STORY 01' ., CO{,lJ;i,!l^ BALLIOL COLLEGE PRINTED BY SrOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET S(.>UARE LONDON EARLY HISTORY OF BALLIOL COLLEGE BY FRANCES DE PARAVICINI LONDON KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER, & CO. Ltd. iSy r ^ SANTA liAIiBARA TO MY HUSBAND PREFACE Every book is supposed to need a preface. For the following pages a very few words will suffice. In love for the Foundress, and in reverence for the foundation, from the ample materials within my reach I have endeavoured to trace the Early History of Balliol College. If the Members of Balliol College will be inter- ested in it, and if Oxford Citizens will care for it, I shall be well repaid for the pleasant trouble and the happy hours it has cost me. And here I would record my sincere thanks to the Reverend Benjamin Jowett, Master of Balliol, for his great kindness and courtesy in granting me access to the College Archives. viii Early History of Balliol College And I wish to express my gratitude to the friends who have, from time to time, always most readily, helped me with the translations of the Mediaeval Latin ; in most cases writing entire trans- lations for me. All such help, in tasks where I, unaided, must have failed, has been invaluable. Especially my thanks are due to Mr. W. M. Geldart, Scholar of Balliol College, who has translated for me Dervorguilla's Statutes, and the Statutes of Sir Philip de Somervyle. And to Mr. G. W. Wheeler, M.A., of the College, and Assistant at the Bodleian Library, who has given me liberal help with the Latin Register. I have given long extracts from the Manuscript of Antony a Wood, now preserved in the Bodleian Library (MS. Wood. F. 38) ; and also long extracts from the small book, Dalliofcrgus, printed in 1668, written by Henry Savage, then Master of the College. And 1 have gleaned much, and quoted oticn, frt)m the pages of Mr. Maxwell Lyte's most iiUeresting and exhaustive History of the University of Oxford. Occasional references to the Fourth Report of the Royal Commission on Historical Maniiserifts ini])ly that I h.i\c adopted Mr. Riley's Preface ix words for the description or translation of a docu- ment. With the exception of documents given in modern Latin, instead of the abbreviated type, I have endeavoured, in all quotations, whether from ancient records or modern writers, to follow the originals in every detail of words, spelling, and punctuation. This plan, strictly right and consistent in itself, has caused many seeming inconsistencies in the pages of this volume. Frances de Paravicini. Oxford : June 1891. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. PAGE Modern Balliol. Broad Street Horsemonger Street. Can- ditch. Halls and Hostels. School Street. Balliol Hall . i CHAPTER H. Origin of the University. King Alfred. Early Teachers. Grymbald. Pulein. Vacarius. Migration from Oxford. Letter of Nicholas of Tusculum. St. Edmund. The Friars . CHAPTER HI. John de Balliol. Scotch Scholars at Oxford. John de Balliol's penance. The origin of Balliol College. Alan, Prince of Galloway. Dervorguilla of Galloway, Lady of Balliol . . 38 CHAPTER IV. Foundation of Balliol College. Old Balliol Hall. Sparrow Hall. Hammond's Lodgings. St. Margaret's Hall St. Mary Hall. Dervorguilla's Statutes. Brother Richard de Slike- burne. Bishop Oliver .Sutton. Some old documents. Ed- ward L John de Balliol, Dervorguilla's son. Edward Balliol. Dervorguilla's death. Sweetheart Abbey . . -55 xii Early Jlis/ory of Balliol College CHAPTER V. PAGE he buildings of Balliol College, from the manuscript of Antony \ Wood 90 CHAPTER VI. Dervorguilla's first gifts to the Scholars of Balliol. Documents relating to St. Laurence, Jewry. Hugh de Wychenbrook. Hugh de Vienne. Walter de Fodringeye. First Masters, or Principals, of the College. Early Benefactors. Hugh de Warkenbyand William de Gotham. Richard de Hunsingoure. Dervorguilla's Oratory. Licence from Bishop Oliver Sutton. Licence from Pope Urban V. Letter from the Abbot of Reading . . . . . . . . . .110 CHAPTER VH. Other Benefactors. Richard Hunsington and Walter Horkstow. Geoffrey de Horkestow and Richard de Staynton. Letter from Queen Margaret. Gift of land and houses from William Burnel. Hugh de St. Ivo and Geoffrey de Horkestowe. Hamond Haskman and Thomas Cinlow. The Catherine Wheel . . . . . . .142 CHAPTER VHI. Abboldesley. -Sir William de Felton. Letter from Pope Cle- ment VL Mickle-Benton. .Sir Philip de Somervyle.- 15ishop Richard de Ikiry. Statutes of .Sir Philip de .Somervyle . . 165 CHAPTER IX. Filyngham, Brotelby, and Risom. William de Broclesby. Old Woodstock and Wotton. Morton. The Convent at Clerken- well. -The College Chapel. The Collcj^c seal . . . 2ro Contents xiii CHAPTER X. I'AGE Difficulties in the College. The College acknowledged the Royal Supremacy. Letter from Pope Urban V. Statutes of Bishop Simon Sudbury. Letter from Pope Alexander VL Letter from Pope Julius IL Bishop Richard Fox. Extracts from Bishop Richard's Statutes 227 CHAPTER XL Translation of the early portion of the Latin Register . . .251 CHAPTER XII. Eminent men who have belonged to the College. Benefactors to the College. Masters of the College 298 NOTES Page 64, 1. 26. For Hertipoll, read HertilpoU. This translation was made from a modern Latin transcript of the Statutes, which may have been incorrect in some minor details. Page 88, 1. 21. The date 12 19 seems to refer to the older founda- tion, before Dervorguilla built Dulce-Cor, commonly called New Abbey. Page 92, 1. 9. I am told that there is doubt about the walls of the Master's dining-room being the original walls of Dervorguilla's Chapel. Page 97, 1. 24. Antony h Wood wrote ' Urban 6,' which appears to be a mistake for Urban 5. Page 228, last line. The letter from Pope Eugenius probably is in the College archives ; but it did not come under my notice. I'age 242, 1. 10. For Octoboni, r^d:;/ Octobonus. Page 291. In this extract, through a mistake in transcribing, the abbreviations have not been given. Page 307, last line. I have been unable to find any trace of the note Henry Savage speaks of, adding that it was 'torn off.' But at the end of one (perhaps more) of the manuscripts of Duns Scotus, in the College Library, is a note which says that Duns was educated at Merton College. Page 338, 1. 23. 1,100/. seems to be a large sum. There may be some mistake. EARLY HISTORY OF BALLIOL COLLEGE CHAPTER I. If we stand to-day in the Broad Street at Oxford, and look at the modern buildings of Balliol College, it is hard to realize that the ground they cover, and the name they bear, have an history, old, rich, closely mixed with the annals of learning, and min- gling continually with Ecclesiastical and University interests. The range of gothic ^ stonework which faces the Street ; the Master's house, men's rooms, and lecture rooms, the porter's lodge, and the square tower above it, replaced an older building, and an older tower, in about the year 1868. Pieces of oak from the interior of the ' Old Tower,' as it has since been called, were bought up by enterprising carpen- ters and fancy-dealers, and made into cabinets and ' Called Modern Gothic. 2 Early History of Balliol College boxes ; and then were sold again to Balliol men, at an increased value. And the * New Tower ' stood, white and fresh from the stone-masons' hands, to witness to the vitality of Dervorguilla's foundation. Passing round Fisher Buildings, we come again upon gothic work, and another tower, above a less important gateway. The ground here has its history also ; and these buildings, together with the front part of a comparatively old dwelling-house, hide from us the new dining hall, a quite .modern block of masonry and brickwork, at the north end of the garden quadrangle. Broad Street, obviously so called, is the old Horsemonger Street of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, which reached from North Gate to Smith Gate ; and the length and general outline remain almost the same, though the appearance of the Street has been continually changed by successive altera- tions. We are told that ' the Reason of its attaining this Name was from a Market of Horses sometime kept there ; for the Prior of St. Frid. by a Patent from K. H. I. had it granted him to be kept from North Gate to Holywell, and so to the North East Corner of the City Wall, and it was called the Horse and Horsemonger-Street Market ; but at length, when Merton College had that Manor in their hands, some Strife happened between them and the said Priory, who told them they were not to keep any Early History of Balliol College 3 such Market there in alieno solo ; it was therefore left off. The Place afterwards was wholly known and written by the Name of Canditch, Candida fossa, because of the clear Stream that formerly ran under all the North Wall.' ^ The line of the City Wall is so well known, we need hardly linger over any description of it. Some portions of the Wall still remain, at the end of the gardens at the back of houses in Broad Street, not far from St. Michael's Church. Thence it continued to Turl Gate and to Smith Gate. Under this Wall, on the north side of it, ran the clear stream, which gave the Street its name. This stream was divided into Fish Ponds, one of which, lying farther on to- wards East Gate, was ' for the Mayor's Table, and his own Use.' That this ditch, or stream, was ori- ginally a part of the trench, or moat, round the City Wall, there can be no doubt ; and also that, in times of even slight rain, it would easily fill with water, is a natural supposition. There is no record of the depth, or width, of the trench ; but we read that the people, to whom the Fish Ponds were leased, neglected the cleansing of them, and the current of the stream was in several places stopped ; and ' they came by Degrees to be dried up ; and at last, by Conveyance of Dirt and other Filth of the City, and of Earth ' City of Oxford^ Peshall, p. 239. fi 2 4 Early History of Balliol College from Foundations of Colleges, were in a manner levelled with the other Ground.* ^ Canditch has sometimes been spoken of as the ' King's Highway of Canditch.' And, indeed, such a Street as it was in those days, and such as we see it now ; though now despoiled of much of its beauty, and disfigured by our modern shops and houses, a cobble road, and patient cab-horses ; it well deserves the regal appellation. The broad level space, which was all road and gravel, with its borderings of grass, and its large trees, began near St. Mary Magdalen's Church ; and extended eastward to the little Chapel by the City Wall, near to Smith Gate, built history does not tell us by whom in honour of our Lady, and known as ' Our Lady's Chapel.' Canditch was wider than the present Broad Street. On the north side stood the small Halls and Hostels, where Stu- dents lived and learned ; and all along the length of the Street, on the south side, was the running stream, soon to degenerate into a ditch for rubbish ; and the grand City Wall, with its bastions, of that sad grey- ness peculiar to the Oxfordshire stone. On the north side of Horsemonger Street were several Halls ; but, from the meagre records we have, it is not easy to learn their origin, or to trace their exact position. It must always be regretted that no contemporary account has been preserved for us of ' City of Oxford^ p. 202. Early History of Balliol College 5 the numerous Halls which existed in Oxford at that time. There are no trustworthy narratives, and very few traditions, concerning them ; but only a long list of their names, and we have some know- ledge of the Streets and localities where they stood. Mr. Anstey, in his introduction to the Munimenta Academica, says it is possible that some MSS. may even now be lying in the Bodleian Library, or in Muniment Rooms of Colleges, which would throw light on the history of the Halls ; but, he adds, it is more probable that such MSS. may be found, if they exist at all, hidden away, their value not under- stood, in private Libraries. In the City Archives, there certainly were once valuable documents, relating to the history of the University ; but even these cannot now be discovered. The records of the Halls are, virtually, lost ; unless we accept, as a last resource, the suggestion that at Rome might be found particulars of appeals from Oxford, which would give us some insight into the obscure details of Oxford life in those early days. In speaking of the Halls in Oxford, we must be careful not to confuse them with the Colleges. The Halls, known simply as Halls, Hostels, or Entries, were as far as we can ascertain merely lodging- houses, or boarding-houses, for Scholars ; and were unendowed. A boy, sent to Oxford, went to one of the Monasteries, and that would be with a view to 6 Early History of Balliol College his becoming a Religious ; or he went to one of the boarding-houses, and became, in course of time, a secular Clerk ; or he remained a Laic. But, both Clerks and Laymen were spoken of as Scholars and Students ; that is, they were studying, and were under the rank of Bachelor ; while the title of Master implied having taken the highest degree in any Faculty. It is uncertain when these boarding-houses and Halls were first established ; but we know of their existence in early days, from the accounts of disputes about rent. In 12 13, the Townsmen, who had suffered much from the severe interdict which had been laid on the Town, applied to Nicholas of Tusculum, the Papal Legate, for protection and forgiveness. And we find that the Legate, in 12 14, remembering all the grievances of the Scholars, decreed among other things that, for a certain number of years, only half the rent agreed upon should be paid for the Halls and Inns. Besides these Halls, there were Schools in Oxford, which were distinct from the Schools in the Religious Houses. It has been computed that there were not less than thirty-two in School Street.^ And this seems to be no great number ; for a School merely meant the house, or room, where public lectures were given, and where Disputations took place. Each Master, lecturing, was obliged to have his own ' Munimenta Academica, vol. i. p. 240. Early History of Balliol College 7 lecture room. The Masters rented the Schools ; and each School, or house, had, in all probability, two or three lecture rooms. Mr. Maxwell Lyte, in his History of the Uni- versity of Oxford, does not attempt any minute description of the locality of early foundations. About Balliol, he only tells us, that ' the Scholars of Balliol lived for some years in a hired house situated in the northern suburb of Oxford, in Horsemonger Street, near the church of St. Mary Magdalen. Thence they removed to another house a few yards eastward in the same street, known as Mary Hall, which, with three adjoining plots of ground, was purchased for them by the Lady Dervorguilla in 1284.'^ That ' hired house ' was the original Balliol Hall, which has since grown into Balliol College. But, before beginning to speak of the foundation of the College, we must take a rapid glance at Oxford as it then was ; that w^e may recognize the work that John de Balliol meant his ' House at Oxford ' to do, and the need there was for such an endowment. 1 Hist. Univ. Oxford, Maxwell Lyte, p. 86. Eafly 'History of Balliol College CHAPTER II The origin of the University of Oxford must always remain an open and doubtful question. There are the old legends, now rejected, which tell us how Alfred the Great built here three Halls, which formed the nucleus of the future University ; and, at the same time, linked his name with the foundation of University College. But it is well known, that the University, with the help of money given by William of Durham for the support of poor Clerks at Oxford, established a Society of Clerics ; and the building they inhabited came, by degrees, to be recognized as the Great Hall of the University, or University Hall. And, later on, what is now University College was known, and spoken of, as the ' Hall of Master William of Durham.' We know that King Alfred ' legatos praeterea ad Gallias direxit et inde Sanctum Grimbaldum, sacer- dotem et monachum ac virum in disciplinis ecclesi- asticis eruditum, nee non et Johannem presbyterum et monachum bonis moribus adornatum ; ex ultimis etiam Walanorum finibus, de monasterio Sancti Early History of Balliol College 9 David, Asserum ad suum accivit consortium, uthorum omnium sapientia et doctrina regis desiderium cres- ceret, qui et in brevi ita profecerunt, quod librorum omnium notitiam haberet perfectam.' ^ [Translation. Moreover, he directed messen- gers into Gaul, and thence called into his company St. Grymbald, Priest and Monk, a man learned in Ecclesiastical disciplines ; and also John, Priest and Monk, adorned with good moral virtues ; and from the farthest confines of Wales, Asser, from the Monas- tery of St. David ; so that by the wisdom and learn- ing of all of them, the desire of the King might be advanced : and in a short time they succeeded so well that he had a perfect knowledge of all books.] The story that Grymbald and John were brought to Oxford, that they might teach, and establish Schools, would tend to prove that there were Schools and Scholars here before Alfred's time. The story goes on to say, that the Students in Oxford refused to accept the Forms of Reading, and the Institutions, which Grymbald and the learned men who accom- panied him from France wished to introduce ; and so sharp was the dispute between the two parties, that Alfred hastened to Oxford, to induce them to come to amicable terms. But Grymbald, not satis- fied by the King's attempt at a compromise, left Oxford, and retired to the newly-founded Monastery ' Matthew Paris, ed. Luard, vol. i. p. 407. lo Early History of Balliol College at Winchester. We are told how ' Sanctus Grim- baldus migravit ad Dominum.' In the year 904, ' Sanctus presbyter Grimbaldus, magnse vir sancti- tatis, et unus magistrorum Alfred! regis, gaudia con- scendit regni caelestis.' ' Also we hear of St. Neot, a Professor of Theology ; and Asser, the Monk ; and John, the companion of Grymbald, whose lectures King Alfred often attended. Unfortunately, around the truth of the story about Grymbald there has been much entanglement and controversy ; and it is now generally believed to have been inserted into Asser's Life of King Alfred, by an unknown hand, in the time of Richard II. ' But here we do come to at least real persons, Alfred and Grymbald, and the rest, though acts are ascribed to them which we may safely affirm they never per- formed.' - We would like to think that with these names, perhaps, the real tangible history of educa- tion at Oxford begins. Alfred's presence in the City, and his efforts to encourage a love for learning, not unfrequently shown by his listening to the teaching given by those whom he had placed here, forms a bright picture of Saxon times. The fact of Grym- bald's sojourn in Oxford seems to be secured to us by the account of the local jealousy, which would not acknowledge his superior attainments ; and his name ' Mattheiu Paris, ed. Luard, vol. i. p. 437. ' Munimenta Academica, Introduction, p. xxviii. Early History of Balliol College 1 1 lives with us still, in the dark Crypt under St. Peter's Church, known as * Grymbald's Crypt,' built for his last resting place. It can be seen any day. There are two rows of short pillars in it ; the vaulting is composed of semicircular arches of hewn stone ; and, at the east end, are indications of an Altar having once been there. These are fascinating pictures ; but the mist of myth and legend that encircles them, bids us look at them for not too long, lest our love for the Saxon King, and his saintly associates, should tempt us to trust to what are, apparently, only forged fables. The most that can be said on this subject has been ably stated by an eminent authority. ' Thus whatever we know at all, by tradition, by documents (suspected or unsuspected,) or by the evidence of general probability, converges to the same result, that the Oxford Schools are as ancient as King Alfred. And the same authority argues, with a directness of thought which is unanswerable, that when we find ' undoubted proofs, that a School existed at Oxford in the middle of the eleventh century (z/. Ingulf) and since then, without interruption ; when we cannot find any epoch to which we could reasonably ascribe the foundation of these institutions, except that at which Alfred lived ; all sound historical judgment would lead us to ascribe the foundation to Alfred.' ^ ^ Ruber's English Universities, trs. by Newman. 1 2 Early History of Balliol College After Alfred's time there is a singular dearth of names of note in connection with the Oxford Schools. We hear of no eminent Teacher after Grymbald left ; and the study of Theology died with St. Neot. In 1 1 33, Robert Pulein came to Oxford, and began to lecture on the Bible, and to preach, on Sundays. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, in one of his letters (CCV), alludes to a request he had made about him, ' ob sanam doctrinam quae apud ilium esse dignoscitur ' ; and further describes him, as ' fultum gratia amico- rum, quorum in curia non minima auctoritas est.' Henry I., attracted by the accounts of this great Scholar, and of the good doctrine he taught, and his devout life, offered him a Bishopric ; but this he refused, ' having food and raiment,' and only accepted the Archdeaconry of Rochester. The fame of his piety and learning reached Rome, and he was sent for by Innocent II. Pulein was made Cardinal in the Pontificate of Celestine II. ; and, afterwards, he was Chancellor to Pope Lucius VII. The next great Teacher at Oxford was Vacarius, who came here a few years after Pulein had been called to Rome. The presence of Vacarius marks an epoch in the progress of studies at Oxford, for he introduced the study of Roman Jurisprudence, at that time unknown in England ; but which he had followed at the University of Bologna. He came to England at the invitation of Theobald, Archbishop of Can- Early History of Balliol College 1 3 terbury ; and he became very popular at Oxford, where Students crowded to his lectures, eager for the new kind of knowledge. Nothing is known of the Teachers immediately following Pulein and Vacarius ; nor is it known in what part of Oxford lectures were then delivered. The Students were under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Lincoln ; and, therefore, it has been concluded that they were independent of the neighbouring Priory of St. Frideswide, and the Abbey of Oseney ; and that the public lectures were delivered in the City.^ But hardly anything is known about the teaching in Oxford, after the time of Vacarius, until 1 1 86, when Giraldus Cambrensis, one of the Chaplains to Henry II., visited the City, and read his Topo- graphy of Ireland to the inhabitants. His own account of this visit, and of his public readings, is better than any description we can give. When the Topographia was finished, ' lucernam accen- sam non sub modio ponere, sed super candelabrum ut luceret erigere cupiens, apud Oxoniam, ubi clerus in Anglia magis vigebat et clericatu prse- cellebat, opus suum in tanta audientia recitare disposuit. Et quoniam tres erant in libro suo dis- tinctiones, qualibet recitata die tribus diebus conti- nuis recitatio duravit ; primoque die pauperes omnes oppidi totius ad hoc convocatos hospitio suscepit et ' Hist. Univ. Oxford^ Maxwell Lyte, p. 12. 14 Early History of Balliol College exhibuit. In crastino vero doctores diversarum facultatum omnes et discipulos famae majoris et notitiae. Tertio die reliquos scolares cum militibus oppidaniset burgensibus multis. Sumptuosa quidem res et nobilis, quia renovata sunt quodammodo authentica et antiqua in hoc facto poetarum tem- pera ; nee rem similem in Anglia factam vel prae- sens aetas vel ulla recolit antiquitas.' ^ \Translation. Not desiring to put the candle he had lighted under a bushel, but wishing to set it on a candlestick, that it might shine ; he determined to read his work before a large audience at Oxford, where the Clergy were more numerous than elsewhere in England, and excelled in all clerkly qualities. The book was divided into three parts ; and, as he read one part each day, the reading lasted three succes- sive days. On the first day, he hospitably enter- tained all the poor of the whole Town, whom he invited for the purpose. On the next day, he re- ceived, in like manner, all the Doctors of the various Faculties, and their more distinguished Scholars. On the third day, the other Students, with the Knights of the Town, and many of the Burgesses. It was a costly and splendid affair, truly ; for the occasion was a genuine revival of the good old times of the Poets. There never was anything like it seen in England, either in present days, or in past antiquity.] ' Giraidus Ca/ndrcnsis, ed. Brewer, vol. i. p. 72 Early History of Balliol College 1 5 In 1209, all lectures at the University were in- terrupted and all studies arrested, in consequence of a serious quarrel between the Clerks and the Towns- men. A Student in Arts murdered a young girl, and the Townsmen, in their haste for vengeance, not being able to secure the guilty man, put to death two Students who were entirely innocent of the crime. The University, as has been stated, was under Ec- clesiastical jurisdiction ; and the Clerks and Masters at once joined together to resist this unjust interfer- ence on the part of the civil authorities, which was an infringement of their right to be tried and punished by lawful superiors, and in Ecclesiastical courts. Pope Innocent III. had laid England under an inter- dict ; and little sympathy for Church authority, or support for the Clerks, could be expected from King John. The Scholars, terrified at the bold assumption of power on the part of the Townsmen, and fearing also the anger of the King, fled from Oxford in great numbers. One account says that not a single Student remained in the City. In the Chronicon de Laner- cost, we find the following account of the migration from Oxford : ' Unde multipliciter, et quoad seculares et quoad religiosos, illo tempore persequebatur rex praidictus ecclesiam Anglicanam, unde clerici, timentes regis tyrannidem, Oxoniam fere omnes reliquerunt, aut si autem remanentes non multo tempore post, propter 1 6 Early History of Balliol College unius suspendium, ex toto villam interdicendo reces- serunt, partim apud Redyngs, partim Parisius diver- tentes. Hoc credo accidisse propter oppressionem et necem secutam unius puellae, quae fuit turpiter reperta apud Maydenhal.' [^Translation. So, at that time, the aforesaid King was persecuting in various ways the Clergy of the EngHsh Church, both secular and regular ; and so the Clerks, fearing the King's tyranny, nearly all deserted Oxford. And the few that remained, not long after, on account of the hanging of one of them, departed, laying the City under a total interdict : some went to Reading, the rest to Paris. I believe this happened on account of an outrage on a girl, and her subsequent death. She was found in a shameful condition at Maydenhal.'] When the Scholars left Oxford, the Church laid a still more severe interdict on the City, which was not removed until 1213; when the repentant Burghers appealed to the Papal Legate, promising to accept his judgment, and to do penance for their rash deeds. Then the Scholars were allowed to re- turn to Oxford. The letter of the Pope's Legate is worth insert- ing in full ; for it shows, not only the severity of Ecclesiastical punishment, but is also an illustration of the wise economy that, while reproving the arro- ' Maiden Hall. Early History of Balliol College 1 7 gance of the Townsmen, introduced new laws, which would secure some privileges to the University, and tend to promote peace between the rival parties. It is to the decrees of this Legate, Nicholas, Bishop of Tusculum, that we trace the origin of some of the now existing University laws, which make all resi- dent members of the University, to a certain extent, free from civil jurisdiction. ' Littera N. Legati de poena Burgensium propter suspendium clericorum ab eis commissum. * N., Dei gratia Tusculanus Episcopus Apostolicse sedis legatus, dilectis in Christo filiis Burgensibus Oxoniae salutem in Domino. * Cum propter suspendium clericorum a vobis commissum mandatis Ecclesise per omnia stare juras- setis, Nos, volentes agere misericorditer vobiscum, statuimus quod a festo S. Michaelis, anno ab incar- natione Domini millesimo ducentesimo decimo quarto usque in decem annos sequentes, Scholaribus Oxonise studentibus condonetur medietas mercedis Hospi- tiorum omnium locandorum clericis in eadem villa, mercedis inquam taxatae communi consilio clericorum et nostro ante recessum Scholarium propter suspen- dium praedictum clericorum : Finitis vero praedictis decem annis, aliis decem annis proximo sequentibus locabuntur Hospitia sub mercede cleri, ut praedictum est, taxata. ' Haec de Hospitiis constructis et taxatis ante c 1 8 Early History of Balliol College praefatum clericorum recessum : constructa vero post- modum vel construenda aliaque prius constructa sed non taxata arbitratu quatuor Magistrorum et qua- tuor Burgensium taxabuntur, et prsedicto modo per utrumque decennium locabuntur. Communia quoque ejusdem villae annuatim dabit quinquaglnta duos solidos dispensandos in usus pauperum Scholarium per manus Abbatis de Osneya et Prions ecclesiae S. Frideswydse de consilio venerabilis fratris Hugonis, tunc Episcopi Lincolniensis et successorum suorum vel Archidiaconi loci sive ejus officialis aut Can- cellarii, quern Episcopus Lincolniensis Scholaribus ibidem preeficiet, ita scilicet quod viginti sex solidi solventur annuatim in festo Omnium Sanctorum et viginti sex solidi in Capite Jejunii. Prseter hoc etiam eadem Communia pascet centum pauperes Scholares in pane, cerevisia, potagio, et uno ferculo piscium vel carnium singulis annis in perpetuum die S. Nicholai quos Episcopus Lincolnise vel Archidiaconus loci seu ejus officialis aut ipse Cancellarius vel alius ab hoc Episcopo Lincolniae deputatus provident. Jurabitis etiam quod victualia et alia [Scholaribus] necessaria justo et rationabili pretio vendetis, et ab aliis vendi fideliter procurabitis, et quod in fraudem hujus provisionis graves non facietis constitutiones vel onerosas, per quas conditio clericorum deterioretur. Si vero contingat amodo clericum capi a vobis, statim, cum fueritis super eo requisiti ab Episcopo Lincolnia; Early History of Balliol College 19 seu Archidiacono loci vel ejus official! vel a Cancel- lario seu ab eo quern Episcopus Lincolniae huic officio deputaverit, captum ei reddetis, nee aliquo modo machinabimini in his vel in aliis quod praefati Lin- colniae Episcopi jurisdictio elidatur, vel jus suum vel ecclesise suae in aliquo minuatur. Jurabunt etiam quinquaginta de majoribus ex vobis pro se et Com- munia et haeredibus suis, quod haec omnia supradicta fideliter observabunt, et hoc juramentum quolibet anno renovabitis ad mandatum Episcopi Lincolniae per quot idem Episcopus voluerit citra numerum praetaxatum. Cartam quoque sigillo communi signa- tam sub praedictis articulis facietis ascribi, et venera- bili fratri Hugoni nunc Episcopo Lincolniae libera- bitis, cui voluerit in custodiam committendam ; hoc autem vos et haeredes vestri facietis, ut honor et re- verentia clericis eo exhibeatur abundantius quo magis per vos fuerant dehonestati. Magistri vero, qui post Scholarium [recessum] irreverenter legerunt Oxoniae, suspendentur per triennium ab officio legendi ibidem. Omnes autem, qui de suspendio clericorum fuissetis confessi vel convicti, venietis, ad mandatum venera- bilis fratris Hugonis nunc Episcopi Lincolniae, cum interdictum fuerit laxatum, ad sepulcra clericorum discalceati et discincti, sine capis et palliis, sequente vos Communia, et ipsorum corpora differetis in coemeterio sepelienda ubi clerus provident, praestito sibi, ut praedictum est, a vobis juramento ; et, carta c 2 20 Early History of Balliol College communi confecta et venerabili fratri Hugoni nunc Episcopo Lincolniai liberata, licentiam habeant Scholares et Magistri Oxoniam redeundi et ibidem legendi, exceptis his qui per triennium sunt suspensi, de quibus est pra^missum. * Si vero contra statuta nostra et proprium vene- ritis juramentum, ex ipso facto sciatis vos excom- municationis vinculo innodatos, et venerabilis frater Hugo nunc Episcopus Lincolniai et successores sui vos et villam vestram reducant in pristinam suspen- sionis sententiam. Vobis igitur auctoritate legationis qua fungimur mandamus in remissionem peccatorum, firmiter injungentes quatenus banc constitutionem nostram recipiatis ad mandatum venerabilis fratris Hugonis Lincolnise Episcopi fideliter adimplendam. ' Datum apud Rameseiam septimo kalend. Julii.' ^ [^Translation. Letter of Nicholas, Legate, con- cerning the punishment of the Burgesses, on account of the Clerics whom they hanged. Nicholas, by the Grace of God, Bishop of Tus- culum, Legate of the Apostolic See, to his beloved sons in Christ, the Burgesses of Oxford, Health in the Lord. Since, on account of the Clerics whom you hanged, you have sworn to stand, in all things, by the commands of the Church ; We, being willing to deal mercifully with you, decree that, for ten years from ' Minniiicntu Acadcmica, vol. i. p. i. Early History of Balliol College 2 t the Feast of St. Michael, in the year of the Incarna- tion of our Lord 12 14, the moiety of the rent of all Hostels let to Clerics in the same Town shall be remitted to the Scholars studying at Oxford ; the rent, that is, rated by the common counsel of the Clerics, and our own, before the withdrawal of the Scholars, on account of the hanging of the Clerics. When these ten years are ended, for another ten years, next ensuing, the Hostels shall be let as rated under the clerical rent, as aforesaid. So far respecting the Hostels erected and rated before the withdrawal of the Clerics : as to those erected afterwards, or to be erected, and others erected but not rated, they shall be rated at the arbitration of four Masters and four Burgesses ; and shall be let, in the same manner, throughout the two terms of ten years. The Community of the same Town shall also give 52^-. a year, to be spent for the use of poor Scholars, by the hand of the Abbot of Oseney, and the Prior of the Church of St. Frideswide, with the counsel of our Venerable Brother, Hugh, now Bishop of Lincoln, and his successors, or of the Archdeacon of the place, or his official, or the Chancellor whom the Bishop of Lincoln shall set over the Scholars here ; so that, to wit, 26s. be paid yearly on the Feast of All Saints, and 265. at the beginning of Lent. Besides this, also, the Community shall 22 Early History of Balliol College provide bread, beer, pottage, and one dish of fish or flesh, every year in perpetuity, on St. Nicholas' Day, for an hundred poor Scholars, whom the Bishop of Lincoln, or the Archdeacon of the place, or his official, or the Chancellor himself, or another deputed by the Bishop of Lincoln, shall appoint. You shall also swear that you will sell, and will procure to be sold faithfully by others, victuals, and other necessaries, [for the Scholars], at a just and reasonable price, and that you will not, in fraud of this provision, make grave or burdensome regula- tions, by which the condition of the Clerics may be made worse than before. But if it happen from henceforth, that a Cleric be arrested by you, forth- with, when you are required concerning him by the Bishop of Lincoln, or the Archdeacon of the place, or his official, or by the Chancellor, or by him whom the Bishop of Lincoln shall have deputed to this office, you shall hand over the prisoner to him, nor in anywise shall you desire, in these or other matters, that the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Lincoln be eluded, or his or his Church's right be impaired in anything. Also, fifty of the elders of you shall swear, for themselves, and the Community, and their heirs, that all these things shall be observed ; and you shall renew this oath, every year, at the mandate of the Bishop of Lincoln, by as many as the same Bishop shall will over the above-rated Early History of Balliol College 23 number. You shall also have recorded, and sealed with the common seal, a Charter under the aforesaid articles, and deliver it to our Venerable Brother, Hugh, now Bishop of Lincoln, to be committed into the keeping of whom he may will : and this you and your heirs shall do, that the honour and reverence due to Clerics may be the more abundantly shown, the more it has been disgraced by you. And those Masters, who irreverently lectured at Oxford, after the [withdrawal] of the Scholars, shall be suspended for three years from the office of lecturing there. And all who have confessed to, or been convicted of, hanging the Clerics, shall, at the mandate of our Venerable Brother, Hugh, now Bishop of Lincoln, when the interdict shall have been relaxed, come to the graves of the Clerics, shoeless, and ungirded, without caps and cloaks, all you of the Community following, and carry their bodies to the Churchyard, to be buried where the Clergyman shall provide, the oath being taken by you to him, as is above said : and when the common Charter has been made, and delivered to our Venerable Brother, Hugh, now Bishop of Lincoln, let the Scholars and Masters have licence to return to Oxford, and read there, except those who are suspended for three years, as aforesaid. But if you go against our Statutes, and your own oath, know that you are bound, ipso facto, with the 24 Early History of Balliol College chain of excommunication ; and let our Venerable Brother, Hugh, now Bishop of Lincoln, and his successors, bring back you and your Town under the former sentence of suspension. We, therefore, command you, by the Legatine authority which we discharge, in remission of your sins, firmly enjoining that you receive, at the mandate of our Venerable Brother, Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, this our constitu- tion, to be faithfully fulfilled. Given at Ramsey, the 7th day before the Kalends of July.] Migration from Oxford appears to have been a not unusual course of action for aggrieved or offended Scholars, and even Teachers, to pursue ; not, necessarily, always from fear, but sometimes only 'of malice.' We read that, in the year 1287, 'the Unlversite of Oxforth chose a Chauncelere, Maister William Kyngeston. Thei sent on the bischop of Lincoln for his confirmacion : the bischop seide it was his deute to com himselve. Thei answerd that this was her elde privylege ; and this wold thei kcpe. The bischop was inflexibil, and thei were obdurat. And so of malice thei left her redyng, and here teching. Many scoleres went away ; thei that abode were evel occupied. But at the last the bischop condescended to her elde custome.' ^ To give any description of the neighbouring ' Capgr,'i\e's Clironicic of Kn<^l(inii, ed. Ilingcston, p. i68, Early History of Balliol College 25 Monasteries, is quite beyond the scope of this small history. Among the Abbeys then existing in England, the Benedictine House at Abingdon was, perha|?s, one of the best known. The fact of its nearness to Oxford, at a time when numbers of Clerks and Scholars were continually flocking hither, must have added to its reputation ; as, undoubtedly, the position of the Town, between Oxford and the Capital, favoured the trade and commercial interests of the inhabitants. Reinald Rich was one of Abingdon's most successful merchants ; but the fame of the merchant has died away, and he is known in history only as the father of the afterwards celebrated Edmund Rich, who is the first person recorded to have taken a degree at Oxford. Although Edmund's life must have been a contrast to the ordinary lives around him, yet it affords some illustration of the time he lived in, and the state of Oxford when he studied and taught here. Brought up under the shadow of the great Benedictine Monastery at Abingdon, all his child- hood was passed in the midst of religious and intellectual surroundings, which greatly influenced his young days, and his after life. As a child, he grew to love and reverence both saintliness and learning : all his early associations fostered his de- sire for holiness, and strengthened his ambition for knowledge. His mother, Mabel, was distinguished 26 Early History of Balliol College for her extreme piety, and she used all her mother's influence and gentle art to train the character of her favourite son. A touching vision rises before us when we read, that ' Edmund was, under his mother's training, all that even such a mother could desire, or hope. He was diligent in his juvenile studies, and showed little inclination for those manly sports, which would have qualified him to do battle in the world. His abstinence, however, from such pursuits gladdened his mother's heart. When he saw Mabel, having discharged her household duties, kneeling on the cold hard pavement of the Abbey Church ; mingling tears with enthusiastic devotions ; the sympathising child would creep to her side, and impart the only kind of comfort, which to her heart was acceptable, by uniting his prayers with hers.' ^ At the age of twelve Edmund was sent to Oxford, to study Grammar. Afterwards he went to Paris, to continue his education at the University ; and when he returned to Oxford, we hear of him as a Teacher, and one of those who, at that time, were noted for their eager desire to restore the fame of Oxford, and to stimulate the religious and intellectual life here. The well-known story of his early piety is, perhaps, best related in the words of the Chronicler, who tells us that, A.D. M.cc.xxviii. Master Stephen Langton * a prsesenti luce ad gloriam translatus est octavo ' Lives of Archbishops of Canterbury, Hook. Early History of Balliol College 27 idus Julli.' ' Cui successit sanctus Edmundus, de Abyndon oriundus, ac magister in Logica et Theolo- gica, vir eximise munditise, abstinentiae et vigiliae, sicut aliqua exempla de singulis inferius ponenda comprobabunt. ' Nam in exemplum munditiae illibatae istud primo occurrit, quod puerulus intendens Oxoniae grammaticalibus, gloriosae Virginis imaginem, quam saepe, et una cum tota Universitate, vidimus, clam desponsavit, imposito digito Virginis aureo annulo, quod multi postea oculis conspexerunt.' ^ {Translation. a.d. 1228, Master Stephen Lang- ton was taken from this world to the light of glory, on the 8th of July. To whom succeeded St. Edmund, of Abingdon ; a Master in Logic, and Theology ; a man of special purity, abstinence, and wakefulness, as certain instances to be quoted here- after will prove. As an example of his innocent candour, we may mention that, when he was a small boy, studying Grammar at Oxford, he betrothed to himself secretly an image of the Glorious Virgin ; which we, and the whole University, have frequently seen. On the Virgin's finger he placed a golden ring, as many persons afterwards saw with their own eyes.] And the same simple and devoted faith, which characterized his early years, marked several of his ^ Chronicon de Lanercost^ ed. Stevenson, p. 36. 28 Early History of Balliol College practices as a Teacher, and made his Hfe at Oxford both remarkable and noteworthy. One of his first objects was to assist the Friars in their efforts to make Oxford celebrated, as a place of study and learning, for Theology and Philosophy ; and he soon became a popular and attractive Teacher. His modern Biographer, who shows little appreciation for Catholic devotion and sanctity, is constrained to tell us, and we can readily believe, that ' the expres- sion of his countenance was always cheerful, and there was a peculiar grace in his manner.' ^ With no great effort of the imagination, we see him, in his long gown of grey cloth, passing abstractedly by the buildings in School Street, as he hastened in the early morning to Mass at St. Mary's, or at St. Peter's ; and to our ears, almost, the voice is audible, which thrilled his hearers in the lecture room, or broke into pleading admonitions to his much-cared- for pupils. He was, what we moderns would call, 'generous to a fault,' for his fear of hurting the susceptibilities of his poorer Scholars led him to desire all to make only what payments they liked, or to consider his lectures free. And it was not * scholarly pride,' but simple humility, that prompted him to say with a smile, as he placed the uncounted money on the window-sill, * Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.' Lives of Archbishops of Canterbury^ Hook. Early History of Balliol College 29 Simple, loving, and beyond dispute is the tes- timony of Chroniclers and Historians to the saint- liness and genius of this great Teacher. ' y^ said S. Edmund was borne at Abendon in Berkshire, at w'''' place was (and is still as I think) a lane called S. Edmunds lane wherein probably he receiued his first breath.' Antony a Wood wrote. And, besides the facts we have mentioned about his life and work here at Oxford, much more might be gathered from historical documents, manuscript and printed, to tell us of his work in the world, beyond the limited circle of his Oxford friends and pupils ; of his intrepid plain-speaking ; and of his heroic self- sacrifice. The Chronicles we turn to, in our desire to learn more about this wonderful man, point always to his deep humility, his profound knowledge, and his untiring zeal. There is a fascination for us in the picture of that quiet Teacher, whose voice drew hundreds to his lecture room in School Street, where his ' School ' lent glory to our University. The man who had no thought for life ; who never heard the heedless remarks, nor the impertinent questions ; and who ignored, alike, the rewards and the rebuffs, the praises and the censures of this world ; drew around him those who were to build up the intellec- tual greatness of Oxford ; and by his wisdom, and his learning, and his gentle influence, he guided and taught them. It was a work incalculably great. 30 Early History of Balliol College Never again has Oxford known such a Teacher. Through the silence of centuries, and the darkness of years forgotten, still are we attracted to the story of that earnest life, which, even in our days, has its visible results. We love the details of his saint-life ; his early devoutness ; his daily Mass ; the beautiful Form, which stood by him as he taught ; how he, who was ' courted by the greatest schollers of that age both for his piety and learning, did often ac- cording to his manner convers in privat with God, especially in his walkes of recreation in the feilds neare Oxon,' And we reverence his vast learning ; and the noble use he made of it. In Wharton's Anglia Sacra is the concise summary : ' Edmundus de Abendonia, consecratus est in Archiepiscopum anno Domini mccxxxiv. Iste sanctissimus fuit. Orta autem inter ipsum & Regem Henricum gravi dissensione super jure & libertatibus Ecclesiae Cantuariensis, Monachisque suis alias commoventibus, post intolerabiles injurias, habito super hoc Suffraganeorum consilio, excom- municavit occupatores injuste & perturbatores juris & libertatum Ecclesiae Cantuariensis generaliter ; & quosdam, de quibus legitime constabat, specialiter. Nolens autem cum Rege contendere, sed magis maliciis cedere, mare transivit. Obiit autem ibidem, cum sedisset sex annis ; requiescitque apud Ponti- niacum, anno Domini mccxl.' Early History of Balliol College 3 1 \_Translation. Edmund of Abingdon was con- secrated Archbishop, in 1234. He was a very holy man. A serious difference arose between him and King Henry, concerning the rights and Hberties of the Church of Canterbury. After suffering intoler- able injuries, under pressure of his Monks, and previously taking the counsel of his Suffragans in the matter, he excommunicated by a general sentence the unjust intruders and the infringers of the rights and liberties of the Church of Canterbury. But a few of them, with regard to whom he had juridical proof, he excommunicated by name. However, he did not wish to have contentions with the King ; but, preferring to give place to evil, he crossed the seas. There he died, after a sojourn of six years, in 1240 ; and he lies buried at Pontigny.] Capgrave, in his Chronicle of England, gives a simple and straightforward account of the dispute as to the succession to the See of Canterbury. He states, that ' In the xvi 3ere of Herry felle a new contraversie at Cauntirbury : for summe chose the prioure of the Trinite Cherch, and summe chose Maystir Jon Blundy. Whan this eleccion cam to the Pope, he cassed it ; and than the prioure of the Trinite resined his ryte ; and the Pope refused Maister Jon Blundy, because the bischop of Wyn- chester wrot onto the emperoure for his promocioune. This cause was alleggid ageyn him, that he had too 32 Early History of Balliol College benefices, with cure of soule, withoute leve of the Cort. Than were the munkis at her lyberte to have a new eleccion ; and thei chose Maistir Edmund Abyngdon, a holy man, whech was thanne tresorer of Salisbury.' And by other Chroniclers this ' holy man ' is mentioned. Matthew Paris relates how he used his influence as a peace-maker ; ^ and also speaks of him as a man ' honestai conversationis et bene lite- ratum.' -^ The account of his death is in keeping with the many characteristics of his life : ' Beatus Edmundus . . . Pontiniacum aliquandiu moraretur, orans et plorans pro statu ecclesiae Anglicanae.' ^ And, later on, we find our King Henry III. * veniens apud Pontiniacum infirmatus, ad feretrum beati Edmundi oravit, et sanitatem recepit.'^ Although it is beyond doubt that St. Edmund had Schools in Oxford, it is impossible to say for certain where they stood. Antony a Wood seems to think that they might be ' that house, afterwards called St. Edmund's Hall in Schoolstreet, and in the Parish of St. Mary.' And he adds a list of the ' divers famous persons [who] were his auditors and admirers in the said Schools, among which were Robert Grosteste, who afterwards wrote several Epistles to him, in one of which he mentions his ' MattJieiu Paris, ed. Luard, vol. iii. p. 290. - Ibid. p. 244. ^ Ibid. ed. Madden, vol. iii. p. 282. Ibid. p. 341. Early History of Balliol College 2>7> "serpentina prudentia," and "columbina simplicitas. &c." Then, Robert Bacon, Rich, Fishacre, the eminent Dominican : Roger Bacon, with others mentioned elsewhere.' ^ These names bring with them other memories. Now a new vista opens before us. School Street, with its thirty-two Schools, and many Masters and Teachers of various merit and importance, in the better neighbourhood of St. Mary the Virgin and St. Peter in the East, gives place to the poorer locality of St. Frideswide and St. Ebbe, where the foundations were being laid for the new generation of Teachers and Schoolmen, who were to take their part in the making of Oxford, and lend their names to her wide-spread fame. The now dingy and almost unknown Paradise Square, was the garden of the Franciscans ; and owes its name to the tradi- tions of holiness and peacefulness, that are ever associated with the followers of St. Francis.' Near where the City gas-works are now, close to the river, on ground now covered with narrow Streets and Courts, and thronged by the poorest of the City's people, stood the fine Dominican Friary, with its grand Church. No trace of the Fran- ciscan House remains, and it is almost impossible to learn what was its exact position. But a local His- ' Antony a Wood, ed. Gutch, vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 738. "^ This may be only report, from the fact that the site of Paradise Square was within, or adjoining, the Franciscan walls. D 34 Early History of Balliol College torian has saved for us some facts about St. Dominic's Church. He tells the sad story of sacri- lege and destruction, in quaint but touching words. ' Their Dissolution came with the general and common Fate of all such under H. VIII. ' Then that House, which by the Learning and Piety of these Friars had attracted many, even Pre- lates, to lay down their Honours and Preferments and become one of them, with all the Inclosure of Ground, containing 3 Acres in Compass, towards the East ; the Grove on the West, with all Appurtenances, likewise the Messuage aforesaid adjoining their Gate, and the neighbouring Seat of the Grey Friars, was by King H. VIII. 31st of his Reign, sold for 1094^. to R. Andrews, of Hayles in Co: of Glouc. Esq; and J. How, Gent. Soon after they sold them to W. Freer of Oxford, and Agnes his Wife, and their Heirs ; who demolished the Church and most of the Monastery, selling the Stone, Lead, Glass, Bells, &c at a very cheap Rate, unless we allow for the Sacriledge of it. ' This Island, now converted chiefly into a Garden, is in the different Occupations of T. Tred- well and Ann Castell ; and the House, called the Prior's House, as though detached from the rest of the Friary, consisting of good large Rooms, fit for the Quality of such prime Person, and of a monastic Form, is at present demised to Polston. Early History of Balliol College 35 ' Their Church was built by them, and dedicated to St. Nicholas on the Day of St. Vitus and Modestus, Anno 1262, by R. or Benedict Gravesend, Bishop of Lincoln. * Here have been buried ; Walter Malclerk, a famous Author. * Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall. * Sir J. Golafre, of Fyfield, Berks, Knt. Aug. 1378, with great Pomp. ' Sir Peter Besills, Knt. of Besills-Lee, Berks, in 1426. He is reckoned among the principal Patrons of the said Church ; the South Wing whereof he also built, and is said to have bequeathed 120^. for making of six Windows in the same. * Stephen Wall, Bishop of Meath, in Ireland, buryed 1376. ' Besides these have been found, at the dissolv- ing this Monastery, many Tombs, Stone Coffins, with the Bodies of Men in them ; Rings on their Fingers, Chalices on their Breasts, Coins about their Necks, and Parchment Deeds with their Seals to them ; Hearts wrapped up in Lead ; one of which, with an Inscription, being dug up in 1644, by a Gardener, and brought to King Charles I. then at Oxford, was in the Presence of the King taken out of the Wrap- per ; and, which was much admired, appeared almost fresh and uncorrupted. * Mr. Wood mentions, very imperfectly, twelve ^6 Early History of Balliol College Priors of these Dominicans ; of whom, Simon de Bonil, in 1238, was Chancellor of the University.' ^ These Houses have perished ; but the work that the Friars did is the true memorial of their greatness. They taught piety to the Oxford people, and they made the Oxford Schools. Adam de Marisco was the first Franciscan who read lectures at Oxford, and his School was in great repute. ' Lyons, Paris, and Cologne were indebted for their first professors to the English Franciscans in Oxford. Repeated applications were made from Ireland, Denmark, France, and Germany for Eng- lish Friars ; foreigners were sent to the English School as superior to all others. It enjoyed a repu- tation throughout the world for adhering the most conscientiously and strictly to the poverty and se- verity of the Order ; and for the first time since its existence as a University, Oxford rose to a position second not even to Paris itself. The three School- men of the most profound and original genius, Roger Bacon, Duns Scotus, and Occham, were trained within its walls. No other nations of Christendom can show a succession of names at all comparable to the English Schoolmen in originality and subtilty, in the breadth and variety of their attainments. Italy produced its Aquinas, a great organizer, like the Roman himself ; its Bonaventure, in whom St. ' City of Oxford^ Peshall, p. 265. Early History of Balliol College 37 Francis reappears in a shape more learned, if not more spiritual ; Germany its laborious Albertus Magnus ; Spain its Raymund Lully, the representa- tive of Spanish adventure and Spanish genius. But no nation can show three Schoolmen like the Eng- lish, each unrivalled in his way, and each working with equal ability in opposite directions. The influ- ence of the English school was consequently more profound, more brilliant the reputation of its Teachers.' ^ And when the Lady of Balliol set her hand to carry out her husband's wishes, she went for counsel and help to a Franciscan Friar ; her object being to found an House at Oxford, which should bean home both for piety and learning. ^ Monumenta Franciscana, ed. Brewer, Preface, p. Ixxxi. 