42. THE COLLEGE OF ST. EDMUND, SALISBURY
This college was founded in 1269 by Bishop
Walter de la Wyle, and dedicated to St. Edmund
of Abingdon, a former treasurer of Salisbury
cathedral. (fn. 1) The bishop's ordinances (fn. 2) clarified at
the outset the dual nature of the foundation. The
thirteen priests, with a provost at their head, were
not only to carry out the normal work of a college:
they were also to serve the parish of St. Edmund.
Whether or not the creation of this parish coincided with the foundation of the college it is
impossible to say. The fact that the boundaries of
all three parishes in Salisbury are indicated in the
bishop's foundation ordinance suggests that this
might have been the case, but no conclusive evidence is available.
Despite the dual purpose of the foundation,
unity rather than diversity is the keynote of the
bishop's ordinances. No details are given regarding parochial work: only the usual daily routine of
collegiate chaplains is described. Both the provost
and the priests were ordered to wear modest habits
of one colour, e.g. blue, russet, camlet, or black
burnet, and over these, when in church, surplices
and black copes. Unless excused by illness or
some other good reason, all were to eat and drink
together in the refectory and sleep in a common
dormitory. Detailed regulations were made regarding religious observances, from which the
priests were to be diverted only by their theological studies. Whenever the weather permitted,
all who were able were to attend the solemn processions in the mother church. Its use and ordinal
were to be followed in all divine offices held within
the college. Each weekday, matins were to be
said at dawn, followed by morning mass. Immediately afterwards the priests were to attend lectures in the neighbouring theological schools. On
their return, they were to say the hours of the
Blessed Virgin, and then solemn mass. This over,
one priest was to celebrate for the souls of benefactors, a second for the founder, and others for
the souls of the dead. The usual hours of the day
were also to be said in the choir. Mass was always
to be heard according to the custom of the mother
church, but on solemn days and feastdays the
custom of the other parochial churches of Salisbury was to be observed during matins. Both the
provost and the priests were to swear on their admission to follow these observances and to use a
special collect in masses said for benefactors. The
provost alone was to transact external business. It
was his duty also to see to the clothing and feeding
of the priests, and to ensure that all were treated
alike in this respect. To facilitate his work he was
to receive on behalf of the college 20 marks a year
from the church of Winterbourne Whitchurch
(Dors.). Each successive vicar of the church was
to be bound by oath to discharge the payment
every quarter. The bishop reserved to himself
and his successors or, sede vacante, the dean
and chapter, the right to remove any priest who
had contravened his ordinances more than three
times, and to fill all vacancies which occurred
within the college whether due to the death or
misbehaviour of a provost or priest. In addition
to the payment from the church of Winterbourne
Whitchurch, the college was endowed by its
founder with certain rents in the parish of St.
Martin and the income formerly drawn by the
hospital of St. Nicholas and the Rector of St.
Thomas from that parish. It is in these grants that
the origin probably lies of the claim made by the
provost of St. Edmund's to the vicarage of St.
Martin's. In the 15th century no one disputed
this claim, (fn. 3) and although no clear proof of its
origin seems possible it is likely that the church
was always served by the provost or a chaplain of
St. Edmund's. There are certainly no episcopal
institutions to St. Martin's until after the dissolution of the college, and it seems reasonable to suppose that certain profits of the parish were given
to the college by Bishop Wyle in 1269 in recompense for the duties it assumed.
It was not long before the defects of these
foundation ordinances became apparent. No machinery had been set up to control the provost's
administration of the revenue; no positive check
had been imposed upon the movements of the
priests in and out of the college. Nicholas Longespée attempted to remedy these defects in 1294. (fn. 4)
The provost was ordered to render a yearly account
before a representative chosen by the bishop, or,
sede vacante, by the dean and chapter, and two
members of the college chosen from amongst
themselves. All surplus revenue was to be placed
in a common chest for the use of the college. No
priest was to leave the precincts for any purpose
whatever without the permission of the provost or
his deputy. Nor was he to go out unaccompanied
except in a case of dire necessity. In such a case
he was to return immediately his business had
been completed. These ordinances, in conjunction
with those of the founder, seem to have ensured
for the time being the execution of the work of
the college. Apart from a complaint by the bishop
in 1319 of the failure of the chaplains to participate in the processions of the cathedral church, (fn. 5)
there is no evidence of any wilful contravention
of the ordinances for nearly a century.
