Hospitals: Hospitals in and around Canterbury

42. THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JAMES BY CANTERBURY

This hospital, which is also described as being situated at Thanington or Wincheap in the suburbs of Canterbury, appears to have been founded some time in the twelfth century, probably by the prior and convent of the cathedral; for it is mentioned as being under their rule and care in a bull of Pope Alexander III, dated 22 June, 1164, in which he forbids them to admit to the foundation any but the leprous women for whom it was intended. (fn. 1) The church of Bredgar was granted or confirmed to it by Henry II. (fn. 2) Towards the end of the century the prior and convent, by the will of Archbishop Hubert, and at the petition of Master Firmin, warden of the hospital, took it into their custody and protection, and bound themselves to maintain there three priests, one of whom was to celebrate daily a mass of the Virgin Mary, another a requiem for its benefactors, and the third the common service, and one clerk and twenty-five leprous women. (fn. 3)

A small chartulary compiled in 1474 by William Hadlegh, sub-prior of the cathedral and warden of the hospital, is preserved at the British Museum. (fn. 4)

In 1329 the prior of Christchurch complained of the oppression of his hospital of St. James by the master of the hospital of St. Thomas, Eastbridge. (fn. 5) Prioress Christina and the convent of the hospital in 1342, with the assent of the prior, ' their warden,' granted to Alice de Hertlepe for life a chamber in the hospital with reversion to her sister Joan; (fn. 6) but Queen Philippa asked the prior in vain for a nomination to a corrody there, receiving the answer that it was not in his power to grant it. (fn. 7) The prior on one occasion certified that the prioress and sisters were not bound to religion; (fn. 8) and on another that they were too poor to pay a subsidy; (fn. 9) and exemption from this was several times granted to them by the king. (fn. 10) An inquisition was taken in this connexion in 1343, and it was found that their possessions, which were described in detail and included the church of Bredgar, appropriated to them and valued at £14 yearly, were worth nothing beyond their maintenance and charges. There were then in the hospital a prioress and twenty-three sisters, and they had to find two priests, to each of whom they paid £4 yearly, and one clerk. (fn. 11)

Archbishop Langham made a visitation of the hospital on Tuesday, 7 March, 1368. (fn. 12) The exact foundation could not be shown, but the prior of Christchurch was said to be the founder, and details were given concerning the prayers and food. There were then only ten sisters and one brother and one secular sister, and the house was £10 in debt to the prior of Christchurch.

Licences for further acquisitions of lands to a considerable amount were granted to the prioress and sisters in 1401 and 1403. (fn. 13) The manor of Capel was held of them by the service of 5 marks, 4s. rent, and 5 marks 4s. relief on the death of each tenant, and in 1421 they complained that William Kerby, tenant for life, had not paid this. A commission was appointed on 28 February to inquire into the matter; (fn. 14) and it was found that Clemencia Newe, late prioress, had the rent at the hands of William atte Capell, tenant, in the time of Richard II and Susan Wynchepe, late prioress, had the relief at the hands of William the son and heir of Thomas atte Capell; and that the manor came, into the hands of Henry IV by the forfeiture of Thomas Shelley, and Henry V in his second year granted it for life to William Kerby, who had withdrawn the service. (fn. 15) Order was made accordingly on 26 November that he should pay. (fn. 16)

John, prior of Christchurch, issued fresh statutes after a visitation on 18 February, 1415. All the brethren and sisters were to attend the oratory daily at the accustomed time, and abstain from conversation when there; the number of chaplains was to be maintained; no brother, sister, or chaplain was to be admitted without the consent of the prior; the hospital chest was to have three different locks, of which the prioress, cellaress, and another were each to have one key; the prioress was only to receive moneys with the knowledge of the brethren and sisters, and was to render an account four times yearly; the church of Bredgar and other possessions were not to be let at farm or sold; the prioress was to appoint a deputy if absent for as much as a day; the allowance of 10s. yearly to each brother and sister for clothing and other things was to be increased by 3s. 4d. on account of the late increase of the possessions; no sister or other woman was to assist in the celebration of divine service; the prioress was not to go to any great expense without the consent of the brethren and sisters; and these and earlier statutes were to be observed and read publicly six times yearly. (fn. 17)

