5/16/14---NEWSTEAD ABBEY

During the time of Henry III (ca 1259-1272), James Le Bel donated to "the church of Saint
Mary and Saint Thomas the Martyr of Newstead ..." (see 5/11/14 New Findings)

QUESTION: Where was that church in Newstead?

ANSWER: Nottinghamshire. Here is what I found:

"Newstead was the Monastery of Sherwood Forest, founded by Henry II. in contrition for the murder of Thomas a Becket, as a priory of Black Canons of the order of St. Augustine, who professed great austerity of life.

It was frequently visited by the Kings of England, and was richly endowed by many friends; among others, Edward I who in 1304, granted thirty eight acres of the land in Sherwood to this convent.

At the dissolution of the monasteries it came into possession of the Byron family.

During the reign of William the Conqueror they had large possessions in various parts of England. Ralph de Byron, who was the direct ancestor of Lord Byron, held Manors in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in the twentieth year of the Conqueror's reign."

Photo of Newstead Abbey:

http://www.rotherhamweb.co.uk/h/dukeries/newsteadabbey.htm
dna#17, p.3

COINCIDENCE?

BOTH JAMES LE BEL AND EDWARD I (FORMERLY SIR EDWARD OF WESTMINSTER) DONATED TO NEWSTEAD ABBEY.
5/11/14 New Findings, dna#17,p.3

ANOTHER COINCIDENCE?
Hugh le Bel (relative of James le Bel?) was granted 26 1/2 acres of land in Sherwood Forest by Henry III in 1234.
dna#17,p.1