History of Greyfriars: Grey Friars of the London house

The Grey Friars of London. Originally published by Aberdeen University Press, Aberdeen, 1915.

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'History of Greyfriars: Grey Friars of the London house', in The Grey Friars of London, (Aberdeen, 1915) pp. 62-69. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/brit-franciscan-soc/vol6/pp62-69 [accessed 18 March 2024]

In this section

5. Grey Friars Of The London House.

The compiler of the Register states that in the fourteenth century there were sometimes a hundred, sometimes more and seldom fewer friars resident in the London Convent. This agrees fairly well with the records of royal pittances, which show that in 1243 there were 80 friars; 79 in 1300; 64 in August, 1314, and 72 in October of that year and again in 1315; 80 in 1319; 64 in 1320; 58 to 61 in 1320–1321; 72 in 1325; 80 in 1334; 90 in 1336; 80 in 1337. (fn. 1) At the dissolution in 1538 there were only 26. Probably in the three centuries of its existence between 2000 and 3000 friars passed through the Convent. To have been able to trace the names of upwards of 200 is perhaps somewhat remarkable. Only those names have been included of friars who there is reason to believe were at some time willing residents. A few names may be added of friars who were unwillingly detained here. There are extant a number of warrants for the arrest of apostate friars to be delivered to the Guardian of London, (fn. 2) viz. John Camel, 1398; John de Colneye, c. 1357; John Dunnyng, 1391; Robert Haunton, 1403; William Howys, 1385; Thomas Knyth, John Mynterne, and Walter Tolny, 1398; Robert Trowe, 1288. Of these Haunton and Howys were certainly London friars and are therefore included in the list below. Dunnyng belonged to Boston. The rest may or may not have been genuine inmates of the London Convent. Another group of unwilling visitors were the Observants who were imprisoned here in the reign of Henry VIII., viz. William Renscroft in 1525; (fn. 3) Antonius Laycus, Nicholas Harforth, John Forest, Jacobus Laycus, James Kello, and J. Kinge in 1534. John Amne also seems to have been an Observant; (fn. 4) as he and Kello signed the Deed of Surrender in 1538, they are included in the List below.

For the purpose of this list it is assumed that all the friars whose names appear in the first section of the Register as buried in the church or Cloisters had been at some time connected with the Convent. This is the source from which the greatest number of names are derived. The second section of the Register gives a few other names. Many of the early names come from Thomas of Eccleston's De Adventu Fratrum Minorum. The obituaries in Cotton. Charter XXX., 40 (fn. 5) give a number of names for the early part of the fourteenth century. The Deed of Surrender gives the names of those resident at the dissolution in 1538. The remainder are derived from a variety of sources. Of a few like Roger Cavendish and John Hardel we can say no more than that as native Londoners they probably belonged to this convent; but the connexion of the great majority is well established.

In the case of those friars whose names appear in the List of Monuments, no authority is given here. Nor has the authority for those whose names have already appeared in the list of Guardians been repeated. In the case of all others the authority is given in the footnotes. Friars of earlier date than 1300 are given under their Christian names. The office held by any friar is added in Italics.

I have included in the list the known Custodes Londonie of whom there are only four:—
Gilbert de Wyke, c. 1230.
Hugh de Trapston, 1291.
George, 1302.
Thomas Westgate, Temp. incert.

Friars.

Adam of Hereford, (fn. 6) 1248. Adam of Preston, (fn. 7) 1288. Agnellus, (fn. 8) Provincial, 1224.

John Allen, Guardian, c. 1475. John Amne, (fn. 9) 1538. William Appleton, 1381. Adam Arundel, (fn. 10) 1316. William Austeyn. Geoffrey de Aylesham, (fn. 11) c. 1310.

