Page:VCH Buckinghamshire 1.djvu/461

Rh There were certainly two hospitals, at Newport Pagnel, even if we identify the ' New Hospital ' of 1240 with that of St. John Baptist. If the identification should prove to be a mistake there would be three, but it seems most probable that it is correct. The ' New Hospital ' is first mentioned in a will of 1240 : an inquisition of 1245 alludes to the master of the hospital of St. John Baptist among the tenants of Roger de Somery. According to a foundation charter quoted in Bull's History of Newport Pagnel the hospital of St. John Baptist was said to have been founded by John de Somery ; a commission appointed at the new foundation under James I. reported that it was first built in the reign of Henry III. or earlier, and until 1275 had a master, brethren and sisters. Letters of protection were granted in that year to a master and brethren only, but in 1329 again to a master, brethren and sisters ; Indul- gences were granted to those who would con- tribute to the maintenance of the house in 1301 and 1336 ; in 1332 the brethren received a licence from the king to collect alms once a year. In 1336 it was stated that the master and brethren had become quite depen- dent on charity. By 1387 there is no more allusion to the hospital : masters were insti- tuted from that time forward to the ' free chapel or hospital ' of St. John Baptist and St. John Evangelist. At the Suppression of the Chantries and Hospitals the commissioners stated that the original intent of the founda- tion was unknown : the house was down, the chapel sore in decay, and no hospitality had been kept for sixteen years. The incumbent was ' of honest understanding,' but non- was resident. The clear revenue of the house was £6 10s. 6d.

It seems probable that as there was another hospital founded at Newport, this one may have been originally intended for the poor. It was refounded for this purpose, under the name of Queen Anne's Hospital, in the reign of James I.

Adam Russell, resigned 1291 Gilbert de Luda, elected 1291, died 1303 Richard of Willen, elected 1303 John Drayton, elected 1340 William Draper, elected 1345, resigned Thomas Atte More, elected 1355, died Henry de Hauksherd, instituted 1360, died 1369 Ralf Hey ward, instituted 1369, resigned John Dene, instituted 1374, resigned 1381 John Carter, instituted 1381, died 1386 Thomas Mody, instituted 1386 Henry Smith, died 1483 William Baynton, S.T.P., instituted 1483, died 1496 Thomas Wimeston, instituted 1496, died Thomas Smytheson, instituted 1501, died Thomas Copland, S.T.P., instituted 1506, resigned 1510 Edward Champion, instituted 1510, died Thomas Thornham, instituted 1528, died John Saunderson, instituted 1548

This hospital is only mentioned once in a will dated 1240. Its date of foundation, its purpose, and the time when it finally dis- appeared are alike unknown.