Historical sketches of old Charing / [James Galloway].

  • James Galloway
Date:
[1914]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Historical sketches of old Charing / [James Galloway]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    He possessed various benefices throughout the country, and finally became Dean of the Chapel Eoyal of St. Stephen, Westminster, in the year 1396.* Nicholas Slake had obtained possession of the revenues and had become Warden of the Hospital and Chapel of “ Eounsyvale,” probably when the Crown took possession of the property after the forfeiture of 1379. In 1383, we find that the King grants a writ of aid for Ealph Archer, Proctor of Nicholas Slake, Master of the Hospital of St. Mary Eoncevall, “to arrest and bring before the King and Council all persons whom he shall prove to have collected alms in the realm as Proctor of the Hospital, and converted the same to their own use.” It seems probable that an effort had been made by Nicholas Slake to put the affairs of his church in order, either on his own initiative, or on account of the renewed interest taken in the house at Charing Cross by the Mother Convent. It is noteworthy that about this time the Prior and brethren at Eoncesvalles commenced a process at law to claim their property. An inquisition took place before the King’s Court at West- minster into the foundation of the Hospital, and as it appeared in evidence that the chapel and its property belonged to the Prior of Eoncesvalles, it was restored (April 23, 1383). There now appears to have been a short period of quiet and good fortune for the brotherhood. It will be remembered that the years 1390-92 are known as the three “ quiet ” years of the Hundred Years’ War with France. Peaceful communications were restored between Navarre, through France to England, so that we are not surprised to find that in 1389, Garcias, a Canon of Eoncesvalles, is ratified as Warden of the Chapel of Eoncevall by Charing Cross, at the supplication of the King’s kinsman, Charles of Navarre. What happened in the next year, 1390, is a little obscure. Garcias does not seem to have been at home or comfortable at Charing Cross, or the influence of the London clergy may have prevailed over the alien, for in that year we note that John Hadham, the King’s clerk, is Warden of the Hospital. The following years must have brought much anxiety to the remnants of the alien clergy in England. They must have become more and more conscious of the insecurity of their tenure. England was once more engaged in deadly war with France ; communications between the two countries were constantly interrupted or carried on with great risk and danger, and in the case of the Hospital of St. Mary, the sending of their surplus revenue to Navarre through France must * Hennessy, “ Novum Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Parochiale Londinense.”
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