John Baker, (fn. 12) 1538. John Banwell, (fn. 13) 1437. John Barton, (fn. 14) 1391. Robert de Basingstoke, Guardian, 1309. Andrew Bavard, Guardian, 1507. John Bavell. John Bawde, Guardian of Ware, c. 1530? Reginald Bekynden. John Blackeman, 1501. John Bonggey, (fn. 15) 1484. Roger Bonggey, (fn. 15) 1486. Nicholas del Borgo, (fn. 16) 1531. Roderic Boto, (fn. 18) 1538. William Bovylett, 1501. Robert Brayns, Magister Noviciorum, 1492. Geoffrey de Brokmarton, (fn. 17) 1304. Richard Brothers. John Bruyll, Guardian, 1398. John Burges. Robert Burton, Regent, 1522.

Thomas Canynge, either c. 1335, or c. 1460. William Cateryke, (fn. 18) 1538. Roger Cavendish, (fn. 19) 1372. Robert Chamberleyn, Guardian, 1403. Thomas Chapman, Guardian, 1538. Thomas Chew, 1531. Thomas Cheyny, 1421. Robert de Chidhurst, (fn. 20) 1322. Richard Clyff, Vice-Guardian, c. 1466. Roger Conway, (fn. 21) Provincial, 1355. Albert Copman, (fn. 22) 1538. Ubertino de Piagerio di Corleone, (fn. 23) c. 1360. Adrian Cornelii, (fn. 24) 1538. Nicholas Cryspe, 1528. Thomas Cudnor, Guardian, 1534. John Cutler, Guardian, 1530.

Richard Dane, (fn. 25) 1391. William Denham, 1380. Robert Durham, (fn. 26) 1393.

William Egerdyn, 1500. John Eglyston. Henry de Eleford, (fn. 27) 1316. Reginald Ewell.

— Feeld, (fn. 28) 1534. Thomas Feltham, (fn. 29) 1300. Hugh Forman, 1506. John Frensche, (fn. 30) 1420. John Furner, Cursor Theologie, 1483.

Gilbert de Wyke, (fn. 31) 1224. George, (fn. 32) Custos Londonie, c. 1302.

John Gamston. John de Gertia, (fn. 33) 1310. William God dard, the elder, Provincial, 1487. William Goddard, the younger, Guardian, 1485. Adam Godham, (fn. 34) 1358. Walter Goodfield, Guardian, 1521. Richard de Gorges, (fn. 35) 1319. Simon Gorwych. John Gybson. (fn. 36) Michael Gylot.

Henry de Treviso, Guardian, 1231. Hugh, Guardian, 1245. Hugh de Trapston, (fn. 37) Custos Londonie, 1291.

William Halyday, (fn. 38) 1538. John Hardel, (fn. 39) 1346. Thomas Hatton, 1419. Robert Haunton, (fn. 40) 1403. Thomas de Heron, (fn. 41) 1327. Thomas de Heyroun, (fn. 42) 1345. John Holdych. John Holme. John Hoode, Cantor. Thomas Hoode, Cantor, 1501. Richard Hopkyns, (fn. 43) 1538. William de Horsham, (fn. 44) 1316. Thomas Horwell, (fn. 45) 1389. George Hovy, (fn. 46) 1538. William Howys, (fn. 47) 1385. Walter Hylton, 1454. Robert Hyndon, Guardian, 1397.

Robert Ingolsly, Vice-Guardian, 1494.

Joce of Cornhill, (fn. 48) c. 1230. John the Writer, (fn. 48) c. 1230. John de Kethene, Guardian, 1233. John of Sicily (Johannes de Cecilia—temp. incert.).

Thomas James, 1505. — Jones, (fn. 49) c. 1510. Roger Juyll, Guardian, 1437.

Ambrose Kell, (fn. 50) Cursor Theologie, 1514. James Kello, (fn. 51) 1538. John Kempesem, (fn. 51) 1538. Richard Knotte, (fn. 52) c. 1330. John Kyng, (fn. 53) 1526. Thomas Kyngston, (fn. 54) 1336. Thomas Kyrkeham, (fn. 55) 1531. John Kyrye, Guardian, 1458.

