Friaries: Friaries in York

98. THE BLACK FRIARS OF YORK (fn. 1)

About the end of 1226 Henry III instructed Martin de Pateshull and his fellows, justices in eyre, to consult the Mayor and good men of York about a site for the Friars Preachers in that city. They recommended the chapel of St. Mary Magdalen with a plot of land behind it, situated in Kings-tofts just within the city ditch, on the south bank of the Ouse. The sheriff was ordered, 10 April 1227, to go in person with the mayor and good men and make over the chapel and plot to the friars. (fn. 2) By 30 December the friars had already inclosed part of the land with a wall, and they were given free access to the river through the city dike. (fn. 3) The land extended from the dike and curtilage of William de Malesoures along the city ditch to the curtilage of Robert son of Baldwin. (fn. 4) In 1236 the king granted the place which William Malesoures held of him to the friars, (fn. 5) and in 1241 he ordered the bailiffs and citizens of York to let them have as much of the land near their house as they could without loss to the city, as the stench of the place was great and caused the friars much annoyance. (fn. 6)

In 1236 the prior, Alan, committed to prison a man whom he had found on examination to have 'bad opinions on the articles of faith.' The king warned him, 9 June, that he had no jurisdiction for exercising secular judgements, and gave orders that, as there were, it was said, many infidels in those parts, the sheriff should arrest and imprison such at the prior's mandate, without favour to the rich or others. (fn. 7)

It is possible that the friars had been temporarily housed in Goodramgate before the king settled them in Kings-tofts, for they had land here of the gift of Alice, sometime wife of Nicholas de Bugthorpe, of Helen de Puciaco, sometime wife of Adam son of Alan son of Romund, and of William son of William son of Sigerich. This they subsequently made over to Archbishop Gray who granted it to John de Bulmere, 16 March 1253-4. (fn. 8)

Henry III made the friars several grants of timber from the forest of Galtres; the earliest is a gift of 20 fusta in 1235 'to repair their houses,' (fn. 9) the latest a gift of 10 oaks and 40s. carriage in January 1251-2. (fn. 10) Building was thus going on for more than twenty-five years; from this it may be inferred either that alms came in in small amounts, or that the convent was continually growing.

The convent of York was head of one of the four visitations into which the English province was divided. The visitation of York included the houses of York, Lincoln, Newcastle-onTyne, Lancaster, Scarborough, Yarm, Carlisle, Beverley, Pontefract, Bamburgh, and probably Berwick. (fn. 11) Provincial chapters were held here in 1235, 1246, 1256, 1275, 1289, 1306, 1329, and doubtless in other years. Grosteste wrote to Friar Alarde the provincial prior, and the diffinitores of the chapter of 1235, asking that he might be allowed to keep some Friars Preachers with him. (fn. 12) Towards the expenses of the chapter in 1246 Henry III gave 20 marks, (fn. 13) in 1256 he gave 100s. and six pike. (fn. 14) Archbishop Giffard provided whatever Oliver d'Eyncourt considered necessary fo. the chapter in 1275. (fn. 15) Edward I gave 20 marks for two days' expenses in 1289 (fn. 16); in 1306 the brethren were bidden to pray for the king and his family. (fn. 17) In 1329 Edward II gave £15 to Robert de Holme, Prior of York, towards the expenses. (fn. 18)

Adam, the rector of Askham, entered the Dominican Order in 1268. (fn. 19)

A confirmation was held in this church by the archbishop in 1275; the pressure of the crowd was so great that the lives of some of the boys confirmed were in danger; as the archbishop's servants tried to rescue them they were attacked and beaten by the crowd. (fn. 20)

Some small additions were made to the friars' area. They had a royal grant in 1268 of a piece of land 18 ft. wide and extending from the highway to the city wall, on condition that instead of the well there they sank another in some fitting place. (fn. 21) In 1280 Edward I gave them licence to inclose this and some more land on the same condition. (fn. 22) In 1297-8 Hamo de Gruscy gave them three vacant tofts in North Street; as the hospital of St. Leonard received a rent of 2s. 2d. from these tofts when they were occupied, the friars induced William Hawys to grant the hospital a rent of 2s. 6d. in Micklegate Street in exchange. (fn. 23) In 1300 the king gave the friars a vacant plot of land 80 ft. square, near the Ouse. (fn. 24) Towards the end of the reign of Edward I, the friars attempted to obtain a void piece of ground adjoining their premises on the east, measuring 17 p. in length, and 11 p. in breadth from the highway to the city ditch. The return to the writ of inquiry being unfavourable, the sheriff, probably William de Houk, 'an especial friend of the friars,' called a jury of strangers through whom he secured a favourable return. Thereupon the bailiffs held another inquest on 22 November 1307, when the jurors declared that the grant would be very injurious; this was the only place in the city where an assembly of the people for a show of arms could be held; (fn. 25) a common market for strangers and inhabitants had been held here from time immemorial; here was the place of battle in pleas of felony, homicide, &c., and it was the only spot within the city for making and erecting military engines of defence in time of war. Further, the city paid a rent of £160 a year to the Exchequer, and if the king thus granted lands to these friars and other religious, the greatest part of the city would fall into privileged hands, and what remained would not suffice to meet the obligations. The mayor, John de Askham, and commonalty, in sending up this report, appealed to the chancellor 'to maintain the rights of the king and save the city from damage,' and prayed him to receive their verdict instead of that of the sheriff. (fn. 26) The commonalty seems to have won the day as nothing more is recorded in the affair.

