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
St Peter's Church, Barnstaple was enlarged, probably in 1318 when three altars were dedicated by Walter de Stapledon, Bishop of Exeter. There is a record of a steeple being erected in 1388 but the present lead-covered broach spire dates to the late 17th-century and is said by Hoskins to be the best of its kind in England. The advowson and rectory were long the property of Barnstaple Priory (Priory of St Mary Magdalene), of the Cluniac order. Ancient charters were quoted from by Dugdale (d.1686) in his "Monasticon Anglicanum" (1718 edition in English) thus: The two-storied Dodderidgian Library (Latin: "Bibliotheca Doddridgiana") with wooden mullioned