ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY most popular form of benefaction at that time, and onwards to the Re- formation, was the foundation of chantries. There had been a few in the thirteenth century and even earlier; in 1234 1 and 1236 2 the canons of Dunstable had undertaken to provide anniversaries for certain of their benefactors, and other instances might be named ; but they did not become common till the beginning of the fourteenth century. They might indeed be only a form of legacy to monasteries, but most often they were attached to the parish churches. Such legacies were not necessarily selfish, as at first sight they may appear to be. Certain lands and tenements, etc., were set apart for the maintenance of a chaplain, to sing mass for the souls of the founder and his relations ; but the practi- cal result was the fresh adornment of some altar in the church, and the provision of an assistant to the parish priest. Besides those founded in parish churches or chapels, 3 a few were undertaken by the religious in their own churches. The canons of Dunstable conceded a perpetual chantry in 1272 to the archdeacon, John de Crachely ; 4 another was founded by Thomas Marshall, the prior, about 1379, 6 for his own parents ; a third was granted to Sir Neel Loring in 1390. 6 The canons of Caldwell had also three chantries to serve: in their own church one was granted to Adam Flaun, vicar of Newnham, Herts, 1 Ann. Mon. (Rolls Scries), iii. 141. 3 Ibid. 144. 3 In the chapel of Barwythe, Studham, for William de Eltesdon, 1236 (Harl. MS. 18S5, f. 5 1 ; Ann. Mon. [Rolls Series], iii. 144 ; Line. Epis. Reg., Rolls of Grossctcte A 2). In the chapel of Silsoe, Flitton, for Thomas de Bray, 1275 (Line. Epis. Reg., Rolls of Gravesend). In the church of Elstow, founder unknown, before 1277 (ibid.) In the chapel of Tebworth, Chalgravc, the parishioners claimed an ancient chantry, 1286 {Ann. Mon. [Rolls Series], iii. 329). In the chapel of Biddenham Bridge, for Matthew of Dunstable, rector of the moiety of Elstow, 1296 (Line. Epis. Reg., Memo. Sutton, 162 ; ibid. Inst. Dalderby, 267). In Toddington Church, a chantry of the blessed Virgin, under Bishop Sutton (Line. Epis. Reg.) In the church of Dean, by Walter of Ireland, the rector, 1301 (ibid. Inst. Dalderby, 2 7od, 271). In the church ofBletsoe, for the lords of the manor, 1305 (ibid. 305). In the chapel of Silsoe, for Ralph son of Richard, 1327 (ibid. Inst. Burghersh, 3 i+d). In the church of Westoning, for William Inge, 1328 (ibid. 395c!). In the church of Renhold, for John Picot, 1336 (ibid. Inst. Bek. I49d, 150). In the church of Sandy, for Roger de Beauchamp, 1337 (ibid. 153-7). In the church of Eaton Socon, for Roger de Beauchamp and John Engayne, 1337 (ibid.) In the church of Elstow for Thos. atte Brugge, rector of Campton, 1349 0- n< - P- m - 2I Edward III. No. 72). In the church of Chalgrave for Sir Neel Loring (Line. Epis. Reg., Memo. Repingdon, 81). In the church of Wootton (founder unknown) before 1260 (Harl. MS. 3656, f. 22). In the church of St. Cuthbert, Bedford ; Chantry Cert. 1 gives the date 14 Edw. II. Chantries were also founded in a few private chapels, e.g. : — In the chapel of the manor of Bletsoe by Sir John de Pateshull, 1278 (Line. Epis. Reg., Rolls of Gravesend). In the chapel of Sir John de Grey on his manor of Thurleigh, 1320 (Line. Epis. Reg., Inst. Burg- hersh, 294). In the court of William de Cantelow at Eaton Bray {And. D. [P.R.O.] A 106). In the chapel of St. John Baptist, within the court of Paulin Peyver at Toddington, thirteenth century (Line. Epis. Reg., Memo. Russell, 47-50).
- Ann. Mon. (Rolls Series), iii. 255. This chantry is interesting as being the only one of this
period which includes a definite charity ; i.e. the maintenance of a blind clerk in the monastery ' for the sake of the soul of John Crachely.' 6 Line. Epis. Reg., Memo. Buckingham, 82d. 6 Ibid. 367. 325