In 1316 a dispute occurred between these friars and the Abbot of Rievaulx, who had received into his monastery one Nicholas, formerly a Friar Preacher. (fn. 27)

The friars received an alms of 13s. 4d. from Archbishop Giffard in 1270, (fn. 28) and 100s. from Archbishop Wickwane in 1284, (fn. 29) 100s. from the executors of Queen Eleanor, (fn. 30) and twelve oaks for the repair of their church from the king in 1291. (fn. 31) In this year the archbishop enjoined the friars to send three, or at least two of their brethren to preach the crusade at Skipton in Craven and Leeds. (fn. 32)

Edward I made several grants of fuel, (fn. 33) sent alms to the fifty friars of the house by Friar William of York in 1299, to the fortyseven friars of the house by Friar Henry de Carleton on 11 June 1300, and gave them 62s. 8d. for four days' food on 14 June. (fn. 34) In 1305 Alesia, Countess of Lancaster, gave them 20,000 turves. (fn. 35) The priors of the York convent about this time received several royal grants for the general purposes of the order. (fn. 36)

From the alms of Edward II it appears that there were sixty friars here on 13 September 1307, fifty-seven on 16 August 1310, fortyeight on 27 January 1311-12, fifty-four on 24 October 1318 or 1319, and forty-seven in 1319. The numbers in 1335 varied from fifty to fifty-six; in May 1337 there appear to have been forty-eight. (fn. 37)

Archbishop William Greenfield on two occasions gave them an alms of 40s., and desired every priest in the convent to say a mass for the soul of his brother Robert. (fn. 38) He licensed for service, 18 October 1314, the chapel which Sir Henry Percy had built in their church; (fn. 39) and desired the prior, as head of the visitation, to cause the preachers of his order, and especially the Prior of Yarm, to denounce Sir Robert Bruce and the Scots who were devastating the country, and to stir up the people to resist. (fn. 40) In November 1313 the archbishop gave the friars 5 marks on account of the famine. (fn. 41)

Some of the followers of John of Hainault were lodged in the friary in 1328. (fn. 42)

In 1350 John de Wycliffe was ordained acolyte in the Friars Preachers' church, and John de Whytecliff acolyte in that of the Friars Minors. Next year John son of William de Wykliff and John son of Symon de Wycliff were ordained subdeacons in the church of the Friars Preachers. There can be little doubt that one of these was the famous reformer. (fn. 43)

In 1358 we find the friars trying to recover a young friar, William de Newton, who had been seized and carried off by his relatives. (fn. 44)

About this time Friar Thomas Stubbs, D.D., was an inmate of the friary; he is the reputed author of a history of the Archbishops of York from 1147 to 1373, besides many other works. (fn. 45)

Each visitation of the Dominican province in turn had the right of nominating friars for degrees in the universities. In the 14th century the right of appointment was disputed between the local bodies and the general master and chapter. In 1393 the master appointed Friar John Cawd, or Cawood, to succeed Friar Robert Cawd, as lecturer on the Sentences at Oxford for the visitation of York. He appointed William Bakthorpe visitor of York in 1393, and William Helmesley vicar of the visitation in 1397. (fn. 46)

In the riots which took place in 1381 a wall within the habitation of the friars was broken down, and the king ordered the mayor to compel those who had broken it to repair it. (fn. 47) Richard II also confirmed the charters which his predecessors had granted. (fn. 48) In 1385 the prior complained of William Gilbek of Howden, mason, carrying off his goods at Weland, near Snaith, to the value of 100s. (fn. 49)

In July 1385 Sir Ralph Stafford, who was assassinated by Sir John Holland, was buried temporarily in this church, and the king attended the funeral. (fn. 50)

The friars received shortly after this time a relic of great value, the right hand of St. Mary Magdalen, (fn. 51) which Sir Brian Stapleton brought over from France. This was preserved till the Dissolution, and so much importance was attached to it that the donor, who is said to have been buried here, was reckoned the second founder. Sir Brian Stapleton, K.G., the famous warrior, who died in 1394, was buried at Healaugh. (fn. 52) His son Brian the younger, who died before him, married into the family of Aldeburgh, which, like that of Stapleton, was closely connected with the Black Friars of York. After his death his widow Elizabeth, with her sister Sibyl, granted to the friars a rent of 20s. from the manors of Kirkby Overblow and Kearby, for keeping the anniversaries of William de Aldeburgh and Elizabeth (de Lisle), her father and mother. (fn. 53) Sir Brian Stapleton the son of Brian the younger and Elizabeth Aldeburgh died in France in 1417, but his body was brought over and interred in this church, his widow Agnes, daughter of Sir John Godard and Maud Nevill, desiring to be buried next him in 1438. (fn. 54) It is probably this Sir Brian to whom the friars were indebted for the relic.

Friar William de Thorpe, late of this house, had pardon 12 June 1406 for all treasons, rebellions, and felonies committed by him. (fn. 55)

A list of persons buried in this church, drawn up by John Wriothesley, Garter, about 1500, probably from the records of the house, (fn. 56) contains sixty names. The earliest appears to be Robert de Nevill, Baron Raby (d. 1282). Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, John Mowbray, and Roger Clifford were buried here after the battle of Boroughbridge. (fn. 57) The allied families of Aldburgh, Stapleton, and Bellew are well represented. Among the rest may be noted the Lady Catherine Ferendolfe, 'for whose soul the convent had a good cloth of gold'; Catherine Baroness of Greystoke (c. 1413); (fn. 58) and the lady anchoress of Quixley. The list adds: 'et sont bien en ladite eglise xxix Religieux.'

A few additions may be made of burials not mentioned in this list. Agnes widow of Sir Roger de Burton, kt., was buried here in 1347; (fn. 59) Sir Robert Haunsard, kt. (of Walworth, co. Durham), January 1390-1, desired to be buried before the high altar, and left 20 marks and other bequests to the friars; (fn. 60) Richard Bridesall, merchant, of York, who died 1392, was buried here next his mother; (fn. 61) John Scarborough, rector of Titchmarsh, was buried here in 1395, leaving the residue of his goods to his executors, Friar John Parys, S.T.P., of this house, and John de Welton, clerk, who assigned £6 11s. to the Friars Preachers for masses; (fn. 62) Beatrice Selby of York, 1425-6; (fn. 63) Elizabeth Baroness de Greystoke, 1434; (fn. 64) Robert Strangways, esquire, 1444, was buried in the quire next his wife Maud, and left the friars 10 marks; (fn. 65) Robert Strangways, who died in 1448, was also buried in the quire; (fn. 66) Richard Shyrwood, alderman, 1443, (fn. 67) and his father and brother; Walter Catrike of York, barber, 1449; (fn. 68) John Crackenthorpe of Newbiggin, Westmorland, esquire, 1462, and his wife, Anastasia Vavasour, (fn. 69) William Holbek, alderman, 1477, (fn. 70) were buried in the church; and Jane widow of Sir Richard Strangways, who made her will in 1500 whilst residing in the house of the Friars Preachers, desired to be buried 'in the choir of the same friars under the lectern where they read their legend'; she left £20 to purchase lands to the yearly value of 20s. for a perpetual obit in the church and 20s. 10 marks, a gilt goblet, and a pair of fine sheets to make surplices to Richard Mason, the prior, who was one of her executors, besides other bequests to the friars. (fn. 71) William Fenton, of Fountains, wished to be buried in this church, 1507; (fn. 72) Isabel Westley willed to be buried, 1522, 'afore our Lady at the Mary Magdalene altar'. (fn. 73) The chapel of St. Mary Magdalene is mentioned in a will in 1449. (fn. 74)

