, and was buried at the head of his predecessor.
Ralph, 3rd abbot, elected 11 cal. Feb. in the same year. He died Nov. 16, 1157, and was buried at the head of abbot Richard, and at the left side of abbot William.
Robert Fitz-Nigel, 4th abbot, supposed to be of the family of the barons of Halton, elected 1157, received the bishop’s benediction at Lichfield on the day of St. Nicholas. He died in 1174, and was buried in the east cloister under a marble stone to the right hand of the entrance to the chapter-house.
Robert, 5th abbot, elected on St. Werburgh’s day, 3 non. Feb. 1174, received the benediction in the church of St. John, at Chester, on the day of St. Agatha the Virgin. This abbot obtained a bull from Pope Clement, confirming the possessions of the abbey, and granting various privileges; and died 2 cal. Sep. 1184, on which the king took the abbey into his hands, and committed the custody of it to Thomas de Husseburne.
Robert de Hastings, 6th abbot, in 1186, was placed in this abbey by Henry II. and Baldwin, archbishop of Canterbury. He received the benediction at Canterbury, from the hands of Baldwin, whom he had the honour of entertaining as legate, at Chester, in the next year, from St. John’s-day to the following Sunday. This appointment was opposed by earl Randal, and after much controversy before Hubert, archbishop of Canterbury, Hastings was deposed, on the condition of Geoffry, who was elected in his room, paying him an annual pension of xx. marks. This abbot was buried at the head of his predecessors, William and Ralph, in the south cloister.
Geoffrey 7th abbot, was confirmed on the deposition of Hastings in 1194. The situation (from a document contained in the red book of the abbey) appears not to have been particularly enviable at this period. The greater part of the church was in ruins, and the rebuilding had proceeded no further than the choir, from want of money. The inroads of the Welsh had deprived the monks of a valuable rectory and two manors, and the inundations of the sea had been equally fatal in Wirral and Ince. Abbot Geoffry died May 7, 1208, and was buried in the chapter-house, on the left hand of the entrance, near the door.
Hugh Grylle, 8th abbot, was elected 1208. He occurs as a witness to the marriage covenant of John, Earl of Chester, with Helen, daughter of Llewelyn, Prince of Wales; and many grants to the monastery were made in his time. The repairs of the church were probably completed, and their affairs in a more prosperous state generally, as Earl Randal grants to this abbot and his convent a permission to extend their buildings in the direction of the Northgate. Grylle died April 21, 1226, and was buried in the Chapter-house, under the second arch from the door, on the left hand side of the feet of Geoffry.
William Marmion, 9th Abbot, succeeded in 1226, and died in 1228. His place of interment is stated to be in the cloister, close to Robert Fitz-nigel, on the left hand side of him. The name of this abbot occurs in a very curious document, relative to the office of hereditary cook of the abbey.
Walter Pincebech, 10th abbot, received the benediction in London, on Michaelmas-day, 1228. This abbot is witness to the contract between Randal Blundeville and Roger de Maresey, respecting the lands between Ribble and Mersey, anno 1232. He continued to hold the abbey till 1240, when he was interred in the Chapter-house, at the head of Hugh Grylle. A short time before his death, he appropriated the rectory of Church Shotwick to support the increase of the kitchen expenses of the convent, occasioned by adding six monks to the previous number.
Robert Frind, 11th Abbot, was consecrated at Coventry, by Hugh de Pateshul, bishop of that see, on St. Matthew’s day, 1240. He died 1249, and was buried in the Chapter-house, under the second arch, on the right hand of the door. This abbot added the appropriation of the chapel of Wervin to the funds of the kitchen, in consequence of having increased the number of his monks to forty.
