Dissolution

King Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries came to Repton Priory in 1536. This included the cell at Calke. However, Repton was offered a reinstatement on payment of a fine, which was set at £266.13s.4d. This amount caused a problem for Repton – with their annual earnings being only £118.8s.0d.

However, John Young of Repton had a friend in our hero, John Preste – he of wealth and position – the Upper Master of the London Grocers’ Guild. The two Johns struck a deal whereby John Preste would lend John Young the full amount so that he could secure the reinstatement of Repton Priory in exchange for a 99-year lease on the priory at Calke, with a peppercorn rent for 59 years (being pre-paid) and a rent of £6.13s.4d. p.a. for the remaining 40 years. Below is a transcript of the lease, courtesy of Philip Riden:

31 August (replacing May, crossed through) 1537 (29 Hen. VIII).

John Young by the sufferance of the prior and convent of Repton (1) and John Prest citizen and grocer of London (2).

Lease (1) to (2) of all the priory’s manor or member called Calke with all lands, appurtenances etc., in the parish of Calke , with certain parcels of meadow lying besides Swalkestone Bridge in the parish (singular) of Melbourne and Stanton. From Michaelmas next for 99 years. Rent for the first 59 years a peppercorn because (2) has paid a sufficient sum of money to the prior and convent.

Rent for the last 40 years £6 13s 4d a year. Various covenants to maintain premises, burn lime for the land, find a priest (being a canon or brother of Repton) to serve the church at Calke. Repton covenants to allow Prest wood from their wood at Southwood in the parish of Repton.

The lease held great value in lands and permissions, so the leaseholder throughout the pre-paid period 1537 – 1596, was deemed to be very wealthy.

Hence the fight to own the lease following John Preste’s death in 1546. Court cases that followed showed the skulduggery that was committed by some so they could own the lease, for their own ends.

The lease issued in 1537 has ensured that the legacy of Calke continues for us today.