In one important respect, however, it proved
impossible for a considerable time to realize the
wishes of the founder. It seems clear that the endowment made by Walter de la Wyle was inadequate. Despite the additional income from the
annual fairs, held by virtue of Henry III's charter (fn. 6)
under the college walls, the full complement of
priests was not maintained. In 1309 only six
priests were living in the college, (fn. 7) and in 1339
Bishop Wyville complained that there had never
been more than seven priests in the college since
its foundation. (fn. 8) The earliest additions to its
revenue had apparently been the gift of a messuage
and carucate in Homington by Henry de Lacy in
1285, (fn. 9) and the grant of 5 marks' rent in Salisbury by Reynold de Tudworth in 1305, (fn. 10) for the
foundation of a chantry. The endowment of this
chantry was increased in 1318, (fn. 11) and a second
founded by Henry Burry in 1330 and endowed
with a messuage and 12½ marks' rent in Salisbury. (fn. 12) But these grants had done little to solve
the financial problems of the college, and in 1339
the revenue was not even sufficient to support
seven priests. (fn. 13)
In 1339 the situation began to improve. That
year the college was granted the advowson and
rectory of Alderstone, or Whiteparish, (fn. 14) valued in
an inquisition of 1337 at £20; (fn. 15) and in 1347 land
in Alderstone and Winterbourne Earls (fn. 16) similarly
valued at £7 6s. 8d. (fn. 17) In 1349 William Randolf
granted it the patronage of the church of Compton
Chamberlayne. (fn. 18) The gift to the Abbot and Convent of Abbotsbury (Dors.) in 1351 of the advowson of the church of Winterbourne St. Martin
(Dors.) on condition that they founded alms in the
church of the abbey and in St. Edmund's college, (fn. 19)
resulted in the foundation of the chantry of St.
Katherine in St. Edmund's cemetery. The chaplain serving it was paid 100s. a year from the
church of Winterbourne St. Martin. (fn. 20) By 1362,
when a further grant of 8 messuages in Salisbury
was made, the full complement of priests was
being maintained. (fn. 21) Numerous vacancies which
had occurred in 1348, at the time of the Black
Death, had been quickly filled, (fn. 22) and there is no
evidence that the life of the college was interrupted by the epidemic.
Not long afterwards, in 1383, the college was
visited by Bishop Erghum. The lengthy corrective ordinances which followed (fn. 23) bear eloquent
witness to the contempt into which the regulations of the founder had fallen during the provostship of Adam Charles. The priests were ordered
to respect the provost and never presume to reprove him. If his actions seemed likely to endanger
the college seriously, they could appeal to the
bishop to take action. The provost for his part
was reminded that he was supposed to be the
superior not only in position but also in behaviour.
It was his duty to act benignly and to assist in
divine offices as a good example to others. The
foundation ordinances regarding eating in common were henceforth to be observed and no guests
were to be invited without permission from the
provost. No stipendiary priest was to reside in the
college. The infirmary, intended for the relief and
care of the sick, was to be restored to its original
use. The passage from the infirmary to the church
was to be walled up to allow only one means of
entry and exit. Careful provision was made for
the safe custody of the common seal and records
of the college. They were to be kept under a
triple lock, the keys to which were to be kept by
the provost, and two representatives elected by the
members of the college from amongst themselves.