Bequests to this house are very numerous, and come from all classes. Archbishops, canons, many rectors of churches—Henry de Blythe, painter, of York (1365), William Lord Latimer (1380), Margaret of Knaresborough, seamstress (1398), William Gascoigne, C.J. (1419), William Conesby, carpenter (1442), Richard Johnson, labourer (1448). The legacies are generally in money; occasionally a quarter of corn is bequeathed. (fn. 75) Margaret de Aldborough (1391) left the friars a blood-red and a green cloak, both furred with miniver, for the fabric of the bell tower, and all the residue of her goods to the friars for the anniversaries of her lord and herself, and for the fabric of their infirmary. Friar John Parys, S.T.P., was one of her executors, and Friar John Schaklok, O.P., was a witness to her will. Jane widow of Donald of Hasebrig left a necklace with a ruby in the middle to the high altar. John Fitz Herbert, Prebendary of York, in 1505 left the friars a chalice of silver-gilt weighing 30 oz. (fn. 76) Legacies to individual friars are not infrequent; Hugh de Tunstede, rector of Catton, 1346, left 5 marks to Friar Adam de Wefdafe, S.T.D., his confessor, and half a mark to each friar in the convent on account of the special brotherhood between them and him. Joan del Skergell, 1400, left 13s. 4d. to Friar Thomas Multon, S.T.B.; John Allott, vicar of Bossall, 1455, left 13s. 4d. to Friar William Barneby of this house; Maud of York, Countess of Cambridge, 1446, bequeathed half a mark to the convent, and 5 marks to Master Robert Tatman, Friar Preacher. (fn. 77)

This Friar Robert Tatman was parson of the church of Scrayingham in Yorkshire in 1441-2. (fn. 78) Another friar of the house, John Roose, took up the freedom of the city as 'organista' in 1463-4; he was paid 5s. 8d. in 1457 for improving and repairing the organ at the altar of the Virgin in the cathedral, and 15s. 2d. in 1470 for makingtwo pairs of bellows for the great organ and improving it. (fn. 79)

In February 1455-6 the archbishop proclaimed an indulgence of forty days 'to help the Friars Preachers of York, whose cloister and buildings had been destroyed by fire,' together with their 'books, chalices and vestments, goods and jewels deposited in the buildings, and thirty-four cells and studia.' (fn. 80) The names of several friars of this house appear in the register of the Corpus Christi Gild: William Barneby 1449, John Roos 1463-4, John Calvard 1464-5, William Byrwood 1467, John Rotham 1468, Thomas Hudson 1471, John Bower 1472, Dom. Milo 1520. (fn. 81)

Friar John Pickering, B.D., Prior of Cambridge in 1525, subsequently became prior of the Black Friars of York. He took part in organizing the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536, being 'a great writer of letters' and the author of a song which was very popular among the insurgents. He was hanged at Tyburn 25 May 1537. (fn. 82)

The Council of the North on 6 November 1538 begged Cromwell to move the king to appoint the Black Friars' house to be the habitation of the Council; it stood openly and commodiously, and was formerly a palace of the king's progenitors. (fn. 83) This suggestion was not carried out. The priory was surrendered on 27 November, the act of surrender being signed by the prior, six priests, and four novices. Two of the priests and two of the novices signed with a mark only. (fn. 84) The royal commissioners, Sir George Lawson, kt., William Blitheman, and others sold the goods of the house for £13 14s. in all, Blitheman himself being the chief purchaser. Out of this they gave 20s. to the prior, 6s. 8d. and 5s. to each of the priests, and 3s. 4d. to each of the novices. There were 34 fother of lead and two bells. The plate weighed 62 oz., and consisted of a silver hand, 23 oz. (no doubt the reliquary containing the hand of St. Mary Magdalene), a cross and three chalices. The commissioners estimated the extent of the lands at 1 acre and the net annual value at 6s. (fn. 85)

Priors

Alan, 1236 (fn. 86)

[Oliver d'Eyncourt (?), 1275] (fn. 87)

Geoffrey de Worksop, 1301, 1303 (fn. 88)

Thomas de Middleton, 1304, 1307 (fn. 89)

Robert de Holme, 1330 (fn. 90)

Richard de Parva Cestria, Feb. 1348-9 (fn. 91)

William de Kent, Feb. 1349-50 (fn. 92)

John Multon, 1455 (fn. 93)

John Kirby, S.T.P., 1474 (fn. 94)

Richard Mason, 1500, 1515 (fn. 95)

John Pickering, B.D., 1536

Brian Godson, 1538

The seal of the convent shows the figure of Christ standing, the left hand holding a long cross, the right extended over the head of the kneeling Magdalen: Legend: + NOLI ME TANGERE, and around,+ S CONVENTVS FRM PREDICATORVM EBORAC. The prior's seal has the same subject, the garden of the sepulchre being represented by a tree between the Saviour and the kneeling figure: Legend: + S PRIORIS FRM ORDINIS . . . PRE . . . . TORV. (fn. 96)

99. THE GREY FRIARS OF YORK

This house was probably founded about 1230. From the first it was head of one of the seven custodies into which the English province was divided. The custody of York in the 14th century included the houses of York, Lincoln, Beverley, Doncaster, Boston, Grimsby, and Scarborough. (fn. 97) Under the rule of the first custodian, Martin of Barton, who had been personally associated with St. Francis of Assisi, it was distinguished by zeal for poverty; for Friar Martin would not allow more friars to live in any place than could be supported by mendicancy alone, without debts. (fn. 98) The convent of York was not one of the first places in which schools of theology were established, but several friars who came from this city were distinguished for their learning; Adam of York was sent before 1233 to lecture at Lyons; Thomas of York was lecturer to the Franciscans at Oxford (1253) and afterwards at Cambridge. (fn. 99) Henry III gave these friars twenty oaks for timber in January 1235-6 and forty oaks in September 1237. (fn. 100) In this month he authorized them to inclose part of the highway next their houses if it could be done without detriment to the street. (fn. 101) However, the place soon proved too small to accommodate the friars, and about 1243 (fn. 102) they acquired another and permanent site between the Ouse and the north-western moat of the castle. The king gave them 40 marks for their new buildings 17 February 1243-4. (fn. 103)

