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HER Number:MDV17118
Name:Secular College, Hartland

Summary

A college of secular canons is said to have been founded here in the 11th century, by Githa, wife of Earl Godwin. They were replaced by the Augustinian canons in the 12th century.

Location

Grid Reference:SS 240 249
Map Sheet:SS22SW
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishHartland
DistrictTorridge
Ecclesiastical ParishHARTLAND

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

  • Old DCC SMR Ref: SS22SW/1/2

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • COLLEGE (Founded, XI - 1001 AD to 1100 AD)

Full description

Pearse Chope, R., 1926, Address of the President. Hartland Abbey, 53-54 (Article in Serial). SDV6740.

College believed to have been founded between 1019 and 1053 and endowed with the manor of Nectan's Stoke, which was held by the canons at the time the Domesday inquest.

Knowles, D. + Hadcock, R. N., 1971, Medieval Religious Houses: England and Wales, 414,426,474. (Monograph). SDV323253.

Hartland Secular college. A college of secular canons is said to have been founded here by Githa, wife of Earl Godwin (11th century). Several prebendaries are known to have been here temporarily. During the reign of Henry II, between 1161-1184 they were replaced by an order of Augustinian Canons.

Devon Religious Houses Survey, 1986-87, Devon Religious Houses Survey 1986/87. Preliminary Assessment Form. Hartland, Pre-Conquest Minster (Un-published). SDV366906.

There was a college of secular canons at Hartland before the conquest, possibly founded between 1019 and 1053. Domesday Book refers to 'canons of this place' at Stoke. They were replaced by the Augustian canons in the 12th century. There are no known architectural remains. Buried deposits possibly survive within the later abbey site.

Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J., 2007, The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report, No. 78 (Report - Assessment). SDV339712.

College of secular canons believed to have been founded between 1019 and 1053 by Githa, wife of Earl Godwin and endowed with manor of Nectan's Stoke, which was held by the canons at the time of the Domesday inquest.

Hobbs, S., 2007, Various Sites around Hartland (Correspondence). SDV351130.

The first replacement for the college of secular cannon was of the Arrouasian brotherhood, who in turn were replaced by Augustinians.

Ordnance Survey, 2026, Mastermap 2026 (Cartographic). SDV366713.

Hartland Abbey, marked as a the remains of St Nectan's Abbey.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV323253Monograph: Knowles, D. + Hadcock, R. N.. 1971. Medieval Religious Houses: England and Wales. Medieval Religious Houses: England and Wales. Hardback Volume. 414,426,474..
SDV339712Report - Assessment: Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J.. 2007. The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report. Exeter Archaeology Report. 06.22 (rev.1). A4 Stapled + Digital. No. 78.
SDV351130Correspondence: Hobbs, S.. 2007. Various Sites around Hartland. Letter to Historic Environment Record. A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV366713Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2026. Mastermap 2026. Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping. Digital. [Mapped feature: #7862 Map object arbitrary. Exact location of college unknown, ]
SDV366906Un-published: Devon Religious Houses Survey. 1986-87. Devon Religious Houses Survey 1986/87. Preliminary Assessment Form. Hartland, Pre-Conquest Minster. Devon Religious Houses Survey. A4 Stapled.
SDV6740Article in Serial: Pearse Chope, R.. 1926. Address of the President. Hartland Abbey. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 58. Hardback Volume. 53-54.

Associated Monuments

MDV76Related to: Hartland Abbey (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

  • EDV2416 - Devon Religious Houses Survey

Date Last Edited:Apr 30 2026 4:26PM