Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]

"The Friars"; and a stable built of the materials on the spot where it formerly stood. The walls formed a part of the ancient building; and are of freestone, faced with the chisel. An artificial mount, which was situated in the centre of the Friary Garden, has been reduced in height, and is now the basis of a windmill. At the dissolution of this house, in 1543, it was granted to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster; and in 1547, to John Bellow and Augustine Porter, Esquires. Its site is now the property of Lord Yarborough.

HOUSE OF HOSPITALLERS,

OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

The situation of this hospital has been the subject of much conjecture. There are strong reasons for believing that it was erected on one of the hills adjoining the nunnery, which still retains the name of Spittal Hill. This elevation was near the Foss Way, a road leading into the heart of the county, and communicating with almost every part of the kingdom; which was the kind of situation usually selected for these institutions; for they were designed for the relief and entertainment of pilgrims and travellers, before the establishment of inns and other places of public resort. The corporation records pronounce it to have been situated without the Bar Gate. All these testimonies concur to determine the Spittal Hill as the spot on which this hospital was placed.

[ocr errors]

It is not known, with any degree of certainty, by whom this charitable foundation was endowed; but it is supposed to have emanated from the abbot of Wellow, the prioress of St. Leonard's, and the merchants and gentry of Grimesby. It was originally a preceptory of Knights Templars, and was established in the early part of King John's reign. The house and the site on which it stood were the gift of Robert de Bassingburne ;* and at the dissolution of the order, its revenues were given to the Knights Hospitallers of St. John, and it was placed under the jurisdiction of the mayor and burgesses of Grimsby. The office of procurator was, from this time, appointed by the Corporation, as appears from several entries in the court books, and other records. The nature of his tenure will be best explained by the following extract, dated 6th February, 15'Edward IV. (1475)—" The office of procurator of the Hospital of the blessed Mary Magdalene, without the bars of Grimsby; together with the mansion of the same and all the appurtenances, as well in houses as in pastures, crofts, and all manner of lands and meadows to the same hospital, and other appurtenances whatsoever belonging, were granted to William Cross, for the term of his life, rendering to the King and others, the rents and services therefore due; and to the Mayor for the time being, at the Feast of the blessed Mary Magdalene, xiid. in money, and one

*Hundred Rolls, Tower.

pot of ale, containing four flaggons, with competent bread and cheese, as had of old been accustomed."

The habit of the brothers was a simple russet and black cloth garment. They were bound by their vows to be chaste and sober, temperate in diet, and to apply their revenues to the use of the poor and the sojourner. If any one had violated this rule, and was found, at his death, to be possessed of any property, he was refused the rites of christian burial, and his money was cast into the grave after him with an imprecation-"thy money be with thee to perdition!".

At the dissolution, the revenues of this house were resigned into the hands of the mayor and burgesses of Grimsby. "20 June, 34 Hen. VIII. Court held before the Maiore there. Unto ys. Cowrt Cumys John Hatteclyffe ye. elder dyd surrender to the Maiore and his Comburgeses all suche Intrest, Clame, and Grawnte whyche he had off & in one Hospital or Spyttal Hows grawted by ye saied Maier & hys Comburgeses."*. The property in Grimsby is now in the possession of Lord Yarborough; and in Weelsby, of George Robert Heneage, Esq.

* Corp. Rec.

[blocks in formation]

23 1295 Burgesses returned, but not named.
26 1298 Johannes Elmed. Gilbertus Wyom.
28 1300 Johannes Belfall. Willielmus Dovedale.†
30 1302 Johannes Elmed. Willielmus Littestere.

EDWARD II.

5 1311 Galfridus de Scarthowe. Galfredus le Taverner. 5 1311 Willielmus de Dovedales. Galfridus Scarthowe. 6 1312 Willielmus Dovedales. Simon le Toller.‡

12 1318 Willielmus Teynter. Johannes del Fal. 15 1321 Johannes Riper. Willielmus Bray.

20 1326 Willielmus de Lekeburn. Johannes de Paston.

*The borough of Grimsby was directed by writ to send up two burgesses, in the 11th year of this Monarch, (1283), to the Parliament held at Shrewsbury; by which David, the son of Griffin, was condemned for treason, and there executed.-Rymer's Feodera.

+ This Parliament met at Lincoln, January 21st.

This Parliament sat at Lincoln, in 1315.

[blocks in formation]

1 1327 Willielmus Bray.*

2 1328 Petrus Swan. Simon Barry.

2 1328 Galfridus de Scarthowe. Johannes de Paston.
2 1328 Willielmus Leycester. Thomas de Skyrbeck.
4 1330 Willielmus de Doundale. Johannes de Paston.
4 1330 Robertus Keilby. Edmundus Rayner.

6 1332 Walterus de Freiston. Johannes de Paston.
71333 Johannes de Paston. Willielmus Bray.

9 1335 Willielmus de Ravendale. Johannes de Paston. 9 1335 Thomas de Skyrbeck. Thomas Leycester.

10 1336 Willielmus de Ravendale. Willielmus Killingholme 11 1337 Johannes de Paston. Ricardus Spencer.

11 1337 Johannes de Ferriby. Robertus Davy.

12 1338 Willielmus Alesby. Johannes de Yardeburgh. 14 1340 Thomas Fenne.

14 1340 Thomas Skyrbeck. Galfridus Scarthowe.
15 1341 Adam de Limburg. Johannes de Grymesby.
17 1343 Johannes Rayner. Willielmus Bray.

20 1346 Robertus Saresove. Petrus de la See.

21 1347 Johannes Spencer. Robertus Saresove.

22 1348 Robertus Saresove. Johannes Spencer.

24 1350 Willielmus Bray. Petrus Bray.

29 1355 Laurentius de Wooton. Johannes de Grymesby. 31 1357 Randulphus de Utterby. Willielmus Tome.

33 1359 Johannes Elémede. Bartholomeus le Blake.

34 1360 Robertus Pavy. Walterus Whyte.

34 1360 Petrus Bray. Johannes Percy.

36 1362 Johannes Percy. Johannes Stallynburgh. 38 1364 Randulphus de Itterby.

39 1365 Willielmus Grymesby. Thomas Cryspin, 42 1368 Johannes Bottilson. Robertus Brown,

* Met at Lincoln, September 15th,

« VorigeDoorgaan »