Archbishop Warham made a visitation (fn. 18) of the hospital by Tunstall in 1511. The prioress and sisters did not have bread and wood as they ought to have, through the fault of the sub-prior of Christchurch; and they said this before in the last visitation of the house in the presence of the said commissioner. Dame Agnes Yuys, prioress, seventy-four years old, complained that Richard Welles stayed to talk in the precincts of the house, and his wife sold beer there; they were quarrelsome people, and there was also a crowd at Richard's house. Joan Chambers was eightyfour years old and had been a sister for forty years; and Alice Bromfield, Edith Keme, and Joan Croche were respectively eighty, thirty-six, and fifty years old, and of eighteen, fourteen, and three years' standing. These declared that the prioress defamed the sisters, saying publicly in the neighbourhood that they were incontinent, to the great scandal of the house. The prioress was ordered not to use abusive words to the sisters, either publicly or privately; and they were to be obedient to her.

In the Valor of 1535 the gross income of the hospital was returned as £53 16s. 11¼d. and the net income as £32 2s. 1¾d. yearly; (fn. 19) but in the certificates of colleges and chantries these values are given as £58 6s. 10½d. and £43 6s. 10d. respectively. (fn. 20) On 28 February, 1551, the hospital was surrendered (fn. 21) to the crown with all its possessions, including the manor of Fylther (in Egerton), the rectory and advowson of the vicarage of Bredgar and lands in Thanington, St. Martin's at Canterbury, Wincheap, Elham, Shadoxhurst, Egerton, Mersham, Aldington, Brabourne, Bredgar, and Hackington.

Prioresses Of St. James's, Canterbury

Christina, occurs 1342 (fn. 22)
Susan Wynchepe (fn. 22)
Agnes Congesett, died 1396 (fn. 23)
Clemencia Newe, (fn. 22) succeeded 1396, (fn. 23) occurs 1417 (fn. 23)
Joan, occurs 1493 (fn. 24)
Agnes Yuys, occurs 1511 (fn. 22)

43. THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, NORTHGATE, CANTERBURY

Eadmer (fn. 25) tells us that Lanfranc, archbishop of Canterbury (1070-89), built a decent and ample house of stone outside the north gate of the city of Canterbury for the benefit of poor and infirm persons, dividing it into two parts for men and women, made ordinances for their clothing and living, and appointed ministers for them; and on the other side of the way built a church in honour of St. Gregory, in which he placed canons to minister spiritually to them. The same archbishop also made a hospital of lepers at the church of St. Nicholas at the west of the city, with wooden houses, instituted clerks to minister to them, and assigned victuals and rents to them. (fn. 26) The two hospitals appear always to have been considered as twin foundations, and much of their history is the same; although they were distinct, and lepers were received only at that of St. Nicholas, or Harbledown, as it was afterwards called. (fn. 27)

The two hospitals were endowed with £140 out of the revenues of the see of Canterbury, to which Archbishop Richard in the latter part of the twelfth century added £20; and they received this £160 yearly until Archbishop Kilwardby granted the church of Reculver to them instead in 1276. (fn. 28) The parishioners, however, objected to being put under lepers, and mutual recriminations followed, one side declaring that the customary services and cure of souls were neglected, and the other that the parishioners did not pay their proper charges; until Archbishop Peckham revoked the grant in 1290 with the consent of the king and pope. (fn. 29) They then had £140 yearly from the exchequer of the see and 1d. daily from the issues of the manor of Lyminge, belonging to the see, but had considerable trouble in getting this at vacancies, (fn. 30) until Edward III in 1335 definitely confirmed the same to them; at the same time granting in consideration of their poverty that they should be quit of tallages, aids, and contributions, (fn. 31) which was confirmed by later kings (fn. 32) In 1348 the last £20 were paid by the rector of Reculver, and the king granted licence (fn. 33) for Archbishop Stratford to appropriate the church to himself on condition that the whole £160 should in future be paid by the archbishop or by the prior and convent of Christchurch at vacancies. The appropriation was carried out by Archbishop Islip, Stratford's successor, in 1356. (fn. 34)