38 Early History of Balliol College CHAPTER III. The early Chroniclers liked best to tell us about those, who, while worldlings were wrangling and fighting, laboured to promote study, and to diffuse the love of learning. In Mediaeval pages, the prominent names are not those of Kings, and their Captains and Courtiers ; but the names of men like St. Hugh of Lincoln, and Bishop Grosseteste ; whose work, steady though noiseless, whether pursued in the Bishop's Palace or the Friar's Cell, must ever be counted in the Wealth of Nations. Yet Chroniclers do not neglect other matters ; and always, as the noble deeds of good men are rekited with a proud fidelity, so the misdeeds, even of people of importance, are told with unflinching courage. The Monk of St. Alban's, who has, it may be said, saved English History, gives us details of King Henry HI. demanding a subsidy, in 1 244 ; and certain persons were appointed to consider the demand. They were all men of great reputation, and high position ; whose wisdom, judgment, and integrity, could be relied upon. And Early History of Balliol College 39 among them we find the name of John de BalHol. And BalHol's name is again mentioned when a Charter of the King of Scotland was sent to the Pope for confirmation.^ John, Lord of Balliol, in his magnificent Castle, high above Tees, and commanding a far view over surrounding woods and vales, was a Baron of great importance. His riches were considerable ; and included, besides his own property, the large possessions which his wife inherited from her father, Alan, Prince of Galloway. An attempt had been made to deprive the three daughters of Alan of their inheritance ; but it was unsuccessful. Alan's daugh- ters were, Helen, who married Roger de Quinci, Earl of Winchester ; Dervorguilla, who married John de Balliol ; and Christian, who married William de Fortibus, afterwards Earl of Albemarle. Christian died childless ; and her share in her father's property was given to Dervorguilla, And thus John de Balliol's wealth was greatly augmented. In the finely written pages of the Chronica Majora, with their quaint and beautiful illuminations for Matthew Paris was Chronicler and Artist we learn how Balliol was able to purchase peace with an angry King. [1255.] ' Tempore quoque sub eodem, Johannes de Bailloil, miles, dives et potens, cujus ' Matthew Paris, ed. Luard, vol. iv. pp. 362, 384. 40 Early History of Balliol College pater in armis strenuus regi Johanni in arcto posito multum servierat et in dubiis casibus saepe contulerat adminiculum, cum graviter, sicut et Robertus, accu- saretur, sibi pecunia, qua abundavit, regis necessitati satisfaciendo, caute pacem comparavit.' [Translation. About this time also, John de Balliol, Baron, rich and powerful, whose father, an ardent Warrior, had done King John good service when he was in difficulties, and had often helped him in doubtful chances, was accused with Robert on a grave charge. However, by spending some of the money in which he abounded, and thus occurring to the King's necessity, he cannily obtained a peace.] But the sins of this rich and powerful Baron, the report of whose wealth made King Henry pause in his wrath and act with a cunning kindness, are chronicled in very plain words. ' Eodem anno, facta est concordia inter epi- scopum Dunelmensem Walterum et Johannem de Bailloil militem super pluribus controversiis inter ipsos motis. Similiter est pax reformata inter pri- orem de Thynemue et dictum Johannem. Ipse enim J[ohannes], supra quod deceret et animai suce expe- diret, avarus, rapax, et tenax, tam ecclesiam de Thynemue quam ecclesiam Dunelmensem diu ac multum injuste vexaverat et enormiter dampnifica- verat. Nee non et alias ecclesias ac viros ecclesias- Early History of Balliol College 41 ticos ac milites, causis excogitatis et inventis, sibi vicinos Iseserat fatigatos, juxta illud, " Omnisque superbus Impatiens consortis erit." Similiter autem et avarus, cui sua non sufficiunt, alienis inhiabit. Cognoscens autem dominus rex, quod idem Johannes multis denariis abundaret, quaestionem gravem contra ipsum, ut prsedictum est, [intendit] ; sperans pro pace redimenda thesauri sui cumulum mutilare.' ^ {Translation. In the same year, an agreement was come to by the Bishop of Durham and John de BalHol, Baron, on many points of difference which had arisen between them. Likewise peace was restored between the Prior of Tynemouth and the said John. For this John who, more than was becoming or safe for his soul, was covetous, rapa- cious, and grasping, had for a long time, unjustly and severely, molested both the Church of Tynemouth and the Church of Durham, and had done them in- calculable damage. Moreover, on pretexts devised and framed by himself, he had worried and harried other Churches, and Ecclesiastics, and Barons, of his neighbourhood, according to the saying, ' No proud man will ever brook a fellow.' In the same way a miser, who is not content with his own goods, will open his maw for other men's. Now ^ Matthew Paris, ed. Luard, vol. v. p. 528. 42 Early History of Balliol College the Lord King, knowing that this same John pos- sessed a large quantity of specie, started, as I said before, a serious matter of debate with him, in hopes that, in negotiating peace, he would be able to mutilate somewhat his treasured pile.] It was difficult to spoil Matthew Paris. Pages might be filled with accounts of the special favour shown to him by King Henry III. Once, at a solemn public feast, the King, recognizing Matthew Paris, sent for him, and made him ' sit on the middle step between the throne and the floor.' And, when visiting at St. Alban's, the King would * have him at his table and in his chamber.' ^ Yet the kingly favour, probably appreciated, did not hinder Matthew Paris from ' remonstrating boldly with the King,' perhaps on more occasions than one. Nor did it prevent his breaking into quiet laughter over his patron's weaknesses. 'O regem mirabilem,' he wrote, ' cui impensa officia quasi nebulae per- transeunt matutinales, offensae autem per tot tem- pora thesaurizantur ! ' - \Translatio7i. O wonderful King ! Services done him vanish from his mind like a morning mist, while slights are treasured up so many years.] And history has other tales to tell us sometimes ^ Matthew Paris, ed. Madden. Preface. - Ibid. ed. Luard, vol. v. p. 569. Early History of Balliol College 43 about Oxford, besides the often-repeated story of work, and industry, and success. About the first notice we find of a Scotch Scholar at Oxford is, * The K. at the request of Ralf arch- deacon of Chester, the Chancellor of Oxford, and others, masters of the University, commands the Sheriff of Oxford to deliver up to them Alan of York, August' of Devon, Nigel the Scot, and two other clerks, who were found with bows and arrows in the K.'s forest of Shotover, and for that offence seized and detained in the K.'s prison at Oxford.' ^ And among the Clerks, who were accused of joining in the riot against the Pope's Legate, at the Abbey of Oseney, in 1238, we find several Scotsmen, ' John Curry, Roger the Scotsman, Peter the Scots- man ; and Reginald of Cuningham is freed by showing an alibi ; while Engelram de Balliol and others are mainperned by Henry de Balliol.' " There must have been ' sets ' in Oxford, even in those days. The conflicts between the Northerners and Southerners were only signs of national antago- nism ; an antagonism, which, in spite of University authority, would insist on breaking out occasionally. In the history of our Oxford City, there is one May Day so blackened by outrage and murder, that all the sweet thorn-blossom of centuries has ' Close Roll, 15 Hen. III. m. 9. '^ Calendar of Scotch Documents. Preface. 44 Early History of Balliol College not bleached its memory yet. On May i, 1248, Gilbert of Dunfermline, a Scotch Student, of some position in his northern home, was passing near Carfax, in the afternoon, when a number of Towns- men suddenly attacked him; and, as he fled in haste down the High Street, they pursued him, throwing stones at him, and pelting him with offal from the butchers' stalls. He managed to get to All Saints' Church, and there, staggering to the door for shelter, he fell down, overcome by the blows of his pursuers ; and some days afterwards, he died from the effects of the ill-treatment he had received. And, doubtless, there were many incidents of the same kind that passed unrecorded. Indeed, it may have been a thought to improve the social standing of the Scotch Clerks, as well as to facilitate their chances of coming to the University, that prompted the good Bishop of Durham to make John de Balliol give, as part of his penance, a ' sum of fixed maintenance ' to Scholars studying at Oxford. John de Balliol, in fulfilling the injunction, was sure to think about the poor Scotch boys, who had to come so far to seek their education. Perhaps in his heart there lurked some sympathy for the trespassers in Shotover forest ; and the reckless youths, who were mixed up in the fray at Oseney, when the cook was shot. If poor Scholars were to be maintained at Oxford, might not an ' House' be established ? And might Early History of Balliol College 45 not some from his ' ain countree ' find home, and lectures, and a scholarly position, within its walls ? John de Balliol himself had sporting proclivities, which were more easily passed over than were the misdeeds of the unimportant Students. From the Close Rolls, Henry III. we learn that 'The King lately gave Johnde Balliol three bucks in Shirewood forest, which he says he has not got ; and he took by chance (a casu) a stag, a hind, and a buck therein without the King's leave. The King pardons said offence.' But more serious sins had come to light, two years before, and the Church had not dealt quite so leniently with her ' truant son.' In the year 1260, ' Dominus Walterus de Chirk- ham, Dunelmensis episcopus, ex hac luce plenus dierum profectus est, vir mitis et mundus, corpore exiguus sed mente liberalissimus ac pius, qui non dilexit saltus lustrari sed psalmos. Tantse autem erat in exercendo officium auctoritatis ut potentissi- mis honori esset et timori, ac rebelles ecclesiae rigide refraenaret. Contigit enim baronem suae dioecesis, totius Angliee nominatissimum, cervicisse contra honestatem sui gradus, et ecclesiae reverentiam aliud perperam commisisse. Accepta vero temeritatis illius audacia, pius pastor admonet de emenda ; verum quoniam superbia citius eligit confundi quam corrigi, addit ille temeritati contemptum. Sed 46 Early History of Balliol College episcopus, erectis animis, ita sagaciter fugitivum filium reduxit ad sinum, ut solemniter ad ostium Dunelmensis ecclesise, inspectante omni populo, de manu antistitis vapularetur, ac summam certae sus- tentationis scholaribus Oxonise studentibus assignaret perpetuo continuandam.' ' {Translation. The Lord Walter de Chirkham, Bishop of Durham, departed this Hfe full of days, a gentle and pure man, in person little, but in mind very large and devout, who loved to traverse, not the woods, but the psalms. He was of such autho- rity in the exercise of his office that he was honoured and feared by the mightiest, and sternly checked those that rebelled against the Church. Now it happened that a Baron of his diocese, the most famous in the whole of England, had gotten himself drunk with beer, quite contrary to the fair esteem beseeming his rank, and had done other evil dis- respectful to the Church. When he heard of the audacity of that effrontery the good shepherd admonished him that he should make amends ; but inasmuch as pride chooses rather to be confounded than to be corrected, he added scorn to effrontery. But the Bishop, strengthening his heart, so shrewdly brought back his truant son to his bosom, that with much ceremony at the entrance of Durham Cathedral, before the eyes of all the people, he suffered scourg- ' Chronicon de Lanercost ed. Stevenson, p. 69. Early History of Balliol College 47 ing at the hands of the Bishop, and assigned a sum of fixed maintenance to be continued for ever to Scholars studying at Oxford.] This was the penance of John de Balliol, and was the origin of Balliol College. In the nine remaining years of his life, Balliol seems to have fulfilled his obligation of ' maintaining Scholars ' at Oxford ; for we find the King (June 22, 1 266) commanding ' his Mayor and bailiffs of Oxford from the farm of their Town at next Michaelmas, to pay to John de Balliol ^20, that the King has granted him in loan for the use of the Scholars whom he maintains in said Town.' ^ Henry III. had received, in his time, money that was no * loan ' from John de Balliol's coffers ; and now the King might graciously lend him ^20 for the support of his Scholars. As far as we can ascertain, an House was estab- lished, known as the ' House of Balliol,' where poor Scholars were received ; and a sum of eight pence a week was allowed to each of them, towards the expenses of a common table. But the House appears to have had no rules for self-government, and it was not in Balliol's lifetime definitely en- dowed. John de Balliol died in 1269, at Barnard Castle, and Dervorguilla continued the maintenance of the Oxford Scholars, until she was able to give a ' Calendar of Scotch Documents. 48 Early History of Balliol College more distinct character to the ' House of Balliol,' by endowing the Community which bore her husband's name, with permanent buildings, and substantial funds. And then she gave to the Scholars those beautiful Statutes, which, in their wisdom, charity, and simplicity, and in the evidence of tender care for all her poorer Scholars, must ever be prized as the best and richest of her gifts, who was ' mulier magna opibus et prsediis tam in Anglia quam in Scotia ; sed multo major ingenuitate cordis.' Dervorguilla, the eldest of the three daughters of Alan, Prince of Galloway, was born in 12 13. From her father she may have inherited some of her gifts for administration, and the management of her large properties. Alan of Galloway was Prince of a lawless and reckless people, who needed the hard hand of a stern and warlike master to keep them in control. One notice of the almost savage race is interesting, for its own sake, and because of its allusion to John de Balliol. A.D. M.cc. XXXII. ' Tunc temporis Alanus dominus Galwydise moritur, circa purificationem beatse Virginis ; cujus aspera gens ad mala prompta, post obitum domini non per duos annos manus a malo continentes, et a subjectione regis Scottorum recedere volentes, filium ipsius Alani illegitimum, Thomam nomine, filias abhorrendo, sibi dominum et quasi regem constituerunt. Adjuncto quoque sibi Early History of Balliol College 49 quodam faclneroso/ Gilleroth, et fines suos egressi, terras regis, baronum et milltum, circumjacentes ferro flammaque depopulati sunt. Igitur rex, coa- dunato exercitu, ipsos bello aggressus est, et inter- fecta infinita multitudine miserorum, ac capto duce sceleris, terram fillabus Alani, justis heredibus, paci- ficam reddidit et quietam. Postea domino Johanne de Bailliol seniorem sororem illarum ducente, Der- forgoyl nomine, traditus est insimul dictus spurius Thomas ejus custodian, qui usque ad decrepitam setatem inclusus erat in interiori parte Castri Ber- nardi.' ^ [Translation. At that time, towards the Puri- fication of the Blessed Virgin, Alan, Lord of Gal loway, died. His savage clan, always ready for mischief, could not withhold their hands from evil as much as two years after the death of their Chief. Wishing to shake off their subjection to the King of the Scots, and scorning girls, they made to them- selves Lord and almost King, the illegitimate son of Alan, Thomas by name. They also leagued with a certain scoundrel called Gilleroth, and, sallying from their boundaries, laid waste with fire and sword the surrounding country belonging to the King, and his Barons, and Knights. The King, therefore, mustered an army, and attacked them. He made an infinite slaughter of the caitiffs, and took the chief of the * Sic. '^ Chronicon de Lanercost, ed. Stevenson, p. 42. E 50 Early History of Balliol College conspiracy prisoner. Then he restored the land in peace and quiet to the daughters of Alan, the lawful heirs. Later, Lord John de Balliol married Dervor- guilla, the eldest of these sisters, and the aforesaid misbegotten Thomas was handed over to his ward, and was confined up to an extreme old age, in the donjon of Castle Barnard.] Dervorguilla may have inherited some character- istics from her father ; but, at least, all her thought- fulness, her tender devotion, and her steadfastness of love and purpose, were more probably the rich heritage of one, who could, on her mother's side, claim descent from St. Margaret of Scotland, and her son, David. After her mother's death, Dervor- guilla was brought up by her grandfather, David, Earl of Huntingdon (grandson of David, King of Scotland), at Fotheringay. In 1233, she married John de Balliol. A very simple, and apparently quite accurate, account of the Balliol family is given in the Notes to Wyntouiis Chronicle, edited by David Laing. ' It is most probable that the family of Bailleul, or Balliol, came to England with the Conqueror from Normandy, where some of the name still remain. Guy de Baillol, who possessed lands in Northumber- land and Durham in the time of William II., is believed to be the first of the name upon record. [Dugd. Mon., vol. i. p. 388 ; Blotinls Tenures, v. Early History of Balliol College 5 1 Biwell.) Bernard, apparently son of Guy, was one of the English barons who defeated King David I, at the battle of the Standard, and distinguished himself in the skirmish wherein King William was made prisoner. His sons were Engelram and Eustace, of whom the former appears by Dugdale to have had no issue ; but according to Crawfurd (Officers of State, pp. 253, 260) he was the first of the Balliols in Scotland, being Lord of Reidcastle by marrying the heiress of Walter de Berkley, by whom he was father of Henry Chamberlane of Scotland, and great-grandfather of King John. According to Dugdale, Eustace was father of Hugh, whose son fohn married Dervorgil, the daughter of Alan Lord of Galloway by Margaret eldest daughter of David Earl of Huntington, whereby he got vast estates in many parts of England, and in Scotland first a third, and on the death of her sister, a half of Galloway, with an eventual title to the crown for his posterity. Children of this marriage were Hugh, Alan, Alexander, who all died without issue, John who became King, and apparently Marjory, married to John Cumin, Lord of Badanach. The sons of King John by Isabel, daughter of John de Warren, Earl of Surrey, were Edward, who for some time acted as King of Scotland, and Henry, who both dying without issue, there remained no male heir of the chief family of the Balliols.' 52 Early History of Balliol College We do not hear much about Dervorguilla's married life ; but Wyntoun, in his delightful Cronykil, tells us of her piety ; and one chapter is entirely about, ' How Dervorgill that Lady Spendyt hyr Tresoure dewotly.' The first two lines explain, ' Now to rehers it is tny will Sum wertws dedis off Derworgill.' And the chapter ends with an account of some of her generous foundations. ' Scho fowndyt in to Gallway Off Cystews ordyre ane Abbay ; Dulce-Cor scho gert thaim all, That is Swet-Hart, that Abbay call : And now the men off Gallway Callys that sted the New Abbay. Howssys off Freris scho fwndyt tway : Wygtowne, and Dunde [war] thai. In ekyng als off Goddis sertvyce Scho fowndyt in Glasgw twa chapellanyis. And in the Unyversyte Off Oxynfurde scho gert be A Collage fowndyt. This lady Dyd all thir dedis devotly. A bettyr lady than scho wes nane In all the yle off Mare Bretane. Scho wes rycht plesand off bewte, Here wes gret taknys off bownte.' And, indeed, the Balliol College Statutes bear testimony to her doing 'all thir dedis devotly.' In them, she specially provides that her Scholars shall be present at Divine Office on Sundays and Early History of Balliol College 53 Festivals ; that there shall be Masses said for her husband's soul ; that the richer Scholars shall live so temperately, that the poor shall not be hurt by heavy expenses ; that the food left at table shall be given to some poor Scholar ; and she begs her Scholars to keep faithfully, and never part with, the Portitorium,^ which she gave them, for the good of her husband's soul. Dervorguilla must have lived an active life, in a troublous time. From the Scotch Records, we glean many interesting facts about her, which all tend to prove her application to business, and her ready attention to the management of her property ; while her liberal endowments, all wisely planned for the good of Church and Nation, are the many monuments of her large-minded charity. We must not here attempt to enumerate her good works. We must not stop to speak about the Wigton Friary, built for the Dominicans ; nor the House of the Grey Friars, at Dumfries ; nor, though it tempts us much, must we linger to look at the ruins of Dulce-Cor, the Abbey built by ' It would seem that this was a Monstrance, or Ciborium ; a sacred Vessel for the Altar, in which the Consecrated Host was reserved, or carried. Du Cange gives, Portitorium, or Portatorium, as Lectica, that in which anything is carried. Antony k Wood says, it was a ' corporeis case, wherein the Body of Christ, or the host, is kept.' Henry Savage describes it, as ' a Corpore's Case (such as Will: Wright the Master gave in the Raign of Phil: and Mary. See the Register) wherein the Priest carryed the Host.' 54 Early History of Balliol College Dervorguilla to the ' Greater Glory of God, and Saint Marie,' and in memory of the husband she loved so well. We must pass at once to the work she did for us in Oxford ; a work undertaken in loving fulfilment of her husband's last desires. Early History of Balliol College 55 CHAPTER IV. 1282 is the date of the foundation of Balliol College ; that is, the date when the ' House of Balliol ' was permanently endowed, and received its Statutes for self-government. The first tenement rented for the College was the house in Horsemonger Street, which John de Balliol's Scholars had for several years occupied ; and which was, later on, called Old Balliol Hall. It was also known as Sparrow Hall ; and, afterwards, as Hamond's Lodgings. In 1379, this Old Balliol Hall, sometimes called Sparrow Hall, was leased by the University to the Master of Balliol, and the following description of its situation is gathered from the wording of that lease. ' Old Balliol Hall, with its Garden and Appur- tenances, was scituate between a Tenement of Saint Frideswids on the West part, and a certain Garden of the Master and Scholars on the East, and extended itself from the Kings-street, or Kings Highway of Candych on the South, to the Garden of the said Tyrwhit Master of the House on the North. The 56 Early History of Balliol College area whereof (Garden and all I suppose to be meant) was 96 Foot in length from North to South, and 47 Foot in breadth at the South end, and 41 at the other. The name of Sparrow-Hall, which the University calls it by, might be given it before our Founder first took it of them, or else since, by some under-Tenant of that name, who used it for a place of entertainment for Students, the Colledge having no longer use for it in that kinde.' ^ Another account of Old Balliol Hall tells us, that ' It stood next, on the West side, to Balliol Coll: and on the East side of the said Lodging, near it, was another named Mary's or Mary- Hall, mentioned in a certain Charter in the Year 1266, whereby the Prior and Canon of St. Frid. did grant to J. de Eu their whole Right and Claim of 6s. per Ann. which they were wont to receive from the Hands of the said John, for a Messuage, with its Appurtenances, called Marye-Hall, situated between the Lands of Philip de Ewe on the East, and Jeffry de Sawcer on the West, called by some therefore Sawcer Hall, in Horsemonger-Street in Magdalen Parish, It appears to have had its Situation near or on the Scite where the Forefront of that College now stands. Near it St. Margarets Hall was standing within the limits of Balliol' 2 ' On or near the Scite where the Forefront of that ' Balliofergus, p. 7. ^ City of Ox/ora, Peshall, p. 239. Early History of Balliol College 57 College now stands ' is rather a vague description of the situation of a small house, which stood on some portion of the ground now occupied by the long line of buildings, which reach from Fisher Buildings at the west end of Broad Street, to where the College joins the Trinity front quadrangle. But another history comes to our aid, which states, that ' The Scholars of this Society first inhabited Old Baliol Hall, on the Area whereof was lately built a Dwelling House call'd Hammond' s-lnn ; after that Devoj'gilla (as aforesaid) had them translated to St. Mary Hall, then situated near the South-west Corner of the pre- sent Quadrangle ; to which, by a Purchase of three Acres of Ground she added a Hall, Kitchin, and other out-Buildings, with pleasant Walks and Groves. Soon after the Fellows of Baliol purchasing several Parcels of Ground (two of which lay in H or semanger street , and a third between Baliol Land on the West, and Land belonging to Slatter of Ensham on the East :) John, Son and Heir of Walter de Eettep lace, conYQy&d both these Spots of Ground to Tko. de Hevorth, and Tho. de Pontefract, Fellows of this College, who soon after gave the same to the Society.' ^ So we find the Scholars living first in Old Balliol Hall, and afterwards in an house a little eastward of it, called Mary Hall, which was ' then situated near the south-west corner of the present quadrangle.' ' Ayliffe, v. 1. p. 269. 58 Early History of Balliol College Dervorguilla purchased this Mary Hall in 1284, and also three plots of land adjoining it ; and there were built the hall, kitchen, and other buildings ; and there she had made the ' pleasant walks and groves.' St. Margaret's Hall was ' a certain messuage called " Seinte Margrete halle " in the suburb of Oxford, in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen, between the tenement called " Baylolhalle the New," on the one side, and the tenement called "Old Baylolhalle" on the other.' ^ The College still preserves several deeds relating to St. Margaret's Hall. One is ' a parchment deed, in Latin, being a grant by William Cnaresburg and Agnes, his wife, to William Kyrnesale, John de Notyngham, John de Suttone, and Johnde Craunce- wyk, Clerks, of a messuage situate between the tenement of the University of Oxford, " which is called Old Balliolshalle," on the west side, and the tenement of the Master and Scholars of the Hall of Balliol, " which is called New Balliolshalle," on the east side. " Given in the suburb and hundred afore- said, on the 20th day of May, in the i ith year of the reign of King Edward the Third." The two seals are in fair condition.' - And there is a ' Record of a fine levied thereon between the above parties, (tr.) " In the Hustings of Oxford, on Monday before the Feast of the ' Hist. MSS. Com.., Fourtli Report, p. 447. - Ibid. Early History of Balliol College 59 Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary," in the 1 2th year of the reign of King Edward the Third, ** before Henry de Stodelegh the Mayor, Richard de Selewode and John Peggy, then Bailiffs, William de Burcestre, Richard Gary, Andrew de Normenhale, and Stephen de Adynton, then Aldermen ; " as to a messuage called " La Margerethalle," situate between the tenement called " La Niwebaillolhalle," on the one side, and " La Oldebaillolhalle " on the other.' ^ St. Margaret's Hall, therefore, evidently occupied the space between the house, known sometime as Sparrow Hall, sometime as Hammond's Lodgings, which John de Balliol's Scholars first inhabited, and was consequently called Old Balliol Hall ; and the house known as Mary Hall, which was situated in the south-west corner of the present quadrangle, where Dervorguilla established them in 1284. That is, St. Margaret's Hall stood where the east part of the Master's house now stands. Together with the documents which relate to St. Margaret's Hall, is a writing on paper, in a hand of the seventeenth cen- tury, which states that the Hall was * the 7 tenement from the south east end of the College.' But it was before the Scholars were moved to Mary Hall, and before the hall, kitchen, and other buildings were erected for them, that Dervorguilla gave them Statutes, and formed them into a distinct ' Hist. MSS. Com., Fourth Report, p. 447. 6o Early History of Balliol College Society. The poor youths, who were glad to accept what in those days was a Hberal support the eight pence a week ; and to be lodged in Balliol Hall, and known as John de Balliol's Scholars, were living in an hired house when Dervorguilla gave them their first Statutes. The house, which appears to have been a tenement of some importance, must have been of sufficient size to lodge many Scholars ; and it must have given rooms large enough to serve for hall, and lecture room. This Old Balliol Hall was, as late as 1379, again hired for the Scholars, when their num- bers increased, and New Balliol Hall was found to be not large enough to take them all in. Therefore, nearly one hundred years afterwards, the College rented from the University the old original building in which John de Balliol's Scholars had first lived together, and where they received their first rules for self-government. Chief among the many valuable and interesting documents kept in the College Archives, are the original Statutes, written in Latin, which have been very carefully preserved. They are on one sheet of parchment, very clearly written. The large seal, which is nearly quite perfect, is in red wax, vesica- shaped. The impression on it is distinct. The figure, stately and striking, is supposed to represent Dervorguilla. She has on a plain robe, and a veil across her forehead. In her right hand she holds an Early History of Balliol College 6 1 escutcheon, with an orle upon it, as being Lady of Balliol ; and in her left hand is the Lion of Galloway. The face is clearly cut ; and, despite the diminutive size, there are traces of fine features, and a certain dignity of expression. The inscription round the seal is ' S. Dervorgille de Balliol filie Alani de Galewad'.' On the reverse of the seal are the arms of Balliol and Galloway impaled, with the inscription, * S. Dervorgille de Galewad'. Domine de Balliolo.' The exact words of Dervorguilla's Statutes are, * Deruorgulla de Galwedia dna de Balliolo r dilcis in xpo Fri J Hugoni de Hertilpott \ Magrio Willo de Menyl Sim in dno sepirnam . Vtilitati filiorf \ scolariii nr. orf Oxonie Qmoranciii / aff ctu mat no puidere cupietes oriiia inf 3 ius annotata volum^ mandam^ \ pcipim^ ab eis inviolabilit obsuari . Ad honored g' dni nri Ihu xpi t glose mat's sue Marie n^'no \ scorf oim . In p'mis volum^ "I ordinam^ / q scolares nr. i oiiis \ sigli teneanf dieb} dnicis \ festis p'ncipaliorib} diuino intee officio n'^no \ sermoib} seu pdicacoib} in eisde festis "I dieb} / n' Qtigat aliq ex eis impediri ppr vrgete nccitate vt euidete vtilitate cetis v dieb} dilignr scolas excceat \ studio intedant scdm statuta vniii- sitatis Oxonie \ scdm for^m inf _ ius annotatam . Ordinam^ \ q scolares nr. i teneanf nr, is pcuratorib} obedire in oiiiib} r^ q ex nr a ordinacoe Qcessione 9missione ad eorf regini ^ vtilitate ptinie nosciTitur . 62 Early History of Balliol College Ite volum^ q. scolares nrii ex semetipis eligant vnu? p'ncipalem cui cet i oms humilit obediant in hiis que officiu p'ncipalis Qtigut scdm statuta \ Qsuetudines int ipos vsitatas T; appbatas . Predcs aute p'ncipat P^Q:* legitiej fait elect^ / nnis proc'atorib} p^sete . n" a'd de suo offico excceat / aiiq^ ab eis autoritate nna in pfato offico fuit institut^ . Cetti statuim^ q scolares nni pc'ent tres missas celebrari singtis annis sollepnit / p aia dilecti mariti nn i dfii . J . de Batt . It p aiab} pdecessorf nn orf omnii/q^ fideliu defTictorf . n'^no \ p nna salute \ Tcolijitate ita q p'ma missa celebret"^ in p'ma epdomada aduetus diii t sccta in epdomada septuagJ . 1 tcia :' in p'ma epdomada post octauas pasche :' \ fiant pdce misse de sco spu vel de beata vgiej . vel p defuctis scdiii dispom pcuratorf . singtis 'lb dieb} tarn in p'^ndio ^ in cena dicat bBdiccom afiq'' Qmedat 1: post ref'com grias agat . \ orct spalit p aia dilcti mariti nrji sr ius noTati . \ p animab} (5Tm pdecessorf nrjorf n'^no \ liberorf de- fi^ctorf. p Tcoluitate 1: nna T: liberorf cetorfq, amic- orf nr,orf viuorf . n'^H T: p nrjis ^curatorib3 scdm antiq't^ vsitatam . Et vt melius puideaf sustetacoi paupu ad quorf vtilitate* intedim^ laborare:' volum^ q dicores in societate scolariu nriorC ita tepate studeant viu . ut paupiores nllo modo g'^uc't' ppt expesas oiiosas . Et si Qtigat totam Qmilitate scolariu nrjorf in expesis 9ib3 aliq" septimana excedere porcom a nob eis Ipesam: volum^ \ p^cipim^ dist'cte Early History of Balliol College 63 q ad solucom illarf expesarf excedeciu nichil oino recipiaf vlt* vnu denariu T vna septimana ab eis q' scdm disccom \ arbit'u pcuratorf nnorf indicat' impotejtes vel insufficie?tes ad totale illarf expesarf solucom facieidam . si eq^t porco deberet ab oniib} sociis exhiberi . p-dca tn nolum^ ad magna vacacom 4 durat a t^nslacoe bi Thome martiris vsq^ ad festii beati luce . n*^ 1: ad septimanas illas in q'b} occurrGt festa Natiuitatis dfiice . c'ciicisionis . ephphanie . pasche . T: petecostes . n*" in aliis casib} in q'b} pcuratores nni indicauTt illd omitteJd . Volum^ \ |3c''atores nnos dilignte habere examinacom srJ pfata scolariu nriorf ipotecia . \ q scolares ipi ad pcuratores nrjos accedant cu oilii Qfidejcia p eorf necessitate intimanda . Et si Qtigat aliqm vel aliquos de scolarib} nriis cot^ ordina(5om istam murm''are . ail occasione istius ordinacois paupiores vbo vel signo aliq puocare i volum^ q scolares nrJ i teneant"^ sb iuraiiito nob pstito noia talit murm''anciii au puocanciil nrJ is pc'^atorib} reuelare . q' q'de pcuratores hita sr. hoc sufficiei ti pbacoel : autoritate pseciu sn spe redeudi ipm vel ipos eiciant indilate . Statuim^ \ q scolares nrli comunit loqV latinu \ q' passim Qtrafecit a p'ncipali corripiat' . \ se bis vel ter correptus se no efndaiiit a comunione frise sepetur p se comedes 1 vltTo oiriium suiat' . Et si incorrigibit manserit p epdomadam :" a pcuratorib} nr]is eiciat' . Volum-' \ q q'^libet altera epdomada int scolares 64 Early History of Balliol College nnos in eorf domo dispute"" vnu sophisma T: de- tminer T: \\ fiat c'cularit . ita u sophiste opponant T: rfideant \ q' in scot detianit:^ detminet . Si v aliq's sophista ita puectus fuit q. mito possit in breui in scolis derminare :' tiic ei dicaf a p'ncipali q p'us detiet domi inr socios suos . In fine \ cui^lib} disputacois |?figat p'ncipat die' disputacois seqtis . "t disputacom regat \ garrulos cohibeat \ assignet sophisma pxi disputanct . opponeite . respodete \ detiatore? . vt s' melius valeant puidere . Consimili modo fiat q^'lib} alta epdomada de questione . Pre- cipim^ \ scolarib} njHs f'mit iniilgetes ut portitoriu qit eis p aM ditcti mariti nr i cocessim^ dilignf custodiant . n" aliquo modo pmittant illd inpignorari . vel quocuq, titulo alienari . Heant \ scola res nni vnu paupe scolare p pcuratores nnos assignatu . cui singtis dieb} reliq'as iiise sue teneanf erogare . n' pcuratores nr i illrt detuint omitted . Vt aute? omia \ singta p*(Tcta a nr is scolarib} tepe pcuratorC quorf cuq^ inviolabiliV obserueif '! p\ens sc'ptu sigilli nrji muniuiie roborauimus . Dat apd Botel in octauis assnpcois gtose virgTs Marie . anno gr e . M . cc . octogesimo scdo.' [Translation. Dervorguilla of Galloway, Lady of Balliol, to her beloved in Christ, Brother Hugh de Hertipoll, and Master William de Menyl, ever- lasting Salvation in the Lord. Desiring, with a mother's affection, to provide for the well-being of our sons and Scholars dwelling in Oxford, we will, Early History of Balliol College 65 ordain, and prescribe, that they do keep inviolate all that we hereinafter make known. Therefore, to the Honour of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and of His Glorious Mother, Mary, and of all the Saints. Firstly, we will and ordain that our Scholars, each and all, be bound on Sundays and the chief Feast Days to be present at Divine Office, and likewise at the sermons, or discourses, held on those days and Feasts, unless it chance that any one of them be hindered, by reason of some urgent necessity, or matter of evident utility ; but that on other days they do diligently attend the Schools, and give heed to their studies, according to the Statutes of the University of Oxford, and according to the manner hereinafter made known. Also we ordain that our Scholars be bound to obey our Procurators, in all matters that, according to our ordinance, grant, and commission, are known to concern their order and well-being. Also we desire that our Scholars do choose, from among themselves, a Principal, whom all the rest shall humbly obey in those matters which concern the office of Principal, according to the Statutes and customs used and approved among them. And the aforesaid Principal, when he shall have been lawfully chosen, shall be presented to our Procurators, and shall in no way exercise his office until he shall have been invested with the aforesaid office by them, and by our authority. Also we decree that our Scholars F 66 Early History of Balliol College have three Masses celebrated solemnly every year, for the soul of our beloved husband, Sir John de Balliol, and for the souls of our predecessors, and for all the faithful departed. And likewise for our salvation, here and hereafter. And, of these, the first Mass shall be celebrated in the first week of the Advent of our Lord, and the second in the week of Septuagesima, and the third in the first week after the octave of Easter ; and the aforesaid Masses shall be of the Holy Ghost, or of the Blessed Virgin, or for the faithful departed, according as the Pro- curators shall appoint. And on every day, both at breakfast, and at supper, they shall say the bene- diction before they eat, and after the meal they shall give thanks. And they shall pray in particular for the soul of our beloved husband aforesaid, and for the souls of all our predecessors, and likewise for the gouls of our children that are dead ; and for our security, and the security of our children, and all our friends that are yet alive ; and also for our Procurators, according to ancient usage. And that better provision be made for the sustenance of the poor, for whose advantage it is our intent to labour, we desire that the richer members, in the Society of our Scholars, be zealous so temperately to live, that the poorer be in no way oppressed by the burden of expense. And if it chance that the whole Community of our Scholars in any week exceed, in their com- mon expenses, the sum granted to them by us, we Early History of Balliol College 67 desire and prescribe strictly that, for the payment of expenses thus in excess, not more than one penny be received in any week from those who, according to the discretion and judgment of our Procurators, shall be deemed to have no means, or means not sufficient, for the payment in full of such expenses, if an equal portion were exacted from each member. Yet we do not desire that the aforesaid be extended to the Long Vacation, which lasts from the Trans- lation of Blessed Thomas, the Martyr, till the Feast of Saint Luke ; nor to those weeks in which occur the Feast of the Nativity or Circumcision of our Lord, or of the Epiphany, or of Easter, or of Pentecost ; nor in other cases in which it shall seem good to our Pro- curators to omit the enforcement of this rule. Also we desire that our Procurators make diligent exam- ination concerning the above-mentioned matters. And the Scholars themselves shall go to our Procu- rators, with all confidence, to inform them of their necessity. And if it chance that any one, or more, of our Scholars murmur against this ordinance ; or, on the occasion of this ordinance being enforced, provoke the poorer Scholars, by word or sign ; we desire that our Scholars be bound, under oath sworn to us, to reveal to the Procurators the names of those that are guilty of such murmuring, or provocation. And the Procurators, if they have sufficient proof of the matter, shall, by the authority of these presents, F 2 68 Early History of Balliol College immediately expel such person or persons without hope of return. We also do appoint that our Scholars shall in common speak Latin, and he who shall chance to have acted in contravention hereof, shall be reproved by the Principal. And if, when reproved twice or thrice, he shall not amend himself, he shall be put away from their company at table, and eat alone, and shall be served last of all. And if he shall remain incorrigible throughout a week, he shall be expelled by our Procurators. We desire also that in every other week one Sophism shall be discussed and determined among our Scholars, in their House, and this shall be done in turn, in such manner that the Sophists shall introduce and reply, and they shall determine who shall have determined in the Schools. But if any Sophist shall have made such progress that he shall shortly have the right to determine in the Schools, then the Principal shall bid him first determine at home among his fellows. And at the end of each Disputation, the Principal shall post up the day of the next Disputation ; and he shall order the Disputation, and restrain them that speak overmuch, and appoint the Sophism to be next discussed, and them that shall introduce, reply, and determine, in order that they may be the better able to make provision. In like manner shall they discuss a question every other week. Also we or- dain, and strictly enjoin upon our Scholars, that the Early History of Balliol College 69 Portitorlum, which, for the soul of our beloved husband, we have granted to our Scholars, they do diligently keep, nor permit it in any wise to be pledged, or by any means alienated. Also our Scholars shall keep one poor Scholar, appointed by our Procurators, for whom they shall be bound every day to save the remnants of their table, unless our Procurators shall decree that this be omitted. And that the above ordinances, each and all, be kept in- violate by our Scholars, obeying the Procurators, whosoever they shall at any time be, we have con- firmed this writing with the corroboration of our seal. Given at Botel, in the octave of the Assump- tion of the Glorious Virgin Mary, in the year of Grace one thousand two hundred and eighty two.] There is also, on a small piece of parchment, a letter from 'Dervorguillade Galwith, Lady of Balliol,' to Brother Richard de Slikeburne. It has been photographed for the Scottish National Collection of Manuscripts. Brother Richard was a Friar Minor, a Priest, and probably one of those who made the House of the Grey Friars at Oxford so celebrated. There are two traditions about his connection with the College. One, that he was Dervorguilla's Confessor, and that he used his opportunities of giving advice, to urge her to found the College in memory of her hus- band. The other, that Dervorguilla, wishing to follow out her husband's desires, purchased the tenements in 70 Early History of Balliol College Horsemonger Street, and gave them to the Scholars she had helped to support at Oxford. Then, having endowed the College, she sought counsel and ad- vice from Brother Richard de Slikeburne about the organization, and the perpetuation of it. Mr. Maxwell Lyte, speaking of the Students who had been maintained at Oxford by the alms of Sir John de Balliol, says, ' It appears that for some time after his death they received their allowances regularly from his widow, Dervorguilla ; but there is no proof of their existence as a distinct community earlier than the year 1282, when a formal ordinance was issued for their government. In this, Dervor- guilla committed the supreme authority to her two proctors, or agents, Friar Hugh de Hertilpol and Master William de Menyl, who, though members of the University, did not live in the house with the Scholars. The ordinance does not explain how future proctors were to be appointed after the death of the foundress, and it is only by examining a very imperfect list of these officers, who were also described as " Rectors," or " Extraneous Masters," that we are led to believe that one of them was to be chosen from among the Franciscan friars, and the other from among the secular Masters of Arts. Such a belief, however, receives considerable support from an ancient tradition, which points to Friar Richard de Slikebury as the confessor of Dervorguilla, and Early History of Balliol College 7 1 the person who persuaded her to carry out the wishes of Sir John de Balliol with regard to the Scholars at Oxford.' ^ Friar Richard de Slikeburne may have been Dervorguilla's Confessor ; but the tenor of her letter to him would rather prove that the College was founded before she went to him for advice about the government of it. The great esteem in which the Friars Minor were then held, and their celebrity for learning, and for the strictness of their lives, made it natural that Dervorguilla should turn to one of their Order, probably a man well known in the University, to aid her in her work. Dervorguilla's letter is one of the most valued of the documents in the College Archives ; and it is here given exactly as it is written. ' VenJande Religiois viro ac patri suo In xpo kiiio Fratri . R . de Slikeburn de Ordine FriTi Mino^ D. de Galwith Dna de Balliolo Salm & Deuocois augiiitil in S^ Sco . Qiii elemosinam paupvi Scolariu Dom^ nre de Ballo Oxon studenciu p deuoconem bone memorie Dili Johis de Ballo quondam sponsi nri dudil inchoata ac p nos post ei^ decessum acten^ continuatam ad diuine Laudis honorem & toci^ EcclTe militantis utilitate n modica testat'" pfice viro^ illust'um asserto fidedigna / Hinc est qct ad tanto^ tam religioso^ q^m seculariii instantiam 01 fauore dignissimam / elemosine pdce ppetuaconem Spti Sco ' Hist. Univ. Oxford^ Maxwell Lyte, p. 85. 72 Early History of Balliol College sugg ente affectare qmplTmu excltam'' / Quappr de vrS. discrecone deuoconeqs plenam g entes fiduciam / a veniabili Patre Ministro vro ppetuaconis ei^dem execuconem voIj comitti pc'auim^ finali effectuj mancipand. vot) prece q possum^ attente supplicantes / q'"'tin^ assistente vob consolacone diuina dcam ppetuaconem satagatis adimplere put melius nouitis diuine cosonii volutati See Matris Ecclie utilltati & dcor^ Scolariu comoditati aptu & pficuu . Et nos q"ntu in not) est in omnib5 & p 6Ta ratii & gratii Kre pmittimus quicquid vos c'ca negocia Scolariii p)dc6r^ ordinar^ . face . mutar . seu pcurare decreuitis . et quociens attornatis indigem ad quasciaq^ saysinas capiendas seu donandas ad op^ Scolariii judcor^ . siue de domib} siue de tris siue de aliis quibuscuq^ eptis emendis lit comutandis . ipos ex niic ordinam^ facim & costituim^ nros attornatos & pcuratores / quos vos n6Te nro noiandos dux itis seu assignandos . Et oiiiia & singula p)dcaj vniusis See Matris Eeelie filiis tenore pseneii^i signifieam^ . In euiu^ rei testi- moniii has Iras nras patentes vob t^'nsmisim^ nro sigillo cbsignatas . Dat apit Fodringj In Oetauis Pascti . Anno Dm . M. CC" . Oetog? q=Vto." \Translatio7i. Dervorguilla de Galwitha, Lady of Balliol, to the Venerable Religious, and her most dear Father in Christ, Brother Riehard de Slike- burne, of the Order of Friars Minor, Health, and increase of devotion in the Holy Ghost. Early History of Balliol College "jt^ The credible assertion of illustrious men bears witness that the alms, which were given by the devotion of our late husband, John de Balliol, to the poor Scholars studying at Oxford, of our House of Balliol, and which we have continued to give from the time of his decease until now, are of no small utility to the Honour of God, and of the Church Militant. On this account we are greatly moved, at the instance of many men of great consideration, both Religious and secular, the Holy Ghost this inclining us, to continue to bestow the aforesaid alms. Wherefore, as we have entire confidence in your discretion and devotion, we have obtained of your Venerable Father Minister, that the bestowal of the same should be committed to your charge ; beg- ging you with all the earnestness we can, that with the help of Divine Consolation, you will fulfil this task as you shall best judge it to be according to the Divine Will, and apt and profitable for the utility of Holy Mother Church, and the advantage of the Scholars aforesaid. And we promise, as far as in us lies, to ratify and approve, in all and through all, whatever you shall decide to order, do, change, and provide, concerning the business of the said Scholars. And whenever we need attorneys to take or give seisin, whether of houses, lands, or whatsoever other things that are bought, or to be bought, or exchanged, in the business of the said Scholars, we from this 74 Early History of Balliol College time ordain, make, and appoint, as our attorneys and Procurators, those whom you, in our name, shall have chosen or assigned. And by the tenor of these presents, we signify all and each of these things afore- said, to all the children of Holy Mother Church. In witness of which we have sent you these our letters patent, sealed with our seal. Given at Fotheringay, on the octave-day of Easter, in the year of our Lord twelve hundred and eighty-four.] This letter of Dervorguilla's is written on a small piece of parchment ; the writing is irregular, and not good ; and the seal has been lost. In 1668 a 'Commentary' on the College was written by Henry Savage, who was then Master. This history, called Balliofergus, says, ' The Office of Procurators, [in whose hands had been the Government of the House from the very first Foundation till now] did not upon the choice of a Principal cease ; the said Principal and Scholars being strictly obleiged to obey them, as you may observe in the perusal of these Statutes of Dervor- gille, two years after the publication wherof, which was 1284, did she under her Seal, put a final esta- blishment to the House for perpetuity, by Letters full of Piety and Publick-spiritedness, directed to R. Sclikebu7y a Minorite : to whose discretion she thereby committed the choice of her Attornyes and Procurators to be made in her Name ; the Scholars, Early History of Balliol College 75 before this, having chosen Walter Fodringheye to be Principal according to the Statutes. Whereupon Dervorgille and the rest of the Executors oijohn de Balliol had made a Grant to the said Walter Fodringheye, Principal, and the Scholars, of all the Goods o{ John de Balliol for the perpetuation of the House. Ad perpetuationem domus de Balliol quani ille feliciter inchoavit & perpetuare decreverat, si mortis auctor & vite sibi concessisset suum adhnplere propositum, are the very words of the Grant, dated Anno 1282. Whereupon divers obligations were now Sealed to the said Walter Fodringheye and the Scholars, for the payment of moneyes due to John de Balliol: whereof one was from Walter Ballioc Rector of Wickford, for the payment of 59 pounds sterling 1282 : and another from Stephen de Fure Rector de Milford,^ for the payment of 44 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence, part of the 1 00 /^^^/^(^^ assigned to him hy John de BallioVs Executors of the debt of Alan Fit 2 Count [ex debit Alani Filii Comitis^ This Bond was dated in festo Sancte Margarete 1285.'