Torre
Title
Torre
Also Known As
Thore, Thorre, Tor, Tore, Torr, Torre Mohun, Torre Moun
Dates
Founded 1196; dissolved 1539
Dedication
Holy Trinity; Salvator
Affiliation
Medieval Diocese
Circary
History
Torre was founded in 1196 by William Brewer. The first brothers came from Welbeck. By the 13th century, it was the richest Premonstratensian house in England, and held land across Devon. Edward III granted the abbey a license to crenellate in 1348.
Torre was suppressed in 1539. The property passed into private hands and was converted into a residence. In the 1930s, the house and grounds were purchased by the local council, and Torre is now home to an art museum. In the 1980s, the former abbey church was excavated.
Torre was suppressed in 1539. The property passed into private hands and was converted into a residence. In the 1930s, the house and grounds were purchased by the local council, and Torre is now home to an art museum. In the 1980s, the former abbey church was excavated.
Heads of Community
Abbots
Adam, 1196-ca. 119
John I, fl. 1200
W., fl. 1207/08
Robert, fl. 1228
Laurence, 1239-1246
Simon I, 1252-1260
Brian, 1264-?
Richard I, 1270-ca. 1301
John II le Rous, 1306-1318
Simon II of Plympton, 1330-1345
Richard II of Cotelford, 1345-1351
John II of Berkedene, 1352-ca. 1380
William I Norton, 1382-1412
Matthew Yerde, 1412
William II Mychel, 1414-?
William III Nichol, fl. 1438
John III Lacy, 1442-1455
Richard III Cade, 1456-1482
Thomas Dyer, 1488-1523
Simon III Rede, 1523-1539
Adam, 1196-ca. 119
John I, fl. 1200
W., fl. 1207/08
Robert, fl. 1228
Laurence, 1239-1246
Simon I, 1252-1260
Brian, 1264-?
Richard I, 1270-ca. 1301
John II le Rous, 1306-1318
Simon II of Plympton, 1330-1345
Richard II of Cotelford, 1345-1351
John II of Berkedene, 1352-ca. 1380
William I Norton, 1382-1412
Matthew Yerde, 1412
William II Mychel, 1414-?
William III Nichol, fl. 1438
John III Lacy, 1442-1455
Richard III Cade, 1456-1482
Thomas Dyer, 1488-1523
Simon III Rede, 1523-1539
Status
Abbey
Archival Sources
Dublin, Trinity College
DL 25/213 (13th c.)
DL 25/213/169 (13th c.; seal)
E 132/1/8 (13th/14th c.)
E 164/19 (15th c.; cartulary.)
E 166/2/2 (15th c.)
E 322/246 (1539)
REQ 2/13/77 (16th c.)
SC 1/17/45 (1281)
SC 6/HENVIII/597 (16th c.)
MS 524 (13th c.; cartulary)
Exeter, Devon Archives and Local Studies Service
312M/TY61 (ca. 1240)
D1508M/Moger/207
D1508M/Moger/227 (1538)
D1508M/Moger/235 (1252)
D1508M/Moger/413
D1508M/Moger/416 (13th c.)
Kew, National Archives
DL 25/213 (13th c.)
DL 25/213/169 (13th c.; seal)
E 132/1/8 (13th/14th c.)
E 164/19 (15th c.; cartulary.)
E 166/2/2 (15th c.)
E 322/246 (1539)
REQ 2/13/77 (16th c.)
SC 1/17/45 (1281)
SC 6/HENVIII/597 (16th c.)
Reference
Bibliography
Appleton, E. “Notes on Torre Abbey.” Transactions of the Exeter Diocesan Architectural Society, Third Series, 1 (1899): 105–7. https://books.google.com/books?id=L5EZAAAAYAAJ.
Ashworth, Edward. “A Paper on Torre Abbey.” Transactions of the Exeter Diocesan Architectural Society, Second Series, 1 (1867): 55–60. https://books.google.com/books?id=hsGgAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA55.
Forde, Deirdre. Torre Abbey, Devon : The Archaeology of the Premonstratensian Abbey. Oxford Archaeology Monograph 29. Oxford: Oxford Archaeology, 2019.
Jenkins, John Christopher. “Torre Abbey: Locality, Community, and Society in Medieval Devon.” Ph.D. Thesis, University of Oxford, 2011. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:5605a4ce-68ba-4b66-919d-2fd60ae5f92f.
Ralegh Radford, C. A. “Torre Abbey, Torquay.” The Archaeological Journal 114 (1957): 149–50. https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-1132-1/dissemination/pdf/114/114_126_184.pdf.
Rhodes, Michael. Devon’s Torre Abbey: Faith, Politics and Grand Designs. Stroud: The History Press, 2015.
———. Torre Abbey: A Souvenir Guide. Torbay: Torbay Council, 2000.
Seymour, Deryck. The Exchequer Cartulary of Torre Abbey: (P.R.O. 164/19). Torquay: Friends of Torre Abbey, 2000.
———. Torre Abbey: An Account of Its History, Buildings, Cartularies and Lands. Exeter: James Townsend, 1977.
The Exeter Flying Post or, Trewman’s Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser. “Tor Abbey.” June 19, 1872.
Watkin, Hugh R. A Short Description of Torre Abbey, Torquay, Devonshire, With Illustrations and Revised Ground Plan. Torquay: Fleet Printing Works, 1912. https://books.scholarsportal.info/uri/ebooks/ebooks5/ia5/ebooks/oca3/17/shortdescription00watkuoft.
———. “The Use of a Norse Standard of Measurement by the Normans in Eleventh- and Twelfth-Century Buildings, as Exemplified in the Structure of Torre Abbey and the Churches of Kings-Kerswell and Cockington.” Reports and Transactions of the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art., Third Series, 6 (1914): 326–45. https://books.google.com/books?id=V905AQAAMAAJ.
Image Credit
Torre Abbey, 2010. Wikimedia.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Torre,” A Premonstratensian Atlas, accessed October 16, 2026, https://yvonneseale.org/atlas/items/show/239.
Geolocation
Item Relations
| This Item | DependentOn | Item: Welbeck |
| Item: Buckland Brewer | DependentOn | This Item |
| Item: Skidbrooke | DependentOn | This Item |
| Item: Townstal | DependentOn | This Item |
| Item: Bradworthy | DependentOn | This Item |
| Item: Wolborough | DependentOn | This Item |
| Item: Hennock | DependentOn | This Item |
| Item: Shebbear | DependentOn | This Item |
| Item: Ilsham | DependentOn | This Item |
| Item: Torwood | DependentOn | This Item |