Venue Type & Location
Private Residence
Site Name: Bedford House
Location: Exeter
County: Exeter (city-county) in Devon
Location Type: Town - in town at determined location
Overview
The former house of the Dominican priory was located on an extensive site beside the city wall N of Exeter Cathedral.
Performance History
Possible performance venue. Relevant household accounts have not been discovered for the Russell family but entertainers under their patronage appeared elsewhere in the 16th c. It is likely that these performers also entertained their patrons at one or more of the Russell residences.
Current Status
Demolished.
History of the Venue
1539 Dominican priory acquired by John, Baron Russell (later 3rd Earl of Bedford), after the Dissolution and converted into a town house.
by 18th c. Converted into tenements.
1773 Demolished to make way for Bedford Circus, elegant Georgian houses on an oval plan.
Record Source
REED Bristol 51; Devon 41; Norwich 34; Shropshire 1.203
Patrons who owned this venue
| Name | Date | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Russell, Francis | 1526-1585 | Lord Russell |
| Russell, Francis | 1526-1585 | Earl of Bedford |
| Russell, Francis | 1526-1585 | Baron Russell |
| Russell, John | 1485-1555 | Baron Russell |
| Russell, John | 1485-1555 | Earl of Bedford |
| Russell, John | 1485-1555 | Knight |
| Russell, John | 1485-1555 | Knight of the Garter |
Bibliographic Sources
- Cherry, Bridget, and Nikolaus Pevsner. Devon. London: Penguin Books, 1989
- Hooker, John. Isca Damnoniorum ... Latine Exonia, Anglice Exeancestre vel Exestre at nunc vulgo Exeter.... London: npub, 1587
- Leland, John. The Itinerary of John Leland in or about the Years 1535–1543. 5 vols. London: Centaur, 1964
- Portman, D. Exeter Houses 1400--1700. Exeter: U of Exeter P, 1966
- Thomson, Gladys Scott. 'Exeter and the Russell Earls of Bedford.'. Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries 17 (1932--3): 13--30.