^ This Grant was confirmed by Oliver, Bishop of Lincoln. The confirmation, written in Latin, is on a small piece of parchment, and only two fragments of what must have been a large seal are left. On one fragment of the dark green wax is a very ^ Mitford? ' Balliofergus, "p. 17. 76 Early History of Balliol College fine face, with a quite beautiful expression. The Bishop's vestment, just below the head, is still dis- tinct. The writing commences, ' The noble woman, and devout unto God, Der- vorguilla, of Gallewyth, Lady of Balliol, having newly ordained, to the honour and praise of the supreme and undivided Trinity, of the most glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of the only Son of God, of the Blessed Virgin and Martyr, Katherine, and of the whole Court of Heaven, and for the advantage of the whole Church militant, and the stablish- ment of the University of Oxford, for the soul of the noble man, of pious memory, John de Balliol, her late husband ... a certain place, with build- ings and all appurtenances, which she determined should be named ' the House of the Scholars of Balliol.' . . . Given at Lidington, on the Ides of June, in the year of our Lord 1284.' ^ There is a copy of this deed, in larger writing. The seal, in white wax, is even more fragmentary. The lower part of the vestment only can be distin- guished. There is another deed, written in Latin, which is well worth noticing. It was signed at Crealawe, in Northumberland, on Trinity Sunday, 1287. The five or six seals, which were originally attached to it have all been lost. It begins, ' Hist. MSS. Com. Fourth Report, p. 442. Early History of Balliol College 77 ' " To all the faithful in Christ, who the present letters shall see or hear, Hugh de Eure and Stephen, his brother, and other the executors of the testament of Sir John de Balliol, greeting in the Lord. Bearing in mind the pious affection, which our dearly beloved Lord, Sir John above-mentioned, had towards the Scholars of the House of Balliol, which at Oxford, by inspiration of the divine Spirit, he happily began, and had determined to make provision for the lasting maintenance thereof, if the Author of life and death had granted him to fulfil his purpose." In order to carry out his wishes, and those of " the Lady Dervorgulla de Galewitha," they give to the Scholars of the said House of Balliol all the debts which were due to the said Sir John de Balliol at the time of his death, and appoint Master Walter de Fodringeye, Prin- cipal of the said Scholars, or any other his successor, their attorney to gather in the same.' ^ In another deed. Brother Richard confirms this Grant ; but reserves therefrom ;^ioo which was due to the estate from Sir Robert FItz- Roger, as also the monies which were due from the Monks of Rievalle. Yet, in spite of this generosity to Sir Robert and the Monks, for which in all probability there was some good reason, Brother Richard seems to have been worthy of the confidence that Dervor- ' Hist. MSS. Com. Fourth Report, p. 442. 78 Early History of Balliol College guilla placed in him when she begged him to pro- mote the perpetuation of her House, as is proved by two deeds still preserved in the College Archives. ' A small parchment deed, in Latin, five of the seven seals originally appended to which, are left, and in fair condition. It states that, on Saturday after the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, at Wygeton, in the year 1285, in presence of L. Bishop of Whithern, and the Abbots of Dundreynan and of Tungeland, of Sir Dovenild [Donald] Fitz- Cane, Sir Martin Clerk, Thomas Maculaitch, Ronuauld, and others, it was agreed that Thomas Maculaitch should deliver 120 cows into the hand of Rouland Ascolock, according to the will of Sir Alan Fitz-Comte ; to be kept by him till the Feast of the Assumption then next ensuing, and then to be delivered in full payment of the sum of 100 pounds due to the executors of Sir John de Balliol, and demanded by Brother Richard de Slekeburne, on their behalf. This delivery to be in full satisfaction, if so deemed by John de Tesedale, and if not, then the complement, still "due, shall be added thereto. One of the seals, that of the Bishop, has on it a hand and a pastoral staff.' And ' A small parchment deed, in Latin, whereby Hughde Euer, Knight, acknowledges himself bound to Master Walter de Fodringey, Principal, and his Fellows, Scholars of the House called " De Balliolo," Early History of Balliol College 79 in Oxford, in a sum of 22 li. los. lod., part of 100 pounds, due to the executors of the testament of John de Balliol by Sir Alan Fitz-Comte, and assigned by him and his co-executors in aid of the perpetuation of the said House ; the same to be paid, by counsel of Brother Richard de Sclyke- bourne, without further delay. For payment there- of, he binds himself and his heirs, and his goods, movable and immovable. " Given at Engleby, the Thursday after the Feast of St. Valentine, a.d. 1286." Part of the diminutive seal is left.'^ Thus we gather that Brother Richard, not only advised and helped Dervorguilla in the work of esta- blishing the House of Balliol ; but was also active in collecting the debts due to Sir John de Balliol, and seeing that such monies were applied to the good of the House. The Scholars of Balliol had ' in ad- dition to the endowments given to them by the foundress, acquired from the executors of the will of Sir John de Balliol the right to collect and retain all the debts owing to him at the time of his death.' ^ In another instance, when the ^100 due from Alan Fitz-Comte was paid, some portion of it having been previously received, there was a remaining sum left over ; and this was given to the Scholars ' by counsel of Brother Richard de Slikeburne.' ' Hist. MSS. Com. Fourth Report, p. 444. -' Hist. Univ. Oxford, Maxwell Lyte, p. 87. 8o Early History of Balliol College In the Calendar of Documents relating to Scot- land, this ;!{^ioo is mentioned. ' The K. to Master Thomas de Hunsingouere. Writ of " dedimus potestatem " to receive the at- torneys of Dervergulla de BalHol and Thomas Ran- dolf, in the plea before the K.'s justices itinerant at York, between the said Dervergulla, Thomas, Hugh de Eure, and Stephen, parson of the Church of Mid- ford, executors of John de Balliol's testament, and Alan son of the Earl (fiz le Cunte), regarding a debt of ^loo claimed by the executors from Alan. Glou- cester, 4'^ April, 8'^ of his reign.' Edward I. appears to have been anxious on many occasions to render assistance to Dervorguilla, or at least to show a friendly spirit towards her. Little instances of his good will are discovered, here and there, amid the mass of Scottish documents preserved for history. ' The K. wishing to do a special favour to Der- vergulla widow of John de Balliol, grants to her for this turn, freedom from common summonses of the justices errant in the counties where her lands lie, both common pleas, and of the forest' ' And, Oct. 7. 1285. 'The K. notwithstanding the statute against mortmain, wishing to do a special favour to Dervergulla widow of John de Balliol, grants leave to her to give a messuage in the suburb ' Patent. 8. Edw. I. m. 5. Early History of Balliol College 8 1 of Oxford to the Master and Scholars studying in the House of Balliol there, in perpetuu^n! ^ Somewhere about 1288, we find that among the goods arrested for the King of Scotland's debt to John ' le Macune,' the goods of ' the Lady de Baylloll, and some others to the value of ^10 in the realm of Scotland were arrested, and by the King's writ were entirely delivered.' There is a curious deed, which will interest Ox- ford readers, for it tells us how Headington reapers were paid in those days ; and reminds us of the pennies due to St. Mary Magdalen's Church. ' Inquisition . [in virtue of writ, dated Bristol, 29th December previous, directed to the Sheriff of Oxford], made by Robert de Heyford [and 1 1 others] jurors of the hundred outside of the north gate of Oxford, who say that the Lady Dervergulla widow of John de Balliol, may enfeoff Master Walter de Foderingeye and his Fellows, Scholars of the House of Balliol, Oxford, Students, of a messuage in the suburb of Oxford ; that it consists of three fees, united by the purchase of John de O., one whereof was William Burge's and owes \d. of annual rent at the F. of St. Martin, and id. of hidage at " Hocke- dai," and the service of a day in August to reap at Hedindon, worth \d. Another fee was John le Wepere's, and owes ^d. of annual rent at the F. of ' Patent^ 13 Edw. I. m. 3. G 82 Early History of Balliol College St. Martin, and 2d. of hidage at " Hockedai," and suit of hundred from 3 weeks to 3 weeks. That suit may be redeemed yearly for \2d. It also owes a day's service to make hay in Northam, value \d. and the service of a man reaping for a day in August at Hedindon, value \d. Also A^d. to the high Altar in the Church of the Blessed Mary Magdalene. The third fee was Nicholas de Kingeston's, wherein he enfeoffed John de Eu with Johanna his daughter in frank marriage, and it owes no service. The whole tenement is held in capite of the K. Note, that the suit of the hundred aforesaid is due at three terms, viz. when the K.'s writ comes to be pleaded in the hundred when a robber is to be tried in the hundred and when they are summoned to enclose the court for trial. Thus should the suit be held. And if they neither attend nor make essoin, they must not be heavily amerced. The jurors append their seals. Dated at Oxford, on the morrow of Epiphany, in the 1 3th year, [seals gone.] ' ' To Oxford people several of the names in this deed will be familiar ; and the thoughts of many will turn quickly, from the people mentioned, to the modern localities which bear their names. On rising ground, just beyond Iffley, is the pretty country house, known as ' Hey ford Hill,' which looks down upon the river and Kennington Island ; and ' Ifiq. p. m. 13. Edw I. No. 127. Early History of Balliol College S3 on the other side of Oxford, is the well known * Kingston Road,' a rather important Street, with its row of fancy cottages. * Hedindon ' is unmistak- able ; and when we find, in the College Archives, deeds witnessed by Robert de Wormenhale, Thomas Wormenhale, and Adam de Chisilhampton ; and in one deed a shop described as ' next to the shop of Nicholas de Gersingdone ; ' we stop for one minute to wonder, whether these men originally took their names from the near hamlets, or whether from a cluster of huts round the landowners' homes have grown the picturesque Villages, which help to make the near neighbourhood of Oxford so especially beautiful. Two more of the many Balliol deeds must be spoken of here, because of their historical interest. In one, we find Hugh de Balliol, ' son and heir of the late Sir John de Balliol,' acknowledging that he owes the sum of 10 marks sterling to his father's executors, for two horses bought of them. He pro- mises to pay the 10 marks at ' Foderinghe,' before Pentecost, 1289, on pain of ecclesiastical censure. The other is ' a Latin deed, on parchment, some- what injured by damp ; whereby John de Balliol, son of John de Balliol, having seen the writing of feoffment and of perpetuation of the House of the Scholars of Balliol in Oxford, confirms the same. It has a small seal attached. There is another and G 2 84 Early History of Balliol College a very similar, deed, in the archives of the College, attested by the same witnesses, but written in another hand. In this latter John de Balliol is called "son and heir" of John de Balliol; it being evidently executed after his elder brother, Hugh's, death. This last-mentioned deed has only a fragment of its seal. Hugh Gobyun [" Gubyun " in the second deed], and Robert Bertrain of Bothale [" Bottalle " in the second deed] are among the witnesses. There is no date to either ; but, having the same witnesses, they were probably executed within a few days of each other. '^ This Johnde Balliol was Dervorguilla's youngest son ; the same John de Balliol, Lord of Galloway, who claimed the Scottish throne, and was by Ed- ward I. adjudged King of Scotland, in right of his descent from her. Yet when Balliol tried to assert the judicial independence of his kingdom, Edward marched into Scotland, and then followed the fall of Berwick, and the terrible massacre, which did not cease until a procession of Priests carried the Sacred Host into the King's presence, and prayed for mercy. Then Edward burst into tears, and called his troops off ; but the slaughter had done its work, and the Town was ruined for ever. Balliol made one more effort for the freedom of his people ; but his attempt was fruitless, and he had to implore peace, and pro- mise submission. ' Edward disdained to treat with ' Hist. MSS. Com. Fourth Report, p. 446. Early History of Balliol College 85 him in person, but informed him, that he intended, within fifteen days, to advance to Brechin ; and that on BalHol's repairing to the castle there, the Bishop of Durham would announce the decision of his lord superior. This was none other than that of an absolute resignation of himself and his kingdom to the mercy of his conqueror ; to which Balliol, now the mere shadow of a king, without a crown, an army, or a nobility, dejectedly submitted. In pre- sence of the Bishop of Durham and the barons of England, he was first stript of his royal robes ; after which they spoiled him of his crown and sceptre, and compelled him, standing as a criminal, with a white rod in his hand, to perform a humiliating feudal penance After this humiliating ceremony, Balliol delivered his eldest son, Edward, to the King of England, as a hostage for his future fidelity ; and this youth, along with his discrowned father, were soon after sent by sea to London, where they re- mained for three years in confinement in the Tower.' ^ The Scots, however, still continued to regard John de Balliol as their rightful King. Philip of France tried to make it one of the articles of his truce with Edward, that Balliol should be released from prison ; but this Edward refused. Afterwards, at the request of Pope Boniface, the King consented to deliver Balliol from his imprisonment in the ^ Hist, Scotland^ Tytler, vol. i. p. Ii8. 86 Early History of Balliol College Tower, and to send him to the Bishop of Vicenza, the Papal Legate. And Dervorguilla's son, the de- throned King of Scotland, was, by the Pope's com- mands, conveyed to his Castle of Bailleul, in France. There he lived quietly, as a private man, on his own estates, which were very considerable. ' His son Edward remained some years a prisoner, as some say ; as others will have it, a hostage here : but at length he was sent over to his father ; nor does it appear, that either of them interfered at all with the affairs of Scotland, but contented themselves with the enjoyment of what was left of their private fortunes. Some writers say, that John Baliol lived till he was blind, which, if true, must have been the effect of some disease, or of some accident, since it is certain that he died a.d. 13 14, when he could not be above fifty-five at most. His son Edward Baliol afterwards set up a title to the kingdom of Scotland, invaded and recovered it, but held it not long, and dying afterwards without issue, the family failed.' ^ But Dervorguilla did not live to see those days. In the Chronicon de Lanercost her death is thus related. ' A.D. M.cc.xc. In festo sanctae Agnetis (Jan. 21) sero transiit e seculo illustris femina, domina Dervorgoil, relicta domini Johannis de ' Biographia Britannica. Under ' Baliol.' Early History of Balliol College 87 BalHol, muHer magna opibus et praediis tarn in Anglia quam in Scotia ; sed multo major ingenuitate cordis, quippe quae filia extitit et heres magnifici Alani, quondam domini Galwydiae. Transiit autem e seculo annosa apud Castrum Bernardi, sepulta apud Duquer in Galwidia, coenobio Cisterciensium, quod ipsa construxit et ditavit.' \Translation. On the Feast of St. Agnes (Jan. 21), in the evening, passed from this world the noble dame. Lady Dervorguilla, widow of Lord John de Balliol. She was a woman largely endowed with money and lands, both in England and in Scotland ; but she had a much richer endowment in the nobility of her heart, being daughter and heiress of the magnificent Alan, the sometime Lord of Galloway. She passed from the world, full of years, at Castle Barnard, and was buried at Duquer, in Galloway, a Monastery of Cistercians, which she herself built and endowed.] In the same Chronicle, under date 1289, we find, * Eodem anno obiit domina Dervorvilla de Balliolo, de qua dixit H. " In Dervorvilla moritur sensata Sibilla, Cum Marthaque pia contemplativa Maria. Da Dervorvillas requie, Rex summe, potiri, Quam tegit iste lapis cor pariterque viri." Isti versus scribuntur super tumbam ejus.' 88 Early History of Balliol College Her body was brought in state to Sweetheart Abbey. There is no trace of her tomb remaining now ; but tradition says that she was buried near to the High Altar. About Sweetheart Abbey, we read, ' Sweetheart (Abbacia Dulcis-cordis), in Gallo- way, called by Lesly Stcavi-cordmm, was an abbey, founded in the thirteenth century, by Dervorgilla, daughter to Alan lord of Galloway, niece to David earl of Huntington, and spouse to John Baliol, lord of Castlebernard, who died in the year 1269, and was here buried. Andrew Winton, prior of Lochleven, informs us, that after his death his lady caused take out his heart, and spice and embalm it, and putting it in a box of ivory, bound with silver, and enamelled, closed it solemnly in the walls of the church, near to the high altar ; from whence it had the name of Sweetheart, which was afterwards changed into that of New Abbey. ' The first abbot of this place was Henry, who died in his journey to Citeaux in the year 12 19. He was succeeded by " Ericus magister Conversorum ejusdem domus." Afterwards, John abbot of this place swears fealty to Edward Langshanks in the year 1296, according to Prynne, p. 552, and he is there designed "Johan abbe de Doux-quer." There is a charter by another John abbot of this place, dated at New Abbey, the 23d October 1528, Early History of Balliol College 89 and granting "Cuthberto Broun de Cairn, in em- phyteosim, totas et integras quatuor mercatas ter- rarum de Corbully, in baronia sua de Lokendolo, infra senescallatum de Kirkcudbright ; reddendo annuatim summam octo mercarum usualis monetae regni Scotiae, ad duos anni terminos, viz. Pentecostes, et Sancti Martini in hyeme." ' Gilbert Brown, descended of the family of Gars- luith, is among the monks that assent thereto. He was the last abbot of this abbey. Calderwood, in his History informs us that he sat in Parliament the 17th August 1560, whilst the Confession of Faith was approved ; and in the year 1605, he was appre- hended by the Lord Cranston, captain of the guards appointed for the borders, and was sent to Blackness, and after some days was transported to the castle of Edinburgh, where he was kept until his departure out of the kingdom. He died at Paris, 14th May 161 2. Sir Robert Spotiswood, president of the Session, and secretary of State to King Charles I., was designed Lord New-Abbey, being then in pos- session of this dissolved abbey.' ^ ^ Religious Houses in Scotland^ Spottiswoode, p. 424. 90 Early History of Balliol College CHAPTER V. In reading the account of the * Buildings ' of BalHol College, given by Antony a Wood, in his History of the Colleges and Halls in Oxford, we have to bear in mind that he wrote about the College as it was two hundred and twenty years ago ; and, in following his description of the buildings, we must forget for a time the quite modern Balliol, and try to realize the front quadrangle, and the garden quadrangle, and the different buildings, as they were in those days. With the exception of the change made when the new dining hall was built at the north end of the garden, and the old dining hall made into a Library and Reading Room for the Undergraduates, the general plan of the College has remained the same ; though the many new buildings, near to the back gate and the hall, have added considerably to its size, and to its structural importance. Balliol College, almost the oldest foundation in Oxford, has none of its original walls and rooms remaining ; but the ground-plan of those buildings, and also the outlines of the various plots of ground Early History of Balliol College 91 belonging to them, have been preserved. Merton College, a foundation as old as Balliol, or even older, can point to its beautiful Chapel, which, ' if not erected before the Founder's death, was erected immediately afterwards, perhaps under the direction of his executors, out of his residuary bequest to the College ; ' ^ and to the dining hall, ' of which the main walls have been preserved in subsequent restorations.' ^ Worcester College can show, on the south side of the quadrangle, the quaint old lodgings, with their original doorways, and separate roofs, which were Cells to different Benedictine Abbeys. Worcester Undergraduates, even now, inhabit the very rooms lived in by Monks, who came from St. Albans, and from Abingdon, and from other Bene- dictine Houses, to study at Oxford. Over the door- ways are still the arms, now worn and defaced, of the Monasteries. Yet we recognize the Cross of Norwich, and the Griffin of Malmesbury. And very old, also, is the magnificent Chapter-room at Christ Church, formerly belonging to the Augustinian Canons of St. Frideswide ; and now used as vestry to the Cathedral. At St. John's College, men still pass under the square tower, where, on a niche, high up, is the old Statue of St. Bernard, placed there when the College was Cistercian, and the Monks followed the teaching of their great Master-Saint. ' Memorials of Merton College^ Brodrick, p. 13. 92 Early History of Balliol College St. John's men dine to-day in an hall, the walls of which formed the Monks' refectory. But the original buildings of Balliol, unimportant and unsubstantial, as they probably were, only served their time ; and the College can now show nothing older than the Library. There is some doubt about the first Chapel, or Oratory ; but all evidence seems to prove that it was the large hall, which is now the Master's dining room. If this be so, the walls are probably the original Chapel walls, built about the year 1293. The following description of the ' Buildings ' of Balliol College is taken, word for word, and letter for letter, from the original manuscript of Antony a Wood (the one written in double column) now kept in the Bodleian Library. The edition, by John Gutch, of Antony a Wood's History and Antiquities of the Colleges and Halls in the University of Oxford, which is the ordinary and well-known copy of Wood's writings about Oxford, differs from the manuscript in some slight particulars ; and, in many instances, it destroys the beautiful simplicity, and the attractive quaintness of Antony a Wood's style. Passing over all that he says about the founda- tion of the College, we come to ' The firfl place then y^ this Society inhabited, was old Balliol hall before mentioned, on y*" ground of w"*" y' late building was erected, w*"'' is now called Hammonds Lodgings, afterwards y'' Lady Deruorguill Early History of Balliol College 93 remoued them to Maries hall, w''^ stood where y^ S.W. Corner of y Colledge quadrangle now ftands, & on w*"^ & y^ 3 acres of land adioyning, w*^'' she purchased as before is delined, she added & built seuall conuenient places, as refectory kitchen out- houses & walkes, afterwards were added these seSall plotts of ground, viz two plotts in Horse- monger ftreet, one of w''^ lay betweene y* land of y*" house of Balliol, w"=^ I suppose was y' belonging to Maries hall w''^ was on y^ W. side of y said plott, & y^ land of John le Slatter of Ensham on y^ eaft, & y^ other plot layd between y^ land somtimes of y^ said Jo: le Slatter & y*" land of John de Sewy ; both w'^'' being conueyed by John y^ Son & heir of Walter Feteplace, to M"" Tho: de Heworth & M'' Tho: de Pontfraict Clerks & fellowes of this Society 31. Ed. I. a 1 303 were by them soone after giuen & conueyed to y"" Colledge : y^ next two plotts y' were added, joyned to y^ other two on y^ eaft side, & reacht to yMand of y^ Monks of Durham, w""^ is y^ now entrance or alley leading to Trinity, somtimes Durham, Colledge, conueyed to y^ house of Balliol by Gilb' de Pontfraict & Tho: de Humbleton (fellowes then or before of y'^ same house) 4. Ed. 2. 13 10. hauing before obtained them of John le Feteplace BurgefTe of Oxon: y^ 3^^ peice of Ground was S' Margarets hall lying be- tween old & new Balliol hall, conueyed to y*" said house or hall by William de Brockelesby & Tho: de 94 Early History of Balliol College Caue clerks somtimes fellowes therof i6. Ed. 3. 1342, soe y' y* said land being pcured (besides an- other portion w'''' extended from y* way leading und y^ eaft end of Magdalen Church to y^ land of y^ Monks of Durham to enlarge their walkes, w''*' was conueyed by John y^ son & heire of Geffry le Sawcer burgesse of Oxon, to Walt: de Foderingey y^ firft Principall & Will: de Bonkis clerk & fellow a 1 291 . or therabouts) w*"^ now containes all y*" front of y^ Colledge & y^ void peice of ground on y^ W. side (on w'''' stood S' Margarets hall) & moft of y^ Land behind y^ said front (w"^ reached to y' por- tion beforementioned, bought of J oh: le Sawcer w*"^ was as a head land to it) y'' Colledge enlarged their buildings for y^ reception of their Students (hauing soe many y' they were forced to lodge in halls or Hostles adioyning) but after such a way void of all Vniformity, notwithftanding y^ Coll: had Benefactours towards them, y' some being pulled downe in y*" raigne of H. 6. most part of y^ present quadrangle was built ; as firfl: y^ eaft part by seuall of y'' nobility (as I suppose) y' had bin nursed up here, among w'^'' was Georg Neuill Archbishop of York, whose ares as I remember are in one or more of y*" windowes looking eaftward : y^ North part (excepting y*" chappie) was, (some of it) built then, & some after- wards, as I shall shew when I come to speak of y^ library, w*"^ taketh up y^ cheif part of y^ side ; y*" weft Early History of Balliol College 95 side w""^ containeth part of y^ lodgings belonging to y^ Mafter, Buttery and refectory or Comon hall, was built with y^ moneys of William Grey Bishop of Ely Georg Neuill Archbishop of York & others as their armes on y^ stone walls & in y^ windows of y^ said buildings doe shew ; and y^ South part w""^ is y* forefront of y^ College was not built till y^ time of H. 7. to w'''', w' benefactours were numbred, I can- not yet discouer, unleff Mr. Will: Bell who was then Mafter was one, for on y^ top of y^ tower ouer y^ gate, are carued in stone under y^ ridge w*"^ parts y^ upper chamber and roofe 2 bells & another at y^ top of y^ Tabnacular work ouer y^ pedeftall arguing y' y^ said will: Bell was either a Benefactor to y' building, or else y' y^ cheifeft part was erected in his time, though began in his prsediceffors Rob: Abdy, who pbably might be a Benefactour also as he was to this library. * soe much for those buildings y' are now for y^ most part imployed as lodgings for y^ Master, Fellows & Scolars ; as for y^ other places viz y^ Chappies hall & Library with those matters to be obserued of & in them, I shall speak of in order, and firft for y^ chappells or places wherin y^ Society haue cele- brated Seruice & y^ memories dayly of their pious Benefactours, haue bin seuall ; y^ first was in an Isle adioyning S. Marie Magdalens Church, in whose parish y* CoUedge is situated. Y^ 2^ in an Oratory g6 Early History of Balliol College dedicated to S' Katherine w^*" was built by y* Society about y*year 1293 with y^ moneys cheifly of y^ Lady Deruorgill w"^^ she left at y^ time of her death ; for then viz a 1 293 as it appears from record the fellowes or Scolars pcured license of Oliuer Bishop of Lyn- colne, y' they might noe more celebrate seruice in their parish church but in y^ Oratorie built within their owne Colledge soe y' they visited y^ said church on y^ greater Solemnities of y^ year as othor students were obliged to doe to y^ churches of those parishes wherin they liued, in w*"^ license noe pmission was allowed them for y^ Celebrating y*" Sacraments w""^ was y^ matter they cheifly desired, not onely as a great conuenience, but also an aduantage to them, though afterwards granted by y^ authority of y'' pope : in this Chappie (by y^ name of S' Katherines Chappie) did M-" Hugh Warkenby & M"- Will: de Gotham (whome I haue mentioned before) setle a chapleine with maintenance for him issuing out of of seu'all meffuages in Scooleftreet. 4 Ed. 2. a 13 10 wherby y' duty y' lay upon y^ fellowes or scolars was then taken off. Afterwards y^ Colledge being minded to make y^ said chappie more elegant or rather erect another (hauing bin incouraged therto by Benefactours,) one Adam le Poleter Burgeffe of Redyng who had delined 20" into y^ hands of Nicho- las de Querppelad Abbot of y^ monastery at y' place to be bestowed by him on pious vses for y^ health of Early History of Balliol College 97 y^ said Adams soule was by y said Abbot at y*" in- treaty of certaine persons giuen to y^ said Colledge a 1327 for y^ building of y* chappie of S' Katherine there, with 10 marks of his owne, a glaffe window worth 10'', & some timber besides at y* same time, with a desire alsoe y' w' he had done, might be recorded y' twas not his vtmost charity to y^ world but had intentions for more & greater : and now as y*" Colledge who had before obtained license from Oliuer Bishop of Lyncolne to celebrate diuine offices within their owne oratory because of y^ frequency of dispu- tations & lectures w""*" hindred them from attend- ing diuine offices in y^ parish Church, & y^ same obtained from & appued by his succeffors John Dal- darby Hen: Burwash & Thomas Becke as appeares in a writing under y^ seal of y^ said Thomas A d. 1346. soe also was y^ like license upon y*" same con- ditions as y^ former were, granted by J oh: Boking- ham Bishop of Lyncoln a 1368. in w''^ their oratory is ftiled a chappie & in none of those going before, but as in y^ former there was a tacit soe in this laft license an expreffe exception of administring y*" Sacraments ; in w'^^ y*" Society acquiesced till upon their petition. Pope Vrban 6. in y 2 year of his pon- tificate granted license to performe y same. ' This Chaple or Oratory whersoever it stood I know not (though there be not wanting some of this house y' say it was y'' larg hall two story high be- H 98 Early History of Balliol College longing to y^ Master (w*^*", as is before said was built in Bishop Greys time, as his armes cut in stone under y^ great Bay-window looking eaftward, shews,) w*''' cannot agree with y' deliued before concerning y" chappie because y* said hall was built in H. 6. his time) continued in vse till y^ raigne of H. 8. & then this comely & decent chappie w''*' now stands on y^ N. side of y*" Quadrangle was built : / it was begun in y^ 13 year of y^ said Kings raigne 1521 & compleatly finished 1529 to w'^^ dius Benefactors freely gave, but w' their names were I know not, as for those y' gaue y^ windowes are from y^ inscrip- tions therin apparent as they thus follow ' In y^ Eaft window (wherin is represented in liuely Colours y^ paffion resurrection & ascension of Christ, for w'^'' Nich: Wadham offered 200" to make an Eaft window for his Colledge chappie) is this written Orate pro anima m" Laurentij Stubs Sacre Theo- logie Profefforis et istius Collegij specialis Benefac- toris qui hanc fenestram procurauit sumptibus suis A".l). MDXXIX. ' Vnder y^ said inscription is y effigies of y*" said Laur. Stubs kneeling before a deske, with his crowne tonsured and Doctorall formalities on him . & on each side these armes or rather rebuses be- longing to his name. Ar. a trunk or stump or stub . of a tree coupcd Early History of Balliol College 99 & eradicated pp pelrced through with an arrow in fefleof y^ i^ S. on a cheu : ingrail'd betweene 2 lylyes & a phaeon ar : 3 lyons faces B. on a cheif G. 2 keys in Saltire betw : 2 like trunks of trees, o. ' In y^ firft or upper window on y* N. side of y^ chappie, this at y^ bottome Mr. Tho : Leson hanc fenestram vitrari fecit An. D. 1530. ' his picture is there also kneeling as Laur Stubs is, with shaued Crowne & formalityes on. * in y^ 2^- window Thomas . . . . D'" et subdecanus Eboracensis hanc fenestram vitrari fecit an. dni 1530. * his picture is there as Tho : Lesons is. ' in y'' 3'^- window M' Johaiies Hygdon S. T. D'' et olim Collegij Magdalenensis P Jses hanc feneffcram vitrari fecit Ario Dni 1530. ' his picture is there also as y' in y^ 2^ window. ' in ye 4. window. Rich : Atkins Armiger Com : Glouc : et huius Collegij socio Com : D.D. * painted by Abr : Vanling an. 1637. ' In y^ upper or firft window on y^ South side H 2 lOO Early History of Balliol College where is y^ martyrdome of S' Katherine liuely re- presented, is this inscription. Opus pium Magistri Laurentij Stubbs Sacre Theologie profefforis et Magistri Ricardi Stubbs Sacre Theologie Bacalaurei et huius Collegij Magistri et Benefactor suor. An. Dni mdxxix. vndneath w^^ inscription w'''' runs through y^ middle of y^ window, are y* pictures of y^ said Laur : & Rich Stubbs kneeling againft Deskes with their formalities on them & their armes as before by them. ' in y^ 2^ window. Petrus Wentworth sacrse Theologiae profefforis et huius Collegij Soc : D.D. 1637. ' in y^ 3"^ window Willelmus Compton miles cum pia consorte sua banc fenestram vitrari fecit A dni 1530. ouer w""^ inscription are y^ pictures of y^ said s' Will : & his Lady kneeling, with their childre behind them & their armes on & between, them, w""^ being already represented in a copper cut by another hand I shall omitt any further speaking of them. ' The next place to be veiwed is y'' hall w'^^ as I haue said before was built with moneys of Bish Grey, Archb : Neuill & Tho. Chace somtimes Master of this place & afterwards Chancellour of y'' VniSsitie & others ; in y'' windows of w''^' were Early History of Balliol College loi lately these armes, viz those belonging to y*" Vniusitie & this Colledge, then Tho : Chaces w'''' are Ar: a cheuron betweene 3 Talbots heads erased sab : & another borne by the Citty of York w''*' is Ar. on a crosse G. 5 lyons passant gardant or, all w''^ with diuers more hauing bin anciently set up & afterwards defaced, were renewed as I suppose in D"^ Lawrence his time. ' on y^ Wainscot these a lyon rampant within a Bordure charged with flowers de liz. ' 3. Bells belonging either to M' Will or D' Joh. Bell in whose times & by whose money pbably y'' Wainscot was at firft set up {party p pale on a cheu : p pale 2 lyons Combatant on a cheif 3 mullets a lyon ramp : crowned i France Quart:] & t Engl. ' Soe much for y^ hall, as for y^ library (w*"^ is re- puted one of y^ beft in Oxon y' are priuat, if y haue a regard to its building, beautifull windows y* are not too light, & other conueniences) it was built by seuall persons, viz y*" lower or west part containing half of it, was built by y^ aforesaid D'' Tho Chace a 143 1 ; & y^ vpper half by m"" Rob. Abdy, som- I02 Early History of Balliol College times Mafter of this house about y^ year 1477 as- sisted therin by y^ moneys of W. Grey Bishop of Ely, w*"^ part of Chaces being finisht, as also y' of Abdyes, y*" said Bishop inriched it with choice & pretious Manuscripts amounting to y^ number of about 200 (I speak at y^ leaft) on moft of w*"** if not all, his amies painted on velame, were faftned, & defended by peices of cleer home nayled ouer them : y^ said Exemplars it seems or at leaft moft part of them, were by him bought and procured among those seuall libraryes w''*' he purchased as well in England as in Italy, for there in his trauells viz at Florence Venice & other places, he spared neither labour nor coft to ^pcure them, w'''' after seuerall years of Col- lection, (rather for his country sake, then himselfe) freely gaue them upon y*" enlargment of this library by y*" aforesaid Rob : Abdy ; but alas with resent- ment let it be spoken, diuers of them w"*" smelt of supstition or y' treated of Schoole diuinity or of Geometry or Astronomie, were pillaged in y' wicked & pilfering age wherin H. 8. & Ed. 6. ruled, as for y*" reft y' remained, w*"'', with y" former had their initiall & great letters limned with much Curiosity & their Margins some of them painted with seuall fancies & decked with diuers sorts of flowers, (w*^^ was cheifly performed by y' Exquisite painter Antonius Marius y" son one of y*" cheif of his pro- fcffion in Italy while this noble Bishop was there) Early History of Balliol College 103 haue bin by Idle childish & impertinent people either cut out or shamefully abused, such hathe bin y^ negligence of those y' were obliged by oath to take care of them : w' other Benefactours this library hath had, haue bin many & those cheifly y' were fellowes or students of this house, but their gifts w"^ were books, hauing bin inconsidable, I shall omitt them, yet I must not escape y"" Benefaction of y' learned Doctour Thom : Gascoigne somtimes Chancellour of y'' Vniiisitie, who gaue seuerall MSS (as in their fronts appeares ;) & moneys towards its building time, a certaine historian saith was of this Coll., & some therof y' he was Fellow, as he is by y' title stiled in y^ Regester ol Benefactours to this library w"^ was of late made & written ; but hauing not yet seene any thing therof in y^ M-S-S by him giuen or in y" glaffe-windowes of this library w*^^ were put up in & a few years after, his time, or in any other writing (besides y^ said regefter) belonging to y*" College or any other place I cannot as yet consent to them knowing very well from record y' he had spent 20 years & aboue as a com- moner in Oriell Colledge ; next after him, finding none y' haue scarce merited y" name of Benefactours (except D' Joh : Warner somtimes of this house & afterwards of Allsoules Coll. who gaue 20'' 1564.) notwithstanding seuall there haue bin y' haue giucn bookes) I must descend to y'' raigne of K. James I04 Early History of Balliol College for then y^ most reuerend D' Georg Abbots Archb : of Canterbury expended diiis suiTis in repairing it & enlarging y^ number of Bookes A. 1619 after it had laid in a carlesse manner from y^ beginning of y^ re- formation of religion or rather before to y' time. 'The next matters y' I should take notice of here are those inscriptions & uerses in y'' windows w'''' tell us of those y' firft put them up, y" builders of y^ library, & benefactours to y^ house, neatly written in old English letters in scrolls winding with great variety about those armes in each light of most of y*" windows w""^ belong partly to y'' putters up of those windows but cheifly to y"^ speciall Bene- factours of y^ Coll: ; but because there is false metre & gramer in diuers of y^ said verses w"'' are in Rithme according to y^ humour of y' age wherin they were set up, viz in y*" raigne of H. 6. u" of ^ lower part & in Ed: 4. u" ^ y*" upp part of y^ library was built I shall omitt y*" inserting of them here as also y" blazoning of most part of y"" armes, & only repeat y^ inscriptions ; for if I should take notice of all, they would without doub proue ta;dious to y^ read. 'In y'' Eaft or upper window therfore w*"^ looketh into y*" chappie, is y^ picture of S' Katherine y^ Patronesse of this Colledge standing with her ' ProlD.ibly meant for w^ y \, and 7<'". Early History of Balliol College 105 wheele by her & before her y^ pictures of y^ afor- said Dr. Tho: Chace & 9 fellowes kneeHng, hauing their Crownes shauen and formaHties on them with these verses ouer them : Hie tibi dans celis Thomam Chace concomitantes Hanc patrona uelis munire domum famulantes. in w''^ window at y*" top are y^ ares of France & England quartered. & at y^ bottome, y^ Colledges & y^ si Tho: Chaces w"^ are mentioned before in y^ hall. ' on y* North side of y^ library. ' I'' window there, was giuen by m' Rob. Abdy as y^ verse about his armes in y^ firfl light thereof fheweth, w"'' are Ar: a cheuron betweene 3. Eagles displayed sab. in y'' 2^ light are bishop Greys armes (y^ same y' y^ Lords Grey of Wark are) with another verse riming to y' about R. Abdyes armes, telling us y' he gaue dii^s books to this library & in y'' lower diuision of y^ firft light this inscription following Orate pro bono statu et anima Magistri Robti Abdy Magistri huius Collegij qui istam partem Bibliothece construxit . an . . . * 2^ window giuen by Ralph Stanhop, fellow of this house, in y^ 2"^ hght of w''^ are y^ armes of Erds- wick & Stafford impaled set up later then y" other armes with this written under them. Thomas Erdswicke et Margar; Stafford An Dni 1338. io6 Early History oj Balliol College ' 3 window by Will: Stauely, wherin also is Georg Neuyl Archb. of Canterbury remembred in y^ verse in y^ firft light. * 4. Window by Peter Pekkam. ' 5. Window by m"" Job: Burton somtimes fellow wherin besides y^ verses and armes, is an Orate for him. ' 6. window w'^'' is y^ uppermoft of y' part of y* library built by D' Chace, was set up & glazed with his moneys as y^ verses therin about y^ ares of this Vniusitie & his shew Condidit hanc edem Thomas Chace meqj vitrauit. Hinc supis sedem dos sibi nate Dauid. at y^ bottome of w*"^ window is this inscription. Orate pro statu et anima Magistri Thome Chace de Ebor: SS Theol: pfess: Cancell: Hybnie Oxon et S" Pauli London: olim huius Coll: Sofij: froiris mei A mccccxxxi. * 7. window giuen by Nich. Herbury at y^ bottome of w"^ is this Orate pro 5T^ m" Nicholai Her- bury quondam Archid: Gloceftrie. And in y^ verses also therin tis said y' Rich. Clifford Bishop of London did contribute towards y*" building of y^ library. Early History of Balliol College 107 ' 8. window by Tho. Warde D' of Decrees & J oh. patricke, at y^ bottome of w"^ is this inscription. Orate p anima Johannis Patrick quondam Valette: de Wardroba Humphredi Ducis Lancastrie et Ducis Gloceftrie. ' 9. Window by s' Roger Quelpdale K' & Tho: Skelton, somtimes of this house, whose armes are there also. ' 10. Window by Rob: Wombewelle & Thorn. Barry, somtimes fellowes. the firft of w*"^ was after- wards vicar of S. Lawrence in y^ Jury London ' On y* South Side of y^ library ' I. window giuen by Rich: Skyptoun, wherin are his armes. ' 2 window by Thomas Horow or Harrope * 3 window by Joh: Carpenter, in w"^ is written this, orate p D. Jo!ie de Balliolo and in y^ 2 light under a little picture of a man in a gowne this. Orate paia Johis Herys &c. who phaps might might^ be a benefactour either to y^ glazing of y^ window or building of y library. ' 4. window by y Bishop of Worcefter, whether John Carpenter or Joh. Bell I know not. y^ verses therin run thus Me tuus Antistes Vigomia fecit honore Factor sponte mei Water Ricarde fuisti. Sic. io8 Early History of Balliol College * 5. window by John Spens where there is an Orate for him, besides y^ verses w*"^ tell us y* Rob. Abdy & Bish: Grey pfected this library * 6 window by 2. Bishops, but w' their names were I know not. y^ armes therin are these. Ar. 3 batunes in crosse sab. skirlaw B. of Durha sab. a crosse ingrailed & a cressant in y^ firft quarter Erm: ' 7. Window by Hen: peircy E. of Northum- bland & Rich: Neuill Earl of Warwick * 8. by Will: Ferbit ' 9. not exprefled by whome giuen unlefT y may collect it from y^ verses therin wh*^^ run thus Has aliquanclo fores vitro Clausere priores claustri Mertone . . . Mercede Corone. ' 10. Window by Gilb. Botilbery & John Maluerne somties students in this house y^ laft of whome was D.D. & chapleyne therof about y^ beginning of Ed. 4. ' Thus farre concerning y* library y' now ftands, w* y^ Coll: had before I find little or noe mention, they reposing their books in it, only soe farr y' seuerall y* had bin Oxford Scolars left in their wills books to y^ Coll without any mention of a library viz among y^ reft was m' Simon de Bredon y*" worthieft mathe- Early History of Batliol College 109 matician of his time who a 1372, left seuall books of Aftronomie & Mathematicks therto. Will Rede Bishop of Chiceftre, 10 books, c' in money & one siluer cup 1382 & Roger whelpdale Bishop of Carlile S' Aufte de Ciuitate dei 1422.' no Early History of Balliol College CHAPTER VI. The description of the buildings is the key to their history. It leads us, step by step, along the cir- cuitous path of the story of the College, where the footprints of Benefactors are easily discernible ; and their gifts of Chapel, Library, manuscripts ' choice & pretious,' and stained windows where Christian lore is represented in ' liuely Colours,' stand out, distinct and strong, against the grey background of distant ages. The front quadrangle, singularly unlike what we see to-day, was, together with other plots of ground, the gift of Dervorguilla. The tenements which formed the south side must have been small and irregular buildings. When we find that St. Margaret's Hall, which stood about where the Master's house now joins the corner of the front quadrangle, was * the 7 tenement from the south east end of the College,' we can guess pretty accurately what must have been the size of the houses, which probably were detached, each contain- ing three or four rooms, and each having a small piece of land belonging to it. Either actually, or, at Early History of Balliol College 1 1 1 least, mentally, Dervorguilla must have enclosed, or connected, those tenements, when she gave a common name to them, and a distinct character ; and caused the hall and kitchen to be built, and the land made into garden and grove. Henry Savage says, * Now Deruorgille having bought all the Buildings and place in Horsmongers street without North-gate, in Magdalen Parish, lying between the Land formerly belonging \.o Jeffrey le Sauser on the one part, and the Land of Walter Feteplace on the other, of Tho7nas Ewe, Son and Heir oi John de Ewe Burgess of Oxford, for 80 Marks sterling . . . and some small quit Rents, as appears, by a Writing without date . . . gave all the Place, Buildings and Appurtenances which were Hers there, to Walter Fodringheye Principal, and the Scholars of Balliol in Oxon : Witness Oliver Bishop of Lincoln, and Mr, Roger Rodwell then Chancellor of the University, 1284.' ^ And Antony a Wood tells us that two years after Dervorguilla had given the Statutes to the College, she 'purchased a tenement of John de Ew, a Burgher of Oxford, then and before called Mary's Hall, standing between the land sometime of Jeffry le Saucer, on the west, (which joined on the east part to the tenement of the University aforesaid) and the land of Walter Feteplace on the east. Which ' Balliofergus, p. 25. 1 1 2 Early History of Balliol College being confirmed at the same time by Thomas de Ewe, son of the said John, did (after Hcence was obtained from the King) give the same year, in the month of May, the said tenement with three acres of land on the east and north sides of it to Walter de Foderyngey the Principal, and Scholars of the House of Balliol, to settle themselves therein as a perpetual mansion for them and their successors. Which tenement the Lady Dervorgille afterwards repairing, and joining to it necessary edifices, the said Principal and Scholars removed from the tene- ment belonging to the University, (which from their abode therein was afterwards called Old Balliol Hall) to that which she purchased of John de Ewe, soon after called New Balliol Hall. So that nothing now being wanting but a formal Foundation to settle her Scholars, and this their House to them for ever, and also allot them lands whereby they might be sustained, did the same year, in the presence of Anthony Bishop of Durham, Oliver, Bishop of Lincoln, Mr. Roger Rowell Chancellor of this University, and Simon de Gandavo, Archdeacon of Oxford, and several knights and other persons, give it with lands in Stamfordham, or Stanworthham, and Howgh in the county of Northumberland, (purchased by her husband's executors) to them and their successors for ever. And this she did, as in the Charter itself is said, to the honour of the Holy '^ Early History of Balliol College 1 1 3 Trinity, Virgin Mary, and St. Catherine the martyr ; and that also the charity which her husband had begun in Oxford (" ubi viget studium generale," as 'tis there said) might be settled and continued. * Furthermore also that the said foundation might stand firm against all opposition, it was, upon the Foundress's desire, confirmed the said year by the said Oliver, Bishop of Lincoln, and by her son Sir John Balliol, afterwards King of the Scots, and three years after, viz. 1287, (all which time her good work ceased not, but trod on her heels even to heaven gates) did with her husband's executors, make a release to the said Principal and Scholars of all debts between them from the beginning of the world to that time.' ^ The College being thus established by Dervor- guilla, one of the first Benefactors to it was Hugh de Vienne, who gave a soke of land, and several houses, in the parish of St. Laurence, in the Jewry, London, together with the advowson of the Church of St, Laurence. The history of this soke of land, and the advowson of the Church, is rather compli- cated. The College still preserves many interesting and valuable documents, which relate to it ; but only the more important ones will be given here. The earliest is a large parchment deed, which is a model of beautiful and legible writing, in the old, " Antony a Wood^ ed. Gutch, vol. iii. pp. T2>i 74- I 1 1 4 Early History of Balliol College abbreviated Latin. It bears no date ; but, judging from the dates on the other documents of the same period, and also relating to St. Laurence, Jewry, this deed must have been executed about the year 1 1 80. The deed is in good preservation, and the two large seals attached to it are almost perfect. It is a Grant from Robert, Abbot of St. Salvius, at Montreuil, to John of St. Laurence, in these words : ' Sciant praesentes et futuri quod ego Robertus Abbas SanctI Salvii et Sancti Guingualoei de Monsteriolo et totus ejusdem Ecclesiae conventus concessimus et dedimus Johanni de Sancto Laurentio, clerico nostro, in perpetuam eleemosynam Ecclesiam beati Laurentii de Londoniis cum omni redditu quae habemus in civitate Londoniarum scilicet Ix et xij solidos et vi denarios ; de terra quam Guillelmus filius Isabel tenet de nobis viij solidos, et de terra quam Alulphus filius Fromundi tenet de nobis v solidos, et de terra quam Guillelmus Senex tenet de nobis viij solidos, et de terra quam haeredes Petri filii Galteri tenent de nobis vij solidos, de terra quam Gillebertus, cisor, tenet de nobis iiij solidos, de terra quam Philippus Sellarius tenet de nobis iiij solidos, de terra quam Radulphus de Winton tenet iiij solidos, de terra quam Aaron Judaeus tenet iiij solidos, de terra quam Rogerus Illefostre tenet iiij solidos, de terra quam Alwinus Finke tenet xviij denarios. Habendam et tenendam de nobis libere et honorifice Early History of Balliol College 1 1 5 omnibus diebus vitae suae pro 4 marcis ad majus pondus singulis annis ad Nativitatem Sancti Johan- nis Baptistae reddendis. Et Johannes juravit quod redditum praedictum non alienabit pro posse suo ab Ecclesia nostra. Et si forte Dominus Abbas vel ejus nuntius in Angliam pro censu venerit, procurabit eum praedictus Johannes per duos dies et quam diu ibi- dem pro defectu iiij praedictarum marcarum moram fecerit ad sumptum praenominati Johannis erit. Nisi vero Johannes praesens fuerit, procurator suus de censu respondebit. Ut autem haec concessio et donatio nostra rata habeatur illam sigillorum nostro- rum auctoritate confirmavimus et corroboravimus. His testibus, Domino Baldvino priore, Remigio, Nicholao, Hugone de Bernivule, Symone Petro, Johanne, Alelmo, monachis, et toto capitulo ejusdem Ecclesiae et Magistro Gilleberto, Giroldo, et Lau- rentio et Fulcone presbyteris, Petro clerico, Guillelmo nepote Domini Abbatis, Guillelmo filio Ysabel, Alulfo filio Fromundi, Guillelmo Sene, Johanne filio Roberti, Galfrido Blondo, Eustachio Mercerio, Rogero clerico, et multis aliis.' \Abstract. Robert, Abbot of St. Salvius and St. Winwaloe, of Montreuil, and the Convent, grants to John of St. Laurence, * our Clerk,' in perpetual alms, the Church of St. Laurence, and the rents which we have in London, held by his House, viz. 72^. and 6d., from land which William, son of Isabel I 2 1 16 Early History of Balliol College holds of them, . . . ., he paying yearly 4 marks at the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. Witnesses : Baldwin, the Prior ; Remigius, Nicholas, Hugh de Bernivule, Symon Peter, John, Alelmus, Monks ; and the whole Chapter of the said Church. And Masters Gillebert, Girold, Laurence, and Fulke, Priests. Peter, the Clerk ; William, the Abbot's nephew ; William, son of Isabel ; Alulf, son of Fromund ; William Senex ; John, son of Robert ; Geoffrey * Blondo ' ; Eustace, mercer ; Roger, the Clerk ; and many others.] The next deed to this, in order of date, is a very small parchment document, very finely and carefully written, in angular and distinct letters, with clear abbreviations. It reads thus : * Omnibus ad quos praesentes litterae venerint Amalricus Dei Gratia Abbas totusque Conventus beati Salvii de Monsteriolo salutem et orationes de- votas in Christo. Universitati vestrae notum facimus quod ad preces dilecti nostri viri venerabilis Johannis de Sancto Laurentio, canonici Sancti Pauli, Londo- niis, de communi assensu, concessimus Willelmo Clerico suo redditus nostros et Ecclesiam nostram de Londoniis quiete quamdiu vixerit possldendos per sexaginta solidos legitimorum sterlingorum quos pro- inde nobis annuatim tenetur reddere in Nativitate beati Johannis Baptistae. Et post decessum ejusdem Willelmi Ecclesiaipsa et redditus praedicti ad manum Early History of Balliol College 1 1 7 nostram liberi revertentur. In cujus rei testimonium praesentes litteras sigillorum nostrorum appensione signamus. Actum anno gratiae m.cc. octavodecimo. Mense Februari.