In 1265 Clement IV nominated Bonaventura, general minister of the Minorites, to the archbishopric of York, but he refused to accept it. (fn. 104)

In 1268 the king gave the friars a moat lying on the east side of their area, between it and the 'bridge of the Baily'; they were to inclose the moat with an earthen wall and raise it 12 ft. so as to make the place suitable for open-air preaching; if, however, the moat was found necessary for defence in time of war, the friars were to give it up. (fn. 105)

Archbishop Giffard in 1267 authorized the custodian, wardens, lectors, and other suitable friars to hear confessions in the diocese, and encouraged them to be strenuous and prudent in preaching. (fn. 106) In 1270 he gave the Minorites of York 13s. 4d. (fn. 107) In 1276 Thomas, rector of the hospital of St. Leonard, entered the order. (fn. 108) In this year the Minorites were actively preaching the Crusade in the diocese; (fn. 109) and again in 1291 the Warden of York was asked by Archbishop Romanus to send friars to Howden, Selby, and Pocklington for the same purpose. (fn. 110) Nicholas III in 1278 commissioned the Dean and Chancellor of Lincoln and the custodian of the Friars Minors of York to confer on some fit person the prebend of York which he held before he became pope. (fn. 111) Nicholas IV in 1290 granted an indulgence to those visiting the church of these friars on the feasts of St. Francis, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Clare. (fn. 112) Licence to dedicate the church, which had evidently been rebuilt, and cemetery was given on 24 September 1303. (fn. 113) The friars were allowed to enlarge their area by inclosing (1) a road about 118 yds. long and 5½ yds. wide, lying between their land and that late of Alan Brian, in 1280, (fn. 114) and (2) a lane close to their wall and running 'from the highway to a lane leading to the mills near the castle,' in 1290. (fn. 115) They further, about 1290, built a stone wall along the bank of the Ouse, still known as the Friars' Walls. (fn. 116) Through the generosity of John Rayner they were released in 1296 from a yearly rent of 26d. which they had hitherto paid to the hospital of St. Leonard for a tenement in 'le Baill '. (fn. 117)

In 1298 John de Burton obtained a writ of novel disseisin against Geoffrey de Retford, warden, John Tyrel, Thomas of Ousegate, and ten more friars for having unjustly disseised him of his tenement, but subsequently withdrew his writ. (fn. 118) The Friars' Wall diverted the force of the stream on to the other bank, endangering Skeldergate Street, and increasing the difficulties of navigation: on the complaint of the citizens of York the king, in 1305, ordered the construction of a wall on the other side of the Ouse out of the issues of the murage of the city. (fn. 119)

On 14 March 1299-1300 the goods of the late Archbishop Newark were sequestered and deposited in the house of the Friars Minors, and the next day two friars, G. the chamberlain and H. de Newark, brought nine large and four small chests containing the goods to the cathedral chapter-house. (fn. 120)

The friars of this house seem to have numbered fifty-two in November 1299, when Edward I gave them 52s. for three days' food by the hand of Friar John de Turbingthorpe. (fn. 121) In June 1300 there were probably forty-three friars, the recipient of the royal alms being Friar Henry de Shipton. (fn. 122) In 1311-12 they numbered thirty-eight; in 1319 and 1320 thirtysix and forty. (fn. 123) In 1334-5 the number rose to forty-nine and fifty, (fn. 124) and fell in 1336 and 1337 to forty-five and forty-four. (fn. 125) The royal alms from which these figures are derived ceased after the outbreak of the French wars. (fn. 126) Archbishop Greenfield was a generous benefactor to the friars, especially in times of scarcity. (fn. 127)

Edward II made, when at York, several offerings 'in his chapel within the houses of the Friars Minors,' (fn. 128) and at the request of Queen Isabella authorized them in 1314 to acquire and hold in mortmain all the houses and plots of land 'from their middle gate, near the head of the chancel of their church, across to the lane called Hertergate and thence down to the Ouse on the west of their area.' (fn. 129) Edward II resided in this friary in 1319-20, where he occupied the 'king's chamber,' and public business was transacted in the friars' chapter-house. (fn. 130) He gave to the friars besides other alms a quarter of corn. (fn. 131) The warden in October 1322 went to Scotland to join John of Britanny, Earl of Richmond, who had been captured by the Scots, (fn. 132) and it is probable that the Parliament of 1322 -sometimes met in the Grey Friars Church. (fn. 133)

Edward III, on his way to encounter the Scots, came to York in May 1327 and stayed about six weeks. He and the queen-mother, Isabella of France, were lodged at the Friars Minors, where they kept their households separate. Froissart describes a feast which the queen gave on Trinity Sunday (7 June) in the friars' dormitory, when at least sixty ladies sat down to her table. The revels were cut short by a fierce street fight between the citizens and the Hainault mercenaries. (fn. 134) Edward III stayed here in 1335, (fn. 135) when he gave orders for the repair of a wall and well in the garden of the Friars Minors by the door of the kitchen, (fn. 136) and after his departure gave the friars 100s. in compensation for damages. (fn. 137) The Bishop of Durham held an ordination in this church on 21 December 1336, (fn. 138) when the candidates included a large number of friars of the different orders. Hugh Willoughby, canon of York, who had been Chancellor of Oxford in 1334, entered the Minorite Order in his later years. (fn. 139)

The friars complained that the officers of the sheriff, mayor, and bailiffs invaded their precincts, breaking their walls and trampling their gardens, in order to seize persons who had taken sanctuary, and the king in 1359 ordered that the rights of sanctuary should be respected. (fn. 140) In 1378 the warden sued John de Wiresdale and Thomas Belle, clerks, for breaking his close and taking away his goods and chattels to the value or £40. (fn. 141) Richard II in 1380 took the friars under his special protection, (fn. 142) and gave orders that they should not henceforth be annoyed by the butchers and others throwing filth and offal into the Ouse and the lanes and places near their church and house, where he and his grandfather were wont to lodge when in York. (fn. 143)

The special studium for the custody was at York in the 14th century. (fn. 144) Adam of Lincoln, D.D., and Thomas of Pontefract, D.D., who had both lectured to the Oxford Franciscans, took part in the Council of York which investigated the charges against the Knights Templars in 1311. (fn. 145)

