<poem>John Thornborough, [1] occurs from 1290 to 1296 Walter,[2] 2 elected 1296, occurs till 1300 John of Salisbury, [3] occurs 1301 to 1307 Thomas of Buckingham, [4] elected 1308, occurs till 1315 John, [5] elected 1317, occurs till 1321 Thomas of Buckingham, [6] occurs 1324 Roger of Gotham,[7] occurs 1325 to 1332 Griffin, [8] occurs 1341 William of Loughborough, [9] occurs from 1357 Peter, [10] occurs from 1378 to 1396 John, [11] occurs from 1397 to 1400 Stephen, [12] occurs 1428 John, [13] occurs from 1469 to 1480 William, [14] occurs 1481 Richard Benet, [15] occurs 1495, resigned 1535 Richard Green, [16] last abbot, elected 1535
Seal of St. Mary and St. Nicholas of Biddlesden :
A pointed oval seal [17] of the late twelfth century, creamy white, imperfect. The ob- verse is wanting, the reverse represents a sinister hand and vested arm issuing from the left and holding a pastoral staff in pale. The legend, of which only a part remains, runs : +SIG . . . s DE BETLESD.'
A very similar one, [18] light brown in colour, representing a hand and vested arm issuing from right, grasping a pastoral staff in pale. Legend: + SICILLVM DE BEHTLESDENA.
A dark green pointed oval seal or counter- seal, I264-I286,[19] represents a dexter and vested arm issuing from the right and holding a pastoral staff in pale. In the field on the left a crescent enclosing an estoile. Legend : [CJONTRA s' ABB'IE DE BETLESDENE.
A pointed oval seal or counterseal, pale yellow in colour, and imperfect, attached to a charter bearing date 1275,[20] represents a dexter hand and vested arm issuing from the right, holding a pastoral staff with large crook in pale. In the field on the left two crescents and an estoile. The legend is defective : [CJONTRA S' . . . ESDEN. . . .
A very small green pointed oval seal at- tached to a charter of 1265.[21] The impres- sion, which is very imperfect, represents a crescent enclosing an estoile of many points. Legend : AVE MARIA GRA.
Later seal of the fourteenth century.[22] Two partial impressions, one containing the upper, the other the lower part of a pointed oval seal, represents a saint standing in a canopied niche. In base a shield of arms : a fesse and quarter : ERNALDUS DE BOSCO, founder. Legend : SIG . . . NT' DE.
Seal of Abbot Giffard 1228-1236. [23] Pointed oval, dark green, represents Minerva hel- meted, in profile to the left holding a spear. Legend: +VIVE : vr : PLACEAS : DEO.
Seal of Abbot Thomas about 1238-1240.[24] Pointed oval, opaque yellow in colour, the impression is fine but very imperfect, repre- sents the abbot full length, in his right hand a pastoral staff, in his left a book. Legend : . . . BATIS ... TO NICHOL . . .
Seal of Abbot Philip 1245.[25] Pointed oval, dark green, represents the abbot standing on a platform, holding in his right hand a pastoral staff, in his left a book. Legend : + SIGILL' : ABATIS : DE : SANCTO : NICHOLAO.
Seal of Abbot William 1264-1286.[26] Sim- ilar to seal of Abbot Philip. Another seal of Abbot William, a pointed oval, represents the Virgin half length, the Holy Child on her left knee. In base under an arch the abbot half length in prayer.[27] Legend : [MJATER DEI [MEMJENTO ME[I].
Another seal of Abbot William,[28] oval, impression of a bust couped at the neck, in profile to right, wearing a double tiara. Legend : IHESV : MERCI.
- ↑ Harl. Chart. 84 E, 20, 25.
- ↑ Linc. Epis. Reg. Memo. Sutton, 159 ; Harl. Chart. 84 E, 29.
- ↑ Harl. Chart. 84 E, 28, 38.
- ↑ Line. Epis. Reg. Memo. Dalderby, 121 ; and Harl. Chart. 84 E, 43 (1315).
- ↑ Line. Epis. Reg. Memo. Dalderby, 347 ; Harl. Chart. 84 E, 47 (1321).
- ↑ It is uncertain whether this was the same Thomas of Buckingham, re-elected, or another of the same name. He occurs only in 1324 (Harl. Chart. 84 E. 50) ; but the references to his predecessor John are very numerous.
- ↑ Close, 19 Edw. II. m. 24d ; Harl. Chart. 84 E, 60.
- ↑ Harl. Chart. 84 F, I.
- ↑ The earlier date is given by Browne Willis ; Ibid. 86 B, 8, and 84 F, 2 give 1355 and 1357.
- ↑ Ibid. 84 F, 4; 86 c, II. There are numerous references to him between these dates.
- ↑ Harl. MS. 4714, ff. 242d and 293d.
- ↑ Harl. Chart. 84 F, 15.
- ↑ Ibid. 85 c, 59 and 84 F, 16.
- ↑ Harl. MS. 4714, f. 342d.
- ↑ The earlier date is given by Browne Willis : there are several later references.
- ↑ Line. Epis. Reg. Memo. Longland,
- ↑ Harl. Chart. 84 c. 12.
- ↑ Ibid. 84 D, 21.
- ↑ Harl. Chart. 84 E, II.
- ↑ Ibid. 84 E, 4.
- ↑ Ibid. 86 E, 48.
- ↑ Ibid. 83 F, 20.
- ↑ Ibid. 84 D, 25.
- ↑ Ibid. 84 D, 28.
- ↑ Ibid 84 D, 36.
- ↑ Ibid. 84 E, 14, 15.
- ↑ Ibid. 84 E, 13.
- ↑ Ibid. 84 E, 10.
368