* \Abstract. Amalric, the Abbot, and the Convent of St. Salvius, of Montreuil, at the prayer of John of St. Laurence, Canon of St. Paul's, grants to William, his Clerk, their rents and Church, in London, for his life, for 6o5"., to be paid yearly, at the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, with reversion at his decease to the said Abbot and Convent. Dated, February, 12 18.] To this beautiful little specimen of a Mediae- val letter, are appended, by parchment thongs, the Abbey seals, in white wax ; but both have been broken, and only large fragments of them now remain. There is also a small deed, equally finely written, probably by the same careful hand, whereby S., Abbot of St. Salvius, Montreuil, at the prayer of John of St. Laurence, Canon of St. Paul's, grants to William Facet, his Clerk, the Church of St. Lau- rence, and the rents belonging to it, for his life, he paying sixty shillings yearly for the same. It is dated, August 4, 1220. The two seals, attached by two cords, are much mutilated. And ' a very small parchment document, in Latin, being a statement of the admission by Eustace, 1 1 8 Early History of Balliol College Bishop of London, of William Facet, Clerk, to the Church of St. Laurence Jewry ; and setting forth that he has personally installed him solemnly there- in. Witnesses, Philip Archdeacon of Huntingdon, Master R, " our Official," Roger de Moris, "our Seneschal," Richard de Berkinge, David de Tok, and others. Part of the Bishop's seal is left, attached by a strip of parchment ; representing the Bishop on one side, and St. Paul, with a drawn sword, on the other.' ^ In October, 1247, 'on the morrow of the Octaves of St. Michael,' we find Warnerius, Abbot of St. Salvius, sending John, Prior of his Church, and Adam, his Chaplain, with a Latin letter empowering them to sell their soke in London, called ' the soke of St. Winwaloeus.' Prior John and Brother Adam appear to have sold the soke, and the houses, and the advowson of the Church to William Facet. And this William Facet, in earlier documents styled ' Clerk ' to John of St. Laurence, is now called ' Canon of St. Paul's.' Another document, of the date, probably, of 1 247, with one of the Abbey seals in fair condition, an- nexed by a silk cord, the other seal being lost, tells us that Warner, Abbot of St. Salvius, Montreuil, by reason of the ' urgent necessity ' of the House, has quit-claimed to Sir William Facet, Canon of St. ' Jiist, MSS. Co?n., Fourth Report, p. 449. Early History of Balliol College 1 1 9 Paul's, * all our Soke, lands, and rents, with the ap- purtenances, and the advowson of the Church of St. Laurence, Jewry,' to hold the same together ; the same Facet having paid forty pounds before- hand, which had been ' converted to the use of the Monastery.' This deed was witnessed by Michael Tovy, then Mayor of London ; William Viel, and Nicholas Bat, Sheriffs ; Adam de Basinge, Stephen Bukerel, Roger Fitz- Roger, John Vyel, Laurence de Frowie, Thomas Fitz-Thomas, John Horman, Ro- bert de Cornhell, William Eswy, mercer, Thomas Adrian, John le Meyner, James Buleys, Martin, servant of the Abbot, John de Arkesdene, Clerk, and others. The soke, and other property, which William Facet had from the Abbot of St. Salvias, he gave to his foster-child, Henry Facet, together with various sums of money. The deed of gift is on parchment, and the names of several witnesses are inscribed on it. The seal is lost ; and only the silk cord, which attached it to the deed, remains. But there is another, beautifully written, copy of this document, which has an oblong seal, in good condition, repre- senting a tonsured head. This seal is held by a parchment thong. The property next passed to Hugh de Wychen- brook. Both Antony a Wood and Henry Savage state that Hugh de Wychenbrook and Hugh de 1 20 Early History of Balliol College VIenne were the same person. They say that Hugh de Wychenbrook was ' commonly called ' Hugh de Vienne. But a more careful study of the College deeds would have led to the conclusion that the property passed from Henry Facet to Hugh de Wychenbrook, and from him to Hugh de Vienne. There is a ' conveyance, in Latin, on parchment, by Hugh de Wykhambroke, Canon of St. Martin's le Grand, to Hugh de Vienne, of the property above- mentioned ; dated in the 15th year of King Edward the First. Witnesses, Ralph de Sandwich, then Warden of the City of London and the same Ward, William de Hereford and Thomas de Stanes, then Sheriffs, Henry le Waleys, Gregory de Rokesle, Philip le Tayllour, John de Banquelle, William de Farndone, Joce Lachateour, Ralph le Blound, Peter de Northwys, Thomas le Foundour, Roger le Bar- bour, and others, with John le Barbour, "then Serjeant of that Ward." The seal is oblong, and nearly perfect, with good impression, of a priest standing before the altar, with a chalice upon it.' ^ The College also preserves ' a Latin deed, on parchment, dated the Saturday after the Ascension, A.D. 1294; whereby Hugh de Vyenne, Canon of St. Martin's le Grand, grants to the Master and Scholars of Balliol the Soke of St. Wynewall, in the Parish of St. Laurence Jewry, with four houses, and ' Hist. JfSS. Com., Fourth Report, p. 449. Early History of Balliol College 1 2 1 the advowson of the Church ; the which he had had of the gift and grant of Master Hugh de Wykam- broke : the houses being near the graveyard of the said church, between the house of Stephen Aswy, on the west, and the Court-yard of the Guildhall, on the east. Also, 20 shillings of yearly rent ; namely, from the house of Martin the Arbalester, in Milk- strete, 4 shillings ; from the tenement there of Master Eadmund le Poter 8 shillings ; from the tenement held by the said Martin, in Cattestrete, opposite the Church of St. Laurence, 4 shillings ; and from that of Adam de Horsham, opposite the Church, 4 shillings. He acknowledges the receipt of 100 marks from them " in gersummam," by way of fine. Witnesses, Sir John Breton, Knight, then Warden of the City of London, Martin de Aumbrisbire and Robert de Rokeslee, Sheriffs, Stephen Aswy, John de Bauk- well, John de Byterle, Peter de Northwick, Adamde Horsham, Walter Bloundel, Robert de Colbroke, John de Pessemeres, John at Church, and many others. The seal, originally a bad impression (apparently of a thistle), is in good preservation, and hangs by a silken cord. There is a duplicate of this deed, with a like seal, but a still worse impression.' ^ And, also, a Licence in mortmain from King Edward L to Hugh de Vienne, sanctioning the preceding conveyance. The great seal, in white ' Hist^\MSS. Com., Fourth Report, p. 449. 1 2 2 Early History of Balliol College wax, which hangs by two silken cords, has been much broken round the edge ; but the centre of the seal remains perfect, and is a fine impression. The Licence is written in a bold handwriting, on a large sheet of parchment. ' Edwardus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, et Dux Aquitaniae, omnibus ad quos praesentes litterae pervenerint salutem. Licet de communi consilio regni nostri providerimus quod non liceat viris religiosis seu aliis ingredi feodum alicujus ita quod ad mortuam manum deveniat sine licentia nostra et capitalis Domini de quo res ilia immediate tenetur. Volentes tamen Hugoni de Vienna gratiam facere specialem dedimus ei licentiam quantum in nobis est quod ipse advocationi Eccle- siae Sancti Laurentii in Judaismo Londoniensi dare possit et assignare Custodi Domus Scholarium de Balliolo in Oxonia et eisdem Scholaribus. Habenda et tenenda eisdem Custodi et Scholaribus et eorum successoribus Scholaribus in Domo praedicta com- morantibus in perpetuum et eisdem Custodi et Scholaribus quod advocationem illam ab eodem Hugone sic recipere possint, tenore praesentium similiter licentiam concedimus specialem. Nolentes quod idem Hugo aut haeredes sui seu praedicti Custos et Scholares aut successores sui praedicti ratione statuti praedicti inde per nos vel haeredes nostros occasionentur in aliquo seu graventur, Early History of Balliol College 1 2 3 Salvis tamen capitalibus dominis feodi illius servitiis inde debitis et consuetis. In cujus rei testimonium has litteras nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Westmonasterium decimo octavo die August!, anno regno nostri vicesimo tertio.' \Translation. Edward, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine, to all to whom these presents shall come. Greeting. Although, by the common counsel of our realm, we have provided that it shall not be lawful for Religious, or others, to enter upon posses- sion of any fief, in such manner that it be held in mortmain, without permission from us, and from the principal Lord, of whom the fief is directly held. Wishing, nevertheless, to show special grace to Hugh de Vienne, we have granted him licence, so far as lies in us, to give and assign the advowson of the Church of St. Laurence, in Jewry, London, to the Warden of the House of the Scholars of Balliol, at Oxford, and to these same Scholars. To have and to hold to these same, the Warden and Scholars dwelling in the House aforesaid, in perpetuity. And by the tenor of these presents we grant special licence to the said Warden and Scholars so to receive that advowson from the said Hugh. And it is our will that the same Hugh, and his heirs, or the aforesaid Warden and Scholars, or their successors, should not in anything be harassed or burthened by 124 Early History of Balliol College reason of the statute, by us, or our heirs. Saving, however, the services due and accustomed to the chief Lords of that fief. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters patent to be executed. Witnessed by myself, at Westminster, the i8th day of August, in the 23rd year of our reign.] Walter de Fodringeye was made Principal in 1282, when Dervorguilla gave formal Statutes to the College ; and Brother Hugh de Hertilpoll and William de Menyll were then Procurators. In 1296, Walter de Fodringeye resigned his Principalship, and was made a Canon of Lincoln ; and Hugh de Warkenby became Principal, or Warden, of Balliol Hall. But he could not have remained in office for many years, for in 1303 ' Stephen Cornwall occurs by the name of Custos domus de BalHolo 31 Ed. I. He was succeeded by Richard de Chickwell, who is mentioned as * Custos' in a writ of Edward II. to the Mayor of Oxford, dated August 18, 1309. Thomas de Waldeby appears to have been Principal in the year 1321. And, in another writ of Edward II. the name of Henry de Seton occurs as Principal, in 1323. Nicholas de Luceby was Custos in the first year of Edward III. ; and, five years afterwards, we find the name of John Poclynton. Thus there were, according to Antony a Wood, who is very reliable in such matters, being more a careful annalist than an historian, eight Principals, or Early History of Balliol College 125 Wardens. The title afterwards was altered ; and the name of Hugh Corbrygge occurs as * Master,' in 1343.' Of these Principals two appear to have been Benefactors to the College ; one directly, and one indirectly. Hugh de Warkenby, together with William de Gotham, also a member of the College, gave four houses in School Street, with the area adjoining them, for the support of a Chaplain for the Chapel of St. Catherine, within the precincts of the College. These four houses were subsequently known as Balliol College Schools. They were * situated sometime on the West side of Schoolstreet in the said Parish of St. Mary the Virgin. These having been Schools of old time, but by what name then known I know not, had this name given to them in the reign of K. Edw. H, because that then they belonged to the House of Balliol, who at that time and several ages after rented them to Clerks to per- form their Exercise ; for as I have elsewhere told you, every Master and Bachelour were formerly bound to provide for themselves Schools. The said Schools being four in number were contained in one messuage, and were yearly let for very considerable rents. In the latter end of Hen. HI, and begin- ning of Edw. I, they did, with the tenement itself ^ These names, and dates, are given from Antony k Wood, with- out further verification. 126 Early History of Balliol College belong to one EHas le Quitter, a Burgher of Oxford, who about the year 1291 did convey them with a court or yard adjoining, and certain revenews in the Parish of St. Peter in the East to Thomas de Sowy another Burgher, by the name of Beaufront Schools situated between a tenement of the Prior and Con- vent of St. Frideswyde, and another sometime belonging to Laurence Kepeharme. In the year 1295 the said Schools with three messuages at the North end of Schoolstreet on the West side, coming by sale from the said Sowy to Hugh de Warkeneby and Will, de Gotham, Clerks (the former then Master, and the other lately Fellow, of the House of Balliol) were in the year 13 10 given by them to the said House, for the finding of a Chaplain to celebrate divine service daily in St. Catherine's Chapel there. Afterwards they let out the other messuages to Clerks, and they became also Schools and habitations for them.' ^ Soon afterwards we find Richard de Hunsingoure giving property to the College. In 13 16, he gave and ' confirmed to the Master and Scholars of the House of Balliol for ever. All that Tenement, with the Houses, Curtilage, and all other the Appur- tenances in the Parish of St. John de Merton, lying between Alban-hsW and Lo7}tb-\\3\\, which Tcne- ' Antony h Wood, ed, Gutch, vol. ii. p. 731. Early History of Balliol College 1 2 7 ment he had of the Legacy of Walter de Fodringkeye, Canon of Lincoln' ^ Thus Walter de Fodringeye became, indirectly, a Benefactor to the College of which he had been the first Principal. The house, commonly known as Hert Hall, was afterwards leased to Merton College, and became a part of what was, until only a few years ago, St. Alban Hall. ' Hert Hall was given to Balliol College in the reign of Edward H by Mr. Richard Huntingore, but seems at the date of the Survey (1424) to have been pulled down or dilapidated, the site and ground being then con- verted into a garden.' ^ In a lease from the Prioress of LIttlemore to Merton College, of a walled garden, 'late lying and longing to Albon Hall In Oxenford,' is a very exact description of the dimensions of this garden. It was 206J feet In length, and 38J feet in breadth. And its position is plainly stated in a ' Lease for ninety-nine years from Balliol to Merton College of a garden lying between Alban Hall and the " orchard " of Merton College, of which the south end projects to the wall of the said Scholars of Merton, and the north end to the King's highway close to Alban Hall, " con- taining in length 2o6-| feet, and in breadth :iy^\ feet," at a rent of two shillings. Merton College further ' Balliofergus, p. 34. '^ Memorials of Merton Coll., Brodrick, p. 314. 128 Early History of Balliol College undertakes the liability, formerly devolving upon Balliol, of keeping in repair the northern and eastern walls of this garden, and is empowered to dig there and use it otherwise for its own purposes.' ' The Warden of Merton, in his Memorials of the College, calls our attention to an old doorway, which * may still be seen, blocked up and built into the wall of Merton College Garden opposite the New Schools and the back entry to the old Angel Inn. This door may have been the one outlet from the gardens into what is now Merton Street, when St. Alban Hall and other adjoining Halls belonged to other owners.' ^ The same Richard de Hunsingoure, who gave Hert Hall and garden, also gave to the College, in about the year 1320, twelve acres of meadow, called Bayly-mead, in the parish of Steeple Aston. Henry Savage tells us that, 'Anno 13 Edw. 2. which was about the Year, 1320. twelve Acres of Medow, com- monly called Bayly-mead, were given by Mr. Hun- singoure to the Master and Scholars, to find a Chaplain for the celebration of Divine Offices in the Chappel of St. Katerine, within the Mansion of the said Master and Scholars, confirmed by Letters Patents of the said King, to be held of the Manor of Wotton, for the Service of 1^6.. per annum.'' ^ ' Memorials of Merlon Coll., Brodrick, p. 315. - Ibid. ' Balliofergus, p. 34. Early History of Balliol College 129 Thus, by the charity of Benefactors, two per- manent Chaplains were secured for the College, that Divine Office might be said daily in the Oratory within the precincts of the College. That Oratory was, as far as can be safely conjectured, the large hall which is now the Master's dining room. Tra- dition, in such a question, is of some worth ; and the position of the hall, near to the new buildings, which Dervorguilla had erected, and also joining the tene- ments which she gave to her Scholars of Balliol, confirms the tradition. The structure of the hall tends to the same conclusion. It has evidently always depended for light on a large window looking east ; it is entered by a wide double-door at the west ; there was, originally, a raised dais at the east end ;^ the roof is high, and the walls are massive. The argument against its having been the Oratory is, that the great bay-window, looking eastward, was built by Bishop Grey. But, when he was building his new hall and Library, might he not, for the sake of uniformity in the appearance of the quadrangle, have built anew the east window of the Oratory, a work which possibly was much needed } Dervorguilla's Oratory was built about the year- 1293, out of money left by her to the College. 1 When the Master's house was rebuilt, 1868 1870, the floor of this hall was raised to the level of the new rooms. It was raised to the height of the dais, which existed up to that time. K 1 30 Early History of Balliol College Before that time the Scholars of Balliol had, for their Chapel, one of the aisles of St. Mary Magdalen's Church. It appears to have been a custom, if not a rule, for Scholars to be present at Divine Office, and to hear Mass, in the Church of the parish they lived in ; but there is no record of their attendance being compulsory. The attendance of Graduates was strictly required, by many different statutes, 'and the omission of any mention of the juniors would seem to imply that it was taken for granted they should accompany their masters.'^ And we find in the Chancellors' and Proctors' Books, about the year 131 1, among the Ordinances issued for the Scholars of Master William of Durham, 'Item, ordinatum est quod dicti Scholares, qui pro tempore fuerint, duas missas, singulis annis in parochia ubi degunt, pro anima fundatoris faciant celebrare.'^ The Balliol Scholars had no great distance to go. A few steps between the plots of ground at the back of Old Balliol Hall, and then across the open space at the east of the Church. A minute's run, for Mass in the early morning. Not far to go from their books or play, for the Divine Office. And even in the dusk of winter evenings, when the Oxford mist and fog would, then as now, creep stealthily across Canditch, and the fields of Beaumont, there would have been some glimmering oil lamp near the City ' Muniinenta Acadeinica. Preface, p. Ixxv. '' Ibid. vol. i. p. 89. Early History of Balliol College 1 3 1 Gate, or the Sanctuary lamp showing faintly through the Church window, to guide them to their Vespers. They were poor-looking lads, who, in garments of various colours and shapes, left their scantily furnished rooms, or broke away from prolonged Disputations and tedious lectures, when the near bell called them to their prayers. In Agas' map of Oxford, 1578, can be seen the opening, between buildings, through which they probably must have passed before cross- ing the road to St. Mary Magdalen's Church. 'The north aisle, or a part of it, was repaired and fitted up about 1280 by Dervorgilla, the foundress of Balliol college, as an oratory for the use of her scholars. Hence it has been known by the name of Dervorgilla's aisle, or St. Catharine's chapel. The payment of 405'. per annum to St. Catharine's priest is mentioned so late as the time of Henry VHL, and the "mass book of St. Catharine" was "mended" in the 24th of his reign. . . . This aisle, or the part dedicated to St. Catharine, was used by the scholars of Balliol college from their first foun- dation until 1293; after which Oliver Sutton, and other bishops of Lincoln in succession, granted them permission to celebrate divine service in their own oratory within the walls of the college ; except on particular solemnities, when they were bound to attend in the parish church.' ^ ' Memorials of Oxford^ Ingram. K 2 132 Early History of Balliol College The frequency of Disputations seems to have been pleaded, by the Balliol Scholars, as a reason for their having the Divine Office in their own Chapel, within the College precincts. And Dervor- guilla's last gift of money having built the Chapel, Oliver Sutton granted the Licence asked for. The words of the Licence are : * Oliverus permissione Divina Lincolniensis Episcopus dilectis in Christo filiis, Magistro et Scholaribus domus de Balliolo in Oxonia, salutem, gratiam, et benedictionem. Considerantes fructus multiplices qui ex vestro laudabili studio hactenus pervenerunt et in futurum sperantur Deo auspice proventuri, quietem quam possumus vobis cupimus providere ; cum igitur lectionum et disputationum occupationibus impediti parochialem Ecclesiam infra cujus parochiam domus vestra praedicta consistit pro Divinis audiendis adire ut praetenditis saepius nequeatis nos vestris supplicationibus favorabiliter inclinati, ut in oratorio vestro infra domum vestram praefatam constructo dum tamen decens fuerit et honestum, Divina vobis et familiae vestrae per sacer- dotem sumptibus vestris propriis exhibendis faciatis licite celebrari licentiam vobis concedimus per prae- sentes. Ita tamen quod nullimoda Sacramenta Ecclesiastica in dicto oratorio ministrentur et, quoad oblationes in eo faciendas, obventiones, ac alia jura consimilia, nullum matrici Ecclesiae praedictae prae- Early History of Balliol College 133 judicium generetur quodque ut honor debitus eidem Ecclesiae servetur ipsam in majoribus anni solemni- tatibus, visitetis prout alii Scholares suas Ecclesias parochiales visitare tenentur et quilibet capellanus in dicto oratorio vobis ministraturus de indemnitate ejusdem Ecclesiae in praesentia Abbatis et Con- ventus Oseneyae ipsam in usus proprios possiden- tium seu ipsius Ecclesiae Vicarii praestet ad Sacra Dei Evangelia juramentum. Quae omnia et singula sub poena revocationis hujusmodi gratiae nostrae a vobis volumus observari. In cujus rei testimonium sigillum nostrum praesentibus est appensum. Data apud Eynesham iii Idus lulii, anno Domini mcc nonagesimo tertio.' [Translation. Oliver, by Divine permission, Bishop of Lincoln, to his beloved sons in Christ, the Master and Scholars of the House of Balliol, at Oxford, Health, Grace, and Benediction. We, con- sidering the abundant fruit which has been derived from your praiseworthy zeal up to this time ; and, with the blessing of God, is expected in the future ; are anxious, so far as we can, to provide for your peace and tranquillity. Since, therefore, as you allege, you are often unable, owing to your time being engrossed by lessons and Disputations, to attend for the Divine Offices the parish Church, of the parish in which your House aforesaid is situate ; we, favourably inclining to your petition, by these 1 34 Early History of Balliol College presents grant you licence lawfully to have the Divine Offices celebrated for yourselves and your household, in your own Oratory (provided it be fair and becoming) constructed within your House afore- said, by a Priest to be maintained at your own expense. Provided always that none of the Sacra- ments of the Church be administered in the said Oratory ; and that with regard to offerings made therein, revenues, and other rights of like nature, no prejudice accrue to the aforesaid mother Church ; and provided that on the more solemn Feasts of the year, in order to keep up the honour which is due to the said Church, you make a visit to it, in the same way that other Scholars are bound to visit their parish Church ; and provided that every Chaplain, . who is to serve the said Oratory, take an oath on the Holy Gospels of God concerning the indemnity of the same Church, in the presence of the Abbot and Community of Oseney, who hold it to their own use, or of the Vicar of the said Church. All which and singular, it is our will that you should observe, under penalty of the revocation of this our grace. In witness whereof our seal is to these presents appended. Given at Eynsham, 13 July, 1293.] This letter is one of the most valued of the documents relating to the early history of the College, and it has been carefully preserved in the College Archives, It is a small slip of parchment ; but the Early History of Balliol College 135 writing is distinct, and legible. Only a small por- tion of the seal remains ; but there is a duplicate copy of this letter, which has a nearl perfecty seal attached to it. It is difficult to determine exactly what the Ecclesiastical Sacraments refer to. Bishop Oliver may have meant that the Holy Communion was not to be given, in the Chapel, on the more solemn Feasts ; but that the Scholars were to go to the parish Church. Or, Ecclesiastical Sacraments might simply refer to those of Ecclesiastical precept ; such as. Baptism, and the Easter Communion. Several succeeding Bishops of Lincoln granted the same Licence ; and in one of these documents the Oratory is called the Chapel of St. Catherine. Finally, in 1364, Pope Urban V. gave a Licence, in the following words. As this document is now much injured by damp, it is here given, as it is written, in the abbreviated Latin. * Vrban^ eps seru^ seruorf dei / Dilectf filijs Magro & scolarib} Collegij cTicorf dom'' de Balliolo de Oxonia Lincolnien diocf Salt & apticam ben . Pia deuotorf deo & ecclie desideria que diuini cult^ augmetu ac iporf quietf comodu respicer. dinoscunt'. aptico fauore psequim eisq3 benignti imptim^ assensij. Exhibita siquide nob p pte vra cotinebat qd vos in quada Capella sita infra septa dom^ vre de Balliolo de Oxonia Lincolnien! dioc iuxta statuta dicte dom^ 136 Early History of Balliol College p nos ^ iurameto vallata singuT dieb} p pp'os sacer- dotes diuina officia face celebrari ac certf dieb} eisdem misse & horis canonicis psonalir inresse tenemini. Nos vris in hac pte supplicacionib} in- clinati . vt in Capella pdicta singuli vrm qui fuerint in pbrat^ ordine constituti & alij pbri dicte dom^ missam & alia diuina officia eciam 1 festC maiorib} siimissa & alta voce iure parrochiaT ecclie & cuiuslibet alteri^ i oib} semp saluo celebrarf valeatf quibuscuq3 Con- stitucionib} apTicis contrarijs nequaqua obstantib} deuocioni nre auctoritate apTica tenon psenciu in- dulgem^ Nulli ergo 010 hominu Hceat hac pagina nre consessionis infringere vel ei ausu temerario contraire Si quis aute hoc atteptare psumpserit in- dignatione omnipotentf dei & beatorf Pet' & PauH apTorf ei^ se nouit incursuru Dat Auinion xvj kt Maij Pontificat^ nri anno Secundo.' \_Translation. Urban, Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to Our beloved sons, the Master and Scholars of the College of Clerics of the House of Balliol at Oxford, in the diocese of Lincoln, Health and Apostolic Benediction. It is Our wont graciously to extend Our Apostolic favour and consent to the pious desires of men, who are devoted to God and the Church, in those things which regard the increase of Divine Worship, and the advantage of Our peace. Now it has been ' Written ?ios ; but probably a mistake for vos. Early History of Balliol College 137 made known to Us in your behalf that, according to the Statutes of your House of Balliol, at Oxford, in the diocese of Lincoln, to which you are obliged by oath, you are bound to cause the Divine Offices to be celebrated daily in the Chapel situated within the limits of the said House, by your own Priests, and on certain days to be present personally at the same Mass and Canonical Hours. We, inclin- ing to your petitions in this regard, by the tenor of these letters, by Our Apostolic authority, permit to your devotions that you who are Priests, and the other Priests of the said House, to celebrate in the aforesaid Chapel, Mass and the Divine Offices, as well aloud as in a low voice, even on the greater Feasts, the right of the parish, and any other Church, being in all things and always safeguarded, and notwithstanding any Apostolic constitutions to the contrary. Therefore let no man, whoever he may be, in- fringe this Our document of concession, or dare rashly to contradict it. But if any one should pre- sume so to do, let him know that he will incur the anger of God Almighty and of His blessed Apostles Peter and Paul. Given at Avignon, on the i6th day before the kalends of May, in the second year of our Pontificate.] There can be little doubt about Masses having been celebrated in the College soon after its first 1 38 Early History of Balliol College foundation. Dervorguilla's Statutes, given to the Scholars in 1282, asked for certain Masses to be offered on certain days ; and although the Scholars* first Chapel was one of the aisles of St. Mary Mag- dalen's Church, yet in 1293 they had their own Oratory, within the precincts of the College. In 1 3 10 Hugh de Warkenby and William de Gotham gave four houses in School Street, for the support of a Chaplain, for the Chapel of St. Catherine, in the College. And in 1320, Richard de Hunsingoure gave the twelve acres of meadow, at Steeple Aston, for the support of another Chaplain. In 1341, Sir Philip de Somervyle, when giving new Statutes to the College, ordained that a third Chaplain, presented by him, of by his heirs, should live in the College, and celebrate certain Masses, in perpetuity. The College evidently had its own Chapel, or Oratory, in which the Holy Sacrifice was frequently offered ; but it was, probably, not licensed for Masses on Days of Obligation, nor for the public recitation of the Divine Office. Bishop Oliver's Licence was that the Divine Office might be said in it ; but, it would appear, the Scholars were still bound to be present at Mass, and at the Office, in the parish Church, on all greater Feast Days, that is, on all Days of Obli- gation. Pope Urban's Licence, though it carefully guarded the interests of the parish Church, in all questions of rights and dues, gave the Scholars Early History of Balliol College 1 39 what they needed, permission to have Mass cele- brated in their own Chapel, ' as well aloud as in a low voice, even on the greater Feasts.' In 1327, the Abbot of Reading was a Benefactor to the College. There is a letter in the College Archives, which tells of the good Abbot's gifts. It is a small piece of parchment ; but the writing is bold and regular. The pendent seal, in red wax, vesica-shaped, is broken round the edge ; but is, otherwise in good preservation, and is a fine speci- men of an Abbey seal. The Abbot is represented, standing : he has his crozier in his right hand, and in his left he holds a book. His chasuble and alb have been very carefully and delicately traced. The letter reads : ' Noverint universi per praesentes quod Dominus Nicholaus de Quappelad, Dei gratia .... Abbas Radyngiae liberavit Scholaribus Domus de Balliolo in Oxonia, viginti libras sterlingorum pro anima Adae le Poleter burgensis Radyngiae ad fabricam capellae Sanctae Katerinae ejusdem Domus. Item dedit praedictus . . . Abbas praefatis Scholaribus decem marcas argenti ad fabricam Capellae praedictae quas ab eodem . . . Abbate prae duo scripta obliga- toria prius ex mutuo receperunt. Dedit etiam prae- dictus . . . Abbas praefatis Scholaribus unam fenes- tram vitream pretii decem librarum et amplius pro capella supradicta, summa totius xxxvj li. xiij s. iiij d. 140 Early History of Balliol College Item dedit eis meremlum, lath et alia minuta cum cariagio eorumdem quae hie in specie non numeran- tur. In cujus rei testimonium tam praedictus. . . . Abbas quam praedicti Scholares praesenti indenturae alternatim sigilla sua apposuerunt. Hiis testibus : Magistro Thoma Othom tunc Cancellario universi- tatis Oxoniae ; Magistro Nicholao de Luceby, tunc Custode praedictae Domus ; Magistro Nicholao de Tyngewykes ; et custode sigilli communis praedic- torum Scholarium ; et multis aliis. Et remanebit una pars hujus indenture penes praedictos Scholares et alia pars penes custodem altaris Capellae Beatae Mariae Virginis infra Abbathiam Radynges. Dat. apud Radyngiam die Veneris in festo Circumcisionis Domini, anno Domini millesimo tricesimo vicesimo septimo.' \Translation. Be it known to all by these pre- sents, that Lord Nicholas de Quappelad, by the Grace of God Abbot of Reading, has released to the Scholars of the House of Balliol at Oxford, twenty pounds sterling, for the soul of Adam le Poleter, Burgess of Reading, for the construction of the Chapel of St. Catherine of the same House. Item : the aforesaid Abbot gave to the aforesaid Scholars ten marks of silver, for the construction of the aforesaid Chapel, which they had previously re- ceived as a loan under two written bonds. More- over, the aforesaid Abbot gave to the aforesaid Early History of Balliol College 1 4 1 Scholars, one glass window, of the value of ten pounds and more, for the above-named Chapel. Sum total ; 36/. 13^. Afd. Also he gave them timber, lath, and other small items, which are not here specifically- enumerated, with their carriage. In witness whereof the aforesaid Abbot, and the aforesaid Scholars, have in turn affixed their seals to the present indenture. Witnesses : Master Thomas Otham, present Chan- cellor of the University of Oxford ; Master Nicholas de Luceby, present Warden of the aforesaid House ; Master Nicholas de Tyngewykes ; and the keeper of the common seal of the aforesaid Scholars; and many others. And one part of this indenture shall remain with the aforesaid Scholars, and the other part with the warden of the Altar of the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, within the Abbey of Read- ing. Given at Reading, Friday, the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord, a.d. 1327.] 142 Early History of Balliol College CHAPTER VII. Thus we have followed the foundation of the College, and have seen Dervorguilla endowing it with her gift of lands in Stamfordham and Howgh; and her gift of all the debts due to her husband at the time of his death. Then the College was enriched by the property in the Jewry, London ; and theadvow- son of the Church of St. Laurence. Soon after- wards came the gift of four houses in School Street, with the area adjoining them, by Hugh de Warkenby and William de Gotham ; and of Hert Hall, given by Richard de Hunsingoure. ' As for the Area, we must understand that into the Schools of Arts, no Undergraduates were permitted to enter, as to the doing of any Exercise therein, but were left to dis- pute in the Area, or Court-yard adjoyning : which in French being Parvis, our Answering of Generals, is thence call'd answering in Parvisiis, or in Parviso!^ Mr. Maxwell Lyte explains, that ' in the third year of his residence at the University, the student of the liberal arts was allowed to become a " general ' Balliofergus, p. ^2,. Early History of Balliol College 143 sophister." As such he was required to attend the logical " variations " that were held " in the parvise " for at least a year, " disputing, arguing, and respond- ing " on sophisms. The ecclesiastical origin of these disputations is shown by the phrase "in parviso," the parvise being a cloister, paved platform, or other open space, immediately adjoining a church. A curious instance of the survival of old names is to be found in the "'testamur'' or Latin certificate which is nowadays issued by the examiners at "Re- sponsions," to the effect that a successful candidate has answered to the questions of the masters of the schools " in parviso." ' ^ And he adds, in a foot- note, that ' in the eighteenth century, the variations in the parvise were held three times a week and known by the name of Generals.' After Richard de Hunsingoure there ' followed other benefactors, who gave several messuages in Oxon.' In the meantime, however, there were liberal friends, whose generosity to the College de- serves notice. Richard Hunsington and Walter Horkstow 'gave two Messuages; one call'd St. Hitghs-hall, the other Hert-kall, Anno 18 Edw. I. confirmed by Letters Patents. It appears by a Court Roll of the Major of Oxon, held Mercurii in Festo Sancti Edw. Regis, Anno Edw. 3. 19. that we had a Tenement in St. Mildreds Parish [the Church ' Hist. Univ. Oxford, Maxwell Lyte, p. 205. 144 Early History of Balliol College whereof stood where Lincoln Colledge Ball-Court now is] called St. Hughes-hall, which my Friend, who brought me a Transcript of the Record, would have to be understood of this St. Hughs-hall, which I contend to be part of our Colledge : he supposing it not to be so, but that it was the Site of the Divinity School [which the University pays us Rent for, to this day, whereof elsewhere]. But whatever the name of the said Site of the Divinity School was, it is as clear as may be that they are distinct things given us by distinct Benefactors : for this St. Hughes- hall, which I will have to be a part of our Colledge (together with that Hert-hall) was given, as you see, by Richard Htmsington and Walter Horkstoiv, Anno 1 8 Edw. i. but the place of the site of the Divinity School was given hy Jeffrey Horkstoiu and Richard Staynton, Anno 1 1 Ed. 2. He will like- wise have Hert-hall here mentioned too, to be that slip of Ground annexed to Alban-hall, which is proved to be otherwise by the same observation. This Hert-hall being given by Rich : Hunsington and Walter Horkstoiv, but that piece of Land was given by Richard Hunsingoure, of the legacy of Walter de Fodringheye, whereof elsewhere. Many Halls bearing the same name heretofore, no Argu- ment can be drawn from the Identity thereof to the sameness of the places.' ' ' Balliofergiis, p. 28, Early History of Balliol College 145 The Grant to the College, by Geoffrey de Horkestow and Richard de Staynton, of ' the place of the site of the Divinity School,' is thus worded : ' Sciant praesentes et futuri quod nos Galfridus de Horkestow et Ricardus de Stayntown, Clerici, dedimus concessimus et hac praesenti carta nostra confirmavimus Magistro et Scholaribus Domus de Balliolo Oxoniae et eorum successoribus in eadem Domo in perpetuum totum illud tenementum cum domibus et omnibus aliis pertinentiis in Oxonia quod fuit quondam Walteri de Sanford contra muros ejusdem villae in parochia Sanctae Mildredae situatum inter tenementum eorundem Magistri et Scholarium ex parte oriental! et tenementum quon- dam Thomae de Hengseye ex parte occidentali in subventionem sustentationis praedictorum Magistri et Scholarium. Tenendum et habendum praedictum tenementum integre cum domibus, curtilagio, et omnibus aliis pertinentiis praefatis Magistro et Scholaribus praedictae Domus et eorum succes- soribus in eadem Domo libere, jure, integre, in per- petuum juxta formam, vim, et effectum cartae Domini Regis nobis et eis in hac parte licentiam specialem tribuentis, statute de terris et tenementis ad manum mortuam non ponendis edito non obstante ; faciendo inde capitalibus dominis feodi illlus servitia inde debita et de jure consueta. In L 1 46 Early History of Balliol College cujus rei testimonium sigilla nostra praesenti cartae sunt appensa. Hiis testibus Magistro Johanne Luterel tuna Cancellario Oxoniae. Willelmo de Birmcestre tunc majore ejusdem ; Ricardo, Cari, Gilberto de Grimstede tunc ballivis . Johanne de Dokelyntone, Andrea de Pyri, Ricardo le Spicer, Johanne de Bischoptone, Thoma de Pyri tunc Clerico ejusdem villae et multis aliis. Scripta et consignata V' Kal. DecK Anno regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis Edwardi undecimo.' [Abstract. Geoffrey de Horkestow and Richard de Staynton, Clerks, grant to the Master and Scholars of the House of Balliol, the tenement with houses and appurtenances, in Oxford, which be- longed to Walter de Sandford, near the City Wall, in St. Mildred's parish, towards the maintenance of the said Master and Scholars. Witnesses. Master John Luterel, then Chancellor of Oxford. William de Birmcestre, then Mayor. Richard, Cary, and Gilbert de Grimstede, bailiffs. John de Dokelynton, Andrew de Pyri, Richard le Spicer, John de Bischop- tone, Thomas de Pyri, then clerk of the town ; and many others. Written on the 5 th day before the kalends of December, 11 Ed. II.] But, in order of date, another benefaction should have been mentioned before these gifts. Henry Savage tells, in his rather rambling fashion, how ' K. Ed. I. taking occasion to banish Early History of Balliol College 147 all Jews out of this Kingdom, with Licence to sell or carry away their moveables onely, all their Lands came into the Kings hands as Escheats. Now I find that of Jews Houses in Oxford, the King, in the nineteenth Year of his Reign, granted to William Burnel Provost of Wells, nine Messuages, with their Tenements and Appurtenances [whereof seven were in the Parish of St. Aldates, one in St. Martyns, and another was a School of the Jews] one of those nine Messuages was call'd The Syna- gogue, whereunto did belong the entrance in at the great Port or Gate, and the sollar over it ; from which great or broad Port or Gate, as it is thought, the House of the Students [now Pembrook Col- ledge] was call'd Aula Lateportensis, or Broadgates- hall. This Synagogue and Port was given to Stephanus de Cornubia^ Master of this House, and the Scholars, 35 Ed. L The rest of the premises, together with ten Shops, did the same William Burnel bestow upon our said House : For the confirmation whereof, we have Licence of Mort- main, and other Letters Patents from the King, a confirmation of the Gift from Queen Mar- garet, 8 Edw. 2. [which King was her Son] the disclaim of Edward Burnel, Heir to the said William, with all other circumstances of Law contain'd in a multitude of Writings ; which makes ' Stephen Cornwall ? L 2 148 Early History of Balliol College me wonder how it comes to pass that we have scarce one of those Houses remaining to us in St. Aldats Parish, and none of the shops. [That House in Grandpont [vulgo Grampool] though in the same Parish now, yet then in St. Michaels at the South Port [which St. Michaels hath been since consolidated with St. Aldats, being of another Foundation] unless it were to make way for the Building of Christ Church, called the Cardinals Colledge. And indeed it was mostly to that end ; in recompense whereof, we were promised Lands, Houses, or Money, but never received any, as appears under the hand of a Publick Notary of the Bishop oi London, Anno 1529.' ^ In the College Archives there is 'a small parch- ment deed, in Latin, with two seals, one broken, the other nearly perfect ; being a lease by John de Aylesbury and Agnes, his wife, to Master Stephen de Cornwall, " Master of the Hall of Balliol, and the Scholars thereof," of a messuage in Oxford, " which is called the Synagogue," in the parish of St. Aldate's, with the entrance at the great Gate, and the sollar over the gate, between the new tene- ments, formerly of Master William Burnel, from the Purification in the 35'^ year of King Edward the Third, to the Feast of St. Michael in . . . Wit- nesses, John de Dokelintone, Mayor of Oxford, ' Balliofergus, p. 27. Early History of Balliol College 149 Walter de Wycombe and William de Pennarth, Bailiffs, and others, therein named. Given on the Sunday after the Feast of the Purification, in the above-mentioned year.' ^ And also ' a Latin deed, on parchment, with four small seals, three of which are perfect ; whereby the Master and Scholars of Balliol covenant to build, in the messuage last-mentioned, a chamber " of com- petent timber," with a sollar, and a cellar also ; John de Aylesbury thereby agreeing that they may have the stones and timber of an old chamber there removed. Dated on the same day as the above. By another deed, it appears that John de Aylesbury was also known as " John the Taverner," of Oxford.' 2 By a deed, on a small piece of parchment, in fine and delicate writing, with one large capital letter at the beginning, Margaret, Queen Dowager of England, the second wife of Edward I. sanctioned the conveyance of these Tenements in St. Aldates, to the College. The large seal, in light brown wax, which is attached by a thick parchment thong, is a very beautiful, and nearly perfect, impression. The Queen is represented, standing, and holding in her hand a sceptre. The words of the deed are : * Universis Sanctae matris ecclesiae filiis ad quos praesentes litterae pervenerint Margareta Dei ' Hist. MSS. Com. Fourth Report, p. 450. ^ Ibid. 1 50 Early History of Balliol College Gratia Regina Angliae salutem in Domino sempi- ternam. Noverit universitas vestra quod nos habentes respectum ad profectum et commodum quae ex studio Scholarium aulae de Balliolo in Oxonia hactenus provenerunt et auxiliante Deo in posterum sunt uberius proventura, pro salute animae illustrissimi domini nostri domini Regis Edwardi dudum consortis nostri et pro salute nostra, inspectis cartis appropriationis et confirmationis Regis prae- dicti ac illustris domini et filii nostri domini Regis Edwardi filii Regis praedicti super tenementis omnibus, quae quondam fuerunt magistri Willelmi Burnel in Oxonia, Magistro et Scholaribus praedictae aulae concessis et appropriatis, eisdem cartis et appro- priationi quantum in nobis est nostrum consensum adhibuimus et quicquid juris in dictis tenementis habuimus seu habere poterimus salvo nobis redditu consueto et antiquo de tenementis eisdem dictis Magistro et Scholaribus concessimus per praesentes. In cujus rei testimonium has litteras nostras patentes sibi fieri fecimus sigillo nostro signatas. Data apud Feckenham, vicesimo septimo die Augusti anno regni domini et filii nostri carissimi domini Regis Edwardi filii Regis Edwardi octavo.' \Translation. To all the sons of Holy Mother Church to whom these presents shall come, Mar- garet, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, everlasting Health in the Lord. Be it known to all Early History of Balliol College 151 you, that we, having respect to the advantage and convenience which have hitherto been derived from the zeal of the Scholars of Balliol Hall at Oxford, and which, with the help of God, will in the future be derived more abundantly, for the salvation of the soul of our most illustrious Lord, the Lord King Edward, our late consort, and for our own, having perused the Charters of appropriation and confirm- ation of the aforesaid King, and of the illustrious Lord our son, the Lord King Edward, son of the aforesaid King, concerning all the tenements which formerly belonged to Master William Burnel, at Oxford, and which have been granted and appro- priated to the Master and Scholars of Balliol Hall aforesaid, have given our consent, as far as in us lies, to the Charters and appropriation, and by these presents we grant whatever right we have or shall have in the said tenements, to the said Master and Scholars, saving always the ancient and customary rent due to us on the same tenements. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters patent, sealed with our seal, to be executed. Given at Feckenham, on the 27th day of August, in the 8th year of the reign of the Lord and our most dear son, the Lord King Edward, son of King Edward.] And now we have to speak of a tenement in Oxford, to the memory of which is attached a special interest. Most Histories of England give 1 5 2 Early History of Balliol College us some account of * the coming of the Friars,' and of their work of reformation. The Dominicans were the first to arrive in England, and the first to come to Oxford. They settled in the midst of the populous district near to St. Edward's Church. There is still existing a very narrow, winding, foot- way, from Boar Lane to the High Street, known only to few people, and so narrow that the entrance to it from the High Street is hardly noticeable, which passes by some of the old walls and windows of earlier Oxford, This narrow pas- sage gives us some idea of St. Edward's parish of Mediaeval days. In that parish the Friar Preachers were first established. After the lapse of so many years, and the almost entire destruction of buildings, and the loss of records, it is impossible to speak with certainty about any one definite house. We know that the Friar Preachers had one or two tene- ments granted to them, for their habitation. After- wards, they probably rented them ; and, subse- quently, bought them. Their Rule would have obliged them to live together, in Community ; and so we may conjecture that the houses, very small ones, were connected, and became one House. The Friars Minor were not long in following the Friar Preachers, who entertained them with all hospitality in London, in 1225. ' Et statim ante festum Omnium Sanctorum, et antequam Frater Early History of Balliol College 153 Angnellus venisset Londoniam, profecti sunt Frater Ricardus de Ingewrth et Frater Ricardus Devoni- ensis Oxoniam, et ibi similiter a Fratribus Prsedicato- ribus familiarissime suscepti sunt ; comederunt in suo refectorio, et jacuerunt in suo dormitorio, sicut con- ventuaks, per dies octo.'^ This must have been at the House of the Black Friars, in St. Edward's parish. Among the numberless deeds in the College Archives, is a small document, which tells how some property in St. Edward's parish, in all probability these tenements, came to the Dominicans. It is a small, and carelessly cut, piece of parchment ; but in good preservation. The writing, on ruled lines, is clear, large, and very easy to read. The date is supposed to be about 1230. The seal is lost. The words of the Grant are : ' Sciant praesentes et futuri quod ego Thomas filius Thomae filii Edwini de Oxonia concessi, dimisi et liberavi et hac praesenti carta mea confir- mavi Fratribus Praedicatoribus de Oxonia totam terram meam cum omnibus pertinentiis suis quae est in parochia beati Edwardi in Oxonia, illam videlicet quae jacet inter terram quae est Roberti With et terram quae fuit Johannis de Navare, habendam et tenendam de me et haeredibus meis sibi et suis assignatis in perpetuum libere et quiete et integre. Reddendo inde annuatim domui Hospitalis de Sancto * Monuinefifa Franciscana^ vol. i. p. 9. 154 Early History of Ballio I College Johanni extra portam orientalem de Oxonia tresde- cem denarios ad duos anni terminos pro omni servitio et exactione et demanda, videlicet ad festum Sancti Michaelis vi denarios et obolum et in Annimciatione Sanctae Mariae vi denarios et obolum. Et ego praedictus Thomas filius Thomae et haeredes mei warantizabimus praedictis Fratribus Praedicatoribus et suis assignatis totam praedictam terram cum omnibus pertinentiis suis contra omnes homines mares et feminas. Pro hac autem concessione dimis- sione liberatione confirmatione warantizatione prae- dicti Fratres Praedicatores dederunt mihi centum solidos argenti in gersummam. Ut igitur haec omnia praedicta firma et stabilia permaneant hoc praesens scriptum sigilli mei impressione roboravi. Hiis testibus Petro filio Toroldi tunc majore Oxoniae, Roberto filio Oweni, Philippo Molendinario, Waltero Aurifabro, Laurentio With, Henrico Ingo, Alewico, Johanne Pille, Ricardo Molendino, Roberto Minnoth, et aliis.' \Abstract. Thomas, son of Thomas, son of Edwin, of Oxford, grants to the Friar Preachers of Oxford, all his land in the parish of St. Edward, in Oxford, viz. that lying between the land of Robert With and that late of John de Navare, they paying an annual rent of 13d. to the Hospital of St. John without the East Gate of Oxford. For this conces- sion, the said Friar Preachers have given him lOOs. Early History of Balliol College 155 of silver. Witnesses, Peter, son of Torold, then Mayor of Oxford. Robert, son of Owen ; Philip, the Miller ; Walter, the Goldsmith ; Laurence With ; Henry Inge, Alewic ; John Pille ; Richard, the Miller ; Robert Minnoth ; and others.] And the next deed to this is a most beautifully written document, on an evenly cut, but small, piece of parchment. The writing reminds us of the fine and careful penmanship of the letter from Amalric, Abbot of St. Salvius ; and is a contrast to the round schoolboy-like hand of the preceding deed. This small strip of parchment shows writing, on very faintly ruled lines, which is a marvel of evenness, fineness, and delicate finish. The very diminutive letters, and the abbreviations, are a work of art ; while the upright strokes, all in beautiful parallels, are finished by a fine lace-work running down them, as if the pen had been loth to leave its task. Perhaps the hand which guided it was trained for the better work of illuminating Missals, and transcribing manuscripts, and contributing to the ' rarities ' and the ' precious treasures ' that made the riches of Oxford Libraries. The thin parchment of this deed is turn- ing yellow. The seal is lost ; and only the parchment thong remains. The words are : ' Sciant praesentes et futuri quod ego Prater Willelmus de Tyford et Conventus Fratrum Praedi- catorum Oxoniae dedimus et concessimus, dimisimus, 156 Early History of Balliol College et Hberavimus et hac praesenti carta nostra confirma- vimus Randulfo de Chiltune Capellano totam terram nostram cum omnibus pertinentiis suis quae jacet inter terram quae est Roberti With et terram quae fuit Johannis de Navare in parochia Sancti Edwardi Oxoniae ; illam videlicet terram quam emimus a Thoma filio Thomae filii Edwini de Oxonia. Habendam et tenendam sibi et haeredibus vel assignatis suis in perpetuum libere, et quiete, integre, et pacifice. Reddendo inde annuatim domui Hospi- talis Sancti Johannis extra portam orientalem Oxoniae tresdecim denarlos ad duos anni terminos, videlicet ad festum Sancti Michaelis sex denarios et obolum et ad Annunciationem beatae Mariae sex denarios et obolum, pro omni servitio et exactione et demanda. Et nos pro nobis et successoribus nostris dicto R. et haeredibus suis vel assignatis tanquam veris assig- natis nostris cessimus et concessimus totum jus nostrum quod habuimus vel habere potuimus in praedicta terra cum omnibus pertinentiis suis. Ita quidem quod dictus Thomas filius Thomae filii Edwini et haeredes sui omni eodem modo teneantur dicto R. et haeredibus suis vel assignatis warantizare praedictam terram cum omnibus suis pertinentiis contra omnes homines et feminas sicut nobis tene- bantur warantizare pro ut in carta dicti Thomae quam praedicto R. concessimus continetur. Pro hac autem donatione, concessions dimissione, liberatione, Early History of Balliol College 157 et hac praesenti cartae nostrae confirmatione dedit nobis praedictus R. septem marcas argenti. Et ut haec omnia praedicta firma et stabilia in perpetuum permaneant hoc praesens scriptum sigilli nostri impressione roboravimus. Hiis testibus Petro filio Thoraldi tunc temporis Majore Oxoniae, Philippo Molendinario, Henrico filio Symonis, Galfrido de Stokwelle, Adam Feteplace, Waltero Aurifabro, Henrico Ynge, Johan Costard, Willelmo filio Alani, et aliis,' [^Abstract. Brother William de Tyford, and the Convent of the Friar Preachers of Oxford, grant to Ralph de Chiltune, Chaplain, all their land lying between Robert With's, and that late of John de Navare, in the parish of St. Edward, in Oxford ; viz. that which they bought from Thomas, son of Thomas, son of Edwin, of Oxford ; paying an annual rent of 13d. to the Hospital of St. John, without the East Gate. For this donation, the said Ralph gave them 7 marks of silver. Witnesses. Peter, son of Thorold, then Mayor of Oxford. Philip, the Miller ; Henry, son of Simon ; Geoffrey de Stokwelle ; Adam Feteplace ; Walter, the Goldsmith ; Henry Ynge ; John Costard ; William, son of Alan ; and others.] Various deeds, in the College Archives, show that this property passed from Ralph de Chiltune to Alice Haket of Lambourne, about 1270 ; from Alice de Lambourne to Robert de Grettone, about 1280 ; 158 Early History of Balliol College from Robert de Grettoneto William Burnel, in 1299 ; and from the executors of William Burnel to the College, in 1 3 1 4, or at about that date. At about the same time, Hugh de St. Ivo and Geoffrey de Horkestowe gave Chimers Hall to the College. Chimers Hall was in Sydyerd Street, near to King Street, in the parish of St. Edward the King. Sydyerd Street ^ reached from High Street to the entrance to Canterbury College.