Friar John Mardeslay, D.D., in 1355 disputed with the Dominican, William Jordan, in the cathedral chapter-house and chancellor's schools at York on the conception of the Virgin: his manner of disputation gave offence, but the chapter of York issued letters testifying to his good conduct and courtesy. He afterwards became provincial minister, and was buried at York. (fn. 146) The provincial chapter was held here in 1361, Archbishop Thoresby contributing 5 marks to the expenses. (fn. 147) Boniface IX conferred special privileges on Henry Bilton, a friar of this house, in 1398-9, and ordered the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Lincoln, and the Abbot of St. Mary's, York, to see that he was well treated by his brother friars. (fn. 148)

A Minorite who had considerable influence in the city in 1426 was William de Melton, S.T.P.; he introduced reforms into the mystery play on Corpus Christi Day and induced the authorities to take strong measures against the harlots who infested the city. (fn. 149) In 1485 the cathedral organs were taken to the Grey Friars to be mended. (fn. 150) Several friars of this house were admitted members of the Corpus Christi Gild of York, namely: John Makeblyth 1470, Master Henry Schyrwyn 1481, Thomas West 1497, and Master William Vavasour 1512. (fn. 151)

Ordinations were held in this church on 17 May 1396-7, when orders were conferred on four Minorites, six Preachers, five Carmelites, and four Austin Friars; and on 6 March 1500-1, when orders were conferred on seven Minorites, one Preacher, two Carmelites, and five Austin Friars. (fn. 152)

Among the chief benefactors of the house were Henry Lacy, Earl of Lincoln (1257-1311), who gave them 60 marks and many other goods, and William de Nunny his almoner, who was buried in the church. (fn. 153) The wills of the 14th and 15th centuries contain many bequests from all classes. The earliest is a bequest of 5 marks from Sir William Vavasour, 1311; (fn. 154) and the earliest burial recorded is that of Edmund de Boyvill, 1314, for whose soul Bishop Kellaw granted, 9 August 1314, an indulgence of forty days. (fn. 155) John Carlelle of York left in 1390 2s. a day for forty-seven days for masses, with torches for 'the four altars in the body of this church when masses are celebrated'; and a cup of black crystal to the Friars Minors of York. (fn. 156) Richard Bridesall, merchant of York, left 20s. to Friar Simon Brampton and 3s. 4d. to Friar William Norton of this house in 1392. (fn. 157)

Isabella Percy of York left these friars 'a large basin for washing feet' in 1400. (fn. 158) Several of the Mowbrays were buried here—Sir William Mowbray of Kirklington, jun. (1391), and his mother, Margaret Percy of Kildale; Sir William Mowbray of Colton (1391); (fn. 159) and the body of Thomas Mowbray, Earl Marshal, who was beheaded in 1405. (fn. 160) A number of the Ughtreds were buried here, one in the chapter-house, another in the north side of the quire, at the head of Sir Robert Neville, who died in 1431. (fn. 161) The tombs of the family of Ross of Ingmanthorpe and many other local families were noted in the church by John Wriothesley, Garter, about 1500. (fn. 162) Walter Berghe desired to be buried (1404) here 'next my lady Eufemia of Heslarton,' and left the friars 20 lb. of wax and 20s. to spend on food in York. (fn. 163) George Darell of Sessay, esq., was buried in the church (1432), and among other bequests left 1s. or 6d. to each member of the house attending his exequies, four cushions of white and red to the high altar, a green bed with coverlets, blankets, sheets, curtains, quilt and mattress, to the friars for their common use, pewter vessels, 6s. 8d. each to Friars John Belasys and John Shirlowe of this house, and a chair with two benches for the chamber of the master (i.e. the master of the schools) of the Grey Friars. (fn. 164) Alice Croull of York, widow, was buried in the church of the Friars Minors, York, next her husband in 1464. (fn. 165) Henry Salvin, esq. and citizen of York, was buried in the quire in 1464 with his brother Sir John, and left 4 marks to erect a stone over the tombs, his best garment as mortuary, and 5s. to Friar Snawball. (fn. 166) Margary Salvin, Sir John's widow, was buried in the north aisle before the image of the Virgin in 1496, and left, besides damask and velvet, a bone of St. Ninian to the friars. (fn. 167)

The will of Richard Russell, merchant, of York, 1435, contains bequests of 40s. to Friar John Rikall, O.M., and 6s. 8d. to every friar who was a master; William Revetour, chaplain, left them in 1446 a 'small book of the whole bible' with gloss. Under the will of John Carre, 1487, Dr. Shirwyn had 20s.; under that of Joan Chamberlain, 1501-2, Friar Makeblith, her confessor, 3s. 4d.; under that of Robert Clifton, Prebendary of York, 1501-2, Friar John Kington, S.T.P., £6 13s. 4d.; and under that of John Marshall, merchant, 1524, Dr. Vavasour, the warden, 5 marks and a silver spoon. (fn. 168) The friars, however, did not in the last years of their existence rely entirely on casual offerings; they drew small rents from houses not only in York, (fn. 169) but also in Snaith, Hensall or Endsall, Kellington, Egborough, Wakefield, 'Carrecrosse' by Doncaster, some cottages in Rawcliffe, and elsewhere; these were estimated, at the Dissolution at £12 5s. 5d. a year. (fn. 170)

Some of the outlying lands formed the endowment of the 'Roecliff mass,' a chantry founded by Brian Roecliff of Cowthorpe, baron of the Exchequer, who, dying in 1495, desired to be buried near the altar of the Holy Trinity in the Grey Friars Church, 'with honourable but not pompous exequies,' and left 40s. and 2 quarters of corn to the house and small sums to each triar. (fn. 171) His brother Thomas was also buried before the same altar, and bequeathed to the friars a garth to find a wax candle to burn before the image of Jesus at the time of the Roecliff mass. (fn. 172) Brian's son, Sir John Roecliff, kt., demised lands in Snaith and Hensall to the friars for twenty-one years in 1530; (fn. 173) in his will proved 29 September 1534, he desired to be buried near his father 'on his left side, on the north side of the church,' left elaborate instructions for his burial, and for the erection of a tomb with an image of himself kneeling under the image of the Trinity, and bequeathed his coat-armour, horse and harness as a mortuary; he further attempted to provide for the permanent endowment of a chantry, but his will fell to the ground probably owing to want of assets. (fn. 174) John Marshall of York, merchant, in 1524 left houses and lands in trust to the Grey Friars to found a mass after the model of the Roecliff mass. (fn. 175)

