Barnstaple Priory Blake (d.1673), Vicar of Barnstaple 1628-56; 1660-73, who notably suffered much for his adherence to the Royalist cause as related in John Walker's "Sufferings of the Clergy" (1714). It includes much 19th c. additions and restorations, undertaken by Rev. Henry Luxmore (born 1793, Bridestowe, Devon), Vicar of Barnstaple 1820-60 and by his successor Rev. Gilbert Innes Wallas, Vicar 1861-77. Barnstaple Priory The Priory of St Mary Magdalene in Barnstaple was a priory in Devon, England. It was founded in about 1107 by Juhel de Totnes, feudal baron of Barnstaple, who had earlier founded Totnes Priory in about 1087 at the
Barnstaple Bay. The name is first recorded in the 10th century and is believed to derive from the Old English "bearde", meaning "battle-axe", and "stapol", meaning "pillar", referring to a post or pillar set up to mark a religious or administrative meeting place. The belief that the name derives from "staple" meaning "market", indicating that there was a market here from the foundation of the settlement, is incorrect, because the use of "staple" in that sense is not recorded in England before 1423. Barnstaple was formerly referred to as "Barum", from a contraction of the Latin form of the name (ad