This dissertation has been microfilmed exactly as received 68—2989 GORSUCH, Edwin Noah, 1939- THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF ENGLISH MONASTERIES IN THE EARLY FOURTEENTH CENTURY. The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1967 History, medieval University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF ENGLISH MONASTERIES IN THE EARLY FOURTEENTH CENTURY DISSERTATION Presented In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Edwin Noah Gorsuch, B.S., M.A. The Ohio State University 1967 Approved by Ady^patr Department of Hl^ory VITA August 28, 1939 Born - Wauseon, Ohio 1962 .................. B.S., Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 1962-1963.............. Teaching Assistant, Department of History, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 1964 .................. M.A., Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio I96A-I967. ....... Teaching Assistant, Department of History, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio FIELDS OP STUDY Major Field: History Medieval History. Professor Franklin J. Pegues Ancient History. Professor William P. McDonald Renaissance and Reformation History. Professor Harold J. Grimm Recent American History. Professor Robert H. Bremner ii TABLE OP CONTENTS Page VITA ..................................................... 11 LIST OP ABBREVIATIONS........................ Iv INTRODUCTION........................................... 1 Chapter I. THE ECONOMIC BACKGROUND.......................... 5 II. MONASTIC ECONOMIC BURDENS...........................26 III. METHODS FOR IMPROVING AND PROTECTING MONASTIC ECONOMIC RESOURCES ............................. 61 IV. MISMANAGEMENT AND VISITATION..................... 103 V. CONCLUSION.................... 136 BIBLIOGRAPHY............................ 14? Ill LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS OCR Calendar of Close Rolls. 1302-135^» vols. London: Eyre & Spottlswoode, 1698-I906. CER Calendar of Patent Rolls. 1301~1350. 14 vols. London: Eyre and Spottlswoode, 1898-1905* Carus-Wilson, Essays Carus-Wilson, E.M. (ed.). Essays in Economic History. Vol. II. London: Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., I962, Dugdale, Monasticon Dugdale, William, Monasticon AnKlieanum. J. Caley, H. Ellis, and B. Bandinel (eds.). London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, 1817-30. Pinberg, Tavistock Abbey Finberg, H.P.R. Tavistock Abbey. Cambridge: University Press, 1931. Hilton, Leicestershire Estates Hilton, È.H. The Economic Development of Some Leicestershire Estates in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries! Oii^ord: University Press, 194?. Knowles, Religious Orders Knowles, David, ÿhe Religious Orders in England. Cambridge: University Press, 1948. Knowles and Hadcock, Medieval Religious Houses Knowles, David, euid Hadcock, R. Neville. Medieval Religious Houses. London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1953» Miller, Abbey yid Bishopric of Ely Miller, Edward. The Abtey and Bishopric of Ely. Cambridge: University Press, I951. Morgan, English Lands Morgan, Marjorie. The English Lands of the Abbey of Bee. Oxford: University Press, 1946, Raftis. Estates RaftRaftis, is, JJ. ---Ambrose.---- The- Estates— of Ramsey- Abbey,- Toronto: Pontifical Institute_ of- -Mediaeval -- ii Studies,-• -- 1957* iv Register of Ade de Orleton Bannisier, A.T. (ed.). Registrum Ade de Orleton. Episoopi HereferdonsIs. 1317-27. London: Canterbury and York Society, I908, Register of Archbishop Corbrldge Brown. W. (ed.). Register of Thomas of Corbridge. 2 vols. London: Surtees Society, 1925-^d. Register of Archbishop Greenfield Thompson, A.H. (ed.). Register of William Greenfield. 4 vols. London: Surtees Society, 1931-37* Register of Henry Woodlock Goodman, Â.¥. (éd.). Registrum Henriei Woodlock. 2 parts. Oxford: Canterbury and York Society, 1934-36. Register of John of Pentissara Deedes, Cecil, (ed.). Registrum Johannis de Pontlssara. 2 vols. London: Canterbury and York Society, 1915-24. Rogers, Agriculture and Prices Rogers, James E. ïherold. A History of Agriculture and Prices in England. Vol. I. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1866. ■ -- --- Smith, Canterbury Cathedral Priory Smith, Reginald Anthony London. Canterbury Cathedral Priory. Cambridge: University Press, 1945. 