Robert Lamborne, (fn. 56) 1343. Thomas de Leghe, (fn. 57) 1317. John Lent, Custos Cantebrigie. Thomas London. John Lumley, 1526. Thomas Lynwood, 1506. Robert Lysle, 1343.

Melioratus, (fn. 58) 1224.

John Mablethorpe or Malberthorpe, Guardian, 1369. Richard Malevile, c. 1360. (fn. 59) Thomas Man, (fn. 60) Informator juvenum, 1514. John Massy. John Matthew, 1538. Richard Myhyll. (fn. 61)

Nicholas, Guardian, 1294.

Nicholas Newman, (fn. 62) 1538.

Odo of Estchert, (fn. 63) 1283.

Peter of Tewkesbury, Guardian, 1235. Peter de Corbavia, 1330. Peter (fn. 64) (date uncertain). Philip of London, (fn. 65) c. 1230.

Edward Pale. John Parker, (fn. 66) 1538. Robert Paull. John Percival, Provincial, 1505. John Person, Cursor Theologie, 1527. Lewis Pestrel, (fn. 66) 1538. Giraldus de Pisario. (fn. 67) Matthew Pogden. John Potter, (fn. 68) c. 1350.

William Querle, Guardian, 1330. Richard Qwykhope, (fn. 69) 1538.

Richard of Devon, (fn. 70) 1224. Richard of Ingworth, (fn. 71) 1224. Richard Normannus, (fn. 72) 1230. Robert de Turnham, (fn. 73) 1270. Roger of Canterbury, Guardian, 1257.

John Rawlyn, 1525. Nicholas de Renham, (fn. 74) 1305. Warin de Reynham, (fn. 75) 1321. — Robyns, (fn. 76) 1537. John Romsey, 1389. William Roser, Vice-Guardian. Robert Rokelay, (fn. 77) 1391. Geoffrey de Rous, (fn. 78) 1327. Thomas Rundel, (fn. 79) 1310. W. Russel, (fn. 80) 1327. William Russell, Guardian, 1425. John Rychardson, 1538. (fn. 81) Thomas Ryppyngall.

Solomon, Guardian, 1231.

W. of St. Albans, (fn. 82) 1327. Thomas of St. Dunstan, Guardian (?), 1310. William Salford, 1487. Gilbert Sands, 1533. Adam Savge, or Savye. Henry Sedbar, Cursor Theologie, 1489. John Seller, Guardian. Thomas Serjant, (fn. 83) 1316. John Sharpe, (fn. 84) 1538. Richard Shrewsbury, Guardian (?), 1486. William Smyth, Janitor, 1496. John Spence. (fn. 85) Robert Spycer. John Stamford. (fn. 86) Richard Stanley. William Stanlaw. Christopher Studley, Guardian-elect (?), 1507. Alan de Sutton, (fn. 87) 1327. Hamund de Sutton, (fn. 88) 1325. Henry de Sutton, Guardian, 1307. Peter de Sutton, (fn. 89) 1311. Richard Syche, 1509.

Thomas of Eccleston, 1245. (fn. 90)

Thomas Terne, (fn. 91) 1327. John Thornall, (fn. 92) 1538. William Thorpe, Cursor Theologie, 1468. William Toly, Regent, 1500. Edmund Tomson, (fn. 93) 1538. John Tomson, (fn. 94) 1538. Geof frey Torre, (fn. 95) 1394. Geoffrey Turner, (fn. 96) 1538. John Tyssyngton, (fn. 97) Provincial, 1395.

Vincent of Coventry, Lector, 1236. (fn. 98)

Simon Vernell, 1462. John Vye, c. 1340.

Walter de Burgo, (fn. 99) 1230. Walter de Sarum, (fn. 100) 1297. William of London, (fn. 101) 1225. William de Basing, (fn. 102) 1255. William of Ludgershall, (fn. 103) 1291.