The house was surrendered 27 November 1538 to Sir George Lawson and his fellows, who were thankfully received, (fn. 176) the deed being signed by William Vavasour, S.T.P., the warden, and twenty others, five of whom were novices. (fn. 177) The goods of the house were sold in gross to Tristram Teshe for £20, out of which small sums amounting in all to £7 5s. were given to the friars. (fn. 178) The site was estimated at 7s. 6d. a year, and the rents in York and elsewhere at £12 5s. 5d.: out of this an annual pension of £5 was assigned to the warden. (fn. 179) The two bells and 60 fother of lead were reserved. The jewels and plate sent to the king's jewel-house consisted of three chalices, two crewets, ten spoons, two masers, one round salt parcel gilt, one wooden cross plated with silver, one standing maser with bands and foot silver-gilt, one little standing cup, one nut with cover gilt, weighing in all 109 oz. (fn. 180)

Custodians (fn. 181)

Martin de Barton, c. 1235 (fn. 182)

Eustace de Merc, c. 1245 (fn. 183)

N. 1267 (fn. 184)

Nicholas de Burser, February 1277-8 (fn. 185)

Wardens

Geoffrey de Retford, 1298 (fn. 186)

John de Gonnesse, 1303-4 (fn. 187)

Robert de Stayndrop, 1322 (fn. 188)

Henry, 1378 (fn. 189)

William Vavasour, S.T.P., 1524, 1538 (fn. 190)

The seal is pointed oval in shape and represents two saints in niches with canopies pinnacled and crocketed: in base, under an arcade of three arches, three friars kneeling to the right. Legend:—

S' CŌMVNITATIS . FRATRVM . MINOR+ . EBOR+ (fn. 191)

100. THE WHITE FRIARS OF YORK

The Carmelite Friars first established themselves in Bootham, near the Horsefair. (fn. 192) Henry III gave them six oaks in Galtres Forest for the building of their church in June 1253, and five oaks in 1255. (fn. 193) In 1258, after inquiry by the mayor and bailiffs, he granted them a plot of land 6 p. by 4 p. 'outside the wall of the friars' court towards the stone cross at York' to enlarge their area. (fn. 194) In 1260 a provincial chapter was held here, the king giving two marks towards expenses. (fn. 195) Archbishop Giffard, in 1269, sent the prior 30s., and in 1275 30s. again and two quarters of corn for the convent. (fn. 196) Priest's orders were conferred on Ralph de Bretton of this house in 1274. (fn. 197) The Dean of York, Robert of Scarborough, desired in 1289 to give a messuage and land in Wike-upon-Hull to the Carmelite Friars, to found a new priory. (fn. 198)

In 1295 William de yescy, before his departure to the wars in Gascony, gave the friars a messuage or tenement in Stonebow Lane, which became their permanent abode; its boundaries were Stonebow Lane on the north, the Foss on the south, Mersk Lane on the west, and Fossgate on the east. (fn. 199) They were building their new church here in 1300, when Edward I gave them eight oaks for timber. (fn. 200) The cemetery was consecrated in 1304, and an indulgence granted to those who should visit the church on 5 October and make their offerings on the high altar of St. Mary for the sustentation of lights and ornaments. (fn. 201)

About this time the royal alms given through Friar William de Thorpe show that the friars numbered twenty-four and twenty-five. (fn. 202) In 1314 they had royal licence, in consideration of 200 masses, to alienate in mortmain their old site to Robert of Pickering, Dean of York, who founded there the chapel and hospital of St. Mary. (fn. 203) In October of this year the king gave them those messuages and plots of land adjacent to their friary in Mersk Lane which he had of the gift of Geoffrey de St. Quintin, (fn. 204) and allowed them to construct a quay on their own ground on the bank of the king's stew of the Foss, and to have one boat in the stew to carry stones, brushwood, and other necessaries to their house. (fn. 205) In 1315 and 1316 he granted them the land with the buildings on it which he had of the gift of Thomas son of William le Aguiler and Cicely his wife, and the land which he had of the gift of Abel de Rokhale. (fn. 206) Archbishop Greenfield gave them alms in 1313, 1314, and again in 1315, on account of the excessive dearness of the time. (fn. 207) In 1312 and 1320 the Carmelites numbered twenty-six; from 1335 to 1337 they varied from thirty-eight to forty-two. (fn. 208) Part of the new site lay within the parish of St. Saviour. The convent of St. Mary's, to whom this church was appropriated, protested to the pope against the entry of the Carmelites into the parish, but were induced to withdraw their opposition on the friars engaging to pay 30s. a year. Part of the site also lay within the parish of St. Crux. (fn. 209) Archbishop Melton, in 1320, ordered the friars to pay yearly to the rector a sum in compensation for the loss sustained, (fn. 210) but this did not suffice for the injuries done by the chapel which the friars erected above their gateway in Fossgate. On this point in 1350 they had to give way to the rector of St. Crux and remove the image of the Virgin from the chapel and agree that no service should be celebrated there, no bell tolled, and no oblation received. (fn. 211)

The friars in 1331 received two more messuages, from John de Hathelsey of York, and William de Thonthorp of Flaxton. (fn. 212) Master William la Zouch, king's clerk, granted them 3 acres with some houses in 1338; (fn. 213) and Roger de Fournays, barber and citizen of York, in 1350 effected an exchange by which the dean and chapter received three shops in St. Andrew's Street, and granted to the friars a messuage in 'Hundegate' adjoining their dwelling. (fn. 214)

Shortly afterwards the friars induced Richard or Robert son of John de Thornton, citizen and apothecary of York, to take the habit when a child. The boy threw off the habit before he was fourteen years old, but the friars continued to persecute him, call him apostate and try to force him back; at his father's petition the king took him under his special protection in March 1357-8. (fn. 215) In 1374 Friar John Wy killed a fellow friar, John Harold, in this house, probably by accident. (fn. 216)

In the latter part of the 14th century these friars were engaged in a number of lawsuits. In 1371 the prior sued John de Taddecastre and Thomas son of Henry de Grymeston for accounts as his receivers of moneys. (fn. 217) In 1378 he sued Elen, widow of Thomas de Duffeld, and others for debt, and in the same year brought an action against John de Housom, potter, for breaking the prior's close, digging in the soil and taking away earth to the value of 10 marks. In 1385 the prior claimed 20 marks damages from a plasterer for building an oven so badly that it utterly collapsed. (fn. 218)

