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A HISTORY OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

26. HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, STONY STRATFORD

This hospital was built upon the bridge of Stony Stratford, and was intended for the poor. It was in existence in 1306, and prob- ably some time before, as it seems to have been rebuilt in 1310. It contained a master and brethren, who received grants of indul- gence for those who should contribute to the fabric of the hospital in 1306,[1] 1310,[2] and 1313.[3] It was still in existence in 1353,[4] but probably not much later, for already in 1329 the master and brethren were without the means of living unless others would come to their aid.[5]

27. HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, WENDOVER

An indulgence was granted to the hospital of St. John Baptist at Wendover, and to the brethren of the same, in 1311.[6] Nothing further is known of the history of the house.

28. HOSPITAL OF ST. MARGARET, HIGH WYCOMBE

The hospital of St. Margaret is mentioned first in 1229, when a yearly fair was granted to the master and leprous brethren on the vigil of the feast of St. Margaret.[7] Richard, mas- ter of ' the hospital for the sick ' at Wycombe, jointly with the master of the hospital of Crowmersh, sued Walter Champion for tithes in 1268[8] ; and the same two masters claimed a tenth sheaf in the fields of Wigan de Walling- ford in Oving, after the church tithes had been collected.[9] These suits may refer either to the hospital of St. Margaret or to that of St. Giles, the hospital of St. John being appar- ently for the poor.

An indulgence was granted in 1368 to the hospital of ' St. Gilbert and St. Margaret next Wycombe ' by Bishop Bokyngham.[10]

29. HOSPITAL OF ST. GILES, HIGH WYCOMBE

The hospital of St. Giles, High Wycombe, was founded for the reception of lepers before 1229, when letters of protection were issued to these. [11] In 1389 John Skefthyngwas ap- pointed warden,[12] but shortly after this date it was dissolved. It was granted early in the reign of Henry V. to a certain Thomas Giles, and its endowments were finally bestowed upon the college of Windsor.[13]

30. HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, HIGH WYCOMBE

This hospital was certainly in existence early in the thirteenth century, if not in the twelfth. In an inquisition taken in 1245, it was found that the brethren and sisters of this house were bound to distribute annually on Lady Day to the poor who should ask alms at their gate bread to the amount of two quarters of wheat, and also to pray for the soul of Adam Walder, who may have been the founder.[14] A fragment of a charter exists which must have been made out between 1235 and 1241.[15] In 1236 the master of the hospital gained the day in a suit with Richard of Rouen concerning a carucate of land in High Wycombe.[16] In 1239 the brethren re- ceived a grant of a yearly fair on the vigil of the Translation of St.Thomas of Canterbury.[17]

In 1548 the commissioners found that there was a master in possession of the hospital, but no brethren. The original purpose of the foun- dation was quite forgotten, and the charter had been burnt. It was still however a part of the master's duty to find three beds for poor and infirm persons coming through the town.[18]

After the Suppression of Chantries the house was sold to the mayor and burgesses, and converted into a grammar school.[19] In 1302 and 1346 the master of St. John's Hospital held one-fifth of a knight's fee in Wycombe.[20] Its clear value at the suppres- sion was £8 10s.[21]

{{c|Masters of the Hospital

Gilbert, [22] occurs 1236
Robert,[23] occurs 1265

  1. ↑ Linc. Epis. Reg. Memo. Dalderby, 91d.
  2. ↑ Ibid. 163d.
  3. ↑ Ibid. 256.
  4. ↑ Pat. 26 Edw. III. pt. ii. m. 18. It is here merely mentioned in a writ,
  5. ↑ Pat. 3 Edw. III. pt. i., m. 4.
  6. ↑ 6Linc. Epis. Reg. Memo. Dalderby, 91d.
  7. ↑ Cal. of Chart. R. i. 96.
  8. ↑ Feet of F. 52 Hen. III. No. 10.
  9. ↑ Ibid. 54 Hen. III. No. 3.
  10. ↑ Linc. Epis. Reg. Memo. Bokyngham,57.
  11. ↑ Pat. 13 Hen. III. m. II.
  12. ↑ Pat. 13 Rich. II. pt. ii. m. 28.
  13. ↑ Parker, History of Wycombe, 138.
  14. ↑ Ibid. 140.
  15. ↑ Ibid. It has the names of Bishops Grosstéte and Gregory IX.
  16. ↑ Feet of F. 20 Hen. III. n. 23.
  17. ↑ Cal. of Chart. R. i. 244.
  18. ↑ Chant. Cert. 4, No. 4.
  19. ↑ Parker, History of Wycombe, 142.
  20. ↑ Feud. Aids i. 92, 117.
  21. ↑ Chant. Cert. 4, No. 4.
  22. ↑ Feet of F. 20 Hen. III. n. 23.
  23. ↑ Parker, History of Wycombe,

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