Gabriel Donne, Abbot of Buckfast

Gabriel Dunne (or Donne) imposed on the Community in 1535 by Thomas Cromwell. He surrendered the Abbey to the king on 25 February 1539.[9]

The last legitimately elected Abbot of Buckfast was John Rede, who died about 1535, the year of the Visitation ordered by Henry VIII, which resulted in the intrusion of Gabriel Donne into the vacant chair. Donne surrendered the house to the King in 1538, receiving for himself ample compensation. The buildings were immediately sold, the lead stripped from the roof, and the monastery and church left to decay. Catholic Encyclopedia: Buckfast Abbey

Virtual Tour of the restored Buckfast Abbey

Notes

As was the tradition of London, he (Angel Donne) gave his wife Anne Dune [sic] one-third of his estate, plus an additional 100 pounds and household stuff. He gave another third (again, tradition) to his minor children Edward, Francis and Elizabeth Dun. The two sons were also given an additional 100 pounds. Later on in his will he left his son Gabriell ten pounds to be used to school him at Cambridge or Oxford." Probate on 9 Dec 1506 London PCC 13 Adeane. FHL #91,905. Proved by his widow. Paul C. Reed, FASG.

"It is stated that Gabriel Donne [Angel?s son] belonged to the family of Donne/Dunn seated at Ralph Donue, Devonshire (DNB). He was called a Devon native. Perhaps he was conceived in Devonshire before his father moved to London." Paul C. Reed, FASG.

The last Abbot of Buckfast was Gabriel Donne. Sir Thomas Dennys married secondly Elisabeth, daughter of Sir Angel Donne of London, and named one of his sons Gabriel. It is incredible that two contemporary Donnes should both have borne such " angelic " font-names as " Angel " and " Gabriel " unless they were brothers, particularly in view of the child Gabriel.
(Devon & Cornwall notes & queries: Volume 23. 1949.)

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Dunne, Gabriel (Donne, Doune, Dune, Dun- neus de Londris).* Monk, Cistercian. S. Bernard Coll., scholar in Oct. 1521 ; Stratford Langthorn Abbey, Essex, probably by 1521; vac. 1535 ; Buckfast Abbey, Devon, abbot, adm. by June 1535 ... Went to Trinity Hall, Cambridge. (A biographical register of the University of Oxford, A.D. 1501 to 1540. Emden)

citations

• 9. Orme, Nicholas (2001). "The Last Medieval Abbot of Buckfast". Report & Transactions of the Devonshire Association 133: 97–107.

Links

• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ancestors...