The reversion of two plots at the east and west of the church was secured to the friars in 1392 by Henry de Percy, lord of Spofforth, and John de Acorn, late parson of Catton, and by John Berden and John Braythwayte, after the death of Maud late the wife of Henry de Rybstone. (fn. 219) On the acquisition of this property the church was rebuilt or enlarged, Walter Skirlaw, Bishop of Durham, leaving £40 in his will (1404) to the work, if it was not finished before his death. (fn. 220)

Several provincial priors of the order were connected with York: John Poleshead (1343) and John Kiningham (1398) were buried here; Walter Kelham (1343) and John Counton (1359) were natives of York, and perhaps Stephen Patrington. (fn. 221) John Bate, a writer of note and a Greek scholar, was prior of this house, where he died in 1429. (fn. 222) Friar Richard Misyn, who translated some of Richard Hampole's works into English, was admitted a member of the Corpus Christi Gild in 1461, and died at York soon afterwards. (fn. 223) York was head of one of the four distinctions into which the Carmelite province of England was divided; when Eugenius IV in 1446 undertook the reformation of the order, Masters John Haynton, W. Surflet, Robert Harby, and the Prior of York, Thomas Carlyell, were chosen to represent the York division. (fn. 224)

Bequests to this house are very numerous, and, like those to the other orders, come from all classes. (fn. 225) The Percys of Northumberland, as heirs of the Vescys, were reckoned the second founders of the friary, and were among its benefactors. Thus the Earl of Northumberland in 1515 gave £8 for repairs at the White Friars and paid the prior an annuity of 40s. (fn. 226)

The friary was surrendered to Sir George Lawson and others on 27 November 1538 by Simon Clerkson, the prior, nine priests, and three novices. (fn. 227) The vestments and other goods, consisting of kitchen and brewing utensils, four poor feather beds, coverlets, bolsters, &c., were bought by Sir George Lawson for £7 4s. 4d. Out of this £1 was given to the prior and £2 18s. 4d. divided among the friars. There were no debts. The lead on the roof of the church, estimated at 20 fother, and the two bells weighing 2,300lb. were reserved. The plate and jewels, sent to the king's jewel house, consisted of three chalices, one cross gilt, one flat piece, three masers, one salt, twelve spoons, and one pyx of ivory with silver foot, weighing in all 98 oz. (fn. 228)

The property consisted of the site, valued at 20s. a year, and seven tenements adjacent to it, which were soon let to tenants for £3 19s. a year. (fn. 229)

Priors

George, (fn. 230) 1269

William Penterel, (fn. 231) Feb. 1348-9

William, (fn. 232) 1371, 1378

Mauger de Baildon, (fn. 233) 1387

John Bate, (fn. 234) Jan. 1428-9

Thomas Carlisle, (fn. 235) 1446

Robert, (fn. 236) 1473

John Carter, (fn. 237) 1522

Simon Clerkson, (fn. 238) 1537-8

The round 14th-century seal represents the Virgin with crown seated on a throne, the Child on the left knee, between two saints standing; on the left, an archbishop with mitre, lifting the right hand in benediction, in the left a crozier; on the right St. Peter with mitre, lifting the right hand in benediction, in the left hand a key. In base, a shield of the arms of England, slung by a strap, upon a bifurcated tree, between two kneeling friars. Field diapered lozengy, with a small leaf in each space. All within a carved rosette of sixteen points.

Legend:—

*SIGILLE COMMVNE . FRATRE ORDĪS BEATE . MA[RI]E . DE . MONTE . CARMELI . DON . EBORACE. (fn. 239)

101. THE AUSTIN FRIARS OF YORK

According to the tradition current later in the order some Austin Friars came from Tickhill to York and with the aid of some good people bought seven houses, where they founded their friary. These houses owed rents to the Lord Scrope of Upsall, who allowed them to keep them rent free; wherefore he was reckoned the founder. (fn. 240) It is impossible to verify this tradition or to identify the Lord Scrope. It is certain that the Austin Friars were in York in July 1272 when Henry III granted them a writ of protection. (fn. 241) John de Cransewick had licence in 1289 to grant these friars a messuage in York worth 32s. a year, (fn. 242) and in 1292 they had six oaks for timber from the king. (fn. 243) Their houses were probably from the first in Lendal or Old Conyng Street. (fn. 244)

In 1299 and 1300 alms for thirty-three and thirty-five brethren of this house were given by the king to Friars Gervase of Ludlow and William of Finingham. (fn. 245) There were thirty friars in 1311-12, and twenty-six in 1319-20 (fn. 246); thirty-six to forty in 1334, 1335, and 1337, (fn. 247) The fall in the numbers during the reign of Edward II is perhaps due to the fact that the Austin Friars of York were engaged in founding a friary at Hull, (fn. 248) or to the famine, owing to which Archbishop Greenfield gave them alms. (fn. 249) Friar Richard de Wetwang, D.D., was one of those summoned to the Provincial Council at York to take measures against the Templars in 1311. (fn. 250) The friars seem to have got into debt, and Ranulph of Newminster proposed in 1333 to release the friars from a debt which they owed to William, parson of the church of St. Mildred (? Wilfred), York, by giving him a rent in Littlegate above Bishophill in exchange. (fn. 251) Robert Clarell gave them a messuage in 1344 (fn. 252); Thomas Twenge, clerk, in 1347 endowed them with 20s. rent in Rotsea, Yorkshire, towards finding bread and wine for the celebration of divine service. (fn. 253) Their area was increased by grants of five messuages in York from William de Hakthorpe and William de Hedon, clerks, in 1353, (fn. 254) and Richard de Thorneton and John Wraweby, Richard Knight, Ralph de Hemylsay, Robert Brechby, and William de Crofts, chaplains, in 1370. (fn. 255) The provincial chapter was held here in 1361, towards the expenses of which Archbishop Thoresby, on 21 July, contributed 5 marks. (fn. 256) In 1382 the mayor and citizens granted them a narrow plot by Old Conyng Street near their church, extending from a corner of their old wall to their old gate; this plot they were empowered 'to inclose and build upon, on condition that they repair the pavement there at their own expense and without causing any hindrance to the course of the river.' (fn. 257)