Archbishop Winchelsey made ordinances for the hospitals after a visitation on 24 February, 1299. The brethren and sisters were to wear a prescribed dress, and were not to be admitted until after proper examination, to go out of the hospital without leave, or to be quarrelsome; offences were to be properly punished; and the possessions of the hospitals were not to be alienated or pledged, nor corrodies granted. (fn. 35) Archbishop Parker made fresh statutes on 15 September, 1560, in which he ordained that there should be in each thirty brethren and thirty sisters, none of whom should live out without licence from the archbishop, and then not more than ten brethren and ten sisters at any time; and he made further additions on 20 August, 1565, and 20 May, 1574. (fn. 36) Archbishop Whitgift in 1591 ordered that no children should be admitted. (fn. 37) Further regulations were also added by Archbishops Abbot in 1618, (fn. 38) Sheldon in 1663, (fn. 39) and Sancroft in 1686. (fn. 39) The latest injunctions as to the management of the hospitals were given by Archbishop Benson on 2 April, 1895.

Edward III granted licence in 1328 for the brethren and sisters of the hospital of North gate to acquire lands and rents in mortmain to the value of 100s. yearly; (fn. 40) and they made several acquisitions accordingly. (fn. 41) In 1348 they had a grant of protection while collecting alms in churches. (fn. 42)

In 1500 a felon fled to the hospital for sanctuary, and a watch was set by the city authorities lest he should escape by night. (fn. 43) In 1542 Gregory Pers, a blind brother of the hospital, was accidentally drowned in the well there. (fn. 44)

In the Valor of 1535 the gross income of the hospital, including the £80 received from the archbishopric, amounted to £93 15s. and the net income to £91 16s. 8½d. yearly; (fn. 45) but in 12 Strype, Life of Parker, iii, 32-41; Bibl. Topog. Brit, i, 214-20. the certificates of colleges and Chantries these values are returned as £117 12s. 5½d. and £105 1s. 8½d. respectively. (fn. 46)

The commissioners appointed to inquire into charities gave a long account (fn. 47) in 1837 of the arrangements then in force at the hospital, and of its rental and benefactions made to it.

The seal (fn. 48) of the hospital (sixteenth or seventeenth century) is an oval measuring if in. by 1 frac38; in., and represents the baptism of Our Lord by St. John the Baptist with a shell on a mount with trees and foliage; on the right the Agnus Dei; overhead the Holy Spirit as a dove, descending.

Legend incorrectly cut:—

+ SIGILLUM SANGD + JOHANNES BADISTUS

44. THE HOSPITAL OF ST. LAURENCE, CANTERBURY

A register (fn. 49) of this hospital is preserved among the muniments of the cathedral at Canterbury; from which it appears that it was founded (fn. 50) by Hugh, abbot, and the convent of St. Augustine's in 1137 for sixteen brothers and sisters, one chaplain, and one clerk. The founders granted 9 acres of land on the right side of the way leading from Canterbury to Dover, and tithes from certain lands; and Roger de Marci granted tithes of his land of Dodyngdale. (fn. 51) The hospital appears always to have been considered as appropriated to the abbey; (fn. 52) and in 1263 the abbot is called warden of it. (fn. 53)

Exemption from taxation was granted to the hospital in 1340 on the ground of its poverty. (fn. 54) A commission was appointed in the following year to inquire into the matter; (fn. 55) and it was found that the hospital was founded by Hugh, abbot of St. Augustine's, who granted to it 21 acres of land in Canterbury, 68 acres in Chislet, and 32 acres in Sturry, beside rents and tithes worth £18 18s. yearly; and that other donors gave lands in Bridge, Nackington, Canterbury, and Stodmarsh; it had one mill, but no church appropriated to it. There were then and should be in it five brethren and eleven sisters, each of whom had 1¼d. daily; the chaplain received £4, and the clerk 40s. yearly, and repairs cost 40s. yearly. (fn. 56)

The Valor of 1535 gave the gross income of the hospital as £39 8s. 6d. and the net income as £31 7s. 10d. yearly; (fn. 57) but in the chantry certificates these are returned as £25 19s. and £25 14s. 1d. respectively.10

