Hospitals: Bretford

26. THE HOSPITAL OF BRETFORD

A charter of Richard, bishop of Coventry, circa 1180, notifies that, at the prayer of Alured, abbot of St. Pierre-sur-Dive (in the diocese of Sées), he confirms to his dear sons, the lepers of Bretford, the grant made in charity by the said abbot and convent, to the effect that the lepers should have a chaplain of their own, saving in all things the parochial rights of the mother church of Wolston. He also confirmed to them the tithes of milk and garden herbs allowed them in pity by the abbot and convent as their charter testified. For these grants and privileges the lepers were to pay 2s. a year to the abbey. (fn. 1)

This hospital, with its chapel, was dedicated to the honour of St. Edmund. It was almost certainly founded by the Turvilles of Wolston, as they were its patrons throughout the fourteenth century.

The master and brethren of the house of lepers, Bretford, obtained a year's protection from Edward I in 1274, (fn. 2) but the further history of the hospital is unknown.

Chaplains

Richard le Chapelyn, before 1285 (fn. 3)

William de Stretton, 1303 (fn. 4)

Thomas de Olughton, 1308 (fn. 5)

Richard de Pedmor, 1329

Henry de Dene, 1334 (fn. 6)

Thomas de Bilney, 1335

Thomas de Hamstede, 1337 (fn. 7)

Robert de Knighton, 1337

Robert de Dunch, 1340

William le Palmere de Franketon, 1344

William de Lich, 1353

Godfrey Colmon, 1360 (fn. 8)