No oblations were to be retained by the priests
without the special permission of the provost. The
priests were forbidden to visit the city in future at
night and at other improper times and to stay
there for long periods haunting taverns. On no
account were they to go out without leave from
the provost. An exception had to be made, however, in favour of the parochial chaplains, whose
duty it was to visit the sick. Copies of both these
and the foundation ordinances were ordered to be
put in prominent places in the college in full view
of the priests.
If this was done it was to little effect, for
Erghum's successor, Bishop Waltham, complained that the priests made sport of the ordinances. Their strict observance under pain of
greater excommunication was now demanded. (fn. 24)
In 1394 the provost, Adam Charles, was called
before the bishop and charged with neglecting to
celebrate mass regularly and failing to maintain
the correct number of priests. (fn. 25) The bishop admitted that there had often been two or three less
than the full number of priests in the past, but
maintained that there were now only two priests
and five deacons. The provost, having failed to
provide an adequate explanation, was ordered to
hand over to the bishop's representatives the
money which ought to have been allocated to the
other priests. This was to be applied to the use of
the college either to supplement masses or in some
other way determined by the episcopal representatives. No directive appears to have been issued
regarding the increase in the number of priests,
nor was Adam Charles removed from office. (fn. 26)
Throughout the 15th century financial difficulties loomed large in the history of the college.
The position at the beginning of the century is
somewhat confusing. The college was described
as a poor foundation when granted exemption
from the tenth in 1399, (fn. 27) and an indulgence was
granted on its behalf in June 1400. (fn. 28) Yet the
church appears to have been rebuilt about this
time. (fn. 29) Of the college's financial embarrassment
later in the century, however, there is no doubt.
St. Edmund's was supposed to receive from the
church of Compton Chamberlayne 20 marks
annually for the support of two of its chaplains.
Yet in May 1431 this church was reported to
be scarcely able to support its own vicar. The
amount payable to the college was now reduced
to 17s. 4d. (fn. 30)
To what extent the decline in this particular
source of income was due to the maladministration
of the provost, William Spaldington, it is impossible to say. Bishop Neville obviously suspected
his liability for the general state of affairs, and in
the same year, 1431, summoned him to answer
for his dissolute life, and the dilapidation and devastation of the property of the college. (fn. 31) The
provost was found guilty of the charges levelled
against him and suspended from office. His duties
were temporarily entrusted to deputies appointed
by the bishop. They were ordered to indemnify
the college for the goods subtracted by William
Spaldington from sale of the latter's sheep and
cattle at Whiteparish. All jewels and stock in
pawn were to be redeemed as soon as possible.
The number of priests, which had been reduced
to three, was to be increased to seven until the
revenue sufficed to maintain more. All efforts to
exclude salaried priests had long been abandoned: (fn. 32)
the deputies were to ensure that each priest received a yearly salary of 9 marks. They were also
enjoined to carry out repairs and rebuilding in the
college and its property as rents and profits accrued;
beginning with matters of the greatest urgency.
William Spaldington was ordered to take himself
off to a university or some other respectable place
and live there content with the stipend the bishop
chose to give him.
If William Spaldington was actually dismissed
he must have been reinstated, (fn. 33) for in 1444 we
find him, as provost, endeavouring to augment the
income of the college from the church of St.
Martin's, Salisbury. (fn. 34) In his capacity as vicar of
the church, he claimed certain tithes of hay from
a meadow recently returned from pasture, against
the dean and chapter of the cathedral, rectors of
the church. He lost his claim. All the great tithes,
including the hay from the disputed meadow,
were confirmed to the dean and chapter; the
provost had to be content with the small tithes.
On 27 October 1447 the tailor's guild of Salisbury founded a fraternity in the chapel of St. John
within the college, providing for one chaplain to
celebrate at the altar. (fn. 35) The fraternity was transferred from the collegiate church, however, in
1449, to the parish church of St. Thomas. (fn. 36)
From the early 15th century the altar of the
Holy Cross was supported by the guild of Jesus
Mass and the Holy Cross. (fn. 37)
When the college was visited by Bishop Beauchamp in 1478 (fn. 38) it seems to have been practically
empty. Not a single perpetual fellow or priest was
to be found. With the aim of fulfilling the foundation ordinances as far as possible, the bishop appointed six resident fellows. This was presumably
as many as the revenue was capable of supporting.
