The Dissolution of the Monasteries took place between 1536 – 1541 when Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland. He appropriated their income, disposed of their assets and many monastic properties were sold off to fund his military campaigns
Under Crown Agent Thomas Cromwell for Henry VIII, the Valor Ecclesiasticus Survey in 1535 reported that Repton Priory’s annual income after expenses was £118.8s.0d.
Repton, mother-house to the cell of Calke, along with other monasteries whose income was £200 or less, failed to escape the first wave of Henry VIII’s Dissolution and was dissolved in 1536. However, on a payment of bribe or fine, priories could be reinstated.
As Repton’s earnings were so low, John Preste – London Master Grocer, agreed with Prior John Young, that the fine would be 100 Marks, so he donated Plate to the value of 100 Marks (£66.13s.4d.) so the fine could be paid.
Question – Did Thomas Cromwell have other ideas for Repton Priory?
When the fine was received, it was for 400 Marks (£266.13s.4d.) which meant there was a shortfall of 300 Marks (£200) required to pay the fine. [1]
John Preste paid the additional 300 Marks (£200) which when added to the 1536 donation of 100 Marks, made up the required 400 Marks which equated to £266.13s.4d. – the total fine due.
In return, John Preste negotiated with Prior John Young for the 99-year Lease for Calke Priory, with lands and permissions, noting the first 59 years being pre-paid, to reflect the total amount lent. The remaining 40 years he negotiated a peppercorn rent of £6.13s.4d. pa.
Stitched to the Lease are two small documents, one detailing a donation of plate with weights and values totalling 100 Marks (£66.13s.4d.) given by John Preste in 1536, to Repton Priory – second, a short note from John, Prior of Repton to John Preste, signed ‘in haste’ Repton and dated St John Baptist’s Day, 28 Henry VIII (29th Aug. 1536). The Prior thanks John Preste for helping the house [2]
Below is a transcript of the lease, courtesy of Philip Riden:
31 August (replacing May, crossed through) 1537 (29 Hen. VIII).
John Young by the sufferance of the prior and convent of Repton (1) and John Prest citizen and grocer of London (2).
Lease (1) to (2) of all the priory’s manor or member called Calke with all lands, appurtenances etc., in the parish of Calke , with certain parcels of meadow lying besides Swalkestone Bridge in the parish (singular) of Melbourne and Stanton. From Michaelmas next for 99 years. Rent for the first 59 years a peppercorn because (2) has paid a sufficient sum of money to the prior and convent.
Rent for the last 40 years £6 13s 4d a year. Various covenants to maintain premises, burn lime for the land, find a priest (being a canon or brother of Repton) to serve the church at Calke. Repton covenants to allow Prest wood from their wood at Southwood in the parish of Repton.
The lease held great value in lands and permissions, so the leaseholder throughout the pre-paid period 1537 – 1596, was deemed to be very wealthy.
Hence the fight to own the lease following John Preste’s death in 1546. Court cases that followed showed the skulduggery that was committed by some so they could own the lease, for their own ends.
The lease issued in 1537 has ensured that the legacy of Calke continues for us today.
Next Article – The story of Calke from 1537
References
[1] Repton Priory – dissolution 1536 – british-history.ac.uk/vch/derbs/vol2/pp58-63
[2] DRO – D2375/D/D/12/11 (D2375M/286/4/1-2) – Derbyshire Record Office, Matlock. us today.
