RELIGIOUS HOUSES as well as other sick people. The masters of the hospital were appointed by the prior, but the name of only one is known early in the thirteenth century ; he was called Roger, and was a chaplain of the priory. 1 In 1293 the lepers of Dunstable erected a new bell, larger than they had ever had before, and hung it on a crossbar between two poles in front of their house ; but the prior seems for some reason to have suspected their motives in doing this, for he sent and had it taken down, restoring it afterwards on the condition that it should never be used for his parishioners nor for call- ing people together.* The hospital was still in existence in 1338, for the master and brethren received at that time another letter of protection from the king, and permission to collect alms ; 3 but it is not heard of at any later date. 21. THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, HOCKLIFFE The hospital of St. John Baptist at HocklifF is first mentioned in the Lincoln Episcopal Registers in 1248,' but it had then evidently been in existence some years. The patron at that time was John Malherbe, 5 a member of whose family was probably the founder. Its purpose is not stated, nor the number of the brethren mentioned ; but it seems most likely that it was a hospital for the destitute poor. 8 The master and brethren presented rectors to the parish church from 1248 to 1 40 1, 7 if not longer, and their exercise of their patronage brought them once under the displeasure of Bishop Grosset2te ; B for they presented a young man of their founder's family, 8 who was refused by the bishop for defect of orders and insufficiency of learning. In 1286 the master was deposed by Bishop Sutton, and another substituted ; the cause is not given. 10 The brethren were allowed in 1 30 1 to collect alms for the rebuilding of their hospital, and an indulgence was granted by the bishop to their benefactors. 11 In 1310 Bishop Dalderby received a serious complaint from Luke of Nutley, who was then master ; he said that during his term of office (only a few months) the brethren had been unwilling to obey him, and were filled with a spirit of rebellion ; and that a certain lay brother had laid violent hands upon him and used contume- lious words, refusing to recognise his author- ity. 13 The difficulty appears to have been settled by the resignation of Luke in favour of a former master, 13 who was perhaps more acceptable to the brethren. The hospital was visited by Bishop Bek in 1342, 14 but the results are not recorded. Reference is made to the master and brethren at the institution of John Culryk to the parish church in 1401 ; 16 and masters con- tinued to be appointed till 1422. It was probably soon after this that the hospital was taken over by the prior and canons of Dun- stable, perhaps because its income had become insufficient to maintain it any longer as an independent house. Its revenue at the dis- solution was only £4 15J. 4^., and it finally ceased to exist at the same time as the priory of Dunstable. 16 Masters of Hockuffb A(dam), 17 occurs 1248 Walter, 18 resigned 1264 William dc Lethom, 19 appointed 1264 Thomas 20 resigned 1286 Alan de Freston, 21 appointed 1286, deposed 1288 Thomas of Battlesden, 22 appointed 1288 Walter de Hoccon, 23 resigned 1289 Ralph deEston, 24 appointed 1289, resigned 1301 Richard de Newton, 26 appointed 1 30 1, re- signed 1 3 10 1 Had. MS. 1885, f. 36b. Grant by Richard de Morins, prior of Dunstable, ' of the care and custody of our hospital ' of St. Mary Magdalene, for lepers and other sick people, to Roger, chaplain (undated). s Ann. Mon. (Rolls Series), iii. 381. 3 Pat. 11 Edw. III. pt. 2, m. 24. • Line. Epis. Reg., Rolls of Grosset6te. 6 Ibid. 6 The purpose of the hospitals for the sick and for lepers is usually explicitly stated. 7 Line. Epis. Reg. 8 Ibid. Rolls of Grossetiste, 1265. 8 William Malherbe. 1° The hospital in this year was ' vacant by the amoval of Alan dc Freston, last master.' " Ibid. Memo. Dalderby, 33d, 48. " Ibid. 178. 13 See list of masters. ti Ibid. Memo. Bek, 32d. 15 Ibid. Inst. Beaufort. ' 6 It appears in the First Report of the Crown Bailiff as part of the property of Dunstable, and its value is given as above (Dugdale, Mon. vi. 242). It is not in the Chantry Certificates. " Line. Epis. Reg., Rolls of Grossetete. is Ibid. " Ibid. a ° Ibid. Memo. Sutton. 31 Ibid. He had been a lay brother at Brackley Hospital, an unusual appointment. " Ibid. » Ibid. » Ibid. " Ibid. Inst. Dalderby, 259. 401 51
