Before 1536, Calke was an Augustinian Priory, a cell of Repton Priory.
Between 1536 and 1541 King Henry VIII closed every monastery and nunnery in England and Wales. He did this via the Act of Supremacy in 1534 making himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England, and a further two acts in 1536 and 1539 sanctioning the closure of firstly, the smaller monasteries and then the larger ones. The Calke Manor series of articles tells the astonishing story of the dramatic events over the 86 years from the Dissolution of the Monasteries to the acquisition of the Calke estate by Henry Harpur in 1622/3 during a turbulent period in British history.
If you are pressed for time, below is a skeleton summary.
Timeline of Events
1537
John Preste
Repton Priory was dissolved in 1536, but if they paid a fine of £266.13s.4d. they could be reinstated. John Preste, a friend of the Prior of Repton lent the full amount in return for a 99-year lease for Calke with 59 years being prepaid. John Preste was a wealthy man with a portfolio of properties, a well-respected Head of the London Company of Grocers, and a Sheriff of London.
1538
Cromwell Retakes Repton Priory
John Preste leaves London for the safety of Calke. While there, he converts the Priory into a Tudor House, later referred to as Calke Manor.
1540
Thomas Cromwell Beheaded
Although now safe to do business in London, John Preste remained at Calke until his death in 1546.
1546
Frances Preste
John’s Preste’s Will stated his youngest daughter Frances and her heirs were the rightful owners of the Lease. Because Frances was a minor, her mother Alice was named as her Guardian and held the lease in Trust, until Frances became of age or married.
1558
Frances Prest Court Drama
Edward Langham filed a suit claiming that he and Frances had become engaged months before this marriage took place in December 1557.
1561
Alice dies, more Lawfare
Frances’ mother Alice dies and Richard Blackwall ignores her last wishes, even takes Frances and William to court stating they had taken jewels and silks from his wife, which was rightfully his. With Richard being a Lawyer, he was able to twist the law to suit himself, so Frances lost out again.
1573
Richard Wendsley
Richard Wendsley arrives on the scene, but will never officially get ownership of the lease, Grace Smyth nee Prest – daughter of William Prest, deceased son of John Prest and her husband John Smyth are the legal owners of the lease.
Richard Wendsley bribes Grace and John Smyth with a bond for £500 to agree to convey to him all title and terms of years they have in the lease, so he could enjoy the lease under the title of John Smyth and Grace.
1584
Richard Wendsley and Ralph Blackwall
arrange a mortgage for £3,000 with Robert Bainbridge. To be repaid by 8th May 1585.
1622/3
Henry Harpur
Robert Bainbridge Jnr. sells both Freehold and Leasehold to Henry Harpur for £5,350.
Next item – Read the full story of Calke Manor