Thomas Capenhurst, 12th abbot, succeeded in 1249. He was of the family of the mesne lords of Capenhurst, and had to struggle with a series of powerful enemies of the convent. The first was Roger de Montalt, justiciary of Chester, who endeavoured by means of the additional power which he enjoyed by his office, to wrest from the abbey restitution of the manors of Lawton, and Goosetrey, and the churches of Bruera, Neston, and Coddington, which had been given by his ancestors to the abbey. A portion of these possessions was occupied by an armed force, and the business was only compromised by severe sacrifices on the part of the monks. The resignation of Bretton manor is the only one noticed in the chronicle of the abbey, but the chartulary mentions several other losses, to which may certainly be added, that of Lea, in Broxton hundred, of which the Montalts had afterwards possession. The chronicle does not fail to notice the judgments of heaven on Roger de Montalt, that his eldest son died within fifteen days after the compromise, and that Roger himself died of want, his burial place remaining unknown unto the common people. A similar attempt to recover Astbury, was made by Roger Venables in 1259, and according to the Chronicle, was attended with an equal interposition of Providence, the Baron of Kinderton dying the year after. In 1263, another contest arose between the abbot and William la Zuche, justiciary, who occupied the abbey with an armed force, and proceeded to extremities of insult, which occasioned all the churches in Chester to be laid under an interdict. In the next year the gardens and buildings of the abbey in “Baggelon” were destroyed to facilitate the strengthening of Chester against a siege, which was apprehended from the barons and the Welshmen. Capenhurst survived this last grievance only one year, and dying 4 cal. May, 1265, was buried at the head of his predecessor, on the right hand of the entrance into the chapter-house. It is observable that however violent the measures were, to which the laity resorted at this period, for the purpose of wresting back from the church the possessions which the liberality of their ancestors had bestowed on it, the regular clergy themselves were little more scrupulous; witness the circumstances noticed in the contest between the abbots of Basingwerk and Chester, for the rectory of West Kirby, in which Ralph de Montalt, presented by this abbot, is positively stated to have been put into possession of his rectory in war time, by absolute force of arms.
Simon de Albo Monasterio, or Whitchurch, who had previously been a monk of this abbey, succeeded as 13th abbot, and if we may judge from the frequent occurrence of his name in the abbey chartulary, was one of the most active heads this monastery ever enjoyed. He was regularly elected by the entire convent xv. cal. May, 1265, in the 45th year of his age, and the 22nd after assuming the cowl, Simon de Montford being then usurper of the Earldom of Chester. His admission was opposed by Lucas de Taney, Justiciary of Chester, who kept the abbey open for three weeks, and taking the revenues into his hands, wasted them by the most scandalous profligacy. Simon de Montfort, however, much to his honour, on hearing the circumstances, admitted the abbot, and directed Lucas de Taney to make ample compensation to the abbey, after which Roger de Menland, then bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, confirmed his election at Tachebrook, on Whit-Monday, and Simon de Montford having invested him with the temporalities at Hereford the Monday following, the new abbot received the benediction from his before-mentioned diocesan at Tachebrooke, on Trinity Sunday. On this same day the partizans of Prince Edward laid siege to Chester Castle, and a reverse of fortune speedily taking place, the election of the abbot was declared void by the lawful earl, as having been unratified by himself. The abbot, however, made his peace with Prince Edward at Beeston, and compensation was made him at the instance of James de Audley, Justiciary, even to the replacing from the stores in the Castle, two casks of wine, which had been consumed by the Prince’s attendants, during his deposition. The struggles between the laity and the clergy, which are particularly observable in the documents of Vale Royal and this monastery, about this period, and had so peculiarly disquieted the abbacy of Thomas de Capenhurst, were continued in that of his successor. Philip Burnel, and his wife Isabella, baroness of Malpas, attempted to recover the manors of Saighton, Huntington, Cheveley, and Boughton, a domain as desirable to the abbey, from its richness as its contiguity to Chester. After a protracted contest, the claimants released their right to abbot Simon in the king’s court at Westminster, in 1281, in the royal presence, but the monks purchased the compliance by a bond for the payment of £200 sterling. The chartulary states that the influence of Robert Burnel, bishop of Bath and Wells, and uncle to the claimant, was corruptly used in obtaining this bond: payment was, however, never made, for the abbot had shortly afterwards the address to procure a release, on stipulating for the maintenance of two chaplains to pray for the soul of the said Philip Burnel for ever. Among the following donations by the family of Burnel, was the grant of a fountain at Christleton, which was doubtless of high importance. A cistern twenty feet square was made at Christleton, and another formed within the cloisters, and a communication established by pipes, which a patent from Edward I. enabled the monks to carry through all intervening lands, permitting even the city walls to be taken down for the purpose. It is observable that a forester of Delamere, Randle de Mereton, whose estate was trespassed on in consequence of this order, ventured on cutting off the pipes which the abbots had laid, for which he was ordered to make reparation by a royal mandate, 13 Edward I. This abbot departed this life April 24, 1289, aged 69, and was interred in the chapter house, on the south side, under a marble stone, within an arch supported by six marble pillars. During this abbacy, the monastery, or a considerable portion thereof, was re-built, as appears by precepts directed to Reginald de Grey, 12 Edward I. to allow venison from the forests of Delamere and Wirral for the support of the monks then occupied “on the great work of the building of the church.” Abbot Simon also appropriated a large share of the revenues of the abbey to the several uses of the infirmary, the kitchen, the refectory, and the distribution of alms, as specified in the chartulary. After the death of Simon de Whitchurch, the king retained the abbey in his hands for two years.