- It was the narrow, but busy, thoroughfare where the parchment sellers congregated, and where most of the parchment shops and stalls were to be found. In those days, when books were books, and manuscripts were worth copying, the selling of parchment was a great trade in Oxford. So, in 1304, Ralph le Wal, the Fisher- man ' piscator ' sold to Richard Overhe, the Skin- ner ' pellipario ' a tenement, * quod situm est in parochia Sancti Edwardi Regis in Oxonia, in vico qui vocatur Sydyerd inter tenementum Abbatis de Abyndone ex parte una, et tenementum Prions Sanctae Frideswidae ex altera.' And the next year, 1305, Richard Overhe granted to Masters Hugh de St. Ivo and Geoffrey de Horkestowe the same tene- ment, but described as ' quod vocatur Chimere Halle, quod situm est in parochia Sancti Edwardi Regis in Oxonia, in vico qui vocatur Sydyerd inter tene- mentum Abbatis de Abyndone ex parte una. et ' Now Oriel Street. - Xow Canterbury quadrangle, Ch. Ch. Early History of Balliol College 159 tenementum Prioris Sanctae Frideswidae ex altera.' In 1 3 10, Hugh de St. Ivo and Geoffrey de Horke- stowe gave this Chimers Hall, in Sydyerd Street, to the Master and Scholars of Balliol College. In Balliofergus is a detailed account of what became of Chimers Hall ; and also a description of the very beautiful, and almost perfect, large seal, in red wax, attached to the document granting the Hall to Can- terbury College, now kept in the Balliol Archives. There is another impression of this seal, on another deed, that has also been carefully preserved. * In the fourth Year of R. 2. the Master and Scholars of our Colledge, called then Balliol-]\3X\&, gave to Canterbury Colledge, now part of Christ- Church Oxon : a messuage called Chimer hall, formerly mentioned, lying towards Kings-street, called there Sydeard-street East, and the Garden of the said Canter bury -QoVi^^^^s^ West, North and South [which must be just opposite to Oriel Colledge] as appears under the Seal of the said Canterbury Colledge : In which Seal is represented [in regard of that Colledges dependance on the Prior of Christ- Church in Canterbury^ Austin the Monk, in a Pulpit with his Cross and Banner, Preaching to the barba- rous Infidels [for such the Saxons then were] with this Inscription in the Ring of the Seal, which is not oval but orbicular ; viz. Sigillum Collegii Aule Can- tuarie in Oxonia: upon which consideration, the 1 60 Early History of Balliol College Prior and Convent of the said place granted, Anno Dom: 1393. and in 17 7?. 2. to M' Tho: Tyrwhit Master, and the Scholars of our said Colledge, and their Successors, an annual Rent of 26 s. 8 d. to be taken off their Mannor of Newington and its Appur- tenances, in the County of Oxon, at the Feasts of Easter and Mickaehnas, by equal portions for ever : which Grant was the same Year confirmed by the said King his Letters Patents, with Licence to dis- train upon the foresaid Mannor in case of non-^3>.Y' ment at either or any of the said Feasts. But upon the dissolution of Religious Houses, and the return of the Lands into their Crown, the Rent was not paid, till Dr. Cotes, Master of our Colledge, and the Scholars thereof, had it decreed to them and their Successors, by the Chancellor and Court of Augmen- tations, in 34 H. 8. to be paid, together with the arrearages due from the dissolution, by the hands of the particular Receiver of the Court of Augmenta- tions of the Revenues of the Crown, in the said County of Oxon, for the time being. All which, may appear by the Exemplification of the said Decree under the Great Seal, and several other Writings in our Archives in Oxford, and Canterbury Box there. This Rent was received down to the taking away of Cathedrals, by the late Rebellion, and that for many Years by the hands of Auditor Squib in London, who told us, That we were never Early History of Balliol College 1 6 1 like to receive it more, unless we bought some of the Lands belonging to the Church of Canterbury , and so got it allowed in the Purchase. To this purpose a Sollicitor was imploy'd at WorcesterAiows^, for the Purchase of a Quit-rent of about 2i^ s. per annum, upon a Mannor in Kent, or some other such small matter then left unsold. But since that time, I never heard of the Sollicitor or Business : It may be that the greediness of Purchasers went between him and home ; for Men having devoured the whole dishes of the Church, they were ready to fall together by the Ears for the scraps. But how the dissolution of Canterbury Church, either first or last aforesaid, should extinguish our Rent setled in maner afore- said, restat inquirendum.' ^ The other Benefactions to the College, of about this date, appear to have been, ' three Tofts and one Garden, with the appurtenances contiguous to the House of the Master and Scholars of Balliol-\ic)^, for the enlargement of their Mansion,' ''^ given by Hamond Haskman, and Thomas Cinlow. Also Saucer Hall, which was given in 13 Edward HI. This Saucer Hall was sometimes called Sparrow Hall ; and, at one time. Old Balliol Hall. It was the tenement in Horsemonger Street rented for John de Balliol's Scholars before the Lady Dervoi- guilla established them in St. Mary's Hall. And we ' BalHofergus, p. 66. - Jbid. p. 60. M i62 Early History of Balliol College read that, ' that Messuage of ours in St. Giles s Parish, together with the Land in Walton-^^6i% thereunto belonging, was given 1 2 Edward 3. One other Tenement in St. Giles s Parish was given 6 Edw. 3. A third Messuage and Garden in St. Giles s Parish, was given 39 Edw. 3. The House and the Appurtenances in St. Peters Parish in the Bayly, given by Jo: Burton Bedel of the University, 49 Edw. 3. There are also six Writings tyed together, of six Houses in St. Ebbs Parish : whereof one was given in the Reign of Edw. 3. another by George Nevil B. of Exon. The corner Tenement, over-against Candy ch, was given 1 R. 2. but when or how the Tenement adjoyning to it, which is now the South-part of the Katkerine-wkeel, came to be the Colledges, I doe not find ; the said Tenement seemed to have belonged to St. Fridesweds, as being formerly described to be on the west-part of Old Balliol-hdW. . . . That which now is the Katkerine- wkeel, was given us 3 Ric. 2. as being described in the Deed to be directly opposite to the East-end of Magdalen Chwrch. In the same Year 2i\so, Jokn Duke and ftilian his Wife, gave a Messuage and Shop in St. Giles s Parish : so that four Messuages were given in St. Giles s Parish, but three of them only remain to us : whereof, unless two united and made one since, I cannot shew a reason. And last of all, a shop under a room belonging to Oriel Early History of Balliol College 163 Colledge in St. Marys Parish, was given 8 H. 4. which is part of Mr. Cryps's shop, late Book-seller in the High-street. There is mention made in a Deed without date (and therefore very ancient) of a Messuage situate between a Tenement of the Universities, called Old Balliol-hdW on the West, and a Tenement of the Master and Scholars of Balliol- hall, call'd New Balliol-hall ; which Tenement stood next to, or upon part of that ground where now Hammonds Lodgings do stand, which have been formerly call'd the New buildings' ^ There is no record of what the Catherine Wheel, here mentioned, was. But it may be assumed that it was a small Hostel, or Inn, opposite to the east end of St. Mary Magdalen's Church ; and that it took its name from the fact of its near proximity to the College, of which St. Catherine was the Patroness. The College Archives are rich in Royal Charters. Among them is the Grant of the Jews' land in Oxford, to William Burnel, from Edward I. in 1291. It is a small deed, fairly well written ; but the large seal, in green wax, attached by two silk cords, is much broken. There is, also, a Licence from Edward I. for the land of William Burnel to be given to Balliol College. This is a more elaborate docu- ment, and is better written. It commences with a ' Balliofergus^ p. 60. M 2 1 64 Early History of Balliol College fancy capital letter, and is ornamented with sprays of oak leaves and acorns. The seal is quite perfect. There is another Licence from Edward I, for William Burnel's land to be given to the College ; but the seal is broken. And an Inspeximus of Charters of Burnel's lands, from Edward II. The large seal, partly broken, is in a thin linen wrapper, which was probably its original cover. The date is 13 14. Early History of Balliol College 165 CHAPTER VIII. * Hitherto as it now appeares, y^ scolars of this house had each but 8*^ a weeke allowed them and y' noe longer than till they were Masters of Arts, ^ch degree being taken by them, they were put out from y' allowance and noe gratuity at all giuen to them to set them forth in y^ world ; soe y* dins of them being poore & nothing to subsist on, were either exposed to beggery, or forced to relinquish their studyes and seek maintenance mechanically ; ^ch gj-eat inconuenience being beheld by many & pittied, it pleased one S' Will : Felton K' in y^ 14 Ed. 3. or therabouts to giue to y^ Coll: y*" Rectory of Abboldesley with y^ Mannour therof in Huntingdonshire to augment their number, & increase their commons to 1 2'^ a weeke and supply them with bookes clothes & other neceffaryes, w*"^ Rectory pope Clement 6 did not only apppriate to y Colledge (a competency being reserved for y support of y^ Vicare there) but confirmed y' w"^ S"" Will: Felton had began viz y' y*" fellowes of this house might keepe their places, notwithftanding 1 66 Early History of Balliol College they were Masters or Doctours till they had got an ecclefiaftial benefice ; as for y'^ increase of y^ diet and number y^ next Benefactour as it seemeth pformed.' ^ So wrote Antony a Wood. Sir William de Felton's gift was considerable ; and it greatly augmented the growing riches of the College. The House of Balliol was rapidly becom- ing an important centre of learning in the University. But a difficulty had arisen in the internal organiza- tion of the House, a difficulty which was likely to fall heavily upon the Scholars, and which might prove detrimental to the further development of the foundation. Sir William de Felton's gift helped to meet the exigency. The Lady Dervorguilla had provided well, and with all solicitude, for the needs of her Scholars ; but she had thought of them only as Scholars, the boys whom her husband had wished to maintain while they were studying at Oxford. And Dervorguilla did not live long enough, after the promulgation of her beautiful Statutes, to see the new need arise, the necessity to give further aid to her Scholars after they became Masters in Arts. This was a growth in the design of the House of Balliol, which could only come with the practical experience of the working of the Collegiate system, and which could only be met by the generosity of additional Benefactors. ' Antony ci Wood. MS. in Bodleian Library. Early History of Balliol College 167 In the Archives are very many documents rela- ting to Abboldesley. The first which comes under our notice is a rather large, very yellow, piece of parchment, with writing on it, still quite legible, in faded brown ink. It is a Grant, from Ralph Ridel to the Abbot of Jeddeworth, of the advowson of Abboldesley ; and a short paragraph at the end is the confirmation by Malcolm, King of Scotland. There does not appear to have been any seal. The date is about 1256. The next is a long, narrow, equally yellow, and now very stiff, slip of parchment. The Latin writing on it is in round letters, much abbre- viated, and complicated by many flourishes. This document tells us that ' John, the Abbot of Jedde- worth Monastery, and the Convent thereof, grant to Sir William de Felton, Knight, for his life, and that of his heir, an annual pension of 3 marks, which they have from the parish Church of Abboldesley, with the right of patronage to the same. Dated at the Monastery of Jeddeworth, on Monday after the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle . 1340.' The large Abbey seal, in white wax, is in fairly good condition ; but was never a good impression. It is attached to the deed by a strong parchment thong. There is also ' A Latin grant, on parchment, to William de Felton, Knight, by King Edward the Third, of the advowson of the Church of Albol- desleye, which had come into his hands by the 1 68 Early History of Balliol College forfeiture of the Abbot of jeddeworth [Jedburgh] ; with permission to the said William to give the same to the Master and Scholars of Balliol, the Statute of Mortmain notwithstanding. Dated the 12'^ of April, in the 14"" year of his reign. The impression of the great seal of England, still covered with what was probably its original linen wrapper, is in fair condition.' ^ There are, besides these, several different Grants, or copies of Grants, from Sir William de Felton to Balliol College. They are, mostly, small slips of parchment ; but each with Sir William de Felton's seal, in brown wax, securely affixed by a broad thong. The appropriation of the Rectory of Abboldesley to the College was confirmed by a letter from Pope Clement VI. This document is, in one place, very difficult to read ; for across it is a broad brown stain, as if, at some time, chemicals had been used. Some words are almost obliterated ; but the transcript given here, though obviously faulty, is as correct as the dark stain, and the varied contractions of the original, will permit. The words are, ' Clemens, Episcopus, Servus servorum Dei, ad perpetuam rei memoriam. Scientiarum fructus, per quos non solum animarum salus sed etiam tempor- alis quietis et pacis commoda provenire noscuntur, Hist MSS. Com. Fourth Report., p. 448. Early History of Balliol College 1 69 augeri ubilibet affectantes, ad ilia Nos promptos libenter et favorabiles exhibemus ex quibus fructus ipsi exuberare ac continuum, actore Domino, susci- pere valeant incrementum. Exhibita siquidem Nobis dilectorum filiorum universorum Clericorum et Scholarium domus seu aulae Ballioli vulgariter nun- cupatae, de Oxonia, Lincolniensis diocesis, ubi viget studium generale, petitio continebat quod in dicta aula, pia largitione et elemosina ipsius Fundatoris, quamplures Studentes Clerici, singuli videlicet eorundem octo denarios sterlingorum tantum singulis septimanis ab antiquo perceperunt et percipere di- noscuntur, et cum Magistri in Artibus facti fuerunt extunc ab aula expelluntur eadem, ita quod in aliis scientiis liberalibus propter ipsorum paupertatem pro- ficere nequeunt sed interdum, studium dimittentes, victum mechanice querere compelluntur. Quibus dilectus filius nobilis vir Willelmus Felton, miles, dictae diocesis, comparens ^ numerum dictorum Scho- larium affectat in aula hujusmodi augmentari - ac ordinare quod Scholares ipsi libros diversarum Facultatum habeant in communi, et quod singuli eorum vestes sufficientes et duodecim denarios monetae praedictae percipiant singulis septimanis, et quod possint in dicta aula libere remanere, ac prae- dicta intege '' percipere ad quemcunque statum Magistratus seu Doctoratus diveniant donee fuerint Probably. ' compatiens. ' aiigmentare. "' iti/egre. 1 70 Early History of Balliol College competens beneficium ecclesiasticum assecuti et extunc aulam ipsam dimittere tenebuntur quibus alii idonei debeant surrogari, et quod idem miles jus patronatus Ecclesiae parochialis de Aboldesleye, dictae diocesis, elemosinariae dictae aulae ac Clericis et Scholaribus ejusdem procuravit et etiam acqulsivit, sperans quod sedes Apostolica Ecclesiam ipsam onnes ' sic sunt patroni eidem elemosinariae et aulae praedictae concedere in usus proprios dignaretur. Quare praefati Clerici, Scholares, et miles Nobis humiliter supplicarunt ut Ecclesiam ipsam, onnes ^ fructus, redditus, et proventus quadraginta Marcha- rum sterlingorum secundum taxationem decimae valorem annuum ut asserunt non excedunt, Schola- ribus aulae et elemosinariae praedictis in usus praedictos concedere, ipsamque ipsis unire perpetuo dignaremur. Nos itaque, hujusmodi supplicationibus inclinati, praedictam parochialem Ecclesiam cum omnibus juribus et pertinentiis suis exnunc praefatis Scholaribus et elemosinariis pro complendis prae- missis in proprios usus Apostolica auctoritate conce- dimus, illamque ipsis auctoritate praedicta connecti- mus et unimus, ita quod, cedente vel decedente Rectore ipsius Ecclesiae qui nunc est, vel alias Ecclesia ipsa quovismodo vacare - liceat Scholaribus aulae supradictae possessionem ipsius Ecclesiae auctoritate propria apprehendere, ipsamque in usus Probably. ' ofnnes, or cujus^ written cuius. vacanfc. Early History of Balliol College 1 7 1 dictorum Scholarium aulae perpetuo retinere. Reser- vata tamen et assignata perpetuo Vicario in ipsa Ecclesia, per loci Ordinarium in ea ad praesenta- tionem dictorum Scholarium instituendo, de ipsius Ecclesiae fructibus, redditibus, proventibus congrua portione ex qua dictus Vicarius congrue sustentari, jura Episcopalia solvere, et omnia alia sibi incum- bentia onera valeat supportare. Non obstantibus si aliqui super provisionibus sibi faciendis de hujus- modi Ecclesiis vel aliis beneficiis ecclesiasticis in illis partibus speciales vel generales Nostras vel praede- cessorum Nostrorum Romanorum Pontificum aut Legatorum sedis Apostolicae litteras impetrarunt, etiam si per eas ad inhibitionem, reservationem, et decretum, vel alias quomodolibet sit processum ; quas quidem litteras et processus habitos per eas- dem ad dictam parochialem Ecclesiam volumus non extendi sed nullum per hoc eis quo ad assecutionem Ecclesiarum et beneficiorum aliorum praejudicium generari. Et quibuslibet privilegiis et litteris Apo stolicis generalibus vel specialibus quorumcunque tenorum existant per quae praesentibus non expressa vel totaliter non inserta effectus praesentium impediri valeat quomodolibet et . . . . ferri ^ et de quibus quorumcunque totis tenoribus de verbo in verbum habenda sit in Nostris litteris mentio specialis. Nos enim exnunc . . . } decernimus et inane si secus Probably. ' vel differri. " irritum. 172 Early History of Balliol College super hiis a quoquam quavis auctoritate scienter vel ignoranter contigerit attemptari. Null! ergo .... hominum liceat hanc paginam Nostrae concessionis, connexionis, unionis, voluntatis et constitutionis in- fringere vel ei a . . .^ temere ^ . . . contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare praesumpserit indigna- tionem Omnipotentis Dei, et Beatorum Petri et Pauli, Apostolorum Ejus, se noverit incursurum. Datum apud Pontem Sorgiae, Avinionensis diocesis, iiij kalend. Maii, Pontificatus Nostri anno primo.' {Translation. Clement, Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, for everlasting remembrance. Knowing well that the fruits of Science promote, not only the salvation of souls, but the advantages of temporal peace and quiet, it is Our desire that they should everywhere multiply ; and, therefore. We gladly show Ourselves ready and favourable in arrangements by which such fruits are likely to be- come abundant, and to receive at the Hand of the Lord continuous development. A petition presented to Us by Our beloved sons, all the Clerks and Scholars of the House or Hall commonly called Balliol, in Oxford, of the diocese of Lincoln, which is the seat of an University, contained that in the said Hall, by the pious bounty and alms of the Founder, many clerical Students receive, and have from ancient time received, to wit, each of them, rrobably. ' ausu, iemo-ario. Early History of Balliol College 1 7 3 eight pence sterling a week, and no more ; and that when they have been made Masters in Arts, they are immediately compelled to leave the same Hall ; and, in consequence, through poverty, they are unable to pursue the study of the other liberal Sciences, and are sometimes forced to quit the University, and to seek their living in some mechanical trade. To whom Cometh Our beloved son, the noble William Felton, of the same diocese, Knight, desiring to raise the number of the said Scholars, and to order that they should have books pertaining to the various Faculties in common, and that each should have sufficient clothing, and receive twelve pence a week of the said money ; and that they should have liberty to remain in the said Hall, and to receive the afore- said in full, to whatever degree of Master or Doctor they may reach, until they have obtained a competent Ecclesiastical benefice ; and then they shall be bound to withdraw from the Hall, and other fit persons are to be substituted in their place ; and that this same Knight has secured and acquired for the Almshouse of the said Hall, and its Clerks and Scholars, the right of patronage of the parish Church of Aboldes- leye of the said diocese, in the hope that the Apo- stolic See would deign to grant this Church (for by this arrangement all are joint Patrons) to the afore- said Almshouse or Hall for their own use. Where- fore, the aforesaid Clerks, Scholars, and Knight, have 174 Early History of Balliol College made Us humble supplication that We should deign to grant and unite in perpetuity, for the uses afore- said, this same Church (now all the fruits, rents, and revenues do not, they say, exceed the annual value of forty marks sterling, according to the tithe rate) to the Scholars, Hall, and Almshouse aforesaid. We, therefore, favourably inclining to this supplica- tion, by Our Apostolic authority, do grant to the aforesaid Scholars, and Almshouse, the parochial Church aforesaid, to hold henceforward with all its rights and appurtenances to their own use, for the recited ends ; and by the authority aforesaid, We connect and unite it to them, in such wise, that, on the retirement or decease of the present Rector of the Church, or on its vacancy from any other cause, it shall be lawful for the Scholars of the aforesaid Hall to take possession of the Church by their own authority, and to retain it in perpetuity, for the uses of the said Scholars. With the reservation, how- ever, and assignation to a perpetual Vicar, who is to be instituted in the said Church by the Ordinary of the diocese, on the presentation of the said Scholars, of a suitable pension from the fruits, rents, and revenues of the Church, by which the said Vicar may be suitably maintained, and placed in a position to pay the Bishop's dues, and to bear all the other burthens incumbent on him. Notwithstanding any Letters, whether special or general, which may have Early History of Balliol College 175 been obtained by any persons, either from Us or Our predecessors, the Roman Pontiffs, or from Legates of the Apostolic See, with regard to provisions to be made for them from Churches of this kind, or other Ecclesiastical benefices in those regions, even if by their means they have come to inhibition, reservation, judgment, or any other process what- soever. It is Our will that such Letters, or the processes taken in virtue of them, shall not extend to the said parish Church, yet so that hereby no prejudice accrue to them as regards obtaining other Churches and benefices. And notwithstanding any privileges or Letters Apostolic, general or special, whatever may be their tenor, by which, through their not being expressed or recited at length in these presents, the effect of these presents might be anywise impeded .... and of which, and of whose entire tenors, word for word, special mention should by rights be made in Our Letters. For We decree that henceforth .... whatever contrary may be attempted in these matters by any one, on whatever authority, whether with knowledge or ignorantly. Let it not, therefore, be lawful for any man to infringe or rashly oppose this page of Our concession, con- nection, union, will, and constitution. Should any one have the presumption to attempt it, let him be sure he will incur the indignation of Almighty God, and of blessed Peter and Paul, His Apostles. Given 176 Early History of Balliol College at Pont de Sorgues, in the diocese of Avignon. April 28. In the first year of Our Pontificate.] It would be interesting if we could find, in the Vatican Archives, the petition which was sent from Dervorguilla's ' poor Scholars ' to the Holy Father, asking him, in his universal care for his children, to make secure to them and to their House the increase of income, which was being given to them.^ That petition must have explained the need of the Scholars to remain for longer time in the House ; and their want of money, for their support, while studying the other Sciences. It spoke, doubtless, as did most of the early letters about the College, of ' the alms given by the devoutness of the Founder, Sir John de Balliol.' And then it pleaded that the Scholars' share in those alms did not admit of their getting some necessary books, nor did it enable them to meet some of the expenses, which would fall upon them when they became Masters in Arts. The worn and shabby Scholars' coats would not last for ever ; and Scholars found it hard to relinquish studies, and take up trades. To-day we can smile at the thought of such poverty. To-day, the story of the struggling ' Mr. Bass Mullinger states that this Licence was obtained from the Pope by John Wychf, in 1361 ; and quotes it as an instance of Wyclif s efforts on behalf of the Secular Clergy at Oxford. ( University of Cambridge^ vol. i. p. 264.) But Pope Clement VI. sent the letter to the College in 1342 ; and John Wyclif was not Master of Balliol until nearly twenty years after that date. Early History of Balliol College 177 life of the poor Oxford Scholar is like a strange tale told to the incredulous. At Pont de Sorgues, near to Avignon, the petition was read, and thought over ; and there the wise and kind answer, from the ' Ser- vant of the servants of God,' was dictated. The Pope's reply seems to tell us almost the words of the Scholars' petition. He speaks to his ' beloved sons ' about the advantages of the studies they wish to pursue ; and he decides that they must have books pertaining to the various Faculties, and that they should have sufficient clothing ; and he speaks of their House by the homely and honourable name of Almshouse. Nor does the Letter forget other questions, about a just and fair arrangement for the Priest, who was to have charge of the Church at Abboldesley. Fatherly care met with filial obedience. There are, in one of the documents relating to Abboldesley, minute details of a composition made for the Vicar, by John Synwell, Bishop of Lincoln, in 1361. From it we learn, among other things, ' In primis, videlicet, quod idem Vicarius habeat sexaginta acras terrarum dominicarum ipsius eccle- siae, ac omnes et omnimodas decimas, minores obla- tiones quascunque et cujuscunque generis fuerint, necnon mortuaria viva et mortua, decimas molendin- orum et quicquid ad alteragium dictae ecclesiae de jure vel consuetudine noscitur pertinere. Percipiat N 178 Early History of Balliol College insuper idem Vicarius et habeat de Clericis seu Scho- laribus praedictis annuatim pensionem sexaginta soli- dorum sterlingorum in supplementum portionis suae in festo Sancti Michaelis Archangeli apud Abbotesley annis singulis persolvendorum. Exhibeant insuper et tradant iidem Clerici seu Scholares praefato Vicario infra annum a tempore confectionis praesentium con- tinue munerandum unum mansum competentem in eadem villa cum una aula, una camera, una coquina, uno stabulo et una grangia sumptibus dictorum Scholarium nostro arbitrio aedificandum, decimis blandorum et feni et residua parte terrarum domini- carum illius ecclesiae dictis Clericis reservatis. Iidem vero Clerici cancellum illius ecclesiae et fenestras ejusdem quotiens indiguerint cooperiant, construant et reficiant ac reparent seu suis sumptibus faciant congrue reparari ac solvant procurationes Archidia- coni dicti loci. Praefatus quoque Vicarius vestimenta ornamenta ac libros ejusdem ecclesiae ipsius sumpti- bus propriis reparet reficiat seu faciat reparari, Syno- dalia persolvat panem, vinum pro Sacramento altaris, thus, ciramen et cirpos pro ecclesia et lumen in cancello, et solvat decimam et procurationem Car- dinalium et aliorum nunciorum Apostolicorum pro rata taxa portionis suae, et ministret.' \Translation. Firstly, to wit, that the said Vicar shall have sixty acres of Church lands, apper- taining to the said Church ; and all and every kind Early History of Balliol College 179 of tithes, lesser offerings whatsoever, and of what- ever kind they may be ; as well as burial fees, in kind or in specie, tithes of grist, and whatsoever by right, or by custom, is known to belong to the revenue of the said Church. Moreover, the said Vicar shall receive and have, from the said Scholars, an annual pension of sixty pence sterling, to make up his dues at the Feast of St. Michael the Arch- angel, at Abboldesley ; to be paid each year. Moreover, the said Clerics or Scholars shall present and give to the aforesaid Vicar, within a year from the drawing up of these presents, one suitable dwelling, always to be kept furnished, in the said Village, with one reception room, one sleeping chamber, one kitchen, one stable, and one granary, to be built at the expense of the said Scholars, to our satisfaction : tithes of corn and hay, and the remaining portion of the Church lands of the said Church, being reserved unto the said Clerics. And the said Clerics shall roof, construct, renew and repair the chancel of the said Church, and the windows as often as need shall be ; or at their own expense shall cause them to be suitably repaired. And they shall pay the fees of the Archdeacon of the said place. The aforesaid Vicar, at his own expense, shall renew and repair, or cause to be repaired, the vestments, ornaments, and books of the said Church ; he shall pay the dues decreed by N 2 1 80 Early History of Balliol College Synods, and shall provide bread, wine, for the Sacrament of the Altar, incense, wax, and rushes, for the Church, and a light in the Sanctuary ; and shall pay tithes, and processes of Cardinals, and of other Nuncios, according to the rate fixed for his income, and shall do service.] ' About y^ same time y' S"" W: Feltons gift was one S"^ Philippe Someruile Lord of y^ mannour of Wichnor in Staffordshire became a considerable Benefactour by giuing y^ church of Mikell Benton with lands in y' parish in y^ Dioceff of Durham & y^ County of Northumberland for y^ maintenance of 6 Scolars aboue y*" antient number of 16 fellowes y' had bin before in y^ house . and because they should be all under one gouornment, & not be altogeather confined to Deruorgills statutes he was pleased to proceede soe farre as to giue them a new body of Statutes, (much croffing those of y^ said Deruor- gille).' > Sir Philip de Somervyle distinctly states that it was not his ' intention to destroy the ancient founda- tion, or the laws or Statutes of the earlier Founders, but rather to confirm them.' And he further adds, that the Scholars shall not be bound to observe anything in his Ordinance, which might be contrary to the existing Statutes. Therefore, Antony a Wood's statement about the ' new body of Statutes, * A ntony a Wood. MS. in Bodleian Library. Early History of Balliol College i8i (much croffing those of y^ said Deruorgille),' is questionable ; unless we take the brackets, which separate the words from the context, to imply a doubt, in his mind, on the subject. Sir Philip de Somervyle, like Sir William de Felton, wished, not to put aside the Lady Dervorguilla's Statutes and Ordinances ; but only to add to them the new regulations, which the growing wealth, and the requirements of the House of Balliol, and the increase of the number of the Scholars, made necessary. The Statutes of Sir Philip de Somervyle have, like many other documents in the College Archives, their own special and great points of interest. They bear witness to the importance of Dervorguilla's ' House of the Scholars of Balliol.' The House must have earned some reputation in the University. It was taking its place, and doing its work, in the intellectual world. It was fulfilling its purpose ; helping poor Scholars ; uniting, under a common name, those who were eager to devote themselves to study, and who recognized, even in those early days, the peculiar advantages of the Collegiate system. Such an House attracted the attention of the rich and the generous, who wished to contribute to the good work begun, and who were proud to associate their names with such a foundation. Sir William de Felton, and Sir Philip de Somervyle, 1 82 Early History of Balliol College were liberal Benefactors. And their gifts, freely and charitably bestowed, strengthened and for- tified Dervorguilla's work ; and were like seals of approbation, affixed by time, to her foundation deeds. Dervorguilla's Statutes are instinct with tender solicitude for her Scholars, and that spirit of self- reliance which she wished her House to maintain. In Sir Philip de Somervyle's Statutes we trace the same thoughtfulness, and firmness. Edward, King of Scotland, gave his name to the new Statutes. Edward had experienced strange and sad vicissi- tudes. He had seen his father a King ; and then, without cause, disgraced. He remembered his own early imprisonment, with his father ; and his banished life, when a boy, in France. Still fresh in his memory was his recall to England, and to Scotland. Around him, he saw the sad dying of all his family ; the miserable state of his kingdom, the instability of his subjects, the uncertainty of his throne ; perplexi- ties and troubles everywhere. But one good work was growing steadily ; and he was asked to add his name to the House, which was to be a lastinor memorial to his family. Many dim memories grew vivid again, as he thought of the House at Oxford ; recollections of his childhood, household names, and home traditions. In the midst of all that was sad and drear, one proud day came ; when, in his name, Early History of Balliol College 183 and with his sanction, Sir Philip helped to perpe- tuate Dervorguilla's work. Sir Philip de Somervyle's Statutes preserve to us the name of Edward, King of the Scots ; and also the name, so honoured by all lovers of books and Libraries, of Richard de Bury, Bishop of Durham, When a certain number of Monks, from the Benedictine Monastery at Durham, came to Oxford, and established themselves near to Balliol College, Bishop Richard greatly helped them, gave them books, and, to some extent, endowed their House. And when he died, in 1345, he left to the Benedictine Monks of Durham, at Oxford, all his books. It was a munificent gift. We discern, in Sir Philip's new Statutes, the influence of Bishop Richard. As Dervorguilla had wished Brother Richard de Slikeburne, and, after him, other Franciscans, to have some control, and a certain discretionary power over the affairs of her House ; so, in the new Statutes, the Prior of the Benedic- tines was to have, and to exercise, much the same kind of authority and influence. We have read how the Balliol Scholars pleaded to the Pope their need of more books ; and the thought comes, that they must have seen the beautiful volumes which were already in the Library of the Durham Monks, perhaps often used them, and so the desire for more books originated, and grew. Bishop Richard's 1 84 Early History of Balliol College influence was at work in Oxford, and had a part in the Scholars' petition. Sir Philip de Somervyle's Statutes are written in very contracted Latin, on one large sheet of parch- ment. The writing is diminutive ; and the ink has much faded. The parchment has been kept folded to a small size, and the many folds have added to the difficulty of reading some words. To this docu- ment is attached, by a long parchment thong, the seal of Sir Philip. It is in dark green wax ; a rather large seal, in fairly good preservation. These Statutes are given at length in Balliofergus ; but have been badly copied from the original. There are many obvious mistakes in the Latin of the transcript ; and very many printer's errors. The following is a full translation. * Edward, by the Grace of God, King of Scot- land, Founder of the original foundation of the Master and Scholars of the Hall or House of Balliol, in Oxford, to all and each to whom these presents shall come, Salvation in the Arms of the Saviour. We have seen the Charter of Sir Philip de Somervyle, Lord of Wichnore, Knight, and the Statutes contained in the said Charter, concerning the Master and Scholars of the Hall or House of Balliol, in Oxford, bearing the seals of the Lord Richard, late Bishop of Durham, of blessed memory, and of the Venerable Religious, the Lords, the Early History of Balliol College 185 Prior and Chapter of Durham, and of the Reverend and discreet Lord Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and of the Master and Scholars of the Hall or House of Balliol, in Oxford, likewise the seal of the said Sir Philip de Somervyle ; and have caused them to be read aloud in our presence, in the follow- ing form of words. ' In the Name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and of the Glorious Virgin Mary, and of the Blessed Virgin and Martyr, Catherine, and of all the Saints, I, Philip de Somervyle, trusting to the goodness of the Supreme Author of all goods and possessions, and confidently relying upon the Grace of the Same, Who disposes and directs the wishes of men to a good end, according to His Will ; and being often exercised in mind, pondering whether I could do aught for the Honour of His Name, in return for the abundance which He has granted me in this life ; I have granted, as a free gift, the advowson of the Church of Mickle-Benton, in the county of Northumberland, and in the diocese of Durham, together with two plough-lands ^ of arable land, and twenty acres of meadow, in the fields of the same City, to the Master and Scholars of the House of Balliol, in Oxford, and their successors, for the ' 'As much as two ploughs will till in a year.' Note in Ballio- fergus, p. 37. 1 86 Early History of Balliol College augmentation of the number of Scholars, and the sustenance of the same In perpetuity, and for the salvation of my soul, and the soul of my beloved wife, Margaret, and for the Honour and Glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saint Catherine, Virgin and Martyr. And this Grant I approve, ratify, and confirm, of my own free will, and after due delibera- tion, and I ordain that it shall remain in the hands of the same Master and Scholars in perpetuity, subject to the forms and conditions hereinafter written, which are strictly to be observed, if God be willing, in the matter both of persons and of rules. Therefore do I ordain as follows, with the full consent of the aforesaid Master and Scholars. ' That, in addition to the sixteen Fellows elected according to the ancient usages of the Fellows of the said House, supported by the means at present in its possession, six Scholars be chosen henceforth by the Fellows of the said House, who shall study Arts. And in their election or admission to board and lodging, those shall have the preference who come from places nearest to the place where the aforesaid property, granted by me to the said House, is situate ; provided that in them, or some of them, be found the conditions mentioned in former Ordinances ; namely, that they excel in poverty, ability, and manners. ' And there shall be a Superior, dwelling in the Early History of Balliol College 187 said House, who shall always be called by the name of Master, a man circumspect in matters spiritual and temporal, who shall be set over the Scholars that dwell in the House itself, and the Ministers of the Altar, and all other officers or servants, what- ever place or title they hold, appointed for the ex- ternal or internal administration or management ; and all Scholars, as well as Ministers of the Altar, officers and other servants whatsoever, shall obey him and give heed to him as their Superior, in those things which concern their duties. Concerning the conditions of his entering on office, his election or his deposition, and all other things regarding him, I desire that those rules be strictly observed, which are hereafter laid down on this head. And I desire and order that, from the number of the Scholars of the aforesaid House, there be chosen, after the manner below laid down, six Fellows who shall have been Regents in the Faculty of Arts, who shall attend the Schools in the Faculty of Theology ; they shall be permitted also to study other Faculties, in the Vacations ; and they shall, for the space of at least two years, be instructed in decrees and decretals. ' I also order that the election of a permanent Master take place after the following manner. All the Fellows in residence, and those absent from just and necessary cause, provided that they can come 1 88 Early History of Balliol College without very great difficulty, shall be assembled. The Principal, or he who supplies his place, shall enjoin on each and all most faithfully to do what may be best for the House ; they shall choose two Masters in Arts, who shall sit in scrutiny with the Principal, or him who fills his place. And they, being elected by common consent, shall take a Corporal oath before him who is senior in the House according to standing ; and the Principal shall, in his own person, take the same oath before the same senior, that he has not induced, and will not induce, any one by any means whatsoever against his own free will to speak for any man in the election of a Master. And every Fellow of the House shall, on the strength of his own oath, be strictly charged by the same senior to observe this oath. Also, they shall each and all swear, touching the Holy Gospels, in the presence of all the Fellows, that they will faithfully, and without any respect of persons, and with no consideration of past or future reward, speak for him whom they know to have most knowledge, most ability, and most zeal for advancing the affairs of the House. Hereafter the Principal, and the two elected by common consent, shall sit in secret and faithfully receive the votes of each, and write them down ; they shall faithfully declare him elected Master, for whom a majority of the votes are given. And if it happen that some Early History of Balliol College 189 receive an equal number of votes, he who is chosen by the senior part of the Community shall be elected Master. And I ordain that one part shall be called senior, according to pre-eminence in learning, and longer standing in the House, and the like matters, according to which one man is counted senior to another in a College, or one part of it to another. After the election, the Principal, or the senior according to standing in the House, shall cause the Master to swear before all that he will observe faithfully the Statutes and Ordinances laid down by me. Also I desire and order that the Master so elected shall be sent to my Manor of Wichnore, with a letter certifying his election, before entering upon his office, and shall call upon the Lord of the said Manor for the time being, if at that time there be a Lord of the said Manor, of my blood, and explain to him the reason of his coming : and the said Lord of that Manor shall take no exception to the form of election, or the person elected, nor make any kind of objection ; but shall receive him as Master of the said House. But if the Lord of the Manor be not there present, it shall suffice if he present himself to him who is in charge of the said Manor, and explain to him the reason of his coming. And if it chance that my inheritance be divided among my sisters, he shall present himself to the elder sister, or her heirs (provided that they be of 190 Early History of Balliol College my blood), at the said Manor of Wichnore, under the form already prescribed. And the said Master, when he returns from the said Manor to Oxford, shall be presented by the Principal and one senior, or by two seniors, to the Chancellor of the Univer- sity for the time being, or to his representative ; and to the Prior, or Warden, of the Monks of Durham, studying at Oxford, who is the deputy there appointed by the Lord Prior of the Monks of Durham ; and to two Masters belonging to other Colleges, who shall be present at the presentation. They shall make no objection, but confirm every- thing done ; and he shall take a Corporal oath before them, faithfully to observe the Ordinances and Constitutions laid down by the said Sir Philip, with the consent of the said Scholars ; and he shall take the same oath at the Manor of Wichnore, before the Lord of the said Manor, if at the time of his presentation the said Lord be present ; and if the Chancellor, or his representative, or the said Prior, or Warden, of the Monks, or the said two Masters, fail to attend to this matter, or in any other way refuse to carry out the said confirmation, he shall be considered to have been confirmed by the mere fact of being thus elected, and afterwards presented to the said persons. And the same form shall be accurately observed concerning the admission of any member of the said House elected to study Early History of Balliol College 1 9 1 Theology, and his reception by the said Chancellor or his representative, and the aforesaid Prior or Guardian of the Monks, and the said two Masters. ' And let this be specially observed in the said House, that concerning them who are to be elected to study Theology, great caution be exercised lest any be elected save those who are upright, pure, peaceful, humble, having ability for the pursuit of learning, and a desire to make progress. And I ordain that they be elected by the Community of the Fellows, after the following manner, provided that they have been Regent in Arts. The Master shall assemble the Community of the said House, and after administering to them the Sacrament of the Lord, shall strictly enjoin upon them faithfully and without respect of persons, and putting aside all favour and affection, to elect some one or more to study the said Faculty, whom from experience they know to be likely to make progress therein, and to be most able, and of good manners. And that one, or those who receive the votes of the majority, shall be elected to attend the Schools in Theology. And if it chance that some of those to be elected receive an equal number of votes, the senior according to standing in the House, shall be preferred. And that one, or those elected to study Theology, shall in the sixth year of their attendance of the Schools, bring forward theses, and for one year, or two if it 192 Early History of Balliol College seem that his doing so is of profit to the Community, and in the ninth or tenth year he shall lecture on a book of Sentences, and in the twelfth or thirteenth year he shall begin to teach in the said Faculty, unless he be hindered by legitimate or honourable cause. And the Master shall attend the Schools in any Faculty that he will. ' So also the number of the Scholars to be elected to the said House, as aforesaid, and supported by the income given by me. And of these each shall receive eleven pence from the hands of his Master, or of those who are deputed to receive and expend the revenues of the said House, provided that the allowance of each of the Fellows in the said House, supported by other revenue, be raised to eleven pence by the aforesaid revenues granted by me. And in time of scarcity, the share of each Fellow of the said House, shall, according to the decision of the Master and the Community, be raised to fifteen pence inclusive, weekly. And I desire that each of the said Scholars shall receive in the weeks of the great Feasts, such as the week of the Nativity of our Lord, and Easter week, and the like, four pence in addition to what he was accustomed to receive in that week formerly. The Master shall have a chamber assigned to him alone, and a boy to serve him, who according to the Ordinance of the said Community shall receive his Early History of Balliol College 1 93 sustenance from the common revenues. And since it will often be necessary that strangers coming to the said House on business be received by the Master, I order that, in the case of such strangers, for the honour of the Community, he shall have for himself and his guests, (if it seem expedient to him), a table, in no way luxurious, in his own chamber, at the common expense, and for such time only ; unless he be compelled by sickness, or some other reason- able cause. The said Master shall receive forty shillings yearly for his necessary expenses, when the revenues granted by me shall suffice for this, or until better provision be made for him by me, or by others, or by the Community. And I order that the said Master shall take a Corporal oath, that every year on St. Margaret's day, or at some time to be assigned by the Community, he will give a faithful account of his administration, and of all goods belonging to the said House, before the whole Community, or some few deputed by it to hear his rendering of account. And he shall with all care attend to his office, externally and internally, as the nature of the case, or the necessity of time or place, demand ; and in every year diligently visit all the property belonging to the said House, either in person, or through some discreet Fellow chosen by the Community for this purpose, if so it seem well to the Community. And he shall estimate and value o 194 Early History of Balliol College the property in each place, and faithfully enter this estimate and valuation in the books, and being so entered shall give it into the hands of the Scholars, that thereafter when his accounts are to be heard, the faithfulness of these accounts may be the better attested by a comparison of these books. And when the account of the Master has been rendered in full, if there be any residue from the goods of the said House over and above the expenses incurred by the Community, he shall be bound within a month from the rendering of his account to hand over the residue to the Treasurer, or publicly make acknow- ledgment of the debt, or in some other way satisfy the Community. And if there be any such residue, I order that a part be converted to the use of the Fellows, and a part for the support of charges falling on the House. ' And if it chance that the Master be incapacitated by a short illness, a full share in proportion to the time, or some further support, sufficient and in no way excessive, shall be granted him from the common funds. And if any of the other Scholars of the said House be sick, a similar allowance shall be made them at the common expense, from that time forward, if they be deemed of service or necessity to the House. And if the sickness of the said Master be incurable, and there be no hope of his recovery ; and if by reason of his sickness, the Community decide Early History of Balliol College 195 that the Master is unable to do the business of the House, and properly to exercise the office of Master; then, by that fact, he shall be bound to give up his office, and according to the prescribed form of elec- tion, another Master shall be