the aldgate house was founded at least by 1291, when it is mentioned in the "taxatio ecclesiastica", compiled in 1291-1292 at the behest of pope nicholas iv preparatory to papal taxation to finance a crusade to the holy land. some think that there was perhaps a community operating on the site as early as 1281. the title of "founder" was later consistently attributed to edmund crouchback, earl of leicester and earl of lancaster, a son of henry iii of england and brother of king edward i. the new monastery was to house a group of enclosed poor clares.