12

A

DESCRIPTIVE HISTORY

OF

THE TOWN OF EVESHAM,

FROM THE

FOUNDATION OF ITS SAXON MONASTERY :

WITH NOTICES RESPECTING THE

ANCIENT DEANERY OF ITS VALE.

BY GEORGE MAY.

BASED UPON A FORMER PUBLICATION BY THE AUTHOR,

REVISED THROUGHOUT.

EVESHAM,

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GEORGE MAY.

LONDON,

WHITTAKER & CO.; AND J. B. NICHOLS & SON,

AND BY ORDER FROM ANY BOOKSELLER.

1845.

CONTENTS.

BRIT

PREFATORY ADDRESS

INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS

CHAPTER I.

Situation of Evesham, and Origin of its Name

CHAPTER II.

Foundation of the Monastery-Its earlier History-Possessions-Privileges-

Cells.

CHAPTER III.

Architectural Survey of the Church and Monastery-Magnificence of those

Edifices their present Remains .

CHAPTER IV.

Benedictine Usages-Regulations of this Monastery-Conventual and other

ancient Seals.

CHAPTER V.

Biographical Notices of Abbots, and Incidental History of the Abbey

PAGE

7

9

13

21

39

69

91

CHAPTER VI.

Suppression of the Monastery-Valuation of its Revenue-Transfer of its

Land in Demesne

135

CHAPTER VII.

Evesham in its Infancy-Condition at the Conquest-Subsequent Importance

-Appearance at the Present Day

153

CHAPTER VIII.

Chapel of St. Lawrence, in the Deanery and within the Precincts of the Mo-

nastery

167

CHAPTER IX.

Chapel of All-saints, in the Deanery and within the Precincts of the Monastery 181

CHAPTER X.

Grammar school-Halls-and Meeting Houses

193

CHAPTER XI.

Bingeworth Division of the Town-Free School-Chapel of St. Peter, within

the Deanery of the Monastery-Transfer of the entire Parish from the

Posession of Evesham Abbey

213