New evidence about Sir Geoffrey Luttrell's raid on Sempringham Priory, 1312

Abstract

• We know more about Sir Geoffrey Luttrell, commissioner of the Luttrell Psalter (BL, Add. MS. 42130), than about the patrons of many other medieval manuscripts. Unfortunately for the many admirers of the Psalter, not all of what we know about Geoffrey casts him in a positive light. In particular, scholars have had to grapple with records that show him leading a violent raid on the Gilbertine priory of Sempringham. According to the royal order dated 27 July 1312, which set up a commission of inquiry in response to the complaint of Prior John de Camelton, 'Geoffrey Literel of Irnham, Edmund de Coleville of Westbitham, John son of John Gobaud, Roger de Birthorpe with John and Thomas his brothers, John de Graveneye, William Pleseleie and John le Hunte, with others 'broke the doors and walls of the priory, carrying away goods worth 500 and assaulting several of the men who tried to stop them.'