The hospital survived the general dissolution; but in a visitation made under Cardinal Pole in 1557 the sisters said that Christopher Hales had a lease of their land, and after his death it passed from one to another until it came to one Tipsal. There should be seven sisters, a prioress, and a priest, but there were then only Joan Francis, prioress, Elizabeth Oliver, and Florence Young, not yet admitted sister. (fn. 58) The hospital appears to have been then suppressed; and on 26 May, 1557, the site was granted to Sir John Parrott in fee. (fn. 59)

45. THE HOSPITAL OF ST. MARY OF THE POOR PRIESTS, CANTERBURY

The abbot of St. Augustine's granted the church of Stodmarsh to this hospital in 1243 at the instance of Simon Langton, archdeacon of Canterbury; (fn. 60) and the latter was believed in Thorne's time to have founded it by the alms of divers persons; but it appears to have been earlier, for Alexander, master of the hospital of the priests, is mentioned as a benefactor to the Grey Friars in Canterbury in 1225. (fn. 61) The hospital was situated in the parish of St. Margaret, and in 1249 an agreement (fn. 62) about their rights was made between the rector of the parish and the master of the hospital, who is also sometimes called the syndic or proctor. In 1271 the church was granted to the hospital by the abbot. (fn. 63)

Richard de Hoo, master of the hospital, failed to render an account when called upon in 1315, and the archbishop appointed a commission to inquire into the affairs of the house. (fn. 64)

Grants of protection were made to the hospital in 1317 and 1327. (fn. 65) In 1330 Henry de Cantuaria had licence (fn. 66) to grant four messuages in Canterbury to the master and brethren to find a chaplain to celebrate divine service daily in the oratory of the Holy Trinity adjoining the church of St. Dunstan without Westgate for the souls of Henry and his parents and benefactors.

Pope Boniface IX on 23 January, 1393, granted indulgence to penitents who at certain, times should visit and give alms to the chapel of the hospital. (fn. 67)

Edward III on several occasions granted to the master and brethren exemption from payment of a subsidy on the ground of their poverty. (fn. 68) An inquiry was made into this on 25 April, 1343, and it was found (fn. 69) that there were at the hospital a master and three priests as of old, and that they owned the churches of Stodmarsh and St. Margaret, Canterbury, worth £10 and £6 yearly respectively, and lands in Ickham, Wingham, St. Dunstan and Harbledown by Canterbury, Thanington, Westgate and Me Hamme 'and Canterbury and the suburbs. Their whole income was £36 8s. 7d., and out of it they had to find two priests to serve the churches, each of whom received £4 yearly, and a chaplain celebrating daily in the chapel of Holy Trinity in the cemetery of St. Dunstan, Canterbury, who had £4 also. They spent half a mark on ornaments, &c., of the chapel, £6 on the repairs of the churches and hospital (and £10 would be really required because the buildings of the hospital were ruinous), 100s, in hospitality (for which the house was originally founded), 5 marks in a pension to Master Henry de Cantuaria, £4 12s. to two corrodaries, 40s. to attorneys, 6s. to a clerk serving in the chapel and at their table, and 6 quarters 4 bushels of wheat, worth 29s. 3d., to a servant employed to keep their lands and collect rents, making a total of £35 Os. 7d.; so that their claim to exemption was just.

In the Valor (fn. 70) of 1535 the gross income of the hospital is given as £28 16s, 1d. and the net income as £10 13s. 8½d. yearly, the deductions including £12 paid to the priests serving the churches of St. Margaret and Stodmarsh; but in the certificates of colleges taken later these values are £32 3s. 11d. and £13 9s. 5d. respectively. (fn. 71)

Archbishop Parker reported (fn. 72) of the hospital in 1562 that— it is of the foundation and patronage of the archdeacon of Canterbury. It was ordained for the relief of poor and indigente prestes, and to be releved of the revenues of the house. Ther is a master of the said hospitals, videlicet one Mr. Bacon, a temporal man, who is not resident nether maketh any dystribution. The hospitall house is marveylouslye in ruyn and decaye. It is taxed to the perpetual tenth and payeth 22s 1½d.

