English Heritage is hoping to trace the descendants of 31 men who took part in a riot against the closure of an abbey 500 years ago.
More than a decade prior to the Dissolution of Monasteries, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey had already started suppressing some of England’s smaller monasteries to fund planned new colleges at Oxford and Ipswich.
In 1525 he ordered the closure of Bayham Abbey, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Incensed, local people turned to violence in support of their abbey.
Local reports say that on 4 June 1525 “over a hundred men with painted faces and visures”, armed with longbows, crossbows, swords and clubs, assembled at the abbey to reinstate the evicted canons (ordained priests living a communal life). They stormed the abbey gatehouse and temporarily restored the community. The canons were once again removed a week later and 31 men were indicted by the Crown for rioting.
Cardinal Wolsey died in 1530. As shown in the acclaimed BBC drama Wolf Hall, his former adviser Thomas Cromwell subsequently took his place as right-hand man to King Henry VIII and introduced the Dissolution of the Monasteries on a massive scale. The king took ownership of Bayham Abbey in 1538.
English Heritage, the charity that now cares for the ruins of the abbey, will be holding a commemorative event this summer to mark the 500th anniversary of the riot and invites those with family connections to the protestors to take part.
English Heritage historian Michael Carter said: “In 1525, Bayham was deeply embedded in the religious and social life of its locality. Many of its community — the canons — were local boys and their prayers were highly prized. In addition, the bed in which St Richard of Chichester slept had been preserved at Bayham Abbey as a relic and was believed to perform miracles.
“The abbey was also a significant employer and the men who took part in the uprising were predominantly local tradesmen, including shoemakers, labourers and farmers. Whilst they will undoubtedly have feared the loss of their spiritual leaders, their loss of income would have been of equal concern. This act of rebellion could have cost them their lives and, as we reach the 500th anniversary of the riot, we are keen to remember and celebrate these brave men.”
The 31 men are:
| Name | Parish of residence | Occupation |
| Stephen Aleyn | Lamberhurst | Roper |
| Nicholas Bate | Lamberhurst | Brewer |
| Thomas Busse | Lamberhurst | Labourer |
| William Busse | Lamberhurst | Servingman |
| John Cowerd | Lamberhurst | Servingman |
| Nicholas Day | Brenchley | Labourer |
| William Gale | --------- | Abbot |
| Thomas Godfowle | Lamberhurst | Labourer |
| Nicholas Godfrey | Brenchley | Shearman |
| John Grangeman | Frant | Labourer |
| John Heyward | Lamberhurst | Rippier |
| Thomas Hilles | Lamberhurst | Labourer |
| William Lankyn | Lamberhurst | Tailor |
| John Large | Wadhurst | Labourer |
| Alexander Love | Goudhurst | Smith |
| William Mepam | Frant | Weaver |
| Thomas Milles | Frant | Labourer |
| John Mower | Frant | Servingman |
| John Muge | Brenchley | Fuller |
| Robert Ovynden | Lamberhurst | Husbandman |
| Stephen Palmer | Lamberhurst | Cordwainer |
| Thomas Penkherst | Lamberhurst | Husbandman |
| Augustine Percyvall | Staplehurst | Husbandman |
| Robert Porter | Frant | Chaplain |
| John Ramkyn | Lamberhurst | Servingman |
| Robert Reynard | Frant | Husbandman |
| Edward Ryseman | --------- | --------- |
| Thomas Towers | --------- | Chaplain |
| John Turke | Lamberhurst | --------- |
| John Whitesyde, senior | Lamberhurst | Husbandman |
| John Whitesyde, junior | Lamberhurst | --------- |
If you think you may have a connection to any of these men, please email press@english-heritage.org.uk.