Thomas de Byrche-Hylles, a chaplain of his predecessor, succeeded as 14th abbot, Jan. 30, 1291. He died 1323, and was buried on the south side of the choir, above the bishop’s throne, nearly in the line of the pillars. On his gravestone was a brass plate with his effigies, and in this spot his body was found in almost complete preservation, on opening a grave for the remains of dean Smith, in 1787.
William de Bebington, 15th abbot, previously prior of the monastery, was elected abbot Feb. 5, 1324. In 1345, he obtained the mitre for himself and his successors, and in the year following, an exemption from the visitation. He died Nov. 20, 1349, and was buried on the right side of his predecessor.
Richard Seynesbury, 16th abbot, was elected 1349. In 1359, he stated the privileges of his abbey in plea to a writ of quo warranto. In 1362, about the feast of the Annunciation, the abbot of St. Alban’s, provincial president of the Benedictines, the prior of Coventry, and the superior of St. Alban’s, visited Chester Abbey as commissioners, deputed by the abbot of Evesham. In consequence of this visitation, Richard de Seynesbury, who (according to the chronicle) was fearful of a scrutiny into his offences and excessive dilapidations, resigned his abbey into the hands of the pope, as the abbey, being an exempt, was under the papal protection. An inquiry into his conduct was instituted at Rome; and in the following year pope Urban admitted the abbot’s resignation, and conferred the office on his successor. This abbot died in Lombardy.
Thomas de Newport, 17th abbot, received the benediction in the papal court on the feast of the Annunciation, and was installed at Chester on the day of St. Remigius following. This abbot died at his manor house of Little Sutton, in Wirral, June 1, 1385, and was buried in the chapter-house, within the inner door, with his effigy in brass upon the stone.
William de Mershton, 18th abbot, formerly a monk of this convent, was elected abbot July 30, 1385. He died on the 13th of January following, and was buried without the choir, on the right of William de Bebington, in the south aisle.
Henry de Sutton, 19th abbot. He occurs as abbot in 1410, which was the 24th year of his presiding over this monastery, as appears by the pleas of the abbey, holden over the monastery gate, before Nicholas Fare, the abbot’s seneschal. This abbot was for a time justice of Chester, and in 1399 had license to fortify his three manor-houses at Little Sutton, Saighton, and Ince. He was buried in the broad aisle, close to the north side of the south pillar, next to the entrance into the choir, before a painting formerly called the piety of St. Mary.
Thomas Yerdesley, 20th abbot, occurs as abbot in several portmote pleadings 7 Henry V. and is mentioned also several times in the reign of Henry VI. He was one of the justices in commission to hold assizes for the county, and dying 1434, was buried under a marble stone on the north side of the choir, above the shrine of St. Werburgh.
John Salghall, 21st abbot, suffered excommunication in 1440, for not appearing in convocation after being personally cited; but afterwards appearing and pleading exemption, he was absolved. This abbot died in 1450, and was buried in St. Mary’s chapel, between two pillars on the south side, under an alabaster stone, which had his effigy in brass fixed upon it. The site of his interment was formerly called the chapel of St. Erasmus.
Richard Oldham, 22nd abbot, 1452; about twenty years afterwards he was promoted to the bishopric of the Isle of Man, and dying Oct. 13, 1485, was buried at Chester abbey; a short time before which he was indicted in the portmote court, for removing the city boundaries about the Northgate, and at the same time (21 Edw. iv,) ‘divers wymen’ were indicted, who were the paramours ‘of the monks of Chester.’
Simon Ripley, 23rd abbot, rebuilt the nave, tower, and south transept of the abbey, and probably commenced the great plan of alterations and improvements which were interrupted by the reformation. This abbot also rebuilt or considerably improved the great manor-house at Saighton, the embattled tower of which is still remaining. He died at Warwick, August 30, 1492, and was buried in the collegiate church there. On the north side of the north-east large pillar, supporting the central tower, was formerly painted the history of the transfiguration, in which was introduced a figure of this abbot under a canopy, with a book in one hand, the other lifted up in the act of blessing, and the ring upon the fourth finger.