The hospital was surrendered to the crown on 14 May, 1575, by Blase Winter, master, Edmund Freake, archdeacon of Canterbury and patron, and Matthew Parker, archbishop and ordinary; and granted with all its lands to the city on 5 July. (fn. 73)

Masters of the Poor Priests, Canterbury

Alexander, occurs 1225 (fn. 74)
William, occurs 1263 (fn. 75)
Richard de Hoo, occurs 1315 (fn. 75)
Henry de Cantuaria, occurs 1317 (fn. 76)
John de Dogworth, occurs 1356 (fn. 77)
John Duwyt, died 1368 (fn. 78)
Robert, occurs 1411 (fn. 79)
Henry Harvy, appointed 1490, (fn. 80) tesigned 1497 (fn. 81)
Thomas Water, appointed I497, (fn. 81) resigned 1511 (fn. 82)
Philip Taylour, appointed 1511, (fn. 82) died 1528 (fn. 83)
Nicholas Langdon, appointed 1528, (fn. 83) died 1554 (fn. 83)
Hugh Barret, appointed 1554 (fn. 84)
Robert Bacon, appointed 1560 (fn. 85)
Blase Winter, appointed 1575, (fn. 85) the last master

The seal (fn. 86) of the hospital (fourteenth century) is a pointed oval measuring 1⅜ in. by ⅞ in., representing Becket's martyrdom under a trefoiled arch with a pinnacled tower over it. In base under a trefoiled arch the bust of a priest in prayer to the left. Legend:—

P TE PASTOR AVE MICHI SIT Pc'OR EXIT' A VE

Another seal (fn. 87) (fourteenth century) is a pointed oval measuring 1½ in. by 1 in., representing in a four-lobed panel Becket's martyrdom, divided by a line from the second subject overhead, the coronation of the Virgin. In base under a round-headed arch a priest, half-length, in prayer to the right. Legend:—

MARTIRIS ET MgIS PRECE ME REGE DEXTERA PgIS

46. THE HOSPITAL OF ST. NICHOLAS AND ST. KATHARINE, CANTERBURY

William Cokyn, citizen of Canterbury, founded this hospital in the parish of St. Peter in or before the time of Archbishop Hubert, but afterwards caused it to be united with the hospital of St. Thomas, Eastbridge, the union being confirmed by a bull of Innocent III dated 1203. Edward It in 1314 confirmed to the united hospitals the grants made to them by Cokyn. (fn. 88)

47. THE HOSPITAL OF ST. THOMAS THE MARTYR, EASTBRIDGE, CANTERBURY

Archbishop Stratford drew up fresh statutes (fn. 89) for the hospital of Eastbridge on 23 September, 1342, and in these he declares it to have been founded by Thomas Becket himself for the relief of poor pilgrims coming to Canterbury. It had suffered much from the neglect of masters and come to so great a condition of debt and dilapidation as no longer to be able to maintain its burdens, and accordingly he united to it the parish church of Harbledown, the patronage of which belonged to it. (fn. 90) The master of the hospital, who was to be in priest's orders and to be appointed by the archbishop, was to make a full inventory of the goods of the hospital within one month of his appointment and give a copy to the prior of Christchurch, and also to render a full account of his administration yearly. He was to have with him in the hospital a secular chaplain, and these were to celebrate services as prescribed. Twelve beds were to be maintained in the hospital for the use of poor pilgrims, and an honest woman of more than forty years of age was to minister to them. The masters were to take an oath to observe these articles and not to alienate the possessions of the house.

Archbishop Peckham in 1284 appointed commissioners to audit the account of Hamo, late warden; (fn. 91) and in 1367 the account of Thomas de Woltone, master, was duly audited by the prior of Christchurch. (fn. 91)

The hospital of St. Nicholas and St. Katharine at Canterbury was united by its founder William Cokyn to the hospital of Eastbridge about the beginning of the thirteenth century, and he made the united hospitals heirs of all his possessions. Edward II in 1314 confirmed this and some grants in Blean. (fn. 92) The church of Blean was granted to the hospital by Hamo Crevequer and confirmed by Archbishop Langton; (fn. 93) and in 1375 Archbishop Sudbury ordained a vicarage there. (fn. 94) The manor of Blean and Hothcourt was granted by Thomas de Roos of Hamelak in 1359. (fn. 95)