elected in his place ; and he shall receive some sufficient support, as the Community shall decide, for the rest of his life, at the common expense. And if one of the said Scholars shall suffer from an incurable disease, by reason of which he is unable otherwise to gain his living, he shall receive as charity nine pence weekly outside the House, from the revenues granted by me, if he obtains no better support elsewhere, provided always that the means of the said House suffice for this. Also I order and determine that every Fellow at his admission shall take a Corporal oath, that he will not, through himself or others, procure and knowingly cause himself to be elected to some other College, where the stipend is higher, in the said University. And if it happen that he be elected to some College of this kind, by that very fact, he shall cease to receive a stipend from the aforesaid House, But let the Master know that he is not bound to observe this article. And every Fellow, on his admission to the aforesaid House, shall swear that he will with all his strength preserve and defend the rights and posses- sions of the said House in all parts of the world, and will faithfully labour to improve them ; and when, by o 2 196 Early History of Balliol College the Favour of God, they attain to better fortune, he will advance them in every lawful and honourable way, and especially by always giving help and counsel for the defence and preservation of the rights of the said House, and for their improvement ; and that whenever need be, he will constantly give faithful advice to the said House, if it be asked of him. And if the said Master, from patrimony, or spirituality, or in any other way, advance to an income of the value of forty pounds, he shall from that time no longer perform the duties of his office, and shall be excluded from all advantage accruing from the said House. And I order that the same form be observed for any other Fellow, if in any way aforesaid his income be raised to one hundred shillings. Also since the industry, uprightness, and diligence of the said Master are above all things necessary, and advan- tageous, lest by his neglect (which God forbid), or misconduct, loss or more serious danger result to the said House, I order in addition to what has gone before, that when the Master of the said House for the time being, be found by reason of waste of the goods of the said House to be useless, or negligent in fulfilling his office, or luxurious, or notoriously vicious as is below mentioned concerning the Fellows he shall thrice be duly warned by the Principal, at the consent of the Community, to refrain himself entirely from such negligence and miscon- Early History 0/ Balliol College 197 duct. And if, after three warnings, he appear incorrigible, or neglect to refrain himself from the aforesaid offences, he shall be denounced to the Chancellor or his representative, and to the Prior or Warden, and to the Masters belonging to other Colleges, aforesaid ; and they being informed of his wrong doings, and of the proceedings taken against him, shall without the least delay remove him from the office of Master. And if they refuse to come for the purpose of doing as aforesaid, or if any of them refuse, within three days after he has been duly de- nounced to them, it shall be lawful for the Principal and the Community of the said House to depose a Master of this kind from the office of Master, and after his deposition to elect another in his place, according to the form aforesaid. And if any of the aforesaid Fellows commit murder, adultery, theft, robbery, perjury, sacrilege, or simony, or any grave offence, or be disgraced by some grave sin of the flesh (which God forbid), and be likely to raise some very grave scandal in the said House ; or if any of them be quarrelsome, or a frequent exciter of discord among the Fellows ; or one who grievously strikes the said Fellows, or, what is more, be intolerable to the Master, or Fellows, or others in the said Society, as being convicted of complicity with any of the aforesaid offenders, either by public notoriety, or in any other way ; a transgressor of this kind shall be 1 98 Early History of Balliol College entirely excluded from the House and its advantages. Moreover, the Master of the said House, with the help of two of the older and more discreet Scholars of the said Society, shall hear, pacify, and decide, according as it shall seem well to them, all discord arising among the said Scholars, and all quarrels or less serious offences, without commotion or delay, within their own House. And if any one attend not the Disputations of his Faculty, or the Schools, on lawful days, or Divine Office, as he ought ; or if he wander idly in the City, or outside the City, at unlaw- ful times ; or if he behave himself at all amiss at the Disputations, at table, or on other occasions towards the Master or a Fellow, by reason whereof a scandal or evil may evidently arise to the said House or Fellows, I desire that the aforesaid Master, with those two associates, shall chastise and correct any one whom they find offending in any way aforesaid, and shall impose some penalty, as the nature of the case in their estimation reasonably demands. And if any of them refuse to obey the Ordinance, he shall be punished by the loss of his Commons for a fortnight. But if such a transgressor, having thus been for the third time corrected for his misdoings, by the Master and those assisting him, and having been thrice punished by the loss of his Commons, yet refuse to refrain himself from such misdeeds, he shall be finally expelled from the aforesaid Society, as incorrigible Early History of Balliol College 1 99 and rebellious. And those expelled from the afore- said House shall be denied all benefit accruing from it, and all share in its advantages. Nor, being thus ejected or removed, shall they take proceedings against the Masters or Scholars, or any others whom such proceedings could affect, either by bringing an action, or by making an appeal or complaint, or by demanding complete restitution, or obtaining Letters of any Court, secular or Ecclesiastical, or using Letters obtained from any one, or through any one, against their aforesaid ejection. Likewise in the re- moval of the Master, when he has been removed for any of the causes above mentioned, I determine that the same should be observed ; and let an oath be taken to this effect by each one on his admission. Yet that all humanity be not denied to those who have been ejected, as above laid down, owing to smaller offences, and who desire to study ; if there- after they show worthy fruits of penitence, and have in no way caused the Master and Scholars of the aforementioned House to be molested, by bringing an action or making an appeal, or in any of the ways aforesaid, on the occasion of their ejection, and if they make an humble request, let them be admitted afresh to the premises and to the advantages of the House ; if in other ways the merits of an upright life give assurance that the goods of the House will not be expended on vain or on worthless persons : 200 Early History of Balliol College and this may be granted as a special grace, all the aforesaid notwithstanding, if it so seem good to the Master and Scholars. ' I order also that no man shall be admitted a Fellow at the request or owing to the Letters of any Lord, and that no stipend be given to any one at the request or owing to the Letters of any man of great power, chargeable to the revenues granted by me. But I decree that there be a Chaplain in the afore- said House, and shall remain there in perpetuity, who shall be presented by me and my heirs to the said House ; and the Master and Scholars shall make no objection to him, but receive him, provided that he be a fit and upright person. And he shall celebrate Mass in perpetuity for me, and for my wife, and for the soul of Sir Roger de Somervyle, and for the Venerable Father Richard, Lord Bishop of Durham, and for my heirs, and parents, and the Benefactors of the said House. And if he demean himself with tolerable uprightness and moderation among the Scholars of the said House, and diligently perform his office, he shall dwell ifi the said House for life, and receive in full every benefit of the House in respect of board and lodging which one of the said Scholars shall receive, as is above decreed. And if he shall publicly disgrace himself, the Statutes prescribed for the ejection of Fellows shall be most strictly observed, as in the case of any of the Fellows, Early History of Balliol College 201 concerning his reproof, correction, and final ejection from the said House, as well as concerning any action on his part upon the occasion of his expulsion ; and neither I myself, nor any of my family, nor any other, shall make the slightest objection. And after his ejection, or quitting of office, if my heirs do not pre- sent another Chaplain in his place within a month of being assured of his departure, I order that the elec- tion of a Chaplain shall be in the hands of the said Master and Scholars, in all such cases and in such only ; and he being so elected shall celebrate Masses as aforesaid. And if any Chaplain presented by me, or hereafter to be presented by me or my heirs, or to be elected by the said Master and Scholars, be unfit to fulfil the said duties devolving upon him, from any cause whatsoever, I order him to be removed from the said House and its advantages, and another to be put in his place, according to the form before laid down. But let the Chaplain on every day of three Lessons, excepting between Easter and Trinity Sun- day, say Mass for me and my wife as long as we live, using the Mass " Salus populi," with the proper Collect, Secret, and Postcommunion, that belong to it. But on other Feasts, of nine Lessons or Doubles, and also on the Feasts above excepted, he can say Masses of other Saints according as shall seem to him right. Yet in these, unless the Feast be a greater Double, after the first Collect, he shall say a 202 Early History of Balliol College special Collect for us, and in his private " Memento " shall earnestly and devoutly pray for us. But if I chance to go the way of all flesh during the lifetime of my wife, let him, on every day of three Lessons, say a Mass of Requiem with the proper Collects and Placebo and Dirige, with a commendation, for the health of my soul (in the form aforesaid), and of all the faithful departed, always devoutly adding some Collect for the health of my wife as long as she lives. But when both of us have gone the way of all flesh, et the Mass of Requiem be very devoutly celebrated by the aforesaid Chaplain, for us and the aforesaid persons, and for all the Benefactors of the hereinbe- fore named House, in the form aforesaid. Moreover, every year on the anniversary of my death, let a sung Mass of Requiem, preceded by Placebo and Dirige, be celebrated for the health of my soul, and of all the faithful departed. Which Mass and obsequies let all the Fellows for the time being be bound to attend personally. And as to the anniversary of my beloved wife, Margaret, let absolutely the same form be observed. And every Chaplain presented, or to be presented, by me or my heirs, to the said House, or elected, or to be elected, by the Community to celebrate the said Offices according to the form afore- said, shall take a Corporal oath, touching the Holy Gospels, to observe faithfully each and all of these regulations, Likewise shall the Chaplain swear on Early History of Balliol College 203 his admission to the House, not to reveal to any man the secrets of the House, from which scandal or injury might arise to the said House, or to any Fellow, or Fellows. Likewise, on his admission to the House, shall he renounce in express words any future action or legal remedy, either of Canon law, or of customary rights, or of Common law, if owing to his fault he be at any future time expelled from the said House. Also he shall swear to observe, as far as in him lies, all the Ordinances made by me for the advantage and honour of the said House ; and any other privileges of the said House. And let the said Scholars have a sung Mass of the Blessed Virgin on every Saturday when they have no obligation of celebrating another sung Mass, either in the Parish Church, or elsewhere at one of the University Masses. ' And at this Mass in honour of the Glorious Virgin, all the Chaplains of the College, unless they be hindered by some lawful cause, and the other Fellows of the said House, who are not hindered by their Scholastic duties, or some other lawful cause approved by the Master or his representative, shall be bound to be present. And my Chaplain, or any other Chaplain of the said House, before celebrating this Mass in the Chapel, shall be bound specially to pray for me. And on every Friday when the afore- said Antiphon is sung in the said Chapel, in the 204 Early History of Balliol College Graces said at table, my name and the name of my wife shall be mentioned by the Chaplain or one of the Fellows of the said House, among the names of its principal Benefactors, and special prayer shall be made for us. ' Moreover be it noted that if the place of habita- tion, or the Society of the aforesaid Scholars devot- ing themselves to study, be transferred owing to any causes arising, which cannot easily be enumerated, they shall lose no advantage, right, or possession in the aforesaid revenues, or other things granted to them, or hereafter to be granted to them by the pious gift of good men ; but all shall remain to them in full. And these Ordinances, and any others here- after to be made, and privileges granted to the said House, or to be granted in future times, shall hold good, on condition that they observe this ordinance, in word and deed : yet shall not the College lose its ancient name; but, as aforetime, be called the House of Balliol. Nor is it my intention to destroy the ancient foundation, or the laws, or Statutes of the earlier Founders, but rather to confirm them by these presents. And if anything be contained in this my Ordinance contrary to the laws, Statutes, or customs of the said Scholars, to which the said Scholars have sworn, I do not desire the said Scho- lars to be bound to observe any such rule, but rather that the ancient rule be observed notwithstanding, Early History of Balliol College 205 And while I have above ordered that six Scholars be elected at the charge of the revenues granted by me to the said House, and that every Fellow and Chaplain receive eleven pence weekly, and the Master forty shillings in addition to his share for his necessary expenses, at the charge of the aforesaid revenue, and have also ordered an increase of these allowances, as aforesaid, yet I desire that each and all of the aforesaid Ordinances be observed in so far only as the means granted as a free gift by me to the House suffice for this. And in addition to what has gone before, I decree that if the revenues here assigned to the said House, or hereafter to be assigned to the said House by the pious gift of good men, shall increase, the number of Scholars devoting themselves to the study of Theology shall be raised as far as possible, unless other regulations be made in regard to grants to be made in the future, by the Donors themselves. * And lest by any chance any of the aforesaid Scholars hereafter pretend ignorance of these Statutes, I order that every year, on the Feast of St. Margaret, this writing be publicly read before all. Also I order, in addition to what has gone before, that the Prior or Warden of the Durham Monks studying at Oxford, appointed by the Prior of Durham, shall be a Colleague of the said Chancellor, or his representative, in all things, both in the admis- 2o6 Early History of Balliol College sion and in the confirmation of the Master elect of the House of Balliol, and in the taking of the oath concerning the removal of the same Master, in the case in which he is to be removed, of which matters mention is above made, and also in the admission of those who are elected to study the Faculty of Theo- logy. Also the said Prior or Warden shall, with the said Chancellor or his representative, exercise all the powers which are to be exercised in regard to the said Scholars, or Master elect. So also the said Prior shall have full power with the Extraneous Masters to whom the six Scholars (or more, if the property has increased), must be presented, to examine, admit, or reject the said Scholars, and to exercise all other powers in regard to them, which have commonly been exercised in past time by the said Extraneous Masters concerning other Scholars of the same Hall. I also desire, determine, and order, that the Bishop of Durham for the time being shall have power by all ways and means Canonical, as it seems most expedient to him, to compel the said Master and Scholars, upon information from the said Prior or Warden of the Monks of Durham, to observe the Statutes above laid down concern- ing the election of six Scholars and a Chaplain at the charge of the revenues granted by me at present, and concerning the raising of the number of Scholars in case of the increase of the same Early History of Balliol College 207 revenues, as aforesaid, and concerning all things above declared. * And to testify to all these things, and that they may stand firm to all time, three instruments of like tenor have been prepared. To each of these I have caused to be affixed the seals of the Reverend Father, Lord Richard, by the Grace of God, Bishop of Durham, and of the Religious, the Lord Prior and the Chapter of Durham, and of the Venerable Lord Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and of the aforesaid Master and Scholars of the Hall 01 Balliol, together with my own seal. And of these instruments, I desire, order, and decree, that one remain with the said Prior and Convent, another with the said Master and Scholars, and a third with my heirs and assigns in perpetuity. ' And we, Richard, by the Grace of God, Bishop of Durham, at the request of Sir Philip, and the afore- said Master and Scholars, for the corroboration of the aforesaid Statutes or Ordinances, in so far as they are duly and Canonically framed, and so far as they concern us, have thought fit to affix our seal to these presents, on the eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord mcccxl, in our Manor of Dukeland, without any prejudice to any of the rights, customs, and dignity of ourselves, and of our Church of- Durham. * And we, the Prior of the Church of Durham, 2o8 Early History of Balliol College and of the Convent of the same City, at the instance of the aforesaid Sir Philip, and the aforesaid Master and Scholars, in so far as in us lies, by unanimous consent, and by the affixing of the common seal of the Chapter of Durham, do ratify, approve, and con- firm, the aforesaid writing reasonably laid down, ordered, and decreed, by the said Sir Philip, and supported by the Pontifical authority of the said Reverend Father. Given in our Chapter house at Durham, on the twenty-fourth day of the month of October, in the year of our Lord aforesaid. ' And we, the Chancellor of the aforesaid Uni- versity, at the request of the said Sir Philip, and the Master and Scholars of the House aforesaid, to testify to the above Ordinances, in so far as they are lawfully and duly made, have set the seal of our office to these presents on the morrow of the Purifi- cation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the year of the Lord aforesaid. * Therefore, we, Edward, King of Scotland, afore- said, Founder of the original foundation of the Master and Scholars of the Hall or House of Balliol in Oxford, do approve and ratify the said Charter, and the Statutes therein contained, one and all, as agreeable to law, and consonant with reason, and in so far as in us lies, do confirm them on our own be- half, and on behalf of our successors, notwithstanding any Statutes, privileges, or customs to the contrary. Early History of Balliol College 209 previously declared, granted, approved, or confirmed, by our predecessors. And to testify to all the afore- said we have caused our seal to be affixed to these presents. Given ' The document ends thus, abruptly. It seems, from internal evidence, that this is not the original copy of Sir Philip de Somervyle's Statutes ; but only a transcript written for the sake of adding the name and sanction of Edward, King of Scotland. The original document was given to the College in the lifetime of Bishop Richard ; and had his seal, and the other seals, affixed to it. This transcript, while giving the date of the original, bears no other date, and has only one seal. It must have been written after the year 1345, as it speaks of 'the Lord Richard, late Bishop of Durham, of blessed memory.' 2IO EarLy History of Balliol College CHAPTER IX * Now the Beneficies of Fillingham, Risom and Bratleby, in the County of Lincoln, did once belong to the Abbot and Convent of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity at Aurenches [so Exaquiuni is called in a French Deed] in the Diocess of Constance in Normandy, of the Order of the Benedictines. But in regard of the Troubles at Sea, occasioned chiefly by the Wars between the two Kingdoms, the Bishop of Constance aforesaid, at their Instance, gave License to sell the said Livings, as appears under his Seal in Writing, dated Mar: 3. 1343. And Thomas Cave Rector of Welwick, for the good affection he bare to the Master and Scholars of the House of Balliol in Oxon, had left in the hands of William Brocklesby Clerk, 100 1. sterling, to buy these three Benefices ; that out of the Profits thereof, in case they might be transferred to the proper use of the said Master and Scholars, the number of the Scholars might be increased.'^ In one drawer, in the College Archives, is the ' Balliofergus, p. 52. Early History of Balliol College 211 small bundle of parchment deeds which refer to this gift Each bit of parchment is folded to a small size, and they are all tied together with the inevitable pink tape ; but the bunch of the different seals hangs in luxurious carelessness. Some of these seals are extremely good. The two seals of the Benedictine Abbey at Avranches have been very fine ; but it is difficult to decide who the seated figure, holding what appears to be a large Crucifix, is meant to represent, as on each of the Abbey documents this seal is much broken. The figure is well drawn. The head is fine, and the features are distinct, in spite of the beard. It might be St. Benedict. The other seal is far more perfect. It represents an Abbot, standing; in one hand a book, and in the other a crozier. The vestments are beautifully traced, even to the lace upon the alb. Another seal represents the Bishop of Coutances. He also has his crozier ; but in his left hand, while the right is raised in blessing. The Bishop's cope is elaborate ; but the seal is not so finely cut as the Abbey seal, and has not such deli- cate work about it. The three Broclesby documents have each a small thick seal, in white wax, with very indistinct impression : while the Licence from Edward III. to William de Broclesby, for Balliol College to receive the advowsons of the Churches, has a magnificent royal seal, nearly perfect, preserved in a rusty tin case. One diminutive piece of yellow p 2 2 1 2 Early History of Balliol College parchment, folded to a very small size, and with a broken red seal attached to it, is of high value. It concerns the gift of lOo/., from Thomas de Cave, and the purchase of the advowsons for the benefit of the College. The three different letters from Abbot John of Avranches are on slips of parchment, clearly written ; but the writing is not like the beautiful writing of some other Monastery documents. Two of these bear the same date, and were probably written, or at least ' signed and delivered ' on the same day. ' Omnibus Christi fidelibus praesens scriptum visuris vel audituris . . . Frater Johannes Dei pati- entia . . . Abbas Monasterii Sancte Trinitatis de Ex- aquio ordinis Sancti Benedicti Constantiae diocesis in Normannia et ejusdem loci Conventus salutem in Domino. Sciatis nos unanimi consensu nostro concessisse, dedisse et hoc scripto confirmasse dilecto nobis Willelmo de Broclesby, clerico, advocationes ecclesiarum de Filyngham, Brotelby, et Risom, in comitatu Lincolniensi cum omnibus juribus et per- tinentiis ad easdem advocationes spectantibus, ha- bendas et tenendas eidem Willelmo haeredibus ac assignatis suis cum eisdem juribus et pertinentiis suis quibuscunque de dominis feodi illius in perpetuum. Et nos praedicti . . . Abbas et Conventus et suc- cessores nostri warantizabimus praedicto Willelmo haeredibus ac assignatis suis advocationes praedictas Early History of Balliol College 213 cum omnibus juribus et pertinentiis suis contra omnes homines in perpetuum. In cujus rei testi- monium huic scripto sigilla nostra duximus oppo- nenda. Datum in Capitulo nostro et hora ejusdem secunda die mensis Augusti anno Domini millesimo trescentesimo quadragesimo tertio. ' Et ego Petrus Asce, clericus, qui de Constantiae diocesi extiti oriundus, publicus auctoritate imperiali notarius, omnibus et singulis dum agerentur ut prae- mittitur, loco et hora, anno, die et mense praedic- tis, indictione undecima, Pontificatus sanctissimi in Christo patris ac domini nostri . . . Domini de- mentis divina providentia . . . Papae sexti anno secundo praesens interfui et praesens instrumentum manu mea propria scripsi. Et signo meo solito signavi requisitus et rogatus in testimonium praemis- sorum. Praesentibus : Venerabilibus et discretis viris Domino Radulpho le Monton, presbytero ; Magistro Willelmo de Kirnessale et Petro Walteri, clericis, testibus ad hoc vocatis specialiter et rogatis.' [Abstract. John, Abbot of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, at Avranches, of the Order of St. Benedict, in the diocese of Coutances, Normandy, and the Convent thereof, grant to William de Broclesby, Clerk, the advowsons of the Churches of Filyngham, Brotelby, and Risom, in the county of Lincoln, with all rights and appurtenances. Dated in their Chapter, 2nd of August, 1343. 214 Early History of Balliol College Peter Asce, Clerk, of the diocese of Coutances, Notary public. Witnesses, Ralph de Monton, Priest, Master William de Kirnessale, and Peter Walteri, Clerks.] The second is the Power of Attorney. ' Littera attornatoria ad liberandum seisinam de advocationibus ecclesiarum B. et F. et Rysum. * Pateat universis per praesentes quod nos Jo- hannes Dei patientia . . . Abbas Monasterii Sanctae Trinitatis de Exaquio Ordinis Sancti Benedicti Constantiae diocesis in Normannia et ejusdem loci Conventus ordinavimus et constituimus dilectos nobis Johannem de Litheare, Canonicum de Blancalanda, Johannem Orger de Keleby, Robertum Gosson de Keleby et Ricardum de Karleton de Lincolnia con- junctim et divisim procuratores et attornatos nos- tros ad liberandam plenam seisinam dilecto nobis Willelmo de Broclesby, Clerico, de advocationibus ecclesiarum de Filyngham, Brotelby et Risom in comitatu Lincolniensi habendis et tenendis eidem Willelmo haeredibus ac assignatis suis juxta for- mam cujusdam scripti eidem Willelmo inde per nos confecti, ratum et gratum habituri id quod iidem Johannes, Johannes, Robertus et Ricardus, vel eorum alter nomine nostro fecerint vel fecerit in praemissis. In cujus rei testimonium hiis litteris sigilla nostra duximus apponenda. Datum secunda die mensis Early History of Balliol College 2 1 5 August! anno Domini millesimo trescentesimo quadragesimo tertio.' [Abstract. Power of Attorney from John, Abbot of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, at Avranches, in the diocese of Normandy, and the Convent thereof, appointing John de Litheare, Canon of * Blanca Landa,' John Orger of Keleby, Robert Gosson of Keleby and Richard de Karleton, of Lincoln, their proctors and attornies, to deliver seisin to William de Broclesby, Clerk, of the advowsons of the Churches of Filyngham, Brotelby, and Risom, in the county of Lincoln. Dated 2nd of August, 1343.] There were one or two other benefactions, of early date, which may be here briefly mentioned. About the property at Woodstock, belonging to the College, Henry Savage says, ' Although our Land at Tackley, and some of our Lands at Old Woodstock and Wotton, are anciently belonging to our Colledge, and confirmed by the Letters Patents mentioned in the former Section [but of whose gift I do not find] yet because other of our Lands there [and those the greater part of all] were bought in K. James s his Reign, I shall mention them together in this place. The Land at Tackley appears upon our Register, to be confirmed to us by K. H. 8. who took us Tenants for it. The ancient Lands in Woodstock and Wotton, I find con- firmed unto us by the same K. H. 8. by the name of 2 1 6 Early History of Balliol College one Messuage and one Yard Land in Old Woodstock, called Heynes ; one other Messuage and half Yard Land in Old Woodstock, called /^ec^/j- ; and one more Messuage and half Yard Land in Wotton ; and this done by receiving our Homage for them : but it appears by a Survey, that i?//z^/Colledge hath two Yard Land and a half in Wotton and Woodstock, which is half a Yard Land more then in the Homage is mentioned : All which, and many more, seem to have been the Lands of Thomas Harrow'' Clerk, and passed over by him to divers persons joyntly, 9 H. 8. as it's recorded in our Register, by a full recital of the Deed it self. The other Lands of ours in Old Woodstock, are the third part of the Certes (now written Sartes) bought of Thomas Ely and Nicolas Lucie, for 61. 6 s. 8 d. in 1 1 Jac : reputed worth 1 1. 13s. \^. per aiinum, as amongst other things by the Deed is expressed. Seacoales, with other Lands, and the rest of the Sartes bought of Hiero7ne Nash for 700 1. being part of moneys given by Peter Blundel, Founder of Tiverton School in Devon, in the last Year of Queen Eliz : upon which conside- ration, 1 3 Jac : our Colledge did agree with his Feoffees to maintain one Fellow and one Scholar for ever, to be chosen and sent from Tiverton School as aforesaid, as amongst other things may by the Com- position appear. Before the purchase of these Lands ' Thomas Harropp. Early History of Balliol College 2 1 7 of Hierome Nash aforesaid, he the said Nash was Tenant to our other Lands, which lying intermingled with his, a Controversie arose, which were ours ? and which were his ? whereupon, by mutual accord of the Colledge and him, ours were set out precisely, as appears by a Deed to that purpose, bearing date Octob. 1 6. Anno 1 3 Jacobi. The particulars of the Land, afterwards purchased by the Colledge of him the said Nash, are expressed and bounded in a Schedule annexed to our Deed of purchase, bearing date, Novemb : 24. following; which Lands, toge- ther with others of the said Nash in Old and New Woodstock and Wot ton, were the Lands of William Seacoal of Stanton- Wyard in the County of Oxon, who convey'd them to Michael Nash, by a Deed bearing date, Octob. 9. Anno 6 Eliz. Now these Lands thus bought of him are so small, and the charge Is so great, that the said lands were set almost at a Rack-rent to defray it ; and falling into the hands of beggarly Tenants, the Colledge hath of late Years, lost at least 200 1. by them.' ^ And Henry Savage tells us about ' another Farm of an ancienter Donation, viz. at Morton near Tame, conveyed by George Nevil Archbishop of York, to several Trustees, 14 Ed. 4. conveyed to Nevil hy Bote let, conveyed by Bote let to Jacket,'^ conveyed to Jacket by Pyron, and to Pyron by Wolundun, * Ballwfergus, pp. 82, 83. '^ Probably, to Botelet by Jacket. 2 1 8 Early History of Balliol College 14 Ed. 3. and so up, till we come to Writings with- out date.' ^ Also, in Balliofergus, we find a careful descrip- tion of the site of some houses in London, belonging to the College ; and some interesting details about the history of the Farm at Otyndon. ' I do not find any conveyance to the Colledge of the Houses now leased out, one to Miller, and the rest to the Bradskawes, in St. Margarets Patens, and Rood-lane in London : but I find several Letters of Attorney made, for giving of possession from person to person, from the time of Edw. 3. to I Edw. 4. when Robert Kirkam, Ctistos Rotttl : Cancellarie, Richard Friston Clerk, William Mor- land, Parson of St. Mary Bow London, gave power to Robert Abdy Clerk, to give Livery and Seisin of them to George Nevil, Bishop of Exeter, and Lord Chancellor of England, Williajn Bishop of Ely, Williavi Larnbton, Robert Lowson, and William Appilby, Clerks, who, 'tis like, were Trustees for the Colledge ( William Lambton being then, or the same Year, Master) which was the way they took, it seems, during the Wars between the Houses of La7icaster and York, without mention made of the trust, for fear of Forfeitures, I suppose, and may be collected from the Pardons which the Colledge sued forth under the Great Seal of K. H. 6. and K. Ed. * Balliofcrgus, p. 85. Early History of Balliol College 2 1 9 4. yet in our Colledge, we have another Pardon from K. Ed. 6. too, which must be upon some other account. But now for the situation of the aforesaid Houses ; it was thus described, viz. between a Tenement of the Colledge of the B. Virgin Mary by Guild-\\?iS[ London on the West part, and a little venue called St. Margarets PatynsA-asi^ on the East part, and a little venue called Smiths-\2,xv^, alias, St. Andrews HoberdsAdiXi^ on the South, and a Tene- ment called Patesden Rent on the North part. I find also, that after the end of the said V\[dirs,John Segden Clerk, and Master, or {Gardianus) Warden of our Colledge, and (confratres) Fellows, did set a Lease of the said Houses to three Citizens of London for 20 Years, at the Rent of four Marks sterling, dated Anno 1473. and 12 Ed. 4. As for our Farm at Odyngton in Oxfordshire, anciently called Otyndon, in a Deed without date : I find it by the said Deed to have been the Land of William le Poure, Son and Heir o^fokn le Poztre, who by that Deed convey'd it to William, the Son of fohn Urlezvyne of Otyndon. After this, viz. in the time oi Ed. 3. I find it to be BrahalV s Land of Otyndon, passed over to him by Stryvin of Otyndon. After- wards, it came to be the Land of one Saunders, I H. 5. in which name it seems to have continued till 5. Edw. 4. when it was conveyed by a Daughter and Heir of Thomas Saunders, and her Husband 220 Early History of Balliol College William Wellis of Otyndon, to Nick : Blunt and Agnes his Wife, who made a Release thereof to Willia7n Kyrby of Otyndon and Alice his Wife, Apr : 20. in 3 H 7. which said Kyrby and his Wife, upon the same, conveyed it to John Russel Bishop of Lincoln, James Stanley Dean of St. Martinis London, William Bell, William Stephyns, John Smith, Richard Barningham, John South- wood, Clerks. But by another Deed of April 2 j. in the same Year, did the said Blunt and his Wife grant it to the said Kyrby and his Wife, who, upon the 29 day of the same Moneth, convey'd it to William Bell, John Smith, Richard Barningham, John Southwood, Clerks, in trust, 'tis like, for the Colledge, William Bell being then, or soon after, Master of the House, whom Richard Barningham succeeded. The Conveyance is general, of all the Messuages, Lands and Tenements, Meadows of Pasture and Pastures, with the Appurtenances, which were the aforesaid Blunts. This said Farm is now held by a Lease of Lives, granted to Abraham Watson, and hath been so held by him and others time out of minde.' ^ One of the later gifts to the College was the site, and some of the buildings, of a Convent in Clerkenwell. About this benefaction Henry Savage says, * Balliofergus, pp. 72, ']-^. Early History of Balliol College 221 'In the 31 Year of Hen. 8. The site of the Monastery of Clerkenwell, was setled by Act of Parliament upon the Duke of Norfolk ; and in the 35 Year of the same K. H. 8. it was setled, by the consent of the Duke of Norfolk, upon the King again by Act of Parliament ; then in the t,'j Year of his Reign, he granted it to Walter Henley and John Williams, Knights, to be held in Capite. After the death of Sir Walter Henley, his Widow Dame Margaret Henley, conveyed one Messuage, two Gardens, and one Cottage or little House, to John Bell, 7 Edw. 6. (wherein ^^// afterwards lived) after this the said Lady Henley marryed Thomas Roberts Esq : The same Roberts sold the Sisters House and Garden to John Bell, Nov. 19. 2 and 3 Year of Phil: and Mary, and he the said Roberts and his Lady acknowledged a Fine. This Sisters House, and the before-mentioned Messuage, with the Appurtenances aforesaid, the s^AdJohn Bell did give to our Colledge, March 9. 2 and 3 of Phil : and Mary. After the death of John Bell, our Colledge was questioned in the Exchequer for the House, Gardens and Cottage, sold by my Lady Henley, and given by John Bell without Licence (the whole Case is recited in a Copy of a Rowl out of the Exchequer) thereupon the transgression was pardoned by Letters Patents, Febr. i. 3 and 4 of Phil', and Mary, and the Houses by the same 222 Early History of Balliol College Letters Patents confirmed to the Colledge. But Elizabeth Sackville the Prioress being living (3 Eliz.) was thought to have a right to the Sisters House, which she did the same Year, Septemb. 8. release to the Colledge ; The bounds whereof, are the Church on the West, John Bells own House, bought as aforesaid, on the East of it, and the Church Yard on the South, as appears by the Deed, and several Leases since set by the Colledge of all the Houses, which are also noted as being within the Precinct of the said Monastery, not only by the said Leases, but also by the Original Deeds.' ^ That short paragraph reads like one of the many sad chapters in the history of the Reformation. Here is not the place to discuss how the Convent at Clerkenwell, which belonged to the Benedictine Nuns, came into the hands of Henry VHI. The site of the Convent, and the buildings, passed from one person to another, until the ' Sisters House,' together with the garden and cottage, was given to Balliol. But there were some who held that the Prioress had still a claim to the Convent and the grounds. This claim she released to the College. The release is written on a small slip of parchment, which had originally two seals attached to it, but only one now remains. In the document the name is Isabella Sackfeld ; not, as Henry Savage writes, ' Balliofergus, pp. 78, 79. Early History of Balliol College 223 Elizabeth Sackville. Among the Nuns expelled from their Convents, by Henry's Commissioners, we read of some, who so loved their religious life, that they could not be induced to go far from their former homes ; but chose to live, often in great poverty and privation, within sight of their Convent buildings. Dame Isabella Sackfeld was one of them. She is reported to have kept one or two of her Nuns near her for a long time.^ Perhaps even after giving up all claim to their Convent property, the aged Prioress and her few remaining Nuns lived together, a small remnant of Religious, clinging still to Community life, and striving to keep their Rule, in spite of the desolation of those days of persecution. The Charter of Pardon, from Philip and Mary, is a large document ; and it has been carefully pre- served. It is one large sheet of parchment : the writing on it is clear ; and the royal seal of Philip and Mary, attached to it, is very perfect, though not a very good impression. Lastly, Henry Savage tells us about the Chapel, called ' the new Chapel,' when he wrote of it. ' The Chappel, called the new Chappel, that now is, was built in the Reign of K. H. 8. (at the charge of the House, assisted probably by the contribution of Friends) for I find, that in the 13th year of the ' H. 8. and English Monasteries, F. A. Gasquet, vol. ii. p. 476. 224 Early History of Balliol College raign of H. 8. [which was about Anno 1521,) an Agreement was made with a M ason of Bttrford, for the finishing of the 3 Windows thereof on the Quad- rangle side, and one Window of the Treasury on the same side ; the rest may be presumed to have been finished before, viz. 9 H. 8. which by a mistake in our Register is written 19 H. 8. which if true, it were after the glazing of the Windows : But how long it was, before it received its perfection [both for Stone-work and Lead, with the Frame that bears it up] I cannot shew precisely : But that it was before Anno 1529. is evident by the date of the glazing of the Windows, it being then, that Lawrence Stubbys gave the East Window, which is so fair, that the Founder of Wadham Colledge is said to have offered the Society 200 1. for it, to glaze the East Window of his Chappel, as representing in lively Colours and exquisite Postures, the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ : but the Chappel being fair, they thought not that Window too gawdy for it ; and I would they had not thought the Leads too heavy, I am sure others did not, for weaker Frames at the Schools upon which they were laid. The South Window was at the same time glazed by Richard Stubbys, containing the whole Story of the Martyrdom of St. Katerine : The next to that, was of the Gift of Dr. Wentworth, Fellow of this House, containing the story of Early History of Balliol College ^25 HezekiaJts sickness and recovery : that opposite thereunto, containing the story of Philip and the Eunuch, was the same year given by Richard Atkins Esq; of Gloucestershire, and Fellow- Commoner of this Colledge ; about which time, the whole Chappel was lined and adorned with Joyners work, at the cost of the Colledge and of many Benefactors, one of the greatest whereof was Mr. Popham of Littlecot, who had been of the House, and gave One hundred pound ; in memory whereof, his Arms engraven in Wood, are placed over the Screen doors of the Choir. The second best, was Mr. BoMghton, Sub-dean of his Majesties Chappel Royol, who gave 50/. so that now it gives way to none of those of the lesser Colledges for beauty and proportion. One of the Chappel Windows appears, to be given by one of the Comptons (a Knight) Sir William Compton, of the Ancestors of the now Earl of Northampton, both by his Name and Coat of Arms, and probably he gave towards the structure it self : for his Charity was great, if it were answer- able to his Piety, which his posture (with his Ladies) wherein he is represented in the same Window, shews to be devout. 1530.' ^ It would not be well to turn from the subject of documents, deeds, and seals, without giving some description of the old College seal. We cannot, as ' Balliofergiis, p. 77. Q 226 Early History of Balliol College it were, close the door of the Balliol Muniment Room, and leave unmentioned the seal which the College must most prize. It has not been found attached to any of the writings quoted in this book ; and, again, Henry Savage must be our authority. He says, * And upon this alteration of the Stile of the Colledge, ^ a new Seal was Fabricated, with the Image of St. Catherine in it, having her Sword in one hand, her Wheel in the other, and her Crown upon her head, with the several Coats of Arms . . . : the Seal in use immediately before, being the Image of the B. Virgin Mary, . . . sitting with a Crown upon her head, with the Babe in her hands . . . environed with St. Kat : and all the Saints, with this engraveur in the Ring ; viz. Sigillum commune Domus Ball : servata, sancta, pia virgo . domui tuae da te propitiam.' - i 'Anno 30 Eliz.' - Idid. p. 81. Early History of Balliol College 227 CHAPTER X. Although Sir Philip de Somervyle wished that his Statutes should in no way cross those given by the Lady Dervorguilla, yet it would seem that, in some particulars, they at least gave rise to scruples in con- scientious minds. Or, it may be, they formed a point of contention between the Scholars who had to leave, and the Scholars who were enabled to remain in the College, after they became Masters in Arts. In 1364, Simon Sudbury, Bishop of London, was deputed by Pope Urban V. to enquire into these difficulties, and to examine the Statutes ; and, if ne- cessary, to frame new ones, in order that the peace and quiet of the House might be secured. The Pope's letter to the Bishop of London, authorizing him to act in the matter, was forwarded by the Bishop to the College, with the request that it might be returned to him together with copies of the first and second Statutes, and any information which might enable him to better understand the points in question. As Henry Savage writes, ' The Letters Apostolick by him with all reverence Q2 228 Early History of Balliol College received, did he send to be perused, and to be or- dered by Mr. John Hethingham Chancellour of the University of Oxon, and Hen. de Whitfield Provost of Queens Hall in Oxon, both Professours of Divinity, and Mr. Ralph Orguni Inceptor in the Civil Law, to be transcribed ; with Command by Apostolick Authority to send him those Letters back again with true Copies of the first and second Statutes, and such further faithfull information as might en- able him the said Bishop of London to proceed in the premises accordingly.' ^ In the old Latin Register of the College is pre- served a copy of Pope Urban's letter to Bishop Simon. The pages of the Register which contain this copy are scored with many pen-marks across them. These pen-marks, together with a short entry, in English, at the top of page 25 of the Register, point to all Papal documents in the Col- lege Archives, and the Latin Register, having been demanded by the Commissioners of Henry VI IL, when they visited the College. The original deeds, or transcripts of the originals, were probably then taken away ; and this may account for the copies in the Register being the only copies which now exist in the College of the letter of Pope Urban to Bishop Simon, the letter of Pope Julius to the Bishops of Winchester and Carlisle, and the letter from Pope Eugenius. * Ballwferg74S, p. 63. Early History of Balliol College 229 In 1534, the College acknowledged the Royal Supremacy. ' BalHol College [Oxford], Line, dioc, i Aug. 1534. Sig7ied {yN\\ki protest that they do not mean to do anything against divine law or the orthodox faith) by Will. Whytt, master, and five fellows. Rym. 498.' 1 Some three years afterwards, the King, as Su- preme Head of the Church of England, demanded the surrender of all Papal documents. That deliver- ing up of documents may also account for the torn and stained condition of the Licence from Pope Urban for Masses to be said in the College Chapel. There was, perhaps, a tight holding of these parch- ment deeds by some members of the College, who prized the authority of Rome, and wanted to pre- serve the records of the rights and privileges of the College ; and a rough handing them about by the Commissioners, who were bent on obliterating a Pope's name, wherever they might find one. The large brown stain across the letter from Clement VI. is as likely to have been caused through the spilling of ink by eager Commissioners, as by the application of gall for the sake of more easily deciphering the writing, which, by the way, is clear and distinct enough where the stain has not touched it. How those two documents came to be preserved, when ' Calendar^ Letters and Papers^ Hen. VIII. vol. vii., p. 439, 230 Early History of Balliol College others were taken away, we shall never learn. Pope Urban's letter is interesting, as it throws light on what the particular difficulties in the College were at that time. At the top of page 25 of the Latin Register, nearly at the edge of the paper, is written, ' The copye and presydent off bullye off the bishoppe off rome delyveride out off the Cheste the 11^'' daye off July in the 29'^ yere off kynge henry the VHP*' hereafter folowith.' This short entry is followed by the copy of Pope Urban's Latin letter. \_Translalw7i.'\ ' Urban, Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to his Venerable Brother, the Bishop of London ; Greeting, and Apostolic Benedic- tion. A petition presented to Us on behalf of Our beloved sons, the Master and Scholars and College of the Hall or House of Balliol, in Oxford, in the dio- cese of Lincoln, stated that Dervorguilla de Balliol founded the said College for the good of her soul, endowed it with her goods, gave certain Statutes for the same ; and willed that the Master, and each of the Scholars of the same College, at the time of his reception into the same, should take a Corporal oath to observe the said Statutes. And the said peti- tion further stated, that, among other things, these Statutes contain a provision that none should remain in the said College unless they be Students in Arts ; Early History of Balliol College 2 3 1 and that no one should reside in the said College after he has taken the degree of Master in Arts, or of any Faculty in Arts, except for the space of three years only ; but should be compelled to depart from it. And that a long time afterwards, Philip de Somervyle, Knight, Lord of Wichnore, considering with pious intention that Clerks or Fellows of the said House were compelled to leave the House after taking the degree of Master in Arts, although they could nowhere else obtain sustenance, with authority from the Ordinary, procured and gave to the same College the Church of Mickle- Benton in the diocese of Durham, which was in his patronage ; and willed and ordained that, from the revenues of this Church, a fixed number of Students of Theology should always be kept in the said House or College; and gave certain Statutes, to the observing of which he willed that all these same Scholars and Clerks should be bound by their own oath. And that these enact- ments, though they are reasonable and useful to the College aforesaid, and made, as is believed, with a pious intention, are yet very contrary to the earlier Statutes ; and that such contrariety, in many ways, troubles and disquiets the consciences of the Scholars or Clerks of the said College, causes dissensions, and acts as an incentive to quarrels. Wherefore, on behalf of the said Master and Scholars, it was hum- bly sought that We would deign to provide them 232 Early History of Balliol College with a timely remedy for these troubles. We, there- fore, inclining Our ear to their supplications, by the tenor of these presents, grant to thee. Our Brother, of whose circumspection both in these and in other matters We have, in the Lord, the fullest confidence full power to cause these Statutes, both the first and the second, to be laid before you, to interpret, explain, reconcile, modify, correct, and change, to add to or take away from them, and to make new ones, as shall seem to you (according to the Lord, and in equity) to be useful, and for the peace of the College ; and by Our authority to absolve the Master and Scholars or Clerks of the said College from observing those of the Statutes which you have thought fit to modify, correct, withdraw, or change ; and, setting aside all appeal, to restrain by the Church's censure those who oppose or rebel. Not- withstanding any oaths whatsoever which the said Master, Scholars, and Clerks have taken ; or that an indult has been granted to any, together or singly, by the Apostolic See, that they may not be interdicted, suspended, or excommunicated, by Letters Apostolic, unless these make full, and express, and word for word mention of such indult. Given at Avignon, on the 1 3th day of February, in the second year of Our Pontificate.' The Statutes issued by Simon Sudbury are not now in the Balliol Archives, They could not be Early History of Balliol College 233 found in Henry Savage's time ; and have not been discovered since. They may have been lost ; or, it may be, they shared the fate of other documents de- manded by the Commissioners of Henry VHI. But we know that those Statutes were twice corrected by subsequent Bishops of London. The College preserves the large, closely-written, parchment docu- ment, which contains the corrections made by Robert, Bishop of London, in 1433 ; and, also, the alterations made by Thomas, Bishop of London, in 1477. But, in spite of these corrections and alterations, causes of dissatisfaction seem to have grown in the College ; and, it would seem, another petition was sent to Rome some twenty years after the issue of the third code by Bishop Thomas. These petitions are the documents we most need, to tell us what the griev- ances in the College were ; but they are exactly the documents we cannot quote. We can only learn what each petition asked, by the reply sent. So, it appears, a petition was sent to Rome at the end of the 15th, or at the beginning of the 16th, century ; for in the College Archives is a rough paper copy of a letter from Pope Alexander, addressed to the Bishops of Winchester and Norwich, asking them to examine the different Statutes, and to enquire into the College grievances. The writing of this paper copy is very much, and very badly, abbreviated ; some words are denoted only by prominent letters 2 34 Early History of Balliol College and have to be read by the help of the context ; while other words, here and there, are quite illegible. The Blue Book of Historical Manuscripts describes this document as ' written about the time probably of Henry VHL, and so abbreviated, as to be with difficulty deciphered.' ' Mr. Riley's opinion about the handwriting settles the question of the date of this copy, and points to the letter being from Pope Alexander VI., who reigned from 1492 to 1503. \Translation7\ * Alexander, Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to Our Venerable Brothers, the Lords Bishops of Winchester and Norwich, Health, and Apostolic Benediction. The petition presented to Us, on behalf of Our beloved sons, the Master and Scholars of the Hall, College, or House of Balliol, Oxford, of the diocese of Lincoln, contained that Simon, of happy memory, sometime Bishop of London, having, by virtue of Letters Apostolic to him directed, faculty to enact Statutes in the said House, as equity might advise, and he himself judge most expedient, ordained, among other things, that as soon as a Master was elected in the said House, the same Master should enjoin on all the Fellows faithfully to elect two Rectors ; to wit, one Friar Minor, and another secular Master of the University of Oxford, that is, one not belonging to the Society. ' Hist. MSS. Coi., FourtJi Report^ p. 443. Early History of Balliol College 235 And that these Rectors, so elected, should have full authority to overlook the Scholars of the said House ; to admit to their Society Scholars presented to them by election of the Fellows ; to make a visitation of the aforesaid House and Scholars, ordinarily at least once a year, at a fitting time, or oftener if necessity or the common good demand ; to punish offenders against the form of the Statutes, as well for light as for grave offences, if the Master be found negligent or remiss in correcting lighter matters ; and totally to expel those whom, on suit of the Fellows, they shall find to be notably vicious. Now though this Statute was enacted, as is believed, with a pious intention ; nevertheless the Rectors elected under it, having no care for the said House or College, but being abso- lute strangers to it, often inflict grave injuries on the Scholars of the same College or House. They harass and disquiet them, and try to compel them to the observance of certain ancient Statutes, which from time immemorial have fallen into disuse ; and of others which are quite contrary to newer Statutes. And, in fact, they have actually and unjustly expelled from the said College some of the Scholars, on the ground that meanwhile they did not observe the aforesaid alleged Statutes, totally, as is main- tained, abrogated by desuetude, and others con- trary to newer Statutes. And thus they distract and disquiet the study, which, by the wholesome 236 Early History of Balliol College ordinance of the Founders, the said Scholars are obliged to pursue in Philosophy and Sacred Theo- logy ; and they minister a kindling spark for dissen- sion and strife, to the damage of the said House or College. Wherefore, on behalf of the said Master and Fellows, humble supplication was made to Us, that We would deign to provide for an opportune remedy for them in this matter. We, therefore, favourably inclining to these petitions, lest that which was intended as a remedy should verge to destruc- tion, by the tenor of these presents, do grant in the Lord to you, in whose circumspection in these and other matters We repose in the Lord entire confi- dence, to both jointly, and to each of you severally, full faculty to establish the aforesaid College anew, and to cause each and all the Statutes of the said House to be exhibited to you, or to one of you ; faculty also to interpret, declare, harmonize, moderate, correct, and change them, and to add to them and to take away from them, and to enact others cie novo according as, in God and in equity, you, or one of you, shall judge expedient for the good and quiet of the said College. Likewise faculty to absolve, by Our authority, the Master and Scholars or persons of the said College from the observance of such Statutes, as you, or one of you, shall think fit to moderate, correct, declare, or change ; and also faculty to coerce, by Ecclesiastical censure, setting aside all appeal, Early History of Balliol College 2^"] those who may contradict and rebel. Notwithstand- ing any oaths taken by the said Masters and Scholars. Notwithstanding also if to any, either in common or individually, an indult of the Apostolic See has been granted, that they may not be interdicted, suspended, or excommunicated, by Apostolic Letters, which do not make full, express, and word for word rehearsal of such indult. ' Given at Rome.' There is no duplicate copy of this letter in the Latin Register. The Pope's death, in 1503, may have been the reason why no steps were taken in the matter by the two Bishops. But the question did not rest there. The Balliol Scholars were not left uncared for ; nor were the College grievances allowed to remain unsettled. In 1504, we find Pope Julius writing, on the same subject, to the Bishops of Win- chester and Carlisle ; and a copy of his letter is in the Latin Register, scored through, like the copies of other Papal documents, with many pen-marks. The tone and purport of it so closely resembles the last- quoted letter, that it leaves no doubt about the troubles, which it alludes to, in the College being those about which the Master and Scholars had written to Alexander VL The fact that the Bishop of Winchester is again one of the Bishops to whom this letter is addressed, makes it probable that this letter followed very soon after the other, and that the 238 Early History of Balliol College Bishop of Winchester mentioned in the first letter was the same Bishop, Richard Fox, who was re- moved from the See of Durham to Winchester, in 1 50 1. This gives a further clue to the time of Pope Alexander's letter. \T7'anslation?)