Rare chance to view ancient documents that chart the history of Newton Abbot.

Rare chance to view ancient documents that chart the history of Newton Abbot.

A TUDOR document that may not see the light of day again for decades has gone on display at Newton Abbot Museum.

The hand-illustrated 16th century Letters Patent records the sale of the Manorial Borough of Newton Abbot by Queen Mary I and her husband King Philip II of Spain to Thomas Yarde of Bradley Manor and Vincent Calmady.

The price demanded for the title was £284 and marked a pivotal moment in Newton Abbot’s history.

It signalled the end of centuries of ownership by the monks of Torre Abbey and the beginning of private control which came about following King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536 - 1541.

The document is usually held in a collection owned by the current and 43rd Lord of the Manorial Borough, Keith Stokes-Smith.

He has allowed the Museum to show it, and other associated papers, to mark 40 years of his association with the town.

Curator Joanna Eccles said: ‘The carefully scribed legal document is exceptionally well preserved and details significant rights, lands and privileges associated with the manor during the Tudor period.

‘Of particular interest is a remarkable hand-drawn illustration of Queen Mary and King Philip. Such artistic embellishments are uncommon in documents of this type and make the manuscript an especially striking survival from the mid-sixteenth century.

‘Following Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, the lands of Torre Abbey, including those associated with Newton Abbot, became property of the Crown.

‘Although Mary I restored many religious institutions during her reign, these estates remained under royal control and were ultimately transferred into private ownership through this grant.’

The documents will be on display throughout August. Museum admission is free and opening hours are Tuesday - Saturday 9.30am - 4.30pm.