James Walle, Guardian, 1470. Richard Waltam, 1375. Richard Warde. Walter de Warleberge, Guardian, 1311. William Watts, (fn. 104) 1538. Henry Wedebake, Cantor, 1489. John Welle, (fn. 105) 1378. Thomas Westgate, Guardian. Thomas Whapelad, Guardian, 1303. Henry Wodylston, 1300 (?). Christopher Wolcote, 1527. William Wolfe, 1466. William Woodford, Provincial, 1400. Robert Wycett or Wyshed, Provincial, 1370. John Wyett, (fn. 106) 1538. John Wyllyng, 1535. Thomas Wynchelsey, 1436. John Wynnyngton. John Wynschipp, (fn. 107) 1538.

John Yatminster. (fn. 108) Robert Yooll.

Robert Zouche, 1422. (fn. 109)

Footnotes

  • 1. These numbers come from Cotton MS. Nero, C. viii., ff. 201, 205, 206; Additional MS. 9951; Additional MS. 17362, ff. 3, 5: Exchequer Accounts, 356/9; Little, Greyfriars, 44, n. 1.
  • 2. See Chancery Warrants, 1765, nos. 13 and 16 to 21. Warrant, 1765/21 is printed as a specimen on p. 207 below. See also Cal. Pat. Rolls, Richard II., iii., 169; iv., 522; vi., 433.
  • 3. Monumenta Franciscana, ii., 190.
  • 4. Letters and Papers Henry VIII., vii., 1607.
  • 5. Printed in Collectanea Franciscana, i., 147–53, B.S.F.S., 1913.
  • 6. See p. 54 above.
  • 7. Vicar of William, the Provincial, dates petition for arrest of an apostate at London, 15th February, 1288 (Chancery Warrants, 1765/13).
  • 8. De Adventu, 12.
  • 9. See p. 222 below.
  • 10. Ordained acolyte at Southwark on 18th September, 1316 (Baigent, Register of Bishop Sandale, p. 348).
  • 11. See p. 163 below.
  • 12. See p. 222 below.
  • 13. Cal. Pat. Rolls, Henry VI., iii., 13.
  • 14. Chancery Warrants, 1765/19. P.R.O.
  • 15. See p. 122 below.
  • 16. Letters and Papers, Henry VIII., v., 623.
  • 17. Coll. Franc., i., 153.
  • 18. See p. 222 below.
  • 19. Sharpe, Cal. Wills, ii., 149.
  • 20. Ordained acolyte at Southwark, 18th September, 1316 (Baigent, u.s.), and priest on 18th December, 1322 (Register of Rigaud de Asserio, p. 551, Hampshire Record Soc., 1897).
  • 21. See p. 193 below.
  • 22. See p. 222 below.
  • 23. Studied at London before 1367, Bullarium Franciscanum, vi., 409.
  • 24. See p. 222 below.
  • 25. Chancery Warrants, 1765/19.
  • 26. An apostate, whom the Mayor was ordered to deliver to Robert Hyndon, the Guardian. Letter-Book, M. p. 390.
  • 27. Ordained sub-deacon, 18th September, 1316 (Baigent, u.s., p. 349).
  • 28. Letters and Papers, Henry VIII., vii., 1307; perhaps an Observant.
  • 29. See p. 158 below.
  • 30. See p. 170 below.
  • 31. De Adventu, 18, 42; he was probably Custos Londonie.
  • 32. See p. 164 below.
  • 33. Wilkins, Concilia, ii., 362.
  • 34. Little, Greyfriars, 173.
  • 35. See p. 203 below.
  • 36. See p. 161 below. Apparently died after 1526.
  • 37. See p. 54 above.
  • 38. See p. 222 below.
  • 39. Sharpe, Cal. Wills, i., 493.
  • 40. An apostate: see p. 207 below.
  • 41. Coll. Franc., i., 148; died soon after 1327, so to be distinguished from Heyroun.
  • 42. Sharpe, Cal. Wills, i., 480.
  • 43. See p. 222 below.
  • 44. Ordained sub-deacon on 18th September, 1316 (Baigent, u.s., p. 349).
