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 A HISTORY OF BEDFORDSHIRE Thomas Hore, 1 died 1444 John Thorpe, 2 appointed 1444 John Brinklo 3 Richard Hylston, 4 resigned 1448 William Athall, appointed 1448/ re- signed 1456 John Goldsmith, 6 appointed 1456, resigned 1456 Thomas Kynges, 7 appointed 1456, re- signed 1457 John Dovey, 8 appointed 1461, resigned 1462 Thomas Home, 9 appointed 1462 Richard Hyndeman, 10 appointed 1462, re- signed 1470 Henry Rudyng, 11 appointed 1470, died J 497 William Morgan, 12 appointed 1497, died 1509 Humphrey Gascoigne, 13 appointed 1509 William Wroxill, 14 resigned 1520 William Franklin, 15 appointed 1520 John Stringer, 16 appointed 1530 A seal of this hospital represents St. John Baptist standing, holding a long scroll inscribed SIGILLUM HOSPITALIS SANCTI JOHANNIS BAP- TISTS de Bedford. The same legend is around the margin of the seal, which is oval and very clear and distinct. 16. THE HOSPITAL OF ST. LEONARD, BEDFORD The date of the foundation of the hospital of St. Leonard is even more uncertain than that of St. John. The first mention of it is found in a charter of King John, dated 1207, 17 in which he granted letters of safe conduct to the brethren and their preachers wherever they might go in England to preach and seek alms on behalf of their sick people. Eight years later another charter announced that the lepers of the hospital of St. Leonard were 1 Line. Epis. Reg., Inst. Alnwick, 184. 2 Ibid. a Add. MS. 5832, 89. 1 Line. Epis. Reg., Inst. Alnwick, 187, 189. The name is given in one place as Hylston and the other as Ilvestone. « Ibid. 8 Ibid. Inst. Chedworth, 165. 1 Ibid. i6sd. a Ibid. i68d. • Ibid. 172. >o Ibid. I72d. » Ibid. 178. » Ibid. Inst. Smith, 438. » Ibid. 457a. " Ibid. Inst. Longland, 240. >» Ibid. " Add. MS. 5832, f. 89 ; and Chant. Cert. (Beds), 4. " Pat. 8 John, m. I. taken under the king's protection. 18 It is probable that one of the Bassets was founder of the house, for in a dispute which was brought before the bishop in 1294 with regard to the patronage it was decided that one Robert Dendon was patron in right of his wife, Agnes Basset, daughter of Simon Basset ; though the burgesses of Bedford also had a share in it. 19 There were at first six brethren in the house, of whom one was master ; all were at least in minor orders, wore the habit of religion, 20 and probably kept a rule somewhat similar to that of the brethren of St. John's hospital. In 1294 Bishop Sutton sent an in- junction to three of them by name to be obedient to their master until he should visit them. 21 In 1302 they sent a petition to Parliament for permission to purchase land to the value of £10, and a rent in Bedford. 22 This was probably for the enlargement of their area and the re-building of their house, for in 1306 they gave great offence to the abbess of Elstow by closing the pathway which led through their buildings to Bedford, and opening another instead which made a circuit round the hospital. There was a suit in Chancery in consequence, and the final grant for closing the pathway was not issued till 1308. 23 Bishop Dalderby excommunicated one of the brethren for apostacy in 1306, 24 and visited the house in 1 31 3 to inquire into the alleged impotence of the master and to appoint one of the others as coadjutor. 26 About this time the house was evidently becoming impover- ished, for in 1 33 1 an indulgence was granted for the repair of the chapel of the Blessed Mary, 26 and in 1353 the brethren obtained a licence to beg alms. 27 From this time for- 18 Ibid. 16 John, m. 4. The first charter has ' Fratres hospitalis infirmorum,' and the second ' leprosos hospitalis Sci. Leonardi.' It was pro- bably for both, like the hospital at Dunstable. 19 Line. Epis. Reg., Inst. Sutton, 99. It seems just possible that this Simon Basset may be really Simon Bascot (or Barescote), whose ancestors founded Caldwell Priory, and who was himself an alderman of Bedford. 2 ° Rolls of Pari. (Rec. Com.), i. 154. The king's grace for a poor house of St. Leonard's, Bedford, where there are ' six brethren, perpetual chap- lains, wearing the habit of religion.' 21 Line. Epis. Reg., Memo. Sutton, lo6d. 22 Rolls of Pari. (Rec. Com.), i. 154. « Inq. ad q.d. 34 Edw. I. No. 226; Pat. 2 Edw. II. pt. 2, m. 15 (see Elstow Abbey). 24 Line. Epis. Reg., Memo. Dalderby, 98. " Ibid. 247a. 28 Ibid. Memo. Burghersh, 241. »» Ibid. Memo. Gynwcll, 52. 398