No grants of property of any consequence appear
to have been made in the 15th century, and existing endowments no longer sufficed for the needs
of the college.
In 1535 St. Edmund's was valued at
£102 5s. 5d. (fn. 39) Its most substantial sources of
income comprised £27 11s. 3d. from rents in
Salisbury, £21 2s. 10d. from private tithes received at Easter, £11 13s. 4d. from the tithes of
St. Martin's Church, £12 from the rectory of
Whiteparish, and £14 (less £8 paid to the vicar)
from that of Whitchurch.
Like all similar foundations, the college was
surrendered to Henry VIII. It was already in lay
hands by 1543, for on the death of the provost,
John Gough, in that year, the office was given to
William St. Barbe, a layman of the king's privy
chamber. (fn. 40) In the following March he was
granted a royal dispensation to hold the office by
collation of the Bishop of Salisbury, provided
divine service and the cure of souls were not
neglected, and all the necessary duties of the
church were maintained. (fn. 41) The final break with
the church came in 1546. On 17 June the Mayor
of Salisbury, Robert Griffith, in conjunction with
William Webber, Thomas Chaffyn, and Henry
Goldston, took formal possession of the college
and its property for the use of the king. (fn. 42) Two
months later it was sold to William St. Barbe for
the sum of £400. (fn. 43)
Provosts
Nicholas de Sancto Quintino, appointed 1269, (fn. 44)
occurs 1285. (fn. 45)
William de Saundford, died 1313. (fn. 46)
Richard de Hertyngg, collated 1313, (fn. 47) occurs
1322. (fn. 48)
Adam de Northover, resigned 1335. (fn. 49)
Peter de Wymbourn, appointed 1335, (fn. 50) resigned 1351. (fn. 51)
John de Arnale, appointed 1351, (fn. 52) occurs
1355. (fn. 53)
William, occurs 1358. (fn. 54)
Walter Childenham, occurs 1361 (fn. 55) and 1368. (fn. 56)
William David, appointed 1375, (fn. 57) resigned
1378. (fn. 58)
Adam Charles, appointed 1378, (fn. 59) died 1395. (fn. 60)
Robert Ragenhill, collated 1395, (fn. 61) occurs
1399. (fn. 62)
Robert Bussh, occurs 1414. (fn. 63)
John Conge, collated 1416, (fn. 64) , resigned 1428. (fn. 65)
William Spaldyngton, exchanged with above
1428, (fn. 66) died 1445. (fn. 67)
John Pyville, collated 1445, (fn. 68) resigned 1454. (fn. 69)
William Osgodby, collated 1454, (fn. 70) resigned
1458. (fn. 71)
John Lax, collated 1458, (fn. 72) occurs 1460. (fn. 73)
Peter Courtenay, collated 1463. (fn. 74)
Francis de Salviatis, collated 1466. (fn. 75)
William Elliot, died 1506. (fn. 76)
Christopher Twyneho, collated 1506. (fn. 77)
Edmund Powell, collated 1509. (fn. 78)
Thomas Thurlby, collated 1534, (fn. 79) resigned
1537. (fn. 80)
John Gough, collated 1537, (fn. 81) died 1543. (fn. 82)
William St. Barbe, appointed 1543. (fn. 83)
The common seal of the college depicts the
canonized archbishop, Edmund of Abingdon,
seated, and a priest in prayer below. On either
side of the archbishop are arms, the one comprising
three suns, the other a chevron between three
castles. The seal is inscribed:
S' . CŌĒ . COLLEGII . SCI . EDMUNDI . NOVE SAR.' (fn. 84)