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Growth and consolidation: the acquisition
of lands
(2/2)
Shortly after the community had left the site
at Barnoldswick, which was reduced to a grange (an agricultural
centre managed by lay-brothers),
the earl of Norfolk, Hugh Bigod, claimed and won for himself the
land here, thus dispossessing the monks of their holdings. Fortunately,
Abbot Alexanders
plea for mercy did not fall on deaf ears. Feeling some compassion
for their plight, the earl conceded that the monks could take possession
of the grange and its appurtenances if they agreed to hold them
of him and his successors for an annual rent of five marks or a
palfrey of the same price, and a hawk. At the kings intervention
it was decided that this payment should only be made during Earl
Hughs lifetime.
Having consolidated the abbeys holdings
at Barnoldswick, Alexander sought to secure acquisitions elsewhere;
he is credited with increasing the communitys herds, pastures
and tenements; by the favour of the Lord he attained
property in a number of places.(8) In
his foundation charter Henry de Lacy had appealed to his men (twenty-five
of whom appear as witnesses) to support the new community at Kirkstall;
his words were evidently heeded for a number of the abbeys
benefactions at this time were received from Henrys tenants.
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