Note 18.2


Flandrina's election as Abbess of Godstow in 1241 is recorded in the Calendar of Patent Rolls 1232-47, 268. She was deposed in 1248, which is recorded in the Calendar of Patent Rolls 1247-58, 12.

The Rotuli Roberti Grosseteste, Episcopi Lincolniensis, is a record of the transactions of Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln. On April 5, 1248, the bishop wrote to King Henry III to inform him that Flandrina de Braose had been deposed as Abbess of Godstow. My translation of the Latin is as follows:

To his most excellent Lord Henry, by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy, Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou, may I, Robert, by divine mercy humble servant to the church of Lincoln, send greetings and respect both owed and given through sincere love. We make known to Your Excellency the Lady Flandrina de Brewes, one time Abbess of the monastic house of Godstow by our authority, her case having been tried, is deposed from the office of Abbess by way of judgement. And lest the vacancy in the said house might escape notice in your peace for a long time, we make this known to Your Lordship through these open letters of ours. May Your Lordship fare well and long flourish.
Dated at Louth 5th April in the Year of Grace 1248.


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