In 1313 it was found before the justices in eyre at Canterbury that the master and brethren were bound to maintain the East Bridge (from which the hospital took its name), because they held rents for that purpose. (fn. 96)

The master and brethren of the hospital received frequent grants of protection from the crown, (fn. 97) and on several occasions invoked its aid against persons who fraudulently represented themselves to be their proctors and appropriated alms thus collected. (fn. 98) Exemption from taxation on the ground of poverty was sometimes granted by Edward III. (fn. 99)

Thomas de Wolton, master, in 1356 sold corrodies in the hospital to Richard de Medeborne and Adam le Eyr in return for grants of rent of 4 marks and £10 in perpetuity; (fn. 100) and in 1358 another (fn. 101) to Robert de Dentone for a cash payment of £75. John Montagu, master, granted a corrody to Thomas atte Court in 1396. (fn. 102)

Archbishop Islip on 25 February, 1363, at the request of Bartholomew de Bourne transferred to the hospital a chantry which James de Bourne, his progenitor, had founded in the parish church of 'Livingsbourne'; and Archbishop Sudbury in 1375 amended the foundation by adding part of the income from a messuage in Canterbury called ' le Chaunge,' which Edward III had granted to the hospital. (fn. 103) Archbishop Islip in 1350 promised indulgence to visitors to the hospital; (fn. 104) as also did Popes Honorius III in 1220, (fn. 105)

Innocent VI in 1360, (fn. 106) Urban V in 1363, (fn. 107) and Boniface IX in 1402. (fn. 108)

The priors of Christchurch, Canterbury, made visitations of the hospital in 1413 (fn. 109) and 1454. (fn. 110)

In the Valor (fn. 111) of 1535 the gross value of the possessions of the hospital was given as £43 12s. 3¾d. yearly and the net value as £23 18s. 9¾d.; but in the certificates, of colleges and chantries the gross and net incomes were returned as £43 12s. 5¼d. and £27 17s. 7¼d. respectively. (fn. 112)

The hospital survived the Dissolution. Nicholas Harpsfield, archdeacon of Canterbury, made a visitation of it on 14 August, 1557, when William Sworder was master, and reported (fn. 113) —

They are bound to receive wayfaring and hurt men and to have viii beds for men and four for women, to remain for a night or more, if they be not able to depart; and the master of the hospital is charged with the burial, and they have xx loads of wood yearly allowed, and xxvis. for drink. There was 10l. land a year with a mansion, which the priest always had to serve the chapel, taken away by the king; and it is the head church to Cosmus Blene; but they have no ornaments but organs.

Archbishop Parker visited the hospital in 1569 and drew up fresh statutes on 20 May in consequence of what he had observed. (fn. 114) The master was to give a true account yearly of the state of the house, to reside either at the hospital or at the manor of Blean and Hothcourt, and to receive yearly £6 13s. 4d. and twelve cartloads of wood. Every Friday he was to distribute thirty pence to thirty poor people, but in war time he was instead to distribute four pence daily to soldiers passing through the city. Twelve beds were to be maintained for poor persons, and an honest woman of more than forty years of age was to attend to them. Two books of accounts of the lodgers were to be kept. A free school for boys, not exceeding twenty, was to be kept; and two scholars were to be maintained at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. (fn. 115) The archbishop returned a certificate to the Exchequer to this effect after another visitation in 1573. (fn. 116)

Queen Elizabeth in 1576 directed a commission to Sir James Hales and others to inquire into the state of the hospital; and they certified that it was ruinous, let out into tenements for yearly rent, and without master or brethren. She granted it to John Farneham at fee-farm by letters patent on 20 June; (fn. 117) but Archbishop Whitgift afterwards recovered it, made fresh ordinances for it, (fn. 118) and obtained an Act of Parliament in confirmation in 1586. (fn. 119)

In 1690 the yearly income of the hospital amounted to £80 6s. 4d., besides twenty-four loads of wood and the master's house, valued at £6. The expenses included £28 to ten inbrothers and sisters, £13 6s. 8d. to ten outbrothers and sisters, £6 2s. to the schoolmaster, and about £2 for books, and amounted in all to £72 15s. 6½d, leaving about £8 yearly for repairs and other expenses. (fn. 120)

The Charity Commissioners reported in 1837 (fn. 121) that there were then at the hospital a master, five in-brothers, five out-brothers, five in-sisters, and five out-sisters; and that when a vacancy occurred the mayor sent to the master the names of two persons qualified according to the statutes, and the master made his selection. The hospital exists thus to the present day, each of the twenty brothers and sisters receiving a pension of £25 yearly and four more non-residents receiving £10 each.

