RELIGIOUS HOUSES than 2,000 sheep. Canon Henry Sympson had several complaints as to ruined walls, insufficient lamps, and the quality of the bread, ale, and meat. It is of interest to note a reference to the bad repair of the school-house (' camera scolae vocata scolehous-chambre '). This must refer to a school for outsiders ; so small a house would not require a separate room for the instruction of novices. Canon Edmund also complained as to lights and food, the hours of meals, the lack of a barber, absence of servants and defects in the building, all the fault of the prior ; but he dis- believed a reported scandal against his superior. He also stated that the number of canons on the foundation was formerly seven. Canon John Whetebred complained of the quality of the bread and ale and the absence of servants. Canon Richard Mason thought the food was not whole- some and that there was no provision for ad- ministering the necessaries of life to the infirm or giving them attendance ; he also drew attention to the bad condition of the church and buildings. The bishop's consequent injunctions included the removal of one Agnes Clarke from the priory's service, and the exclusion of Christian de Weting ; the finding light and lamps for the church in the winter ; an improvement in food and drink ; the repair of the school-house before All Saints' Day, and the execution of other neces- sary repairs ; and the providing of a barber and servants. The visitation was then prorogued to Michaelmas.* In 1520 Prior Martin was followed by Robert Codde. In that year John, bishop of Chalcedon, with certain colleagues, visited the house on be- half of Bishop Nicke. Prior Codde testified that all things were going on well, and a like brief report was made by the four canons, Edmund Banyard, John Whetebred, Richard Mason, and Richard Breccles. The injunctions, consequent on this visitation, ruled that the prior was to pro- vide within thirty days a place of confinement with stocks and chains for the correction of canons ; and that the canons were not to fre- quent taverns, nor to leave the priory without permission of their superior, and to give up the use of buckles.^ William Barlow alias Finch occurs as prior in 1525. He had already been prior of several small Austin houses, Tiptree and Leighs in Essex, Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, and Bisham in Berkshire ; he was afterwards successively bishop of St. Asaph, St. David's, Bath and Wells, and Chichester. The priory was again visited by Bishop Nicke in 1526. Prior Barlow gave a good report of everything. Canon Banyard said that there was no farmery nor attendance for the infirm canons ; Canon Whetebred complained that there was no regular confessor, and that an annuity had been ' Jessopp, Norw. Fisit. (Camd. Sec), 85-7. • Ibid. 154.-85. granted to one Mr. Redmayne ; Canon Mason also objected to this annuity, and drew attention to the ruinous condition of the church ; and Canon Breccles complained that silence was not observed in the dorter. The only consequent injunction was an order to the prior to provide a confessor for the canons.' This house was suppressed, at Cardinal Wolsey's request, by Pope Clement's bull of 14 May, 1528, towards the endowment of his projected college at Ipswich. It was dissolved on 18 September, 1528, by Drs. Gardiner and Legh, the canons being ordered to enter other Austin houses. The work of demolishing the church and building was at once undertaken, £/^ y. 4a'. being paid for taking down the lead. In the same year 5 31. ^d, was paid by the cardinal to the vicar of Croxton as his pension, and there was also a payment of 40i. to ex-Prior Barlow.^ After the cardinal's fall the land and site and possessions of the late priory of Bromehill, includ- ing six manors in Norfolk, a windmill at Weeting, lands, rents, &c., in twenty-four Norfolk and three Suffolk townships, together with an annual rent from Weeting of ;^20, and the advowson of Croxton Church were granted by the crown to the master, fellows, and scholars of Christ's College, Cambridge.' Priors of Bromehill Geoffrey,' occurs 1240 Henry,' occurs 1268 William,* occurs 1308 Ralph de Threkestone,' elected 131 1 John de Welle,*" elected 1342 Thomas de Soham," elected 1344 Peter de Burnham,'^ elected 1349 William Estmore," elected 1394 Robert Stowe,'* elected 141 2 John de Walsoken,** resigned 1424 Richard Winchester,*' elected 1424 John Rammesey,*' elected 1446 Robert Foster,** elected 1466 William Kyrtelyng,*' elected 1479 William Lovell,^" elected 1 49 1 Thomas Axill,"* elected 1 491 Thomas Martin," elected 15 14 Robert Codde,^' elected 1520 William Barlow,^* occurs 1525, last prior ' Ibid. 242-3.
- L. and P. Hen. Fill, iv, 4229 (9), 4755.
' Pat. 23 Hen. VIII, pt. ii, mm. 23 and 24. ' Blomeficld, Hist. ofNorf. ii, 164. ' Ibid. ' Ibid. ' Norw. Epis. Reg. i, 44. '" Ibid, iii, 54. " Ibid, iv, 46. '-Ibid. 103. " Ibid. vi. " Ibid, vii, 33. '■■ Ibid, ix, 37. " Ibid. " Ibid, xi, 6. "Ibid. 156. " Blomeficld, Hisl. ofNorf. ii, 164. " Ibid. " Ibid. " Ibid. " Ibid. " Ibid. 375
