Prebends of Southwell

The Prebends of Southwell were established from the eleventh century and by 1291, the number had grown to sixteen.

In 1540 the prebends and minster were suppressed but an act of Parliament in 1543 re-established the college and church collegiate of Southwell.

Under an Act of King Edward VI, the prebendaries were given pensions and their estates sold.

[1] On 2 April 1585 a set of statutes was promulgated by Queen Elizabeth I and the chapter operated under this constitution until it was dissolved in 1841.

[2] The Ecclesiastical Commissioners made provision for the abolition of the chapter as a whole; the death of each canon after this time resulted in the extinction of his prebend.

The chapter came to its appointed end on 12 February 1873 with the death of the Rev Thomas Henry Shepherd, rector of Clayworth and prebendary of Beckingham.

The revenues for this prebend came from lands in Southwell and Bleasby, and 10% of the offerings at Pentecost.

The front range was built between 1774 and 1798 for Nicholas Hutchinson and incorporated parts of an earlier house in the rear wings.

The revenues for this prebend came from lands in North Muskham, Holme and Bathley, and the tithes of the parish of Caunton.

It was built around 1810 for the Falkner family, probably incorporating part of a house dating from 1700 in the rear wing.

The White Book of Southwell shows that Thurstan, Archbishop of York, founded the Prebend of Beckingham between 1120 and 1135.