Page:VCH Norfolk 2.djvu/472

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A HISTORY OF NORFOLK Richard II allowed the alienation to these Carmelities of another messuage adjoining their house and churchyard, the gift of Adam Pope, rector of Southrepps, and otliers.' During the early part of the fifteenth century a certain Thomas Taverner of VValsingham petitioned the Chancellor to compel John Thorp, prior of the Carmelites of Norwich, to give up his son Alexander, aged 13, whom he was detaining contrary to the wishes alike of Thomas and his said son.^ In i486 Thomas Waterpytte, the prior, and his convent petitioned the mayor, aldermen, sheriffs and citizens of Norwich to become their patrons, as their founder was a merchant and citizen. The petition was granted, and at the general chapter of the order, held at Burnham in 1488, the position of the mayor and corpora- tion as patrons was formally ratified, with a perpetual Darticipation in all masses, prayers, labours, &c.' The city authorities were evidently not ungrateful for these spiritual benefits, as at an assembly held on 3 May, 1498, the valuable privilege was granted by the city to the Carmelites of being henceforth quit of all city toll and custom of their ov/n property, whether carried by land or by water.* Bale, VV^eever, Kirkpatrick, and Blomefield give long lists of persons buried in the church of these once popular friars. Sir William Calthorpe, knt., by will proved in 1494, desired that he might be buried in this church : — Also I wylle that the Whyte Frj-erys aforesaid have ten marks for the repair of their churche and place, and they to pray for may sowle and frendys sowlys. Item I wj'll that Fryer Thomas Waterpepe synge for my sowle and my wyfe's and frendys sowlys, by the space of three years, at the auter where my sepulture is ; and that, after the gospells, he seye opynly at every masse De profundls for my sowle ; and he to have six marks per annum for his labour.' Bale gives lists of many of the books con- tained in ' the noble and very fair library ' of the Carmelites of Norwich.^ The joint petition of the priors and convents of the Black and the White friars of Norwich to the Duke of Norfolk, early in October, 1538, asking him to take the surrender of their houses in their sore distress, has been already cited.' A few days later an impostor, one John Pratte a servant of Ralph Salter of Harpley, came to the White Friars, when the prior and his brethren were at dinner, asserting that he was the Lord Privy Seal's (Cromwell's) servant, and had a commission from him to suppress the house. ' Pat. 3 Ric. II, pt. ii, m. II. ' Early Chanc. Proc. bdle. 4, No. 1 04. ' Kirkpatrick, Relig. Ord. ofNaiv;. 161-3. ' City Assembly Book, fol. 30. ' Reg. VVolman, 1494 ; cited by Kirkpatrick. ' Bale, Cfnt. i, 74 ; iv, 70 ; vi, 25,66 ; vli, 54. ' L. and P. Hen. Fill, xiii (2), 216. The prior desired sight of the commission, which was not forthcoming, and being convinced he was a cheat, brought him before the mayoralty court. Whereupon John Pratte confessed to the fraud which he had committed, expecting the prior would offer him money. He was sentenced to be taken about the market on the following Saturday, with the words on p.iper, ' For false feynging to be the kynge's comyssioner,' and then to have both ears nailed to the pillory, and then cut off.* The site of the White Friars was granted by the king, in 1542, to Richard Andrews and Leonard Chamberlain.' Priors of the Carmelite Friars of Norwich '" Philip de Cowgate (founder, died prior), 1283 Thomas de Salthouse, 1334 John de Folsham, died 1348 Walter de Dysse, 1376 Richard Wichingham, 1 38 1 Robert Ivory, 1386 John Tacesphalus, 1404 John Thorp, occurs after 1413" Robert Rose, 1420 John de Kcnynghale, 145 I Thomas Waterpytte, 1488 Robert, 151 7 Thomas, 1533 56. THE AUSTIN FRIARS OF NORWICH 1= The Austin Friars came to Norwich about the beginning of the reign of Edward I, when they settled in a messuage provided for them by Roger Mingot, who was hence esteemed their founder. •' In 1293 they had so far prospered as to obtain licence from Edward I to accept five separate tenements adjoining their original site, which they proceeded to demolish in order to enlarge their own house.** Licence for the alienation by the abbot and convent of Langley to the Austin Friars of Norwich of a messuage in Norwich for the extension of their dwelling was granted by Edward II in 1325," and ten years later pardon was granted by Edward III to the Austin Friars of Norwich for acquiring from Andrew le Barker • Ibid.xvii, 443 (39). ' Blomefield, Hiit ofNorf. iv, 422. '" From Blomefield. " Early Chanc. Proc. bdle. 4, No. 1 04. "Kirkpatrick, Relig. Ord. of Ncrtc, 129-50 ; Blomefield, Hist. 0/ Nerf. iv, 85-91 ; Dugdale, Mon. vi, 1595. " Harl. MS. 2386, fol. 67. " This instrument is cited in full by Kirkpatrick, Relig. Ord. ofNorw. I 3 3-4. " Pat. 19 Edw. II. pt. i, m. 32. 432