26. THE HOSPITAL OF ST. LEONARD, BRACKLEY
The hospital of St. Leonard, Brackley, like
most institutions of that dedication, was founded
for the relief of lepers. It is usually termed in
contemporary records hospitale leprosorum, but
occasionally simply hospitale infirmorum.
The earliest documentary evidence of this
hospital occurs in 1280, when the warden of
St. Leonard's granted to the master of St. John's
Hospital a croft in the Newland of Brackley in
exchange for an acre of land. (fn. 1) Beyond entries
in the diocesan registers relating to the institution of masters or wardens, not much is recorded of this house. In 1303 Bishop Dalderby
granted an indulgence to all those who should
assist the poor of the hospital of St. Leonard,
Brackley. (fn. 2) In 1309 the warden and brethren
entered into an agreement with Richard Baker
and Denise his wife relative to a messuage in
Brackley. (fn. 3)
John Brokehampton, instituted as master in
1417, was also warden of the hospital of SS.
James and John, Brackley; probably the government of the smaller hospital of St. Leonard was
at that date merged into the larger, as no further
institutions to the smaller house are given.
The hospital and chapel must have been
situated at the northern extremity of the town,
for Leland remarks: 'The Lengthe from St.
James' Churche at the South End of the Towne
to the Chapelle of Seint Leonard hathe bene
halfe a Mile in Building.' (fn. 4)
Masters Or Wardens Of St. Leonard,
Brackley
William of Wapenham alias Eylesbury, (fn. 5) instituted 1291
Geoffrey Bernard, (fn. 6) instituted 1292
Robert of Rodeston, (fn. 7) died 1318
Simon Pelwor of Brackley, (fn. 8) instituted 1318,
died 1327
Philip of Helmedon, (fn. 9) instituted 1327
Robert of Marchonley, (fn. 10) resigned 1335
Roger of Oxford, (fn. 11) instituted 1335, died 1339
William de Camulton, (fn. 12) instituted 1339, resigned 1341
Adam of Thenford, (fn. 13) instituted 1341, resigned
1353
Thomas of Ashborne, (fn. 14) instituted 1353
Richard Estwet, (fn. 15) instituted 1372
Richard Trenchaunt, instituted 1400
John Beby
Richard Foxton, (fn. 16) died 1406
John Maystur, (fn. 17) instituted 1406, resigned in
the same year
William Patrick, (fn. 18) instituted 1406
John Brokehampton, (fn. 19) instituted 1417