John Birchenshaw was appointed 24th abbot by the Pope, Oct. 4, 1493. He is supposed by Willis to have been a native of Wales, from his name appearing in an inscription on the great bell of Conway church. His attention, like that of his predecessor, was turned to restoring the magnificence of the buildings of the abbey. The beautiful western entrance is his work, and he doubtless intended to have added two western towers to this great entrance, of one of which he laid the foundations in 1508. The half of Ince manor-house is apparently in the style of this abbot’s time; and for the further improvement of Saighton manor-house, which had already been sumptuously restored by his predecessor, he obtained, 6 Henry VIII. the royal licence to impark 1000 acres in Huntington, Cheveley, and Saighton. At the same time he had charter of free warren granted in all his lands in Cheshire, not being parcel of the king’s forests. In the year 1511, in the mayoralty of Thomas Smith, violent dissensions had arisen between the city and this abbot. Thomas Hyphile, and Thomas Marshall, were successively appointed, and acted as abbots in his room. After a contest, however, which lasted many years, Birchenshaw was restored about 1530, and is supposed to have enjoyed his abbacy to the time of his death, which happened about seven years afterwards. In 1516, a commission was issued at Rome to Thomas, Cardinal of York, to hear and make award between Geoffry, Bishop of Lichfield, and this abbot, respecting the use of the mitre, crosier, and other pontificals, and the giving the blessing.
John Clarke, 25th and last abbot (omitting Hyphile and Marshall), was elected about the year 1537. He had the good fortune to comply with the wishes of his sovereign at the dissolution, and accordingly was suffered to retain the government of the dissolved abbey of St. Werburgh, under the character of dean of the new cathedral, which King Henry established within its walls. At the dissolution, the clear yearly value of the abbey was £889 18s. [21] The monks had also the patronage of several rich unappropriated rectories. Their lands extended over various parts of Cheshire and other counties, but in Wirral created an overwhelming influence, and extended in almost an unbroken ring round the city of Chester. Many considerable families held lands by the tenure of various offices in the abbey. The manorial lord of Burwardsley was their champion; and a valuable rectory (Ince) was appropriated to the uses of the almoner. The Earl of Derby was seneschal at the time of the dissolution. By a charter of one of the earls of the name of Randal, the abbots were directed at any period to have their mansion-houses fitted up in a state fit to receive the abbot’s retinue and to be the seats of the courts; and by licence from the bishops of Lichfield, oratories were also established in these manor-houses. Irby, Bromborough, Sutton, and Saighton, appear to have been the principal ones at an early period. The three first were the original seats of the courts held for the Wirral manor, and Saighton occurs in a licence for fortifying by Edward I. noticed in the chartulary. By a subsequent licence for fortifying, 19 Richard II. it appears that Sutton, Saighton, and Ince, had then become the principal manorial residences, and these continued such to the dissolution.
On the general dissolution of the monasteries, Chester was erected into an independent bishoprick, and St. Werburgh’s was converted into a Cathedral Church, which it has ever since remained. It was dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary; and a dean and six prebendaries installed in it, Thomas Clarke, the last abbot, being appointed the first dean.
By charter of endowment, dated 5th August, 1541, Henry VIII. granted to the Bishop of Chester and his successors the Archdeaconries of Chester and Richmond, with all their appurtenances, rights, &c.; the Manors of Abbots Cotton in the county of Chester; lands in the parishes of St. Mary, St. Martin, St. Michael, St. Werburgh, and Trinity in the city of Chester; city lands in Mancot, Harden, Christleton, Nantwich, Northwich, Middlewich, Over, Wollaston, Neston, Heswell, Bidston, Sandbach, Thornton, Eccleston, Rosthern and Davenham; parcel of the late Monastery of St. Werburgh; the advowson of Over Rectory; pensions issuing out of Handley Rectory, Budworth Chapel, and Bidston Rectory; parcel of Birkenhead Abbey; the advowsons of Tattenhall and Waverton; rectories of Clapham, Esingwold, Thornton, Stuart, Bolton-in-Lonsdale, Bolton-le-Moors, and prebend of Bolton-le-Moors in Lichfield Cathedral; and the Manor of Weston in the county of Derby.