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BILIEGH ABBEY,

ESSEX.

FEW situations were better adapted to secure the comforts of life than those which were formerly selected for the establishment of religious foundations. This observation is verified, in regard to the spot whereon Biliegh Abbey was erected. It lies about half a mile west from the town of Malden, well sheltered, and perfectly retired. From its proximity to the sea, it enjoyed all the advantages which large bodies of water can bestow.

This abbey was founded in the year 1180, for monks of the Premonstratentian order, by Robert de Montell, and dedicated to St. Nicholas. It does not appear that it supported more than nine canons, although its revenues and endowments were capable of a larger establishment: we are therefore led to conclude that what remained, after the annual disbursements of the house, was applied towards the relief of the necessitous in the neighbouring hamlets, or, according to the spirit of the times, devoted to entertain such strangers and travellers as came within the circle of monastic benevolence. When the dissolution took place, and this abbey was surrendered to the order of the king,

its revenues were found, according to Speed, to amount to £196. 6s. 5d.

In the small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, under the roof of the house, now partly in ruins, Henry Bourchier, Earl of Eu and Essex, was buried; he died April 5, 1485. Lady Isabella his wife, and Lady Mary Neville, were deposited in the church adjoining.

Such remains of this ancient edifice as have withstood the ravages of time are converted into a farm-house, and into accommodations for three or four families. The view subjoined delineates the south-west part of the abbey.

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Pub by Longman Hurst, Rees Orme & Brown, Paternoster Row, Jan.1 1815.

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