Masters Of Eastbridge

Ralph, occurs 1219 (fn. 122)
Peter, occurs 1236, 1240 (fn. 123)
John de Suff, appointed 1242 (fn. 124)
Geoffrey, occurs 1261 (fn. 125)
Walter, occurs 1264 (fn. 125)
Hamo, resigned 1284 (fn. 126)
William de Burghiss or Burgeys, appointed 1299, (fn. 127) resigned 1321 (fn. 128)
John Kenting, appointed 1321 (fn. 128)
John de Thingden, appointed 1323 (fn. 129)
Richard de Ivyngho, occurs 133 7 (fn. 130)
Roger de Rondes, occurs 1342 (fn. 131)
Matthew de Assheton, appointed 1349 (fn. 132)
William de Braddele, appointed 1351 (fn. 133)
Thomas Niewe de Wolton, appointed 1352, (fn. 134) occurs 1373 (fn. 135)
Robert de Bradegar, appointed 1379 (fn. 136)
John Ovyng, appointed 1380 (fn. 137)
John Ludham, appointed 1382 (fn. 138)
John Whitteclyff, appointed 1383 (fn. 139)
Walter Cranston, appointed 1383 (fn. 140)
John Mountagu, occurs 1396, (fn. 141) resigned 1399 (fn. 142)
Thomas Pellycan, appointed 1399, (fn. 142) resigned 1405 (fn. 143)
Thomas Burton, appointed 1405, (fn. 143) died 1430 (fn. 144)
Thomas Chichele, appointed 1430 (fn. 144)
John Stopyndon, appointed 1430, (fn. 145) occurs 1442 (fn. 146)
Thomas Kemp, resigned 1445 (fn. 147)
Thomas Chichele, appointed 1445, (fn. 147) died 1467 (fn. 148)
John Bourchier, appointed 1467, (fn. 148) resigned 1490 (fn. 149)
Thomas Halywell, appointed 1490, (fn. 149) resigned 1512 (fn. 150)
Robert Woodward, appointed 1512 (fn. 150)
Peter Lygham, occurs 1535 (fn. 151)
William Sworder, appointed 1538, (fn. 152) occurs 1557 (fn. 153)
William Morphet, appointed 1562 (fn. 154)
Thomas Lawse, appointed 1569, (fn. 155) died 1594
Richard Rogers, 1594-6
Isaac Colf, 1596-7
John Boise, 1597-1625
Robert Say, 1625-8
John Sackette, 1628-64
Edward Aldy, 1664-73
Samuel Parker, 1673-87
John Battely, 1688
John Paris, 1708
John Bradock, 1709-19
John Lewis, 1719-46
John Sackette, 1746
Henry Heaton, 1753-77
William Backhouse, 1777

The seal (fn. 156) of the hospital (twelfth century) is a pointed oval measuring 3 in. by 2 in., representing St. Thomas of Canterbury with mitre and pall, lifting up the right hand in benediction and holding in the left a pastoral staff, with which he is piercing the head of a knight in armour under foot, who is lying on his back with a sword in his left hand. Legend:—

SIGILLUM HOSPITALIS I TOME CANTUARIE DE EASTBREGE

Another seal (fn. 157) (fifteenth century) is a pointed oval measuring 2⅜ in. by 1½ in., representing the Virgin seated on a throne in a canopied niche, crowned, holding on the left knee the Child, also crowned. In base, in a small niche, St. Thomas with mitre and crosier, kneeling in prayer to the right. In the field on each side a sprig of foliage. Legend:—

S' ChE HOSPITAL' ScI THPE MART SUP ESTB'GGE CANT. '