^ 'Julius, Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to his Venerable Brothers, the Bishops of Winchester and Carlisle, Greeting, and Apostolic Benediction. The care of the Pastoral Office, which, notwithstanding the insufficiency of merits. We have received from on high, and under- taken, induces Us to listen to the supplications of those, for whose indemnity and good We are able to provide ; and if We see that what they ask is expe- dient, to respond to them with timely favours. ' A petition lately presented to Us, on behalf of Our beloved sons, the Master and Scholars of the College, of the Hall, or House of Balliol, in the University of Oxford, and the diocese of Lincoln, stated that Simon, Bishop of London, of blessed memory, by virtue of a certain Apostolic Letter, which he asserted had been granted to him from above, at one time decreed and ordained, among other things, that whenever a new Master of the Scholars of the said College was elected, he should immediately after his election, enjoin upon all the Scholars or Fellows of the same College the election of two Rectors ; viz., one of the Order of P>iars Early History of Balliol College 239 Minor, and another secular Master of the said University, not being a member of the College aforesaid. And that these said Rectors, thus elected, should have full authority over Scholars, thrusting themselves into the said House or College ; and power to admit into the Society the Scholars elected and presented to them by the Fellows or Scholars aforesaid ; and once at least in each year, or more often if necessity and the good of the Society so de- mand, to make a visitation of the House or College and Scholars aforesaid, to punish transgressors of the form of the Statutes, as well for small as for grave offences, and because the Master aforesaid might be negligent or remiss in correcting the faults of the said Scholars, and totally expelling those whom, on the accusation of the Fellows, he should find to be of notoriously bad character : all which is said to be contained more fully in the same Statutes. And that, though this Statute and Ordinance was made and put forth, as is believed, with a pious intention, yet the said Rectors, thus elected, interfere in many matters which do not pertain to them, and often grievously wrong the Scholars of this College, molest, and disquiet them, and even endeavour to compel them to observe certain Statutes which are so old that no man remembers when they were first made, and have already passed into disuse ; and also others which are altogether contrary to the new 240 Early History of Balliol College Statutes of the said College ; and they have, on that account, unjustly expelled de facto from the said College certain Scholars, who, though they were received and admitted into the said College in order that they might apply themselves to the study of Philosophy and Theology, are withdrawn from the study of the same. And that, on account of the contrariety, and disuse, or non-observance of the said Statutes put forth both by the said Simon, Bishop, and, it may be, earlier or even later, it is necessary for the peace and tranquillity of the Scholars afore- said, that the said Statutes should one and all be revised, reformed, corrected, and amended. Where- fore, on behalf of the present Master and Scholars aforesaid, it was humbly sought that, of Our Apo- stolic Beneficence, We would deign to command the aforesaid Statutes, both the old and the new, to be inspected, and examined, modified, corrected, and emended ; and otherwise make timely provision for removing the aforesaid evils. We, therefore, after a diligent consideration of the quality of each, by reason of the Pastoral Office entrusted to Us, desire that burdens be imposed upon each one according to his power and strength, and be not made heavier than he can bear ; and, further, that all who wish to become proficients in Science, should be freed from the hindrances which prevent them from attaining their desire ; inclining Our ear to these supplications. Early History of Balliol College 241 commit and entrust to you, Our Brothers, that con- jointly, by Our own commission, you may on your own authority, diHgently examine, and enquire into all and single Statutes and Ordinances of the said College, both the old and the new, as well by Simon, the Bishop aforesaid, as by any others whatsoever, put forth and made, and even confirmed by Apostolic authority ; and may interpret, explain, reconcile, reform, correct, modify, change, add to or take from, or, if necessary, altogether cancel and annul them, and may give new ones, as you shall find to be for the peace and tranquillity of the Master and Scholars aforesaid, now and for the time being, and for the sta- bility of the said College ; and may cause these Sta- tutes, thus by you reformed, corrected, or changed, or interpreted and explained, and others newly pro- mulgated, after their promulgation, to be observed by the Master and Scholars aforesaid, restrain- ing by Ecclesiastical censure, and other remedies of the law, appeal being postponed, any whatsoever who oppose. For which We grant to you, and to each one of you, conjointly and separately, licence and power by these presents. Notwithstanding the Bull of My predecessor. Pope Boniface VIII. of happy memory, by which it is provided, among other things, that no one be summoned outside his City or diocese, unless in certain excepted cases, and in these not more than one day's journey from the R 242 Early History of Balliol College boundary of his diocese ; or that Judges deputed by the Apostolic See may not presume to proceed against any whatsoever, or to entrust their powers to another, or others, beyond the City and diocese to which they have been delegated ; or the Bull made in General Council concerning two days' journey, pro- vided that no one by the authority of these presents be called to judgment at a place distant more than three days' journey ; and notwithstanding the Con- stitutions and Ordinances of Octo, and Octoboni, of blessed memory, formerly Legates of the said See in the Kingdom of England, or any other Apostolic, general or special. Constitutions and Ordinances made in Provincial or Synodal Councils ; and not- withstanding the Statutes and Customs confirmed to the aforesaid, and others, of the said College by oath, Apostolic, or any other confirmation, even though the said Master and Scholars have taken oath to observe these things, and not to procure Letters Apostolic contrary to them, from which oath We, by the same Apostolic authority, release them as far as concerns this same, whatever there be to the contrary, by the tenor of these presents ; or that the same Master and Scholars, or any others whatsoever, conjointly or separately, have received an indult from the same See that they may not be interdicted, suspended, excommunicated, or called to judgment outside of or beyond certain places, by Early History of Balliol College 243 Letters Apostolic, unless these make full, and ex- press, and word for word mention of such indult. Given at St. Peter's, in Rome, on the 13th day of August, in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 1504, and the ist of Our Pontificate.' The name of Bishop Richard Fox is conspicuous in the history of the Church, in the history of the Nation, and in the histories of the Universities of both Oxford and Cambridge. He was the ' large- minded ecclesiastic who perceived more clearly than many of his brethren that the Church ought to encourage and direct the movement that had arisen in favour of the New Learning.' ^ As ' Prelate, statesman, architect, soldier, herald, and diplomatist, he appears to. have combined extraordinary powers and capacities.'^ His Biographer tells us that 'to the resolute and munificent Fox, beyond all other men, was it due, that the mendicant Muse of Greek literature found, on her exile from Constantinople, a local habitation in the University of Oxford : he it was who gave her the earliest welcome to a new home, and wished to give her station and dignity in Corpus Christi College.'^ And it was Bishop Fox who was commissioned, by two successive Popes, to revise the Statutes of Balliol College. The new Statutes, which he formulated for the College, are 1 Hist. Univ. Oxford., Maxwell Lyte, p. 405. ' Mefnorials of Oxford, Ingram. ^ Lije of Fox, G. M. Ward. 244 Early History of Balliol College too long to be given here in full ; but some extracts from them will be of interest. They are published in the Statutes of the Colleges ; but the Latin of that printed copy, when compared with the manuscript copy of Bishop Fox's Statutes, in the Balliol College Statute Book, is found to have some errors. There is faulty spelling, and there are mistaken words, in the Latin of the printed copy. The following ex- tracts are translated from the Balliol Statute Book. At the beginning of the new Statutes, Bishop Fox described the College as an human body. The Master was the head, having the five senses : seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching. The senior Fellow was the neck ; and the Deans were the shoulders. And so he continued .the metaphor throughout the Statutes. [^Translation.'] ..... ' Having now determined the place and position of the Head, that is, the Warden, we have deemed it right to pass on to the arrangement and disposi- tion of the remainder of the body, that pleasure may be afforded by the beautiful harmony resulting from the well-ordering of the whole, and of its several members. Firstly, we will treat of the more important members ; that is, the Fellows. And though, in the division of the whole body at the beginning of these Statutes, we have spoken of Early History of Balliol College 245 these as ten in number, we here interpret that in this wise ; viz., that though now content with this number, we decree that it shall be increased if, and when, more can be conveniently maintained out of the income, revenues, and proceeds of the College. If, on the other hand, there shall be any very great decrease in the revenues, we will that their number should also decrease, in proportion. Each of these cases, however, we leave to the judgment and consciences of the Visitor, the Master, and the three senior among them. t -f ^' ' ' ' All the grace and loveliness of a visible body is begotten of the beauty of its members. We, there- fore, desiring that the parts of the body shall be beautiful, decree that those who shall in future be elected Fellows of this College, shall be born in lawful wedlock, of good morals, modest, sober, not implicated in any notable crime, or of ill repute ; devoted to study, and learning, and Students of no Faculty other than those of Logic, Philosophy, and Theology, according to their degree and status in the University. (We permit, however, Students of Theology to attend lectures on, and to study, the Canon law during the long Vacations.) That they shall observe the Statutes and customs of the College ; or if they violate the same, shall with all modesty, without dispute, or complaint, submit to the 246 Early History of Balliol College punishment and correction enjoined by the same ; shall dwell together in unity, and bring those who are at variance to agreement ; shall give and attend lectures, dispute, and respond, according to their degree, in the Schools of the University ; shall be present at the Disputations, and lectures, in the University, which pertain to their status, and from which they can derive profit ; shall prepare to take degrees, according to the Statutes and customs of the University, and of the College ; and shall, in all that they can, act for the good of the College. ' That neither the electors, nor the candidate for election, may urge any idle plea of ignorance, we lay down the conditions to be observed, and determine that, setting aside any preference of country, or person, hatred, carnal affection, corruption, or favour, they shall nominate and elect as Fellow one who has taken the degree of Bachelor in Arts only ; and whom they know to be the more fitting and suitable, according to the three conditions ; viz., that he is the poorer, the better conducted, and the more profi- cient, or whom they at least believe to possess these qualities in the greater degree : rejecting, as in- eligible, any one who has a living ; or who, from a fixed and perpetual exhibition, provision, patrimony. Chapel, Chaplaincy, or Prebend, is able, after a fair deduction for expenses, to spend more than forty Early History of Balliol College 247 shillings a year. Moreover, we add that no candi- date may corrupt any one with a bribe, or make use of any one's entreaties or letters ; and we decree that any candidate procuring such letters, or knowingly making use of any such letter procured by another, shall be, ipso facto^ ineligible. This, too, we add, that if any Scholar of the College be equal to a " Stranger," in morals and learning, he shall have preference in the election, even though he has not taken the degree of Bachelor in Arts. ' Moreover, we add that every Saturday, imme- diately after the singing of the Antiphon " Beata es Regina coelorum," by the junior Fellow, the names of all our original Founders and Benefactors, living and dead, shall be recited, nor shall the name of the then Visitor be omitted. And for the living shall be said the Psalm " Deus misereatur nostri," with the usual Versicle and Collect ; and for the dead, the Psalm " De profundis," with the accustomed prayers, and the Collect " Inclina, Domine, aurem Tuam ad preces nostras, quibus misericordiam Tuam supplices deprecamur, ut animas fundatorum, benefactorum, visitatorum, et cujusvis fidelium defunctorum," etc. ; nor shall they omit the Offices of the Dead, and Masses which they are under obligation to celebrate on certain days, for Founders, and other Benefactors. 248 Early History of Balliol College ' That the Mistress, Theology, grow not idle while her handmaidens. Logic and Philosophy, are toiling, we decree that if there are in the College three or more Fellows, who have spent a whole year in the study of Theology, they shall once a week, during full Term, or at least once a fortnight, on Friday, have Disputations ; the senior being the opponent, the junior the respondent. Those who have taken the degree of Bachelor, in that Faculty, we desire to compel to be opponents, and not respondents. We will that all Students of Theo- logy shall be present thereat ; but entrust the management, as far as concerns the beginning, end, manner, order, and time, to the senior Student of Theology. ' As is the harmony of a lyre's well attuned strings, so ought the life and behaviour of our Clerks to be. Wherefore, we decree that the Fel- lows shall conduct themselves in a seemly manner, both within and without the College ; shall not voluntarily, or of set purpose, by word or deed provoke the Master, or any of the Fellows, to anger ; shall, either of themselves, or by means of others, bring those who are at variance to agree- ment ; shall avoid factions, dissensions, and conten- tions, which sow the seeds of discord ; shall apply th(!mselves lo virtue, and to books ; and shall incite, Early History of Balliol College 249 and, in any way they can, assist others in the same. In Hall, and at table, they shall behave themselves in a seemly manner, without clamour,, or immoderate laughter, listening attentively to the reading of the Holy Scripture, avoiding tales and idle talk ; and discussing such things as nourish virtue and learn- ing ; using Latin only, except when they speak to one ignorant of that language, (we allow however the Master, or his Vicar, to give permission for the use of the vernacular on Festivals) : any one trans- gressing this order shall be fined one farthing on each conviction before the Master, and his Dean. That propriety be also preserved without the Col- lege, the Fellows shall attend the Disputations, ordinary lectures, and the Festival sermons, which are preached in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and also during Lent the Church of St. Peter in the East, wearing their proper habits : and we decree that any one who refuses or neglects to do so, unless for a good reason approved, or to be ap- proved, before the Master, or his Vicar, his Dean, and one Treasurer, and is in their presence convicted of the same, shall be fined one week's Commons : that they shall not bring into the College friends or guests who are an hindrance to study, or an incon- venience to the College ; any one so doing, to be punished by deprivation of Commons, according to the judgment of the Master, or his Vicar, his 250 Early History of Balliol College Dean, and one Treasurer, as to the gravity of the offence. ' Our predecessors have rightly determined that some portion of Holy Scripture, or of the works of a Doctor of the Church, be read aloud at table during dinner, that the ears be feasted at the same time ; and that there be something to give rise to conversation, that it turn not to tales and idle talk. Wherefore, we decree that each Scholar in turn shall, on one day in every week, read one chapter of the Bible.' Early History of Balliol College 2 5 1 CHAPTER XL Translation of the Early Portion of the Latin Register. Of those who are permitted to proceed to the degree of Master in Arts. [1524] Firstly, on the 29th day of the month of November, in the 15th year of Henry VHL, Mr. Henry Scott, and Mr. Edmund Burton, were per- mitted to proceed to the degree of Master in Arts, so that they might give pubHc lectures in School Street, before becoming Regent Masters.^ \0n the reverse of page i.] Know all men, by these presents, that . . .^ in the University of Oxford, have by these presents, appointed . . . our beloved Mr. . . . Babington, our true and lawful attorneys for the re-entering, ... in our stead and name, into our houses in Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex, and for taking full and peaceable possession of and into our estate, on behalf of us and of our name, and for expelling and 1 This entry occurs on one of a few unnumbered pages at the beginning of the book. ^ A few words are wanting in the first three hnes. 252 Early History of Balliol College removing thence all persons whatsoever, tenants or occupiers of the same, or of any part of the same. We giving, and by these presents granting, to our attorney aforesaid, full and complete power, our au- thority, and special mandate, to make and cause the said persons, or any one of them, to be attached and arrested, and to produce and cause them to appear before Judges and Justices, for any unjust detention, retention, or occupation of the aforesaid houses, or of any part or parcel thereof; and, further, in the case aforesaid, in our stead and name, to raise, affirm, and take all and single actions, suits, decrees, and processes lawfully sought, and necessary for the aforesaid wrongs, against those persons, and each one of them, wherever it shall appear necessary, to sue and prosecute them, or him, as the law permits, in any circumstances thence arising, and to declare, expound, and notify our aforesaid right and title before the Judges and Justices aforesaid, and to cause; the said persons, or any one of them, to be arrested with all the rigour of the law, to be impri- soned and condemned, to release them from prison, and to recover and receive from the persons them- s(;lves, and from each one of them, the expenses incurred, or to be incurred, in each case, and to give acquittances for what they have received and re- covered, and for fine and agreement, and in our name to make and seal other exonerations ; and, further. Early History of Balliol College 253 to carry out both all and single mentioned in the aforesaid, and such as are necessary and proper ; and in our name to do, execute, exercise, conclude, and complete everything as fully and completely as we should be able, or ought to do, if we were our- selves acting in the aforesaid ; we, by these presents, holding, and to hold settled and agreeable, all and whatsoever the said attorney shall do or cause to be done in our name. In witness whereof we have affixed our seal to these presents. Given, the 24th day of October, in the ist year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. \_P(ige I.] ... expulsions of Masters and . . } On the 20th day of the month of April, in the year of our Lord 1521, Mr. John Peyrson volun- tarily resigned, and left the College. On the 1 2th day of the month of October, in the same year, Mr. Thomas Appylbe left the College. On the loth day of February, in the same year, Mr. Thomas Kendal resigned. On the 4th day of the month of July, in the year of our Lord 1522, Mr. Peter Hoghton, Treasurer' of the same College, died. On the 14th day of the month of May, in the year of our Lord 1528, in the presence of the Master and ' A few words are wanting. - Or Bursar. The words * Thesaurarius' and ' Bursarius ' are both used in the early part of this Register. 254 Early History of Balliol College all the Fellows in residence, Mr. William Bradley- resigned, having been appointed Vicar of the parish of Saint Martin, Leicester. {Page 2.] On the i ith day of May,^ Mr. Blun- ston produced Gerard Plughe before Mr. Doctor Coyolde, Mr. Brodley, Mr. Burton, and Mr. Walter Brown, as his surety for the repayment to the Society of the money which he has received, or will receive, as is thought, wrongly, if it be proved that our Master has rightly declared that he has ceased to be a Fellow. On the same day, Mr. Scot produced George Hecsaum and Thomas Morras before the above- mentioned four, as sureties for the repayment to the Society of the money which he has, as we main- tain, wrongly received, or will in future receive, if it be proved that the same Mr. Scot has been justly and rightly expelled from the Society. In the year of our Lord 1568, and nth of the reign of Elizabeth, on 6th day of the month of February. On the year and day above-written, for a lawful impediment, approved by the Master and three senior Fellows, in the Chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine, Mr. Atkinson was excused from taking Orders (in obedience to the Statute - * On promotion ' Date not given. * The references in the Register to the Statutes are to the Statutes of Bishop Fox, given to the College in 1 507. Early History of Balliol College 255 to Livings') before the 19th day of the month of February, 1570.^ \Pages 4. 5. No entries.] \Pages 5. 6.] A copye off a proxye made the 28'^ yere off king henry the viii'\ Know, all men, by these presents, that we, William White, S.T.B., Master of Balliol College in Oxford, and the Fellows of the same place, for the under-named purpose capitularly assembled, ordain, nominate, make, and constitute, by these presents, our beloved in Christ, Mr. William White aforesaid, and, further, Mr. William Wright, M.A. and the Rev. David Mungumbre, Curate of our Church of St. Lawrence, in Old Jewry, London, to us and our aforesaid House annexed and appro- priated, and Roger Barker, Layman, together, and either of them singly and conjointly, so that there be no better way of discharging the office but that what one of them has begun, each one of them may be equally competent to take up, carry on, and con- clude, our true and lawful proctors, agents, and representatives in business, and our special dele- gates ; and we give and grant to these, our same proctors together, and to each one of them, as aforesaid, for himself separately, general power and special mandate to appear on behalf of us and our 1 This entry has been crossed out, and put in its proper place in the Register. 256 Early History of Balliol College names, and of the name of our aforesaid Church of Saint Lawrence, in the presence of our most illus- trious in Christ, Prince and Lord, Lord Henry VIII., by the Grace of God, King of England and France, Defender of the Faith, Lord of Ireland, and under Christ Supreme Head of the Church of England on earth ; or before the illustrious and most potent Thomas Crumwell, Knight, Lord Crumwell, Keeper of the Privy Seal of our aforesaid Lord the King, Secretary, and in Ecclesiastical cases Vicegerent, Vicar-General, and Chief Officer, or before a de- puty commissioner, surrogate, or any one having authority for the under-named from the renowned Lord Crumwell aforesaid ; and, further, to ap- pear and attend before Archbishops, Bishops, and other Judges and Ordinaries whatsoever, at all and single visitations, congregations, and convocations whatsoever, both of our most illustrious Prince aforesaid, and of all other Judges aforesaid ; to make excuses for our not attending in person, and explain and, if need be, prove the cause and causes of this our absence ; and with their hands laid on the Holy Scriptures to offer, take, and swear, on our souls, the oath of loyalty and obedience to the said Most Serene Royal Majesty, his heirs, and successors, and of renunciation of the present au- thc^rity or jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, and whatsoever other oaths can in that case lawfully be Early History of Balliol College 257 required to be taken, according to the force, tenor, and effect of the Statutes of this realm of England lately promulgated in the Parliament of our said Lord the King, held in the 28th year of his reign. And, further, to state, and in our names promise, that they will produce these things in writing, with our seal and, if need be, with the subscription of our own hands ; to present and exhibit these writings thus (as aforesaid) certified, at a suitable and oppor- tune time and place, before the Kings most sacred Majesty, or before Judges for that purpose deputed ; to show, or seek a suitable time for showing, letters of the appropriation of our aforesaid Church, and of dispensations, and privileges granted to our House ; to hear what things are first proposed in the visita- tions, and humbly to receive any canonical injunc- tions, and to promise, on our part, faithful observ- ance of the same ; to carry out the business of the aforesaid visitations to the final conclusion of the same ; further, to do what such visitations, or their nature, quality, and office, lawfully demand and require ; to beg that we may be dismissed from the same visitations, at a fitting and proper place and time ; duly to pay the procuration, and accounts of the aforesaid visitations, and acknowledge other ordinary and extraordinary expenses ; and generally to do, exercise, and conclude, all and single other which, in the aforesaid, and about these, are neces- s 258 Early History of Balliol College sary or at all expedient, even though they demand a more special mandate than is expressed by these presents. Moreover, we promise to hold for settled, acceptable, and established for ever, everything and whatsoever these our said proctors or any one of them shall do, perform, effect, or transact in the aforesaid matters, or in any one of them, under pledge and obligation of all and single of our goods, and thereto we by these presents pledge our faith. In witness whereof we have attached our common seal to these presents. Given in our aforesaid Col- lege, on the 28th day of the month of September, in the year of our Lord 1536. \_Page 7. No entries.] [Page%:\ 1 5 14. It is ordained, with the common consent and assent of the Master and Fellows of Balliol College, on the 8th day of the month of February, in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 15 14, that if a Fellow vacate his Fellowship, or leave the afore- said College, whether by death, by promotion, or from any other cause, having retained his Fellow- ship from the Feast of St. Luke to the middle of the year immediately following, that is, to the day of St. Alphege, the Martyr, inclusive, he shall receive half the usual payment. If, however, he resign his Fellowship before the said Day of St. Alphege, the Martyr, he shall not be entitled to any payment Early History of Balliol College 259 whatever. Moreover, if any Fellow retain his Fel- lowship after the said day, and resign the same before the Feast of St. Luke, the Evangelist, he shall be content with half the usual payment. Moreover, seeing that the smallest uncertainty is sometimes the occasion of grave discord, we, the said Master and Fellows, on the aforesaid day and year, with common consent and assent, have established for ever, that if any Scholar of any Fellow be ren- dered destitute by the departure of his Master from the aforesaid College, it shall be lawful for any one of the Fellows to take him, without any re-admission, as his Scholar for the time determined by the Statutes, permission having been first obtained from the Master, together with the consent of the two senior Fellows, or of one of them. And if none of the Fellows shall see fit to place him among his company of Scholars, so that he be left destitute, and wander like a fugitive over the earth, we permit him, from the hope of help from afar, to provide for himself assistance from all the goods and revenues of our Scholars, for the space of not more than two months. \_Pages <^. 10. II. No entries.] \Page 12.] Elections of Masters and Proba- tioner-Fellows. On the 29th day of the month of November, in the year of our Lord 1520, Mr. Henry Skott, and S2 26o Early History of Ballio I College Mr. Edmund Burton were elected Probationer- Fellows ; and on the same day of the following year they were elected and admitted perpetual Fellows. On the 17th day of the month of October, in the year of our Lord 1521, Mr. Thomas Kendall was elected Probationer-Fellow, as Priest of John Balliol. On the 29th day of the month of November, in the year of our Lord 1522, Walter Browne, George Coot, and Thomas Austlyne, Bachelors in Arts, were elected Probationer-Fellows. The same day of the following year, they were elected perpetual Fellows, On the 29th day of the month of November, in the year of our Lord 1523,^ Mr. Thomas Alan was elected Probationer-Fellow of this College. On the 23rd day of the month of May, 1528, during the year, on the Vigil of Ascension Day (Sunday Letter, D.) Mr. Thomas Brodley was elected Priest and Probationer-Fellow of this Col- lege. On the last day of the month of July, in the year of our Lord 1538, Mr. John Nowell was elected Chaplain, in place of Mr. John Foster, promoted to the Rectory of Standlake on the 21st day of the month of July, in the year of our Lord 1537. \Pages 13. 14. No entries.] ' Written in the Register 1503 ; but evidently a mistake for 1523. Mr. W. Whytte Master of this College. Early History of Balliol College 261 {Page 15.] Admissions of Masters and Fellows who have passed their year of Probation. On the 29th day of the month of November, in the year of our Lord 152 1, Mr. Henry Scot, and Mr. Edmund Burton were admitted perpetual Fel- lows of Balliol College.^ On the 29th day of November, 1528, Mr. William Wryght, Mr. ^ William Bayker, and Mr. John Kytson, were elected perpetual Fellows of Balliol College. In the year of our Lord 1531, a controversy arose on the admission of the Probationer-Fellows, in that, in counting the votes, that of the Master was counted as two, as is provided for in the Statute concerning the election of a Probationer-Fellow : which admission was, however, approved at the visitation made by the Rev. Doctor Stubbs, the Visitor, on the 3rd day of July, in the above-named year, as also that this provision shall hold good both in the election of a Probationer-Fellow, and in the admission of the same. And those who were named as admitted at the same time were Mr. Robynson, Mr. Mychell, Mr. Park, and Mr. Clygworthe ; and, on the same day, their admission was approved and ratified. \_Page 1 6. is headed ' Leases ' ; but contains only ' Repetition, in a later hand, of an entry on page 12. 262 Early History of Balliol College the beginning of one. The five following pages, 17-21, have no entries.] \Page 22.] On the nth day of the month of July, in the 29thyearofthereignof King Henry VIII, before, and in the presence of, the Master and all the Fellows, five Episcopal Bulls were taken from the Chest, to be handed over to the King, with the intention that certain things might be reformed by the same, according to the Act of Parliament. Of these, the first was that of Urban V, Bishop of Rome, to the Bishop of London, for the correction and reformation of the Statutes of the College, at that time not altogether perfect. The second, also of the Bishop aforesaid, by which the Master and Fellows were permitted to celebrate within their own College. The third, that of Eugenius IV, for the appropriation of the Church of St. Laurence, in Old Jewry, London. The fourth, that of Clement VI, for the appropriation of the Church of St. Margaret, at Abboldesley, in the county of Huntingdon, and the diocese of Lincoln. The fifth, that of Julius II, given for the latest reformation of our Statutes.^ ' The above entry, as well as the copies of the five Papal Bulls which follow, have all been crossed out. Pages 23. 24. are blank pages. Pages 25. 26. contain the copy of the Bull of Pope Urban, which has been already given, p. 230. Page 27. the copy of the second Bull of Pope Urban, given on p. 135. Page 28. given above. Pages 29. 30. contain the copy of the Bull of Pope Clement, given on p. 168. Page 32. is blank. Pages 31. 34. 35. contain the copy of the Bull of Pope Julius, given on p. 238. Early History of Balliol College 263 {Page 28.] Eugenius, Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to Our beloved sons, the Priors of the Priories of St. Bartholomew, near Smithefelde, and of Chrichirche,^ London, and to Thomas Warde, Canon of London, Greeting, and Apostolic Benedic- tion. The just and honourable requests of suppli- ants We willingly grant, and respond to with timely- favours. A petition lately presented to Us, on behalf of Our beloved sons, the Master and Fellows or Scholars, of Balliol College (as it is called), in the University of Oxford, and the diocese of Lincoln, and Robert Rok, perpetual Vicar of the parish Church of St. Laurence, in Jewry, in the City of London, stated that formerly the Master and Fellows or Scholars aforesaid, and Richard Collinger, per- petual Vicar of the same Church, proceeded against Our beloved son, John HertwelP . . . of the parish of the said Church, which, canonically united and joined to the same College, the Master and Fellows or Scholars held, and now hold, for the use of their Society, by reason of his delay, he being lawfully bound to make certain oblations then named on certain days also then named, to the said Master and Fellows or Scholars, on account of the said Church ; they petitioning that he be pronounced and declared bound to make these same oblations ; and, further, be condemned and compelled to give them in the ' Sic. '^ A few words are wanting here. 264 Early History of Balliol College presence of Our beloved son, the Officer of London, without any Apostolic delegation. And the said Officer, proceeding in that matter legitimately, and in accordance with the ordinances of law, pronounced a definitive sentence in favour of the Master and Fellows or Scholars aforesaid, and against the said John, and condemned him in the legitimate costs of the said suit, reserving to himself the future taxation of the same. In the interim the aforesaid Richard died, and Robert obtained and now holds the per- petual Vicarship of the said Church. Wherefore, on behalf of the Master and Fellows or Scholars, and of Robert aforesaid, who asserted that, as no appeal was pending, the sentence became one of an adjudicated case, it was humbly sought that We would pronounce the same sentence to be valid. We, therefore, inclining Our ear to these supplications, entrust to your discretion, by Our Apostolic Writings, that you, or two, or one of you, may by your authority cause the said sentence to be enforced, as it was justly pronounced, setting aside all appeal. Notwithstanding any indult which the said John or any others, together or singly, have received from the Apostolic See, that they may not be interdicted, suspended, or excommunicated by Letters Apostolic, unless these make full, express, and word for word mention of such indult. Given at St. Peter's, in Rome, on the 15th day Early History of Balliol College 265 of July, in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 1446, and the i6th of Our Pontificate. \PcLge 33.] To all believers in Christ, to whom the present writing may come, Richard Stubbs, Master or Warden of Balliol College, in the Uni- versity of Oxford, and the Fellows of the same. Eternal Health in the Lord. Though the law of Divine Charity binds us, and makes us debtors to all believers in Christ in general, yet more especially are we bound to those who show that they have a feeling of greater devotion to us, and to our College. Wherefore, on account of the merits of the pious devotion, which the Venerable Mr. Robert Aschum has, by his most munificent gifts, shown that he bears towards our College, though he asked nothing of us, but rather kept before his eyes the thing which was itself to plead for him ; we, the said Master and Scholars, not unmindful of the benefits he has bestowed upon us, on behalf of ourselves, and of our successors, as far as in us lies, grant to him, both in life and in death, full participation in all Divine Offices which in our College aforesaid are now celebrated, or which by the Grace of God will be celebrated for ever ; to wit, in Masses, Prayers, Meditations, Services, and all other Divine Offices whatsoever. And, further, that his name be inscribed on our Roll, and be recited every Saturday among our Benefactors, for all the living among whom we 266 Early History of Balliol College say the Psalm ' Deus miseratur,' ^ with the Suffrages, and the Collect * Deus qui caritatis,' etc. ; and for the dead, the Psalm ' De profundis,' with the Suf- frages, and three Collects ; viz. * Inclina, Domine,' etc. ; ' Quaesumus, Domine, pro Tua pietate,' etc. ; and ' Absolve.' Over and above which, we grant to the aforesaid Robert Ascham, for the term of his life, free use of a tower situated over the College gates, containing two rooms, an upper and a lower ; in such manner that he shall not in his absence assign the use of this same tower to any one, or any others, except with the consent of the aforesaid Master, and the majority of the Fellows of the said College. In testimony and witness of all and single of the aforesaid, we have caused our common seal to be affixed to this our writing. Given in our Chapel of St. Catherine, on the 21st day of July, in the 15th year of the reign of Henry VIII. \Pages 36-43. No entries.] {^Page 6,\r\ A.D. 1538. Here begin the decrees of the Master and Fellows of Balliol College, in the University of Oxford, on the 2ist day of the month of October, in the year of our Salvation 1538. Firstly. It was ordained and decreed by the votes of all, that one of the aforesaid Fellows be each year appointed Secretary to the said Master ' Sic, Early History of Balliol College 267 and Fellows for the year following, in all business concerning the state of the College, or the decrees of the same ; and that the Fellow who shall hold this office, be nominated each several year within three days after the Feast of St. Luke, in the same manner as other officers, and receive a salary of 6s. 8d. for the year during which he holds such office. Item. It was ordained and decreed on the above-written day of the month, with the consent of all, that Mr. Cosinn hold the office above-named for the year next following the date of these presents. Item. On the same day of the same year, Mr. Thomas Parke, and Mr. John Smythe, were appointed Deans ; Mr. Christopher Worseley, and Mr. Robert Cosyn, Treasurers of the said College. Item. At the same time, with unanimous con- sent and assent, it was granted, under our common seal, to the Venerable widow. Lady Anne Danvers, that the Office of the Dead be said every year (according to the regulation concerning the same, written in the Statute Book) for the good of her soul ; and for her benefactions, on account of her gift of ^30. to the Master and Fellows aforesaid, for the repair of the buildings and tenements situated in the parish of St. Margaret Patens, in London, given us by Robert Beamond, which had 268 Early History of Balliol College at that time unfortunately been almost entirely de- stroyed by fire. Item. It was granted that if 20. can be ex- pended by the aforesaid Lady Anne Danvers, in addition to the above-named sum, through Mr. John Foster, her Chaplain, and formerly a brother Fellow, that then the Master shall receive I2d., each Fellow 8d., and each Scholar 2d., when this Office is said. For, indeed, it is evident that if this amount be added, the buildings can be so adorned, and well built, that the yearly rents and proceeds will outgrow and exceed the amount formerly produced by the said houses, by 20s,, more or less, a year. Item. On the same day, for a legitimate cause approved before the Master and three senior Fellows, permission was obtained for Mr. William Wright to be absent for a whole year, to attend the Bishop of Lincoln during the same year. {Page 45. No entries.] {Page 46.] Promotions to Livings in the year 1539. Firstly, Mr. Christopher Worsley was appointed Vicar of the Church of St. Laurence, in Old Jewry, London, on the last day of the month of October, in the year above-written. Item. On the 6th day of the month of February, in the same year, Mr. George Cott, Master of this College, received the advowson of the parish Church Early History of Balliol College 269 of Filyngham, given to him under the College seal, by the majority of the Fellows.^ Item. On the same day of the same year, Mr. Thomas Parke was presented to the Rectory of Brattelbye, formerly held by the aforesaid Mr. Christopher Worsley. \Page 47. No entries.] \_Page 48.] A psydent of a voyson of a benefice. To all believers in Christ to whom the present writing may come, George Cot. S. T. P. and Master or Warden of Balliol College, in the University of Oxford, and the diocese of Lincoln, and the Fellows of the same College, true and undoubted Patrons of the parish Church or Rectory of Filyngham, in the diocese aforesaid, Eternal Health in the Lord. Know that we, the aforesaid Master and Fellows, with our unanimous consent and assent, have given and granted, as by the tenor of these presents we give and grant, to our beloved in Christ, Edmund Newers, Gentleman ; Richard Salven, Clerk ; John Coot, Yoman ; the heirs, executors, and assigns of them, and of each one of them, in common, and to each one separately for himself, the first and next advowson, donation, nomination, free disposition, presentation, and our full right of the patronage of ^ This entry is crossed out ; and in the margin is written, This advowson is annulled. See p. 52. of the Register. 270 Early History of Balliol College the aforesaid parish Church of Filyngham, for a single and the next turn only, whenever it may be ; and when the said Church first and next, by death, resignation, deprivation, whether de jure or de facto, change, cession, dismissal, renunciation, or in any other manner, shall either de jure or de facto, rightly be vacant : so that it may and shall be lawful for the aforesaid Edmund Newers, Richard Salven, and John Coot, their heirs, executors, and assigns together (as above) and separately, by authority and virtue of this our grant, rightly and legitimately to present once only any able or suitable person what- soever for the said Church of Filyngham (as afore- said) when it becomes vacant, to the Diocesan and Ordinary of that place ; or at least to present so often until one person nominated by the above- named, shall have been instituted to the said Church, admitted to, and placed in peaceable possession of the same, with all its rights and appurtenances ; and to do, and exercise, all and single else which is requisite in the matter, which we should do, or have power to do, if our present gift and grant had never been made. And it shall be lawful for the said Diocesan, or Ordinary, [or to any Judge whatsoever who is competent to deal with the matter] ^ rightly and legitimately to institute a proper person, thus presented to the said Church with all its rights and This sentence has been crossed out. Early History of BalLiol College 271 appurtenances, by the before-named Edmund, Richard, and John, or any one of them, or their heirs, executors, and assigns, or those of any one of them ; and to do, carry on, and thoroughly complete, whatever in this matter is incumbent on his pas- toral office, without any impediment, disturbance, opposition, or calumny, on the part of us, or of our successors. And we, the Master and Fellows afore- said, by these presents, will warrant and defend our presentation, advowson, and qualified donation of our right of patronage, against all men. In witness whereof, our common seal has been affixed to these presents. Given at Oxford, in the Chapel of the said College, on the 6th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1541. \Pages 49. 50. 51. No entries.] \_Page 52.] Decrees of the Master and Fellows, and Dispensations, and other Grants, made in the Chapel of Balliol College, in the year of our Lord 1542. Firstly. On the 17th day of October, all the Fellows being then present, the Master interrogated the Fellows, on their oath, whether any one of them would assert that he, the same Master, had laboured privately or publicly for the election of the Fellow of the county of York, from the time of the last election up to the date of the present. And each one answered 'No.' 272 Early History of Balliol College Item. On the same day, Mr. John Smyth, Fellow, read before the Master and Fellows a sub- mission of obedience to the same Master, enjoined upon him by the Bishop of Lincoln. Item. On the 19th day of the same month, Mr. Thomson, and Mr. Stop, were elected Deans ; and Mr. Browne, and Mr. Broebden, Bursars. Item. On the 20th day of the same month, permission was, with unanimous consent, given to Mr. Cosin, to be absent whenever he chooses during the whole of the year next following. Item. On the same day, permission was given to Mr. Ffrannt, to be absent whenever he chooses during the whole of the year next following. Item. On the 21st day, the advowson of the parish Church of Filyngham was given to Mr. George Coot, S.T.D., and then Master of Balliol College aforesaid, with the consent of the Master, and the majority of the Fellows.^ Item. The 21st day, the Master, in Chapel, in the presence of the Fellows, gave to the Bursars of the College, as he had been commanded by the Bishop of Lincoln, 5s. 4d., for one month's Commons. Ite^n. The 22nd day of November, it was agreed, between the Master and all the Fellows, ' See page 46 of the Register. Early History of Balliol College 273 that the election to the Fellowship then vacant, be postponed till the following year J Item. On the same day, it was agreed between the Master and the three senior Fellows, viz. Mr. Smythe, Mr. Cosyn, and Mr. Thomson, that for certain reasons it was expedient that the election to the vacant Fellowship be postponed for a year. Item. On the loth day of December, the Master in the Chapel, in the presence of the Fellows, showed Mr. Nowell a mandate, bidding him conduct himself obediently and peaceably towards him and the Fellows, according to the tenor of the Statute. {^Pages 53. 54. 55. No entries.] {Page ^(i^, A.D. 1525. Nov. 15. On the 15th day of the month of November, in the year of our Lord 1525, at the hour of 10, all and single of the Fellows having been convoked into the Chapel of St. Catherine, in Balliol College, Oxford, the learned Mr. William Whyte, S.T.B. produced and read before all a certificate signed with the hand and name of Mr. Claiton, Notary Public, by virtue of which it was notified, and most clearly shown, that the aforesaid Mr. William Whyte had been presented to Mr. Doctor Aleyn, Commissioner General for the visitations of the most reverend Father, Thomas, by Divine Mercy of the Title ' This entry is crossed out ; and in the margin is written, in Latin, Cancelled^ in the presence of the Master and Feltozus. 