8nape, English Monastic Finances Snape, R.H. English Monastic Finances in the later Middle Ages. Cambridge: University Press, 1926. VCH Page, William (ed.). The Victoria History of the County of York. Vol. III. London: Constable and Co., lÿlj. INTRODUCTION The three forces that contributed to the economic prob­ lems of English monasteries during the early fourteenth century were the agricultural depression, the unusual eco­ nomic burdens they carried, and the ever present specter of mismanagement. The agricultural depression began In earnest during the third decade of the fourteenth century and resulted in monasteries abandoning the "high farming' management procedures earlier In vogue. A precipitous drop In the prices of agricultural commodities led monasteries to lease their lands, for properties rented out produced more in revenue than those exploited through 'high farming' manage­ ment. Demesne holdings were broken up and lands were re­ divided among the agricultural population for prosperous peasants were able and willing to pay high rents for lands that monasteries no longer cared to exploit directly through the use of oustomary labor. Resentment and hostility created among those adversely affected were directed against relig­ ious houses in the form of theft, violence, and other illegal activities, but high rents could be collected be­ cause of the pressure of population on agricultural resources. One result of the leasing procedure was reduced monastic in­ vestment in capital improvements on their lands, and this had 1 2 long term effects that reinforced the economic dislocation. Along with the process of demising lands to tenants, monas­ teries adopted the policy of either commuting permanently or selling on a yearly basis customary labor services that were no longer needed since lands were not cultivated through the use of this labor. Through these means they attempted to stabilize income and avoid the worst effects of the fourteenth century agricultural depression. Monasteries carried economic burdens both as a result of royal and other pressures present in fourteenth century society. Obligations to the monarch included not only giving sustenances to favored retainers and offering hos­ pitality to royalty, but also relinquishing control of the house to a royal official during periods of voidances and providing extraordinary loans and taxes during wartime. Ad­ ditional burdens weighing on monasteries included the expense of lawsuits, damages resulting from the illegal actions of their neighbors, and outlays occasioned by extravagant building programs and natural disasters. If monasteries performed various functions for the crown and were exploited by the monarch, insurmountable problems were not created for them as a result. Although the king tried to extend his rights to request corrodies, he was unwilling to drive a monastery into economic ruin to achieve his ob­ jective. The monarch rather was interested in diverting to his own purposes as great a portion of monastic revenues as was possible while stopping short of driving a house into 3 complété bankruptcy. Where a priory was in serious financial difficulty the king was willing to assist in resolving Its problems. Not only were royal officials appointed as custo­ dians for depressed houses, licences permitting the alienation of property In mortmain were Issued, and other economic sus­ tenance was proffered to houses truly distressed. The same kind of attitude was manifested In reference to royal demands for hospitality, for custody during voidances, and for aide during war. Probably the most devastating burdens carried by monasteries resulted from the combined effects of expensive lawsuits, the depredations of neighbors, and natural disasters. The third force contributing to monastic economic dis­ tress during the period under consideration was mismanagement. Administrative Incompetence was more the rule than the excep­ tion, for monastic leaders were not trained to perform their duties effectively. Poor management led to lax discipline, dissension, and Indebtedness. Accounting procedures suffic­ iently sophisticated to permit the adequate supervision of monastic finances were lacking, usually, as monks did not control their expenditures effectively and weigh them against revenues due. Incompetent priors contributed to the excesses of mis­ management for Inept leaders not only would waste the goods of the priory, they would also alienate Its lands, sell Its resources, and otherwise Imprudently manage the revenues of the house. Many shortsighted managers saw the sale of corrodies as a means of Improving economic conditions, but, unless done 4 dlaorlmlnately, It was a dangerous procedure and often had disastrous consequences, A prior lacking the moral require­ ments necessary for effectively governing a house likewise contributed to monastic economic problems, for even the neg­ ligence of a prior in correcting the abuses and excesses of resident monks led to economic difficulties. If the canons of a house were guilty of alienating monastic property, and If discipline was lax, a monastery soon could find itself on the road to dilapidation. The discipline provided by a strong and exemplary prior was required if a house was to keep Its financial affairs on an even keel. In the face of these three forces contributing