  • 45. See p. 8 above.
  • 46. See pp. 222 and 228 below.
  • 47. An apostate of the London house: Chancery Warrants, 1365/18.
  • 48. De Adventu, 19.
  • 49. Stow, Survey of London, ii., 342, citing a book in the Greyfriars Library, written by one Friar Jones.
  • 50. Bodley MS. 429.
  • 51. See p. 222 below.
  • 52. See p. 161 below.
  • 53. See p. 131 below.
  • 54. Probably of this house, Cotton. MS., Nero, C viii., f. 205.
  • 55. Little, Greyfriars, 282, n. 11.
  • 56. See p. 75 below.
  • 57. Ordained sub-deacon on 18th September, 1316 (Baigent, u.s., p. 248).
  • 58. De Adventu, 7.
  • 59. id., 70; Little, Greyfriars, 175.
  • 60. Bodley MS. 429. In 1526 he was Guardian of the Grey Friars at Winchelsea (P.C.C., Porch, 8).
  • 61. Apparently died after 1526.
  • 62. See p. 222 below.
  • 63. Ordained priest September, 1283 (Reg. J. Pecham, 205, Canterbury and York Society).
  • 64. See p. 133 below.
  • 65. De Adventu, 20, 33.
  • 66. See p. 222 below.
  • 67. Of Aquitaine; see p. 84 below.
  • 68. See p. 168 below.
  • 69. See p. 222 below.
  • 70. De Adventu, 8.
  • 71. id. ib.
  • 72. id.
  • 73. Ex conventu Londinensi, ubi inter suos professor sacras litteras docuit, vir pius, eruditus, et in primis tum eloquens tum vehemens concionator. Accompanied Edward I. to Palestine in 1271 (Certamen Seraph. Prov. Angliae, p. 240, Quaracchi, 1885). He had been Guardian of Lynn (Mon. Franc., i., 551). Perhaps to be identified with Robert de Thornham (cf. Little, Greyfriars, 65, 139, n. 8).
  • 74. See p. 202 below.
  • 75. Additional MS. 9951, f. 2.
  • 76. Letters and Papers, Henry VIII., xiii. (i.), 1043.
  • 77. Chancery Warrants, 1765/19. P.R.O.
  • 78. Coll. Franc., i., 149.
  • 79. De Adventu, 88; Wilkins, Concilia, ii., 336 sqq.
  • 80. Coll. Franc., i., 149.
  • 81. See p. 222 below.
  • 82. Coll. Franc., i., 149.
  • 83. Ordained deacon, 18th September, 1316 (Baigent, u.s., p. 350).
  • 84. See p. 222 below.
  • 85. See p. 141 below; an addition, and probably after 1526.
  • 86. Not the Provincial, who died in 1264. See p. 192. But the Provincial was also possibly connected with London: see p. 162 below.
  • 87. Coll. Franc., i., 148.
  • 88. Exchequer Accounts, 381/14. P.R.O.
  • 89. De Adventu, 68; Little, Greyfriars, 165; Wilkins, Concilia, ii., 369.
  • 90. Little, Greyfriars, 189.
  • 91. Ordained sub-deacon 18th September, 1316 (Baigent, u.s., p. 349). Died soon after 1327 (Coll. Franc., i., 149).
  • 92. See p. 222 below; Little, Greyfriars, 279, 338.
  • 93. See p. 222 below; he was alive, and aged 43, in 1544. See p. 227.
  • 94. See p. 222 below.
  • 95. Early Chancery Proceedings, 7/262. P.R.O.
  • 96. See p. 222 below.
  • 97. Little, Greyfriars, 251.
  • 98. De Adventu, 62.
  • 99. id., 54.
  • 100. Collectanea Franciscana, i., 146 n.
  • 101. De Adventu, 19.
  • 102. See p. 159 below.
  • 103. See p. 54 above.
  • 104. See p. 222 below.
  • 105. Little, Greyfriars, 78; Cal. Papal Letters, iv., 61, 68.
  • 106. See p. 222 below.
  • 107. See p. 222 below.
  • 108. See p. 101 below.
  • 109. See p. 161 below.