The most interesting relic of the Austin Friars remaining is the catalogue of their library, (fn. 258) drawn up on 8 September 1372 when William de Staynton was prior, in the presence of Friars John de Ergum or Erghome, John Ketilwell, Richard de Thorpe, and John of Appleby. The manuscripts are arranged under headings—Biblie (including Psalter and Canticles in Greek), Historie Scholastice, Originalia (Augustine, Anselm, Jerome, Gregory, &c.), Historie gentium (Polychronica, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Caesar, Bede, Sallust, &c.), Logicalia et philosophia, &c. Each volume is identified by the words with which its second leaf begins, and letters of the alphabet are added, indicating its place in the library. Of the 646 entries in the catalogue, about half are marked as having belonged to Master John Erghome. (fn. 259) These include works on theology and philosophy, indexes, prophecies (Merlin, John of Bridlington, and others), alchemy, astrology, astronomy, with a collection of astrological instruments, service books, sermons, works on rhetoric, medicine, arithmetic, music, geometry, and perspective. A few only of these volumes can be identified (fn. 260); one in the British Museum contains the Archithrenius of John de Hanville and other works (fn. 261); another in St. John's College, Oxford, contains a number of treatises on music (fn. 262); two in the Bodleian contain the prophecies of John of Bridlington and some musical treatises, (fn. 263) and a fifth in the College of Arms contains the universal history of Treculphus, the Chronicle of John Tayster to 1287, and a history of England to 1357. (fn. 264)

On 20 February 1410-11 Pope John XXIII exhorted the faithful to give alms to the chapel of St. Catherine Virgin and Martyr recently founded in this church by a confraternity the members of which had mass said daily in the chapel and did other works of piety, both in mending roads and distributing alms to the poor. (fn. 265) The 'Mass of Our Lady' was endowed by 'Lord de Neville,' (fn. 266)

The friars borrowed £8 from William Duffield, canon of York, which was still owing at his death in 1453. (fn. 267)

The most distinguished persons whose burials are recorded in this church are Sir Humphrey Neville and his brother Charles, who were executed at York in 1469. (fn. 268) Henry de Blythe, painter and citizen of York, in 1346 desired, if he could not be buried in the cathedral, to be buried in the Austin Friars Church. (fn. 269) Richard Johnson, 'labourer,' of York in 1448 left 20s. to the Austin Friars, 2d. each to twenty friars of the house and 6s. 8d. to Friar William Egremond. (fn. 270) John Holme of Huntington, gent., left to Sir John Aske of Aughton, kt., in 1490, a garth in the parish of St. Wilfred to found an obit in the church. (fn. 271) Bequests to the house are as numerous as those to the other friaries in York. (fn. 272)

Richard III stayed at this friary when Duke of Gloucester, and in 1484 appointed Friar William Bewick 'surveyor of the King's works and buildings, within his place of the Austin Friars of York.' (fn. 273) In 1493 a meeting between the Abbot of St. Mary's and the mayor to settle disputes between the weavers and cordwainers took place in this friary. (fn. 274) William Wetherall, afterwards provincial prior, was ordained deacon in this church in 1500. (fn. 275)

On 6 April 1511 Thomas, Lord Darcy, before he sailed to Spain to fight against the Moors, was, on account of his benefactions, admitted to all the privileges of confraternity within this priory; the friars binding themselves to forfeit 20s. to the Abbot of St. Mary's, York, and 10s. to the scholars of the Austin Friars at Oxford if they failed to observe the agreement; the deed was confirmed by John Stokes, provincial prior. (fn. 276) The Earl of Northumberland paid the prior £4 6s. 8d. for his lodging there in the year 1522-3. (fn. 277)

The prior, John Aske, seems to have given some support to the rebellion known as the Pilgrimage of Grace; he supped with his namesake, the leader of the rebels, in York, (fn. 278) but was not punished. The house was surrendered to the king's commissioners on 28 November 1538 by the prior, nine priests, and four novices. (fn. 279) The goods were sold in gross to Sir George Lawson for £13 14s. 8d. Out of this the prior received 20s., Edward Banks sub-prior 6s. 8d., and the rest of the brethren, numbering fourteen, sums varying from 6s. 8d. to 3s. 4d.; total £5 7s. 4d. (fn. 280) The two bells and 40 fother of lead on the roof of the church were reserved; the plate, consisting of two chalices and seven spoons, and weighing 38 oz., was sent to the king's jewel house. (fn. 281) The site itself was valued at only 16d., the rents from houses in Coney Street, Stonegate, Davy Gate, Black Street, Lop Lane, Walmgate, and a cottage in Micklegate of the gift of Lord Scrope, brought in £5 6s. 8d.; the friars also possessed lands in Oswaldkirk and Huntington near York to the value of £2 4s. a year. (fn. 282)

Before the surrender took place the question was being discussed to what use the Austin Friars should be put. The council of the north declared (6 November 1538) that it was unsuitable as a habitation for the council, 'standing very cold on the water of the Ouse without open air, saving on the same water, which always is very contagious as well in winter as in summer, by means of sundry corrupt and common channels, sinkers, and gutters of the said city conveyed under the same.' They suggested however that the stone and glass might be used in making the Black Friars into a house for the council fit to receive the king when he came to York. Sir George Lawson repeatedly wrote to Cromwell begging for a free gift of the site which ' is of small extent, with no ground but a kitchen garden adjoining the walls of my house.' (fn. 283) Sir George held the site to farm, but all the possessions of the Austin Friars in York (consisting of a tenement and twelve messuages) were granted in June 1545 to Sir Richard Gresham, kt. (fn. 284)

Priors

Robert, (fn. 285) 1278-80

William, (fn. 286) Feb. 1333-4

William de Staynton, (fn. 288) 1372

John Tansfield, (fn. 289) 1521-2

John Aske, 1536-8

Impressions of two seals of this house (both pointed oval) are known to exist: (fn. 290) (1) a king crowned standing in a canopied niche holding a sceptre; in base under a cusped arch three friars, half-length, in prayer. Legend:—

S . COĒ ..... IS: SBI AVGVSTINI: EBOR

(2) The other closely resembles the first, with the legend:—

S' FS M H'EĪTAR OR ..... 1 AVG' TINI EB . .

102. THE FRIARS OF THE SACK, YORK

A house of the order of the Penance of Jesus Christ was founded in York probably about 1260. In 1274, the year in which the order was suppressed—i.e. forbidden to admit new members— by the Council of Lyons, two friars of this house, Thomas de Harepam and Hugh of Leicester, were ordained priests. (fn. 291) There seem to have been two friars remaining in 1300 when Edward I gave them alms. (fn. 292) On the death of these, their land was taken into the king's hand, and granted by Edward II in 1312 to Robert de Roston at an annual rent of 8s. (fn. 293)