Ela Countess of Salisbury

Though not buried or directly remembered at St Cyriac’s the actions of Ela, Countess of Salisbury had a direct impact on its history. Through her we gain the first and indeed possibly the strongest historic links to Lacock Abbey which she founded after her husband died around 1230.

Much has been written about Ela but in summary she inherited her position and title as a young girl but when her father died she became a Ward of Richard the Lionheart. History suggests she was initially taken away from England and hidden to protect her from harm due to her wealth and young age.

She was entered into an arranged marriage with William Longespée, who was King Richard I’s half‑brother, who took her title and inheritance until his death in 1226 when the title returned to her. This time she did not re-marry but became Sheriff of Wiltshire and a powerful woman in her own right.

Ela was able to build Lacock Abbey on her own land, establishing a house of Augustinian canonesses. Like many medieval religious houses, the abbey relied on dependable sources of income to sustain daily worship and care.

Around 1168, the Earl of Salisbury, Ela’s great-great grandfather and Ralph Bluet II (of Lackham House) had both agreed to share the right to appoint priests at St Cyriac’s—taking turns in a system known as patronage. In 1236, Ela of Salisbury sought to bring St Cyriac’s into the abbey’s care, aiming to direct the church’s income towards supporting the nuns. However, this was not to happen overnight so one assumes there was some debate over this with the Bluets but in 1312, with the help of Bishop of Salisbury, they forced the issue, and John Bluet finally agreed, with conditions linked to money and prayers for his ancestors. The transfer still had to wait until the serving minister died, so St Cyriac’s did not finally pass to the abbey until 1337.

Ela died in 1261 and is buried in the Abbey but the right of patronage carried on right to the suspension of “The Living” in the 20^th Century. Indeed, descendants of those who lived at the abbey are still invited to take part in present day recruitment of ministers if they chose to although they do not have the great influence they once enjoyed.