Precentors

Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 3, Lincoln. Originally published by Institute of Historical Research, London, 1977.

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'Precentors', in Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 3, Lincoln, ed. Diana E Greenway( London, 1977), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/fasti-ecclesiae/1066-1300/vol3/pp12-15 [accessed 23 November 2024].

'Precentors', in Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 3, Lincoln. Edited by Diana E Greenway( London, 1977), British History Online, accessed November 23, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/fasti-ecclesiae/1066-1300/vol3/pp12-15.

"Precentors". Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066-1300: Volume 3, Lincoln. Ed. Diana E Greenway(London, 1977), , British History Online. Web. 23 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/fasti-ecclesiae/1066-1300/vol3/pp12-15.

LIST 3 PRECENTORS

PRECENTORY

Churches in borough of Lincoln which had not been assigned as prebs. or to theCommon were gr. to precentor prob. second half of 1147, with song-school (R.A.L. Ino. 302, see app. 9), conf. by bp. Robert de Chesney and by abp. Theobald 1148 × 61(ibid. nos. 303-4), by pope 5 June 1163 (ibid., no. 255 p. 205), and by bp. Hugh ofAvallon Sept. 1189 × c. 1193 (ibid. no. 305, see app. 37).

Churches: within the walls: St. Michael near the Gate; St. Peter in Parchemingate; St. George; Holy Trinity; St. Edmund; St. Swithinoutside the walls: Holy Trinity, St. Rumbold; St. Bavon; St. Augustinein Eastgate: St. Peterin Wigford: St. John; Holy Trinity; St. Peter; St. Michael; St. Margaret; St. Mark.

Valuation of 1291: Precentaria £13 6s. 8d. (Taxatio p. 56a).

PRECENTORS

Peter Guerno or Werno preb. unident. p. 114

First precentor, appd. by bp. Remigius before May 1092 (D.C.M. p. 301: 'Guerno').Commem. 10 Sept. (obit. I 160: 'Petrus cantor noster qui cognominatus est Werno').

Ranulph or Ralph preb. unident. p. 115

Succeeded Peter Guerno (D.C.M. p. 301: I-'Radulphus', II-'Randulfus').First occ. in L.P. I, of ? c. 1132 ('Ranulfus', app. 2 no. 34). Last occ. c. 1146(D.C.M. II p. 301, see app. 7). (fn. 1)

Roger de Almaria (fn. 2) preb. unident. p. 116

Can. Still called can. c. 23 May 1147 (R.A.L. III no. 921, see app. 8). Appd.precentor by bp. prob. second half of 1147 (R.A.L. I no. 302, see app. 9), and firstocc. about same time (cart. Godstow fo. v r-v, see app. 9). Also archdcn. of Stowfrom before Aug. 1158 (list 14). Last occ. as precentor after Nov. 1160 (R.A.L.II no. 613, see app. 18). Donor of a book to the cathedral (Gir. Cambr. VII 170).

M. Richard de Almaria preb. unident. p. 115

Can. First occ. as precentor before 19 Apr. 1161 (Cart. St. Frideswide I no. 27). (fn. 3) Also archdcn. of Stow (list 14). Custodian of bpric. 1166-74 (P.R. 13 Hen. II (P.R.S.xi) p. 57-20 Hen. II (P.R.S. xxi) p. 97). For full name and title see Cart. MissendenI no. 20. Last occ. as precentor and archdcn. after 21 Sept. 1186 (cart. Maltonfo. 42v). (fn. 4) No precentor occ. in L.P. II, of c. 1187 (see app. 33), (fn. 5) by which timeRichard had been succeeded as archdcn. (list 14). Presum. related to Roger deAlmaria (above). Donor of a book to the cathedral (Gir. Cambr. VII 171).

M. Robert of Bedford preb. unident. p. 116

Can. Occ. as precentor three times only: 18 Oct. 1188 (B.H.R.S. xvii (1935) 57:facsimile in Guide to Beds. Record Office (Beds. County Council, 1957) plate I);after 21 Sept. 1186 (Cart. Darley I 191); (fn. 6) and Sept. 1186 × c. 1193 (Cart. Missenden I no. 22). (fn. 7) D. young (Life of St. Hugh I 113). Had been succeeded in unident.preb. by c. 1194 (below p. 116). Not to be identified with M. Robert of Bedford,bp. of Lismore, 1218-22 (for whose career, see Biog. Ox. I 146).

M. Walter Map (fn. 8) prebs. unident., ? Langford Ecclesia, list 41

Chanc., in which office he had been succeeded before 24 March 1190 (list 4).Presum. the precentor who occ. c. 1190 × c. 1194 (R.A.L. II no. 338(12), seeapp. 39). Occ. with full name and title n.d. (B.L., Cotton Ch. xvi. 40, pd. LatinPoems of Walter Mapes, ed. T. Wright (Camden Soc., 1841) p. xxix). Also preb.of London (Fasti 1066-1300 I 60) and Hereford. Precentor until appd. archdcn. ofOxford 1197 (Diceto II 150, and list 11).

