109. THE COLLEGE OF TATTERSHALL
The college of the Holy Trinity, Tattershall,
was founded in 1439 by Ralf, Lord Cromwell,
then treasurer of the realm. The parish church
of Tattershall which was to be rebuilt, was,
with the king's permission, at that time transformed into a college for seven priests, six laymen, and six choristers; and an almshouse
for thirteen poor people of either sex was
attached to it, and placed under the charge
of the same warden. The chaplains were to
maintain divine service continually, and to pray
for the king alive or dead, and for the souls of
the founder and his grandmother, Dame Matilda
Cromwell. (fn. 1)
The manors of Washingborough, Leadenham, Fulbeck and Driby, with the advowsons of
the churches of those manors, the manors of
Brinkhill, Fulletby, Baston, Ashby Puerorum,
Withcall Zouche, Withcall Skipwith, Binbrook
called North hall, Wood Enderby, Moorby,
Wilksby, Coningsby and Haltham, the moiety
of the manors of Swinhope, Willoughton, Billinghay and Walcote, and the advowson of the
church of Swinhope, and another moiety of the
manor of Swinhope after the death of Matilda
widow of John Keuermond, were assigned to
the master and the chaplains of the college
and almshouse. (fn. 2) The manors of Woodthorpe,
Maltby by Louth and Cherry Willingham were
also assigned to them. (fn. 3)
In 1478 the manors of Manton and Tixover,
Rutland, once the property of the abbey of
Cluny, were granted to the college of Tattershall, (fn. 4) and a part of the endowments of the
alien priory of Burwell, Lincolnshire, was about
the same time assigned to its maintenance. (fn. 5)
The college was subject to visitation by the
bishops of Lincoln, and in 1501 Bishop Smith
ordained new statutes for the master and fellows. (fn. 6)
In 1519 Bishop Atwater Visited Tattershall, and
required the chaplains to show their letters of
orders. He remarked that the chorister boys
were only taught to sing, whereas they ought
also to be instructed in grammar. The chaplains also were in the habit of dressing like
laymen; he ordered them in future to dress as
priests, according to their statutes. In all other
respects the college was in a good and prosperous
condition, and there were no other reforms
necessary. (fn. 7)
The last master, George Heneage, signed the
Acknowledgement of Supremacy in 1534, with
six other chaplains. (fn. 8) In 1536 he was accused
of having sent victuals to the insurgents; and
one of the examinates after the rebellion related
how Sheriff Dymoke bade the warden to send
his 'tall priests' to the host, all but one. It
does not seem, however, that they were compelled to serve. (fn. 9)
The college was dissolved 4 February, 1545. (fn. 10)
Wardens
John Gygor, (fn. 11) occurs 1471
John Constable, (fn. 12) occurs 1522
There is a fine seal of 1515 (fn. 13) representing the
Trinity in a heavily canopied niche between
two smaller niches with tabernacle work at the
sides, each containing a saint with nimbus. In
the base under a round-headed arch, with foliage
in the spandrils, there is a shield of arms; quarterly 1, 4, a chief and baton, Sir Ralph Cromwell,
founder; 2, 3, chequey a chief ermine, Tattershall. The style of work is of the fifteenth
century.
SIGILLŪ: COVUNE: COLEGII: SBE; TRINITA[TIS]
. . . . . ESHALL