28 July 2023 Torquay and Torre Abbey

Well, it happened. I outpaced myself. Three days left in Torquay, and I have seen all that I needed to see in this area. Today I ventured out within the confines of the city to see what where I could go. Torre Abbey was founded in 1196 by monks. It stood as an Abbey until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530’s then was turned over to the Cary. They maintained it as a residence until around 1930, when the last Cary heir sold it to the State, since he was unable to maintain it.




The Cary family have always served in the Armed Forces in England. One of the heirs, was the owner for three weeks before he was killed in WWI. Today, it has gardens attached to it, and much of the Abbey still standing is dedicated to Paddington Bear and its author, as well as an extensive collection of paintings. The only relative that I have associated with this place was Isabel de Briwere, Baroness Chilham. She was 53 years of age when she died at Torre Abbey, but there isn’t much to be said about the circumstances of her death. As far as I can tell, she didn’t live there, so I don’t know how she ended up here.








Isabel de Briwere was first married to Fulford de Dover, Baron of Chilham Castle. She had a daughter with Fulford in 1198, but when he died around 1204, she married Baldwin Wake II, Lord of Bourne. Together they had 3 children. That’s about all I know of her, but my lineage runs through her oldest son, Baldwin Wake III.


After visiting the abbey, I took a walk for some exercise through Torquay and did a little shopping. My dinner was a Ploughman’s platter, and a crab sandwich. It was the best crab sandwich that I have had in my life, but it was also the worst, being my first. I can safely say that it will most likely be my last as well. Two more days in this place, and I head off for my last week in England. I will be staying in Falmouth, Cornwall above a pub, and hope that it isn’t as loud as the last one I stayed in.





Post Script 1: As I was researching de Briwere, I chanced upon a different spelling of the last name, to Brewer. Torre Abbey was established in 1196 by William Brewer. I just discovered that William Brewer is the same as William de Briwere, Isabel's father, thus making the connection as to why she was buried here. William de Briwere was born in 1145, and died in 1223. His remains were interred in Dunkeswell Abbey, in North Devon. I love it when something finally connects events. 

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