M. William of Blois I preb. ? Caistor, list 27

Subdean (list 6). Appd. precentor by bp., to succeed Walter Map, 1197 (DicetoII 150). (fn. 9) First occ. 29 March 1198 (R.A.L. VII no. 2068), and before 6 June 1199(ibid. II no. 637, III no. 1094, V no. 1667, VII no. 1959, IX no. 2458, see app. 45).Precentor until became bp. of Lincoln, el. before 6 July 1203, temps. ? 6 July,cons. 24 Aug. (list 1).

Peter des Roches preb. unident. p. 114

Occ. twice only: 10 June 1204 (Rot. Litt. Pat. p. 43a) and 7 Feb. 1205 (ibid. p. 49b).Also archdcn. and treas. of Poitiers (Ann. Margam p. 27; Rot. Litt. Pat. p. 49b).Bp. of Winchester, el. before 5 Feb. 1205, qua. 21 June, papal prov. and cons.25 Sept. 1205, temps. 24 March 1206 (Fasti 1066-1300 II 86).

Geoffrey de Deeping (fn. 10) preb. unident. p. 111

Can., and perhaps archdcn. of Bedford (list 13). First occ. as precentor before10 May 1206 (Anciens Évéchés de Bretagne, ed. J. Geslin de Bourgogne and A. deBarthélemey (Paris, 1855-64) IV 58), (fn. 11) and perhaps earlier (B.L., Add. Ch. 11216,where he occ. as witness to report of papal judges-delegate, acting on mandate of19 May 1204). D. 1225, before 6 Oct. (C.R.R. XII no. 1360; cf. Rot. Welles III 142-3,and VC 2/1 no. 200), and had been succeeded by 26 Sept. (below).

John de Tantone (fn. 12) alias of London preb. unident. p. 113

Can. Presum. not yet precentor, occ. as can., 25 Aug. 1225 (Rot. Welles II 210).First occ. as precentor 26 Sept. 1225 (cart. Alvingham fo. 4v). Last occ. 17 May 1237(Rot. Grosseteste p. 254). Full name given by comparison of Rot. Welles I 150-1 andII 129; but also called John of London (R.A.L. X no. 2944). Not to be identifiedwith John de Taunton, bp. of Kildare, 1233-58 (for whose career, see Biog. Ox.III 2221).

M. William Blund of Lincoln preb. ? Corringham, list 30

Chanc., in which office had been succeeded by 26 Dec. 1238 (below p. 17). Firstocc. as precentor before 1239 (R.A.L. VII no. 2114, VIII no. 2206). Last occ. 20 Sept.1242 (VC 2/1 no. 124). D. before 9 Feb. 1250 (R.A.L. VII no. 2130). (fn. 13)

M. Robert of Cadney (fn. 14) preb. Nassington, list 53

Can. Presum. not yet precentor, occ. as can., 12 Apr. 1244 (Rot. Grosseteste p. 484).First occ. as precentor 22 Sept. 1244 (R.A.L. IV no. 1261). Last occ. after 17 May1254 (ibid. X no. 2934). D. by 3 Nov. 1258 (ibid. no. 2857). Commem. 6 Nov. (ibid.). (fn. 15) So presum. d. c. 6 Nov. 1257, or earlier. (fn. 16)

M. Peter de Audeham (fn. 17) preb. Leighton Buzzard, list 44

Can. Presum. not yet precentor, occ. as can., after 17 May 1254 (R.A.L. IIno. 387). (fn. 18) First occ. as precentor before 12 Aug. 1258 (ibid. VI no. 1825). (fn. 18) Last occ.19 May 1260 (ibid. II nos. 399, 400). Archdcn. of Bedford, appd. prob. after c. 8 Sept.,and by 22 Sept. 1260 (list 13). (fn. 19)

M. William de Lexington preb. Langford Manor, list 42

Can. First certain occ. as precentor before 24 Aug. 1262 (R.A.L. IX no. 2551,X nos. 2725, 2811), but occ. perhaps just before Sept. 1260 (VC 2/1 no. 132). (fn. 20) Became dean, el. after 24 Aug. 1262, in office by 5 Oct. (list 2).

Geoffrey de Thame (fn. 21) preb. unident. p. 111

Can. First occ. as precentor prob. before Michaelmas (29 Sept.) 1262 (R.A.L.X no. 2819), but called can. 7 Apr. 1263 (ibid. III no. 963). Last occ. 24 Apr. 1278(VC 2/1 no. 248).

