The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Richard Towneley (1644 - 17 Jan 1729)

Alias Columban Townley (Alias)

Priest and a member of Carthusian Order founded by St. Bruno of Cologne. At some point he changed his Christian name to Columban. After returning home to England from the English College at Douai, Towneley decided to consecrate himself and went to La Trappe to consult Abbé de Rancé (1626-1700) regarding his vocation. He professed his vows on 22 July 1700 and entered the monastery of the Charterhouse of Bourgfontaine. About three years later he took up the role of Procurator at the English Charterhouse. In 1708 he returned to Bourgfontaine until he was appointed Prior of Sheen Anglorum, located in Nieuwpoort from 1626–1783, resigning his office there in 1722 (Hendriks, 328-9). Artisan or Craftsman - creator
Relevant locations: Death place at Nieuwpoort, Flanders
Educated at English College, Douai
Lived at or near Towneley Hall, Towneley Park
Workplace or place of business Sheen Anglorum, Nieuwpoort
Workplace or place of business Bourgfontaine Charterhouse, Villers-Cotterêts
Relationships: Richard Towneley was a brother of Charles Towneley (1658-1712)
Richard Towneley was a uncle of Mary Towneley (1686-1716)
Richard Towneley was a son of Richard Towneley (10 Oct 1629-22 Jan 1707)

Margaret Towneley (1664 or 1667-) was a sister of Richard Towneley
Linked print sources: as Artisan or Craftsman - creator - Ducatus Leodiensis; or the topography of the town and parish of Leedes and parts adjacent ...
as Mentions or references - The London Charterhouse: Its Monks and Its Martyrs, with a Short Account of the English Carthusians After the Dissolution.
References in Documents:
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

Another Nest of them containing an Hundred, one within another, of which the largest is but 2 ½ Inches Diameter. A Cabinet with half a Dozen Chevaliers in Wax-work, that, by multiplying Glasses, appear like a Troop of Horse, do march to and fro with Sound of the Trumpet. Another Cabinet of Ivory, Mother of Pearl, and Tortoise-shell, curiously inlaid with a Silver Lock, &c. An Octangular Brass Box of antique Fret-work well performed. A Silver Box, with four Sphinxes, in ancient chac'd Work. A Box of Leather very curiously wrought like the finest Turn'd-work, by Mr. Richard (now Columban) Towneley, of the Order of St. Bruno at Bourfonten in France; sent me by his Niece Mrs. Mary Towneley. A Pelican with her young Ones, cut in Wood by a lame Danish Soldier; nothing worth Notice but the Wings, which yet are done with Expedition when the Manner is observed.