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Norreys the humble monk
Roger Norreys figured in history for the first time when he was a monk at Canterbury. He was a member of the Benedictine Christchurch Priory which was attached to Canterbury Cathedral where the Archbishop of Canterbury also acted as the Abbot of the Priory. The Prior was in charge of the management of the Priory and answered only to the Archbishop. Norreys must have been well educated and skilled in administration, as he steadily rose through the ranks there.
His first promotion: He became a Steward, one of only three, whose job it was to visit the outlying lands belonging to the Priory, inspecting them and collecting the dues from these communities. The Priory owned many productive manors all over Kent and nearby areas.
His second promotion: In 1187 Roger became Treasurer of the Priory in charge of all financial records and as such must have been well trusted.
His third promotion: Later he was the Cellarer who was in charge of procuring all the Priory’s provisions. It was regarded as a very high position at the Priory as it meant handling transactions. In 1188 a serious argument had arisen between the monks and Archbishop Baldwin, who had been chosen by the bishops for this highest post in 1186 against the wishes of the monks. They rebelled and Norreys was one of several monks who were sent to King Henry II to put their side of the argument. During these negotiations Norreys changed sides and ended up supporting Archbishop Baldwin against his fellow monks.
His fourth and fifth promotions (text missing)
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[waterworksbuildingdetail-1.jpg] What is this of and where does it fit?
Roger Norreys in Evesham and Badby
This stage of Norreys’ life was when he became connected to our village’s history. As soon as he arrived as Abbot of Evesham In 1189, Norreys ordered an imposing retreat house to be built at Badby, which was one of the manorial domains owned by Evesham Abbey. The building was described as ‘noble, almost regal’. As Abbot he was supposed to visit the Badby House to hold the manorial court there for about a week at a time during every year, but he stayed for several weeks per visit and lived a luxurious life not expected from an Abbot of the Benedictine Order.
The monks of Evesham were in a dispute at the time with the Abbot of Worcester Abbey who regarded Evesham as under his control. Norreys became more and more unpopular because of his outrageous behaviour. Later, Evesham Abbey’s historian, Thomas of Marlborough described that Norreys’ reported crimes ranged from dressing improperly, drunkenness, womanizing, misuse of funds, appropriating property as his own, cruelty and starving the monks. It was even reported by Thomas of Marlborough in one of his histories of Evesham Abbey, that Norrys had murdered someone at Canterbury, though that has not been reported by anyone else.
Somehow Norreys remained in post and in 1204 he and Thomas of Marlborough visited Pope Innocent III who was enthusiastically raising funds to lead another crusade. The monks’ mission was to argue for Evesham Abbey against Worcester Abbey in their ongoing dispute. An apparently repentant Norreys was sent home early because of his reported behaviour and later Thomas of Marlborough wrote about their visit in shocked terms. He was so upset by the interview that he fainted afterwards even though the Pope had at last granted his request.
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Norreys in Penwortham
In 1213 Norreys was still the Abbot of Evesham and at last a report of his bad ways had reached the Papal Court and a papal representative was sent to Evesham. This investigator was appalled by conditions there discovering that Norreys had almost bankrupted the Abbey. By Papal Decree Norreys was sent to another Priory at Penwortham in Lancashire. He was demoted to Prior there and soon returned to his disreputable ways. Only five months later he was sacked and journeyed to Rome to appeal against his dismissal. This time his luck ran out when he lost his case. He spent some years as a vagrant. Could this be his end? –Not quite!
A new Pope succeeded Innocent. Honorius III became Pope in 1216 until 1227. Did Norreys manage to ingratiate himself with this Pope?
In 1218 Norreys returned to Penwortham, though in a low position and stayed there until his death in 1223. He is still known now as ‘The worst monk in history’.
Norreys’ demise in Penwortham
In 1213 Norreys was still the Abbot of Evesham when at last a report of his bad ways had reached the Papal Court, and a papal representative was sent to Evesham. This investigator was appalled by conditions there, discovering that Norryes had almost bankrupted the Abbey. By Papal Decree, he was sent to another Priory at Penwortham in Lancashire. He was demoted to Prior there and soon returned to his disreputable ways.
Only five months later he was sacked and journeyed to Rome to appeal against his dismissal. This time his luck ran out when he lost his case. He spent some years as a vagrant. But it was not his end.
A new Pope succeeded Innocent. Honorious III became Pope in 1216 until 1227 and in 1218 Norreys returned to Penwortham Priory, though in a low position, until his death in 1223. He is still known as ‘The worst monk in history’.
Abbot Reginald’s remaining wall and gateway at Evesham Abbey
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[Abbot Reginald’s remaining wall and gateway at Evesham Abbey (photo2).jpg]
Page amended 7 November 2026