M. John Le Romeyn (the younger) preb. Nassington, list 53

Chanc. (last occ. 25 June 1278, list 4). First occ. as precentor before 29 Sept. 1278(R.A.L. IX no. 2481 and note). Abp. of York, el. 29 Oct. 1285, but still called precentorof Lincoln 5 Feb. 1286 (Reg. Hon. IV no. 279 = C.P.L. I 484); cons. 10 Feb., temps.16 Apr. (fn. 22)

M. Adam of Barmpton (fn. 23) preb. Caistor, list 27

Can. First occ. as precentor 8 Nov. 1286 (Records of Antony Bek, ed. C. M. Fraser(S.S. clxii) p. 6), and 29 Sept. 1286 × 26 March 1287 (R.A.L. X no. 2788). Lastocc. shortly after 7 Nov. 1292 (ibid. no. 2878). D. by 18 Nov. 1293 (Reg. I fo. 356v).

Peter of Savoy preb. Langford Manor, list 42

Can. Papal prov. to a preb. and dignity; coll. to precentorship by bp. 29 Nov. 1293(Reg. I fos. 356v-357r). Occ. as precentor 29 Aug. 1295 (Reg. Bon. VIII no. 448 =C.P.L. I 560). Instal. in person 8 Sept. 1305 (A/2/21 fo. 2r). Also preb. of Hereford,Salisbury, and York; dean of Salisbury; dean of St. Martin le Grand; treas. of Llandaff;bp.-el. of Worcester 1307. Abp. of Lyon, papal prov. and cons. by 7 Aug. 1308 (Reg.Clem. V no. 2895; not in C.P.L.). Not to be confused with Peter of Savoy, preb. ofYork and Salisbury, who d. 1312 (York Minster Fasti II 61-2, 87; Fasti 1300-1541III 28).

Footnotes

  • 1. For the possibility that Humphrey subdean acted as precentor before 1147, as suggested inR.A.L. X pp. xli-ii (based on II no. 495), see app. 11 note.
  • 2. Prob. a member of the Oxon. family of Almaria (later Amory and Damory), cf. V.C.H. Oxon. VI 73.
  • 3. Temp. Theobald, abp. of Canterbury (Fasti 1066-1300 II 4).
  • 4. Temp. bp. Hugh of Avallon (list 1).
  • 5. Alexander is called cantor in a charter temp. Hamo chanc. (1148-82, list 4) in cart. of Welbeck(B.L., Harley MS. 3640 fos. 124v-125r). This occ. can prob. be discounted, as the title in the cart.was originally 'Alex' can', which was extended to 'cantor' by the rubricator. A charter of Richard[de Almaria], precentor and archdcn. [of Stow], found in the same section (fo. 125r) and concerningthe same matter (the church of Coates, Stow archdcnry.) has as witness Alexander canon of Lincoln.This Alexander is prob. the same man who was vice-archdcn. of Stow and succeeded Richard deAlmaria in the archdcnry. (list 14).
  • 6. Temp. bp. H[ugh of Avallon] (list 1), not H[enry of Lexington] (1254-8), as thought by R. R.Darlington, following Le Neve-Hardy II 82; cf. Cart. Darley II 508, 578, 596, 598.
  • 7. Temp. bp. Hugh of Avallon (list 1) and before M. Roger de Rolleston became archdcn. of Leicester(list 10, and cf. charters of app. 38).
  • 8. For his career, see Biog. Ox. II 1219.
  • 9. But see below p. 36 n. 2.
  • 10. ? Deeping, Lincs.; cf. cart. Deeping: B.L., Harley MS. 3658 fo. 12v.
  • 11. Temp. bp. William of Blois I (list 1).
  • 12. ? Taunton, Somt.; perhaps related to M. Gilbert de Tantone, archdcn. of Huntingdon in the 1230s(list 8).
  • 13. Temp. M. William of Benniworth subdean (list 6).
  • 14. Lincs.; he had land in the village, R.A.L. IV no. 1268. For his career, see Biog. Ox. I 337.
  • 15. In 1278, however, he was commem. 3 Nov. (R.L. I).
  • 16. Robert of Bedford, said in Le Neve-Hardy II 82 to have been precentor temp. bp. Henry deLexington (1254-8), actually held office temp. bp. Hugh of Avallon (1186-1200), see above.
  • 17. Identified as Aldenham, Herts., in R.A.L. IX index; but might also be one of two places calledAldham, Essex and Suff. For his career, cf. Biog. Ox. I 19-20.
  • 18. Temp. bp. Henry de Lexington (list 1).
  • 19. He occ. as archdcn. of Bedford 8 July 1259 (Cart. Osen. IV no. 33A), when no precentor appearsin a large gathering of the chapter. This occ. is difficult to explain except as an anachronism insertedby a scribe writing after c. 8 Sept. 1260.
  • 20. Temp. William son of Giles, mayor of Lincoln (R.A.L. VIII 203, 204-5).
  • 21. Presum. Thame, Oxon.
  • 22. M. Henry Lovel, said by Le Neve-Hardy II 83, to have succeeded M. John Le Romeyn, does notocc. as precentor, but as can. (below p. 127).
  • 23. Co. Durham; he was preb. of Auckland, co. Durham (Records of Antony Bek p. 37), and pres.Nicholas of Darlington (co. Durham) to the vicarage of Caistor (Reg. Sutton I 75).
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