2 74 Early History of Balliol College of St. Cecilia, and had been by the same rightly, lawfully, and in accordance with the Statutes of our College, admitted Master or Warden of our College : which admission we all and single. Fellows, with our unanimous consent and assent, accept, and allow that Mr. White has been thus, as aforesaid, presented and admitted. \Page 57. No entry.] \^Page 58.] A.D. 1539. November 25th. A copie of an instrument concernyng thadmis- sion of Mr. Doctor Cott to the maistreship of this college made by an notary. In the name of God, Amen. Be it evident and known to all, by the present public instrument, that on the 25th day of the month of November, in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 1539, and the 31st of our most illustrious and potent Prince, Lord Henry VIII, by the Grace of God, King of England and France, Defender of the Faith, Lord of Ireland, and, under Christ, sole and supreme Head on earth of the Church of England, in a Chapel situated within the College, commonly called Balye College, in the University of Oxford, and in the presence of me, John Croke, Notary Public, underwritten, and of the witnesses named below, the learned Mr. George Cott, S.T.P. in person read a letter written in English by the illustrious and potent Lord Thomas Crumwell, Counseller, and Keeper of the Privy Seal Early History of Balliol College 275 to the most illustrious Prince aforesaid, and Vice- gerent, Vicar-general, and principal Officer in Ecclesiastical cases, sent to the Fellows of the aforesaid College ; which letter when he had read through, he showed to me, the under-named Notary, and publicly presented, and handed over to me, and with due persistence humbly requested that, on account of accidents which might probably happen, I would transcribe and make copies of the said letter, and guarantee, and publish the same thus transcribed, with my seal and subscription. Where- fore, considering for the aforementioned reasons that the petition of the aforesaid Mr. Coot was reasonable, I gave orders for the making of verbatim transcrip- tions, and copies of the same letter, whole and entire, with nothing omitted or cancelled, and, as far as I saw, without any mistake anywhere. Of which letter the tenor follows and is this : AFTER MY HARTiE comendations wher as by my last letters addressid vnto yow I gaue yow in comanndmet in the kings maiesties name that forthw' apon the recept theroff w'owt any cytations delayes or other like solempnyties of the lawe and notw'stonding the absence of any of yo'' company so that the more part were present yow sholde precede to the election of a covenient Mastre of yo' howse then vacant and that of yo'' electon so being made w'owt any parcyalitie or corruption youe sholde T 2 276 Early History of Balliol College incotinent ctifie me to thend the same myght be ratifyed and cofirmed as shulde appteign, and for asmoche as according to the tenor and efifecte of the same yow haue assembled yo''sellfs to gether vpon good deliberation and advise taken therin haue elected and chosen my frend doctor cott to be maistre of yo"" howse like as by yo"" pntation sealed w' yo"" coinune seale I am adcerteyned, Thies shalbe to Signifye vnto yow and eiiy of yow that I haue pvsed & examyned the same and eiiy circumstaunce therof and do comend and allowe yo*" good pro- cedings therin and haue confirmed ratified and approved yo"" said electon by thauctoritie coiTiitted vnto me by the kings highnes in that behallf willing and coiTianding yow by thies presents that yow and eiiy of yow shall from hensforth repute accept and take the said doctor cott as the very rightfull and just maist of yo"" howse vsing yo''sellfs toward him in euy condytion w' suche dewtie and obedience as to the said office doth appteign as yow and euy of yow tendre the kings highnes pleas^ Thus fare yow hartely well from London the xxij'*' day of novembre vo" louvng frend tiiomas crumwell. ^ All and single of these things were done as they are written above and recited, in the year of our said Lord, the King, in the month, day, and place, aforesaid, in the presence of the Venerable ' Here the Register proceeds in Latin. Early History of Balliol College 277 Richard Smyth, S.T.P., and the learned Mr. George Nevell, and William Hubberden, specially called and summoned as witness to the aforesaid. And I, John Croke, by the King's authority Notary Public of the diocese of Winchester, being present in person, with the witnesses aforenamed, at the reading, exhibition, presentation, and handing over of the said letter, the tenor of which is given above, and finding the letter itself thus (as above- said) exhibited, whole and entire, and, as far as I saw, free from any fault, gave orders that the same letter should be transcribed, written, and copied, ver- batim ; and that this present public instrument, in the hand of another (being myself meanwhile engaged elsewhere) faithfully written, should be compared with it, and the collation of this transcript with the original having been faithfully made, that it should be published, and put in this public and authentic form, and have signed it with my seal, name, and surname, accustomed and usual, so that as full reliance may be placed on the present transcript, or published copy, as on the original aforesaid, I having been specially called, and requested to see and attest all and single of the aforesaid. And I, the Notary above-named, made the erasures in the second line, in the word ' anno,' and in the word * Henrici.' \Pages 60-63. No entries.] \Page 64.] A.D. I54y. February 2. 278 Early History of Balliol College Decrees made in the Chapel, on the 2nd day of the month of February, in the 31st year of the reign of King Henry VIII. [On the remainder of this page, and on the three following pages, there are no entries.] [Page 68.] On the 2nd day of November, in the year of our Lord 1542. Firstly, Mr. Carter's attestation concerning Frideswide, made by a Public Notary, was replaced in the Chest. Item. Another deed, called an acquittance. Item. An obligation between the College and Mr. Cosyn. Memorandu7)z. That I, William Frannt, in the presence of the Fellows, took from the Chest fifty instruments concerning Abboldesley, on the 2nd day of the month of November, in the year of our Lord 1542. Ite^n. At another time fifty court rolls de- posited there. Memorandum. That all the above-mentioned instruments were replaced in the Chest of the Society, on the 4th day of the following February, in the presence of the Fellows. Item. On the nth day of March, with unani- mous consent of all the Fellows then present, for good and honourable reasons already shown, a dispensation was granted to George Cot, S.T.P,, Early History of Balliol College 279 Master of the College, to be absent whenever he chooses, the Statute notwithstanding. {Page 69. No entries.] [Page 70.] Decrees made in the Chapel, by the Master and Fellows, in the year of our Lord 1543, after the Feast of St. Luke. Firstly. It was decreed, with the consent of the Master and all the Fellows, on the 24th day of October, that Mr. Philip Crome be our agent for the transaction of all legal business, in London and elsewhere, until we or our successors shall de- termine otherwise, and receive an annual salary of 13s. 4d. Item. On the 17th day of November, Mr. Smythe was -summoned before his Master, the Dean, viz. Mr. Thomson, and one of the Treasurers, viz. Mr. Brogden, and by these same the aforesaid Mr. Smythe was mulcted in one week's Commons ; because, as was certified by the Master and tw^o Assessors aforesaid, the said Mr. Smythe took for his yesterday's breakfast the Commons which rightly belonged to the aforesaid Master. Item. On the J4th day of December, a dispen- sation was granted by all the Fellows, to Mr. Cosyn, that he be not bound to pay 5 marks due to the College till the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord, notwithstanding an obligation to the contrary. 28o Early History of Balliol College On the 27th day of the month of October, in the year of our Lord 1554, and the ist and 2nd of the reign of PhiHp and Mary, of England, France, Naples, and Jerusalem, King & Queen, a question and doubt in the statute ' On promotion to a living,' concerning which a contention arose, and which in truth needed interpretation, was referred to the Visitor, the Master, and two senior Fellows. The question was this : whether to 'Incept in Arts' is to take the degree of Master ; and this the Visitor, Master, and two senior Fellows have so determined ; viz. that to ' Incept in Arts' is to take the degree : so that the Statute ' On promotion to a living ' will have force within four years after Inception. In proof and witness whereof the Visitor, Master, and two senior Fellows have subscribed their names. Jo. Lincoln. James Gloucest. John Smytiie. William Taler.^ \_Pages 71. 72. 'j'^. No entries.] [Page 74.] Decrees of the Master and Fellows for a.d. 1544. Firstly. It was decreed, with the unanimous ^ This entry' is crossed out, and a note added, in Latin. This Decree was cancelled and erased, with the consent of the two Visitors, the Master, and all the Fellows, on the 6th day of the month of June, in the year of our Lord 1575. Ita est. Richard Joynes, Notary Public. Early History of Balliol College 281 consent and assent of the Master, and all the Fellows, that if any one in the said College shall in future be Proctor of the University, both he, and all others living in the same College, who are summoned by him, or by his deputy, and the deputy, if he so de- sire, shall be allowed to c^irry any arms and weapons whatsoever, the Statute ' On things forbidden ' not- withstanding. Given, the 3rd day of May, in the 36th year of the reign of our most illustrious Prince, Henry VIII., King of England, France, and Ireland, and Supreme Head of the Church of England and Ireland. Memorandum. That on the 26th day of May, were placed in the Chest, A Charter of King Henry VIII. An indenture of the Town of Ox- ford, for the non-payment of tithes. Item. An indenture on behalf of the Vicarage of St. Laurence for a rent of 20s, Item. Lawrence Atkins' in- denture. Item. An indenture on behalf of the University School. Item. A Charter of the King's Court of Augmentations for the rent of Canterbury College. Item. A roll for Woton, and Old Woodstock, concerning seisin and fine. Item. Mr. Carter's notarial letter for the lands of Frediswyde. Item. An indenture of Evans in Woton. ^ ' The remainder (about half) of the leaf has been cut out. 282 Early History of Balliol College {Pages 75 {half -page). 76. "]"], No entries.] {Page 78.] A.D. 1554. 2nd of Mary, Nov. 7. On the 7th day of the month of November, in the year of our Lord 1554, and the ist and 2nd of the reign of Philip and Mary, of England, France, Naples, Jerusalem, etc. King and Queen, it was decreed, with the unanimous consent and assent of the Master and Fellows of Balliol College, that no Fellow, Commoner, Scholar, or Servitor, be in debt to the College for his Battells after the expiration of more than fifteen days from the end of each Term, under the following penalties : if a Fellow he shall receive no Commons or stipend till the whole debt be paid ; if a Commoner, Scholar, or Servitor, he shall be expelled. Moreover, it is decreed, that each Commoner and Scholar shall have a surety bound to the College for himself. To' certify which each of us has signed with his own hand. Ja. Glouc.^ John Smytiie. William Taler. Jo. Lincoln.- Antony Garnett. I Oct. 1555. Brian Nedam. Alan Hiccinson. Bartholomew Greme. ' James Brooks, Master of the Collet,% and r>ishop of Gloucester. * John White, Bishop of Lincohi. Early History of Balliol College 283 A coppy of a bill of Mr. Hydes hand which is to be found in the treasurye of his owne writinge. Memorandum that I, Thomas Hyde, fellow of Baliol colledge do owe to the said colledge that I borrowed 20s. to be payd the 7th of September 1573. In witnesse whereof I haue subscribed the 26th of August anno praedicto. By me, Thomas Hyde. [Page 80.] In the year of our Lord 1556, and the 2nd and 3rd of the reign of Philip and Mary, by the Grace of God, of England, France, etc. King and Queen. On the 1 6th day of the month of January, the Venerable Mr. William Wright, S.T.B., before (viz. Manner of on the ist day of December immediately admitting a Master preceding;) elected Master or Warden of after his ^ "-' ' byThe^'" Balliol College, was present and laid before wm.'^' the Fellows, who had been summoned in Wright. Master. the Chapel of the said College, an instru- ment, or certificate, of his admission by the Bishop of Lincoln, Visitor of the aforesaid College, sealed with the seal of the Public Notary. Which instru- ment, when they had inspected and heard read, the before-mentioned Fellows of the same College took in a proper manner, and placed for preservation in the College Chest. All which was done lawfully, and in accordance with the meaning and form of the Statutes of the College aforesaid, on the year and 284 Early History of Dalliol College day aforesaid, about 6 o'clock in the afternoon of Thursday. The same year, on the 29th day of November, the Rev. Robert Woodd, and Mr. Richard Shaghnes were elected Probationer-Fellows for the year fol- lowing. The same year, on the nth of July, died, the Rev. Father in God, Mr. John Bell, who, a little be- fore his death, g^ave to the Master, Fellows, Death of ' & ' ' hiyTi,^^^"' ^nd Scholars of our College of Balliol, the ^^^ house in Clerkenwell, near London, which, Lease of aerlTen" before he gave to the College, he had him- john saiis- Self occupicd, and where he afterwards died. bury at an annual Which house the Master and Fellows leased rent of ^i3i3s.4d. |.^ ^ certain noble, Mr, Salisburi, Knight, on the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary next following, for a term of 2 i years, at an annual rent of ;^I3 13s. 4d. The same year, the said Master or Warden of our College, on his first arrival, gave to the College, or for an ornament to the Chapel, what is called a ' theca', a most elegant ' Corporalis' called in the vernacular a ' Corporcs case,' which we use only on the chief Feasts, Item. The same year, it was decreed by the Master and Fellows, that the P)ursars, whoever they be, shall in future receive all profits on bread, on the stipulation and condition that they be answer- Early History of Balliol College 285 able for the expenses and Battells of ' Strangers,' or Commoners. This regulation was not, however, intended to detract from the force of the regulation on the payment of battells written on the preceding page.^ 2 {Page 81.] A.D. 1557. In the month of Sep- tember, of this year, Mr. John Smythe, senior Fellow of this College, died, in the county of Kent. By his will he left to the College six silver spoons. The same year Mr. John Tomson, formerly Fellow of our College, in token of his gratitude to the College, his most illustrious mother, gave to the Chapel a white damask vestment.^ The same year Mr. Antony Garnet, then Fellow of the College, gave to the same one silver spoon. The same year, the said Mr. Antony Garnet decorated and adorned a large room near the Library at his own expense, on condition, however, that the said room be retained for him for four years after he has resigned his Fellowship. ^ This entry is crossed out. - At about this date the Register begins to be regularly kept ; but most of the entries are elections of Fellows, leases of houses, leave of absence, and other like matters. Only the more interesting entries will be given here. Some of the entries are in English : they will be easily recognized. 286 Early History of Balliol College The same year, on the Feast of the Annuncia- tion of the Blessed Mary, the Master and Fellows leased to Robert Richardson, joyner, a house on the west side of the College, called * The Catherine Whele,' at an annual rent of 20s. ; the tenant to be bound to do all repairs, after the first, which is being done almost entirely at our expense It is decreed, on the same day of the same year [Oct. 21. 1560.], that each day, after the reading of a chapter of the Bible, one of the Scholars, on whom the duty shall fall by turns, shall read some learned, short, clear, and diligently-selected episode from sacred or profane history ; unless the senior at table, on account of unsuitability or shortness of time, or for any other reason, determine otherwise. A.D. 1 56 1, July 1 8th. On the said year and day, it was ordained, with unanimous assent and consent of the Master and Fellows, that no ' Stranger ' residing in the College be permitted to lodge in the City or suburbs for a whole week, month, or Term, unless for an urgent, good, and legitimate cause, approved before the Master, or his Vicar, and all the Fellows in resi- dence, if he desire to make any use of our College, or of his position as a Commoner ; but that each one of them shall, in accordance with the Statute Early History of Balliol College 287 * On Strangers,' in hall, at table, and at the Dispu- tations, conduct himself according to his degree and status, like the Fellows and Scholars. Memorandum, that wheras we were bownd at the lettinge of the lease of Robert Joynerhisof^ vnto hym to fynd hym all stuffe towards the first reedifinge of the same as well within as without he hathe nowe had all necessaries for the same 1 7 Sep- tember anno 1561. certayne customes to be observed 1564. S^Page 92.] I. In i\)mis the m' oweght at all tymes at his depture frome home to appoynt of the iij senior fellowes one to be his depute (seldome it hath byn sene but that y"" senior of them hath byn appoynted his vice-gercte) & hyme he oweght to appoynt openly in the chappell ceteris sociis p setib'^ , & thre to delyver vnto hyme the statutes & the keyes of the treasure howse w'''' the m'' kepethe & not juvatly : to this end that the other fellowes maye than knowe to whom they owe dutie in his abseunce & of whome to requier the execution of the statute yf ned be. 2. It by auncient custome the fellowes are allowed of the colledg Everye satterdaye at night 1 Sic. 288 Early History of Balliol College after disputacions so muche bread to ther supper as they wyll eate leving also to the schollers or servitors bread according to the discretion of the m"" or the senior w""^ shall be psente the fellowes maye chuse whether they will be allowed ther bread or drincke but comonly they have taken ther bread bothe because the schollers might have parte allowaunce ther by, and also for other causes. \Page 93.] A note of diverse customes by report vsed 1564. 1. It in consider^itio y' on easter eve diverse do receaue and for that it is the begininge of the gawdy week the felowes are allowed so muche as w' reaso they will spend at diner. 2. Ir at o'' fyrst accompt on seynt thomas day the burser is allowed to make the felowes gawdes of iij^ iiij'^ or ther aboute. 3. Ir also y' at christmas and the holydayes folowinge easter and the dayes folowing and lykwyse at wytsontyde the m"" and felowes shold singe after grace an himpm or anthem together. 4. \In Latin.'] Mem. That by an ancient cus- tom of this College, the Master and Fellows are wont to have on the table, beyond Commons, one half-penny, or thereabout, on each double Feast ; as they commonly say 'in euerymesse.' 5. It alsoe in the rogacio week in cosideratio that it is a gawdye week and also for that then ther Early History of Balliol College 289 is but on meal a day the m'' and felowes are alowed so much as they will reasonably spend at euery meale. 6. It alsoe apo st John baptists day, St peter advincula mary magdalin St michaell and o' lady dayes and alhollowday w' thapostles dayes and diverse other the felowes are allowed aboue comes at the reasonabel discretio of the m" and bursers or senior at home so y* they be not muche chargeabel to the howse. 7. If also at easter, christmas whitsontyde and st katherins daye the m"" and felowes are allowed breakfeast in the morning w' stwed meat or suche other. 8. It on midsomer eveseynt peters eve magdalin eve and Saynt James eve the m'' and felowes wear wont by a laudabel custom to haue an hores drink- inge w' fyne caks and good ale and wear wot being then together to sing som himpen or anthe. m'^ y' the xx day off februarye in the xix yere off the Reigne off kynge henry y*" viii that it is con- pi ventyd & fully agreid betwyx maist & fe - -^ows off balliall college in oxforth & in John lobbens iii off my lord .... & William Jonsons fremason to werke or cawse to be wroghte iij heides off wyndos 1 The edge of the page, in the Register, is sHghtly worn ; and some letters in this, and in the following entry, are illegible. U 290 Early History of Dalliol College ... off iiij lyghtes & one off iij lyghtes off y^ northe syde & the held off y eiste wyndoe off v lyghtes euy wyndow to be wrowghte w' wovsers & chaw- merantes & y^ said ni lobbens to see all man] off stones to be coveid and caryed In to o"" college off ballial sayff and sownde w'owt eny brekyng or bres- sing or iff so be y' any stones be broke in caryage the said ni lobbens to cawse to be mendyd or to be reparyd. And the said maist and fellows to p . . for the caryage off y^ stones. And y^ said maist and fellows to pay or cawse to be payd to y'' said iii lobbens & William Jonson for y*" pformy . . off y" promyss xxi markes iij'' iiij'^ m"^ that the iij day of aprill in the xiij yere of the regne of Kyng henry the . . . that Pn witlim Eist mason of Burfurth hath pmysyde to mak iij great wynd . . . both the soolls & hedds of the south syde of the new capell with a litill wyndow ... to y" vestre with corbell table & iiij corbylls & retorn the wall at heght to lay the ioysse ou the litill wydowe & sich ston as is w'in the colleg y' wyll sue the said witlim to haue & all other he to fynd at hys own charge of burfurth ston cariag & skaffold warman- shipe & lyme, & so the said witlm hath pmosyd to maik it pfit & redy Lo ly the tymbre warke apon to y*" ccjriij of ill blonston chamber & for to haue for hys labor xviij'' of the which he hath resauyd afore x" & the rest he shall reseve as y" werk goth forwards. Early History of Balliol College 291 Iniunctions ordayned by m'' Thomas Godwine M' Lawrence Howmfrey, Doctors of Dyvinitie m' Richarde Barbere commissioners to my Lorde of Lin- koln in there visitation had in Bayly colledge in Oxon the 4. of marche A D"' 1565 lefte to be perpetually observid within the sayde colledge and confirmed with the puttinge to of there handes in the margente. Imprimis it is ordeined and decreed that the communion shalbe dvelie ministred and geven into the handes of the commvnicants accordinge to the order set forthe in the booke of common prayer and that all and every person and persons beinge of lawfull yeres and discretion shall at the leaste thre or fowre times in the yeare reverently receave it and that the contemners or refusers thereof shall pay every time iij' iiij"^ at the discrecion of the master to be levied. 2, Item that all fellowes schollers communers and others sogvrninge within the howse shall resorte to the chappell in the time of service and common prayer and then and there shall behave themselves in suche godly manner that they hinder not the worde of god to be redde or songe or disturbe others which ordinawnce whosoever breaketh shall pay xij'^ and if after admonition and thrise correction he or they do refrayne to come as is above ordayned then he or they whosoever he be shalbe at the dis- crecion of the m' put owte of the howse. u 2 292 Early History of Balliol College 3. Item that publicke prayer in the morniiige shalbe sayde in the vulgar tonge as is throwgh the Quenes maiesties dominion vsed and that every com- muner scholer or bacheler within the sayde howse not frequentinge the sayde prayer shall for every time so offendinge be punished with stripes if he be vnder correction or els have oune farethinge set vppon his hedde at the discretion of the sayd m^ 4. Item that as well divine service as the sacra- mente of the supper of the lorde shalbe sayde in the chappell of the sayde Colledge to the which all the howse shall dilligently repayre and not to the parishe churche. 5. Item that all lattine primers not allowed by the Quenes maiestie and all other superstitiows books be nether in publicke prayer had or vsed but be browghte and deliverd to the m' forthewithe by him to be abollished. 6. Item that suche bookes for divine service be bowghte and vsed in the sayd colledge as are men- tioned in the Quenes maiesties inivnctions as the bible communion booke davides psalters and the bookes of homelies. 7. Item that all the service be distinctely and openly pronownced as it is set forthe in the booke of common prayer. 8. Item that the prayers at vsuall times and the graces at meales shalbe sayde or songe within the Early History of Balliol College 293 sayde colledge withoute invocation of sayntes or prayer for the deade. 9. Item that the m*' bringe with him all his company to the sermons specially if the be solemne and ordinary otherwise the absente shall pay ij"^ at the discrecion of the m', if he be not vpon resonable cawse licencid by the m''. 10. Item that there shalbe a minister chosen within oune moneth accordinge to the statute. \In Latin] Written by me, John Ball, Notary Public of the diocese of Lincoln, on the loth of March, of the year aforesaid, in my own room in the College, or House of Christ, in the University of Oxford. [The heading of this entry is mutilated.] Feasts on which we are wont and bound by custom to offer ... or make certain oblations in other . . . On the Feast of St. John the Baptist, in Merton College. On the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen, in Mag- dalen College. On the Feast of All Saints, in All Souls College. On the Feast of St. Thomas, in the days after the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, in Exeter College. On the Feast of Trinity, in Trinity College. 294 Early History of BallioL College Weeks . . . of 20 d. Christmas. Epiphany. Carnival. Easter. Ascen- sion. Pentecost. Corpus Christi. Assumption of Blessed Mary. Catherine, Virgin. Feasts on which we have Mass and Gaudia^ in Chapel, for the soul of Elene Longspei, and about 40 d on the table, beyond Commons. St. Vincent, Martyr. St. John before the Latin Gate. St. Kenelm, Martyr. St. Leonard, Abbot. Fire in the Hall on these following Feasts and their Vigils. All Saints. Martin, Bishop. Edmund, King. Catherine, Virgin. Andrew, Apostle. Nicholas, Bishop. Conception of the Blessed Mary. Thomas, Apostle. Christmas, and the following days. Cir- cumcision, Epiphany. Conversion of St. Paul. Purification of Mary. St. Peter's Chair. Carnival. Memorandinu. That according to the custom of workmen, car{)enters, masons, sawyers, and joiners, shall receive 5 d. a day from the Feast of All Saints to the day after the Purification ; and 6 d. a day from that day to the said Feast of All Saints. ' To recite the Rosary. See Du Cange, Glossarium Mediae ef htfimac Latinitatis^ under ' Gaudia.' Early History of Balliol College 295 [The following entries have been made in two columns, on a page at the end of the Register ; and have, afterwards, been struck through, with several long pen-marks. At the bottom of the first column the names, John Turner, Edward Whryt, and Wil- liam Whryt, are written. At the bottom of the second column is written, in Latin, By me, John Atkynson, Fellow of Balliol College, in the year 1560.] Office of the Dead to be recited for the Founders and Benefactors of Balliol College, in the University of Oxford. In the month of January. Obit, with Mass the next day, of Mr. Rodolph Hamstely, on the 2nd day of January. 26th day, Office of the Dead, for Lady Darvor- gulla de Balliol, our Foundress, with Mass the next day. On St. Vincent's day, we have Gaudia in the Chapel. In the month of February. 4th day. Obit of Mr. Thomas Harroppe, with Mass the next day, when the Master and each Fellow receives 8d., each scholar 2d. loth day. Obit of Lady Elizabeth Longspei, with the Mass the next day. 13th day. Obit of Mr. Thomas Cisson. 296 Early History of Balliol College In the month of March, None. In the month of April. 7th day. Obit of Mr. George Nevell, Archbishop of York/ On the Friday in Easter week, the Office of the Dead to be recited for the soul of Edmund Norton. In the month of May. 1 6th day. Obit of Mr. William Bell, with Mass the next day. Gaudia in Chapel on the day of St. John before the Latin Gate. On the Thursday in Whit week, the Office of the Dead is to be recited for Mr. Philip Somerwell. In the month of June. Obit of Mr. George Nevel, Archbishop of York. In the month of July. 13th day. Obit of Mr. Robert Aid, when the Master and each Fellow receives 5d. loth day. Obit of Robert Beamond, with Mass the next day. On St. Kenelm's day. Gaudia in Chapel. In the month of August. 4th day. Obit of the Venerable Father in Christ, William Graye, Bishop of Ely. ' This entry is crossed out. Early History of Balliol College 297 20th day. Obit of Mr. Lawrence Stubbs. loth day. Obit of the Venerable John Bell. In the month of September. 25th day. Obit of Mr. Edward Pool, when the Master receives i2d., and each Fellow 8d. In the month of October. 24th day. Obit of the most illustrious Prince, John Balliol, King of Scotland, Founder of our College, with Mass the next day. In the month of November. On St. Leonard's day. Gaudia in Chapel. 29th day. Obit of Lady Anna Dan vers. 298 Early History of Balliol College CHAPTER XII. The eminent men, learned Clerks, great Scholars, and members of noble families, who have belonged to Balliol College, are very many. To write about them all would extend this book beyond a simple history of the College. It would become a volume of short biographies ; and it would have to treat not only of the men whose names belong to Balliol, but of those great movements, Ecclesiastical, political, and educational, which have together made up the Story of the Nation. Antony a Wood wrote three columns, three of those closely-written columns of his MS. work, about 'the writers and learned men.' Gutch, in his edition of Antony a Wood, has not followed this portion of the MS. ; but he gives, instead, a bare list of Benefactors, Bishops, and Masters of the College. Henry Savage, in his DalliofergMS, presents us with a quite characteristic List of ' Learned Persons, and others desirous of good Letters,' who have belonged to Balliol. The first of these to claim our attention is Johannes Duns Scotus, the celebrated Schoolman ; Early History of Balliol College 299 and the arguments to prove that he was once at BalHol, though not weighty, are not such as can be Hghtly set aside. To these arguments might be added the fact that some connection certainly ex- isted between the College and the Friars Minor, in Oxford ; and that one of the ' Extraneous Masters ' was always to be a Franciscan Friar. If Duns Scotus was a member of the College, one of Dervor- guilla's Scholars from Northumberland, which is not unlikely, he must have entered the Franciscan House when, according to Dervorguilla's Statutes, his Scho- lar's stipend at the College ceased. But this would contradict the claim advanced by Merton College. The Warden of Merton tells us, that there is ' good reason to believe ' ^ that Duns Scotus was once a Fellow of Merton. And even to-day Merton Under- graduates relate how the Ghost of Duns may be seen, in the dark of November evenings, emerging from the old archway by the Chapel, to glide noiselessly across the Mob quadrangle, and disappear up the stairs leading to the old Library. These are modern stories. Mr. Maxwell Lyte says, ' Duns has been claimed as a fellow-countryman by Englishmen, by Scotch- men, and by Irishmen alike, and he has formed the subject of several laborious biographies. Yet all that is certainly known about his life may be summed up 1 Memorials of Mert. Coll.., Brodrick, p. 36. 300 Early History of Balliol College in a very few words : he was born in the British islands, he became a Grey Friar, he lectured at Oxford in or about the year 1 304, and, after resum- ing his lectures at Paris, he died at Cologne in 1 308. ' Dismissing without serious comment the tradi- tion that his lectures were attended by audiences of thirty thousand listeners, we need only remark in connection with his Oxford career, that many writers of good repute have fallen into the strange error of supposing that he became a member of Merton College after having joined the Franciscan Order in his boyhood. Such a proceeding would have been forbidden alike by the practice of the Grey Friars and by the statutes of Walter de Merton.' ^ The story of John Wyclif's life finds its place in the history of that movement which ended in the establishment of the Protestant Church in England ; and it is not necessary here to discuss, or to analyse, the doctrines of the eminent * Doctor Novellus.' He was born near Richmond, in Yorkshire, in the early part of the fourteenth century. ' His biographers have been at some pains to ascertain the college at which he was educated, but it should be remembered that, in the middle ages, the greater number of Oxford Scholars did not belong to any college. There is reason to doubt whether the Reformer Hist. Univ. Oxford^ Maxwell Lyte, pp. 115, 116. Early History of Balliol College '^o i should be identified with a certain John Wiclif who was steward of Merton College in 1356, inasmuch as a Yorkshireman would scarcely have sought or obtained admission to that stronghold of the southern faction. On the other hand there seems to have been some connection between his native place and the college which owed its foundation to the Balliols of Barnard Castle, and was chiefly frequented by Northerners. This much only is certain, that John Wyclif the Reformer was Master of Balliol in May 1360. The Mastership of Balliol was not in those days the dignified and lucrative post that it is now, and accordingly we find that, in May 1361, Wyclif accepted in its stead the rectory of Fillingham in Lincolnshire, of which the advowson belonged to the College. He probably took a year of grace be- fore actually resigning the office of Master, and his sojourn at Fillingham cannot have lasted very long. The income of the rectory helped to maintain him as an independent student at Oxford.' ^ Another argument might be urged to show that Wyclif was educated at Balliol. He was elected Master when Sir Philip de Somervyle's Statutes were in force ; and, according to those Statutes, it would appear that the Fellows of the College were to elect a Master from among themselves. This is not explicitly stated ; but it is certainly implied. The ^ Hist. Univ. Oxford., Maxwell Lyte, p. 250. 302 Early History of Balliol College Fellows were to elect ' him whom they know to have most knowledge, most ability, and most zeal for advancing the affairs of the House.' Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, and George Nevil, are names which the College is indeed proud to own : Duke Humphrey, the great Patron of letters ; and George Nevil, who was ' Benefactor to our Colledge in Books, Buildings &c.' William Gray gave ' all his Books, consisting of rare Manu- scripts to our Library.' And Robert Abdy helped to build the Library. Robert Parsons' life belongs to Ecclesiastical history ; but his name is prominent among the eminent and learned men who have been members of the College. Antony a Wood wrote. ' As for y*" writers and learned men, but these following haue as yet come to my veiw, viz : Rich : Armachanus before-mentioned, an irish man & one of y'' greateft clerks of his time, y' his country euer before pduced ; he was bred up here till he was Master of arts according to y*" statutes of y*" Colledge, w''*', (as 'tis before said) allowed y*" fellowes to tarry noe longer therin then till they had coiTienced y' degree, afterwards (if y' w*"'' I haue deliued clswhere from good proofe might be beleiucd) 'tis pbable y' he became one of y*" masters of the foundation of Mr Will : of Durham or at least a student therin, and at length w" he had pceeded D', chancellour of Early History of Balliol College 303 of y^ Vniusitie ; he was pupill to, and receiued his education from John Baconthorp as Fox in his book of acts & mon. in R. 2. y^ worthieft Philosopher & Theologist y'^ euer his, or seuall ages before brought forth, but whether in this Colledge or some hoftle adioyning (for according to y*" generaHty of writers y*" said J. Baconthorp was of this Vniusitie,) it doth not certainly appeare. the next writer y' was of this house was Dr Will : Wilton somtimes chancellour also of this vniusitie, he was authour of seuall philo- sophicall treatises in y^ raigne of Ed. 3. of w""^ some were lately extant, in this Colledge Library : then Alexanct Carpenter (s''named by some Fabricius) if y"" authour here quoted in y^ margin might be trusted ; he was a great Wickliuist and a stiff writer & Preacher in y^ raigne of H. 5. againft y"" vices & corruptions of y^ church : some of his works were lately in this Colledge Library, w"^ perhaps was y*" occasion why the aforesaid authour should write, y' he had his education here as he doth upon little or noe authority of some other writers for other places ; if he had had receiued his breding here, his name without doubt would haue occurred in some of y" writings books, or glasse window of this house, w*"^ to my knowledge doth not, but of John Carpenter often, who was Contemporary with y'^ said AlexancT & a Benefactour towards y^ glasing of this Library as his name in one of y*" windows therin doth shew, w"^^ phaps might be 304 Early History of Balliol College another reason why y* said authour did mistake . then was there Bishop Whelpdale before mentioned an excellent philosopher and Mathematician, and some years after in y^ same Century wherin he died, Rich : Rotheram a Yorkshire man, D.D,, Comis- sarie and at length Chancellour of y^ Vniusitie an. dni. 1440. he wrote seuall bookes y' were well accepted by y^ learned of his time, and perticularly his lectures de pluralitate beneficiorum w"^^ is in M.S. in this Colledge library, with seuall other tracts w""^ are either gotten into priuate hands or else quite lost : contemporary with him was Humphrey y learned as well as y^ good Duke of Gloucefter as diuers books by and to, him written, doe tefttifie : some yeares after in y^same century was bred here John Tiptoft who be- came afterwards y^ learned Earl of Worcefter, he was y* onlie light of learning (as Leland saith) among y^ Nobles of his time ; who as he farther addeth auoiding y'' Ciuil dissentions of his country retired to Rome where he became a great admirer of y^ virtues & doctrine of y* learned Free, of whome I am about to speake ; in such a flourishing condition it seemes was this Colledge in y*" raigne of H. 6. by y^ retiring therof diuers of y*" Nobility of England y' our authour Leland is pleased thus to speak of it. Vbi tunc temporis (meaning in this Coll : in y*" raigne of H 6) nobilium Juuenum corona Celebris renascentem imbibebat eloquentiam. then was thereabout y^ same Early History of Balliol College 305 time bred up here John Free before mentioned, borne at Bristow, where, after some yeare he became Rectour of S' Michaells Church on y"" mount ; at length hauing a great desire to see other Countryes journyed into Italy where first he studied in y^ Vniusitie of Ferrara, then read Phisick and at length became Doctor of y* same facultie at Florence and Padua, afterwards he went to Rome where plying himself to y'' Ciuill Law, became D' also of y' facultie & soe much was he noted at y' place for his great learning and parts, y' Pope Paul. 2. (to whome he had wrot seuall epistles concerning y^ 6 bookes of Diodorus Siculus poetically mocking) praeferred him to y*" bishoprick of Bath and Wells, but though died before consecration ; this was y" man as a iudicious authour reports y' was one of y^ cheifeft of those English men, y' by his honest & vsefull labour, re- ftored his country burdned with barbarisme, to its former estate as it flourished beyond y*" thought of man while y'' Romans gouerned : dius workes he wrot w*"^ were uery gratefull to persons in seuerall ages y' directed their studyes to those matters w'''' they deliuered, of w"'' works, some were lately, & are now (as I suppose) in this Colledge library & others either lost or in obscure hands : about y*" same time as it seemeth one John Tartays was bred up here also, he was a uery learned sophister & one y' heaped to himselfe great admiration from y"" Scolars of this X 3o6 Early History of Balliol College Vniusitie by his quick and acute disputations, w*"^ were uery often performed by him in y^ pubHck Schooles : w' learned men were here at, and dius years after, y^ same time, appearing not, I must de- scend to y^ raigne of Q : Mary, in whose time Hued here one Rob : Woode & Rich : Shagens both notable disputants & sophisters, as for y^ former, I know not certainly whether he published any thing or noe, y"" other retired into Ireland at y* change of religion in y^ beginning of Queene Elizab:, where gaining repute by his noted parts is reported by an Irish authour to haue bin a writer ; y next y' appears, was Rob: Persons y^ Jesuit, soe well knowne to Theolo- gists y' speaking of him might be now well spared ; then of y*" reformed haue bin D' Tho: Holland D' Robt & D" Georg Abbots, of whome histories being plentifull, silence of them might be also now excused. ' And thus read y haue with breuity those worthyes y' haue bin bred up here, dius other with- out doubt, especially those of antient time, haue receiued their first seeds of literature here also, but record being deficient & therfore cannot as yet present them to y' veiw (notwithftanding I haue seuall in mine eye y' I may with circumstance or leffe authority then before adde,) I must by force omitt, till more certainly appears & in y^ meane time descend to speak of this place according to y' method w'^'' I haue pposed to my selfe.' Early History of Balliol College 307 The following account of some of the eminent men who were at Balliol before the year 1600 is given, word for word, from Balliofergus ; but the particulars of George Nevil's ' Feast of a Magnifi- cence unheard of in our Age ' are omitted, as being quite unnecessary detail. * But whatever hath been the condition of this Colledge, as being a part of the Material World : It gives way to few in relation to the Intelligible, as I may so say. It having been the Nursery of so many Learned Persons, and others desirous of good Letters : A List of some whereof I am now to exhibit. * Walter de Fodringheye. ' The first Principal, who became a Dignatary, ms. Prebendary of Lincoln. ^Johannes Duns Scottts} ' There's as much contending for the breeding place of this rare Man, as hath been for the birth of Homer : We conjecture him to have been of this Colledge of Balliol, inasmuch as he was by Country of Northumberland, and of Dims there, as might be seen not only in Pitsceus, but before every Volumn of his Works in MSS. in our Library, of the gift of Bishop Gray, but torn off in the time of the late ^ Mr. Bass Mullinger says that Duns Scotus was educated within the walls of Merton College ; but he gives no authority for the state- ment. {University of Cambridge^ vol. i. p. 169.) X 2 3o8 Early History of Balliol College War ; and for that in Northumberland was the first Endowment of our Colledge. He liv'd Anno 1300. which was after Dervorgilles Statutes (but before those of Sir Philip Somervyle) yet not after the time when it was granted by the Pope that the Scholars might Hve in the House after they became Masters of Art : and therefore he might for that reason depart from this to Merton Colledge. But if this be not current, I shall give you in exchange ' William Bishop of Worcester. ' But whether he were William de Lynna, or William Whitlesey, afterwards Archbishop of Can- terbury, I am not sure : whereof this was Bishop of Worcester, 38 Ed. 3. that the 43 of Edw: 3. and immediate successor of this Whitlesey. I find not either of them chalenged by others. 'Jo: Wickleff. ' There were two of the name Masters of this House : The later Is he of whom we now write : He was first Fellow hereof, then Master, and was he that gave the name to the Wicklevites. His Letter written to the Pope, is to be seen in Foxs Acts and Monuments. Whom Balcrus commends as liberally, as Pitsceus spends his black mouth upon. He was publick Reader in Divinity in the University, He set up the Doctrine of the Watdenses, who were called Lollards in England) who being also written Early History of Balliol College 309 Lolleards, seem to be so called quasi Low-Lords, that is, Levellers : who though Reformers of Religion, yet the hostile manner wherein they assembled themselves, gave occasion to the Laws which were Enacted againest them, Te7np. Hen. 5. and of that Oath given to the High Sheriffs of Counties to persecute the Lollards to death : (That which Mr. Fox in his Acts and Monuments urgeth against Alanus Copus, in defence of Sir Jo kit Oldcastle, the Lord Cobhani (that the Act of Parliament was falsified, in that the consent of the Commons was not found in it) proves only that the Commons had then no Vote in Parliament, as to the making of Laws ; but the falsifying of the Act, it proves not at all.) Which damnable Doctrine of Rebellion, Religionis ergo, cannot be ascribed to Wickleff, the University giving testimony to his great Learning and Integrity of Conversation, Anno Dom. 1402. And all our Colledge Records wherein he is men- tion'd, do speak him a Man of great Trust, in the Reign of K. R. 2. which things were witnessed by his very Enemies. He is said to have written 200 Volumns against the Pope : He translated the Bible into English. See the Catalogue of his Books exhibited by Balceus. His Bones were by the Decree of the Councel of Constance, taken up and burned 41 Years after his death, which Councel was called Anno Dom. 14 14. 3 1 o Early History of Balliol College 'Jo: Walt ham. ' He was Fellow of this House, and Sub-Dean of York : He gave as a Legacy to the Colledge JVot- ingamum Anglum in MSS. super quatuorEvange Ha. Although he be placed in our Colledge Library- Catalogue, Anno 1492. or thereabouts, yet the very writing of Balliol with a double LL in the midst of the word, shews it to be at least as antient as the gift of Fylingham, &c. when it began to be written ordinarily with a single L, (which was 1343.) as I have observed ; which variation begat writing of it sometimes Bayly Colledge, sometimes Bayliolle, sometimes Bayly-hall Colledge, whereby the true Founders came to be forgotten, instead whereof Men became the Adorers of Fancies. This kind of negligence, about those times, became the Mother of Ignorance, which spread it self so far, that it stirred up the Industry of after-times to correct it. * William Wilton. ' Fellow of this House, Professor in his Faculty : but in what that was, Pits doth not know ; but it could be no other then Divinity by the Statutes of this House made by Sir Philip Soniervyle : After which, he lived here and wrote many things ; namely. Super Priora Aristotelis. \. 2. Qticcstio7ies de Anima. 1. i. MSS. Bibl.B.C. Stiper Ethica. 1. 10. Early History of Balliol College 311 ' He was Chancellor of the University of Oxon: 1373. according to Twine Apol: antiq: Oxon: but noted to have given Books to our Library, 1492. There were two other Wiltons mentioned by Pitscsus, both named John\ one lived 13 10. the other, 1360. In neither of which is our Colledge concerned ; and Tho: Wilton, 1470. 'Roger Whelpdale, ' He was Fellow of this House, and afterwards Provost of Queens Colledge Oxon\ as they of Queens would have him to be ; but of this Balceus takes no notice : and lastly Bishop of Carlisle, a great Mathematician. He wrote many Books, whereof these are to be found in our Colledge Library. Suinmularum Logicalium, 1. i. De Universalibus. 1. i. De Aggregatis. 1. i. De qiianto cj' Continuo. 1. i. De Compositione Continui. 1. i. De rogando Deo. 1. i. ' According to Balceus, he lived in the time of Edw. 3. He is noted to be the first that enriched our Library with Manuscripts, besides those of uncertain donation. * Thomas Chace. ' He was Dr. of Divinity, Fellow, and afterwards Master of this Colledge, Chancell: of Oxon, Ireland, 312 Early History of Balliol College and St. Pauls London. He built part of our Library, vid. Sect. 29. ' Humphrey Duke of Gloucester. * He was Duke of Gloucester and Earl of Pem- broke, of the Royal Blood : for he was Son of Henry the fourth, Brother of Hen. 5. Uncle (and Protector) to Hen\ 6. chief of the Kings Bed-Chamber. He was a great Lover of Aretine and Candidtis, Italians, as Leland witnesseth : He was of this House, and one of the most Learned and Eloquent of his Age : He built that magnificent Structure of the Divinity School, and Library over it [though some do con- jecture from the great number of Coats of Arms in the roof of the Divinity School, that this was built by a common contribution] It is said. That order was given for the taking of it down, as a thing too superbe for a Building of that nature, which he enriched with 129 of the rarest Authors procured from Foreign parts at a very great charge, besides innumerable other Books of less value. After whose Example the other two parts of the Library, which cross this at both ends, was founded and furnished by Sir Thomas Bodely [since which time it hath received the access (amongst others) of rare Manu- scripts of the gift of William Earl of Pembroke, Sir Kenclm Digby, William Archbishop of Canterbury ; together with the whole Library of Mr. Sclden, Early History of Balliol College 3 1 3 which is therein placed by the appointment of his Executors, Men eminent for their Learning, and skill in our Municipal Laws.] And this Building hath received such further improvement, as if it strove not only to fetch out, but to go beyond the Copy given by our Duke Huviphrey : for the great Gate of the Schools, and Tower over it, is of that height and excellence, that I know nothing of that nature comparable to It, being adorned on both sides within the Quadrangle, with five Stories of double Pillars of five several orders and dispositions, viz. The Tuscane, Dorick, lonick, Corinthian and Italian ; all improved by the skill of Architecture, which will not be solely espoused to the Fancies of Antiquity. Adde hereunto the Theater now on Building, begun by the most Reverend Father in God, Gilbert Lord Archbishop of Canterbury , which once finished will as far exceed all the rest, as any one part thereof now goes beyond the other. So great a promoter was this Duke of Learning as well by the pattern he left behind him, as the cost he was at, and that as well of time bestowed in study, as in money imploy'd towards the work aforesaid. He was a skilful Astronomer, and wrote, Tabiilus directionum. 1. i. Ad Abbatem Sancti Albam. 1. i. De sua donatione. Ep. i. Ad viros eruditos. 1. i. 314 Early History of Balliol College * At length, in the Parliament at Berry, Feb. 24, he was stifled with Feather-beds at mid-night by the Suffolk Faction : His Body was honorably Interred at St. Albans, Anno 1447. Temp. Hen. 6. 'Rob: Twaytes. * He was Master of this House, and Dean of Aukland : and more of him I cannot write, unless that he gave Books to our Library, which though many others have done, I note him as being a Dignatary, 1451, which, or any other promotion, he might hold with his Mastership by the Bishop of Londons Statutes, a thing which by former Statutes was not allowable. 'John Tiptoft. * He was of noble Parentage, but nobler for his Atchievements, and most of all for his Inclinations to good Letters. H is Father was John Tiptoft, a Peer of this Realm, his Mother the incomparable Lady Jocosa ; by both of these he was consecrated to Vertue and good Letters, born at Everton in Cambridge shire, saith Leland, brought up in this Colledge, wherein, saith the same Leland, Tunc tcmporis Cf Nobilitim juvenum corona Celebris 7'enascentem imbibebat eloquentiam. He was created Earl of Worcester, and at 25 Years of age Lord high Treasurer (High Constable, saith Camden, in Worcester sWiro.) of England', and was Beheaded, 1. I. 1. I. 1. I. 1. I. Early History of Balliol College 3 1 5 Anno 147 1. He wrote many Orations full of Roman Eloquence. To Pope Pius the second Ad Cardinales. Ad Patavienses. Epistolarum ad diversos. Et ejusmodi alia plura. ' He Translated out of Latin into English ^ Publius Cornelius, and Caius Flaminius of true Nobility. 1. 2. ] and other Cicero de amicitia. 1. i. I good Et de Senectute 1. i. j Authors. 'Jo: Freus, vulgo John Free, or Phreus in Leland. ' He was Fellow of this Colledge : He became an admirable Philosopher, Lawyer and Physician : He became Publick Reader of Physick at Ferraria, afterwards at Florence and Padua, where he was made Doctor in the Faculty. He wrote to his Meccsnas Tiptoft abovesaid, Earl of Worcester. Expostulationem Bacchi. 1. De 7'ebtis Geographicis. Petrarchcs Epitaphium. Epistolas familiares. Carmina diversa. Epigrammata. 3 1 6 Early History of Balliol College De Coma paruifacienda. [1] i. Libruni Geogra- Per plagiarios surrep- phice. I . tos : as Dr. James testi- Contra Diodorum I fies : but these two, and Siculwn poetice only these, are in Manu- fabulantem. i, / script in our Library. * He translated out of Greek into Latin, these following, as Balceus testifies. Diodori Siculi Bibliothecam. 1. 6. Xenophontis qucedam. 6. Synesium de Calvitio. i. ' And many other things wherein he imployed his Pen well ; for a Translation which he dedicated to Paul the second, Pope of Rome, he was rewarded with the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells, a Moneth after he went to Rome ; where he dyed before he could be consecrated, but not without suspition of Poyson from some Competitor. 1465. ' George Nevil. ' That great Earl of Warzuick, Richard Nevil [who, as in a stage for some Years, did set up and depose Kings at his pleasure] had a Brother which was this George Nevil, whom yet but young, he ]:)romoted to high Honors : for, being Chancellor of the University of Oxoti [where he studyed and became Fellow of this Colledge] he was consecrated Early History of Balliol College 3 1 7 Bishop of Exeter, Nov. 25. 1455. not yet 20 Years of Age. Afterwards, viz. 1 460. he was made Lord High Chancellor of England, till his Brother the Earl being sent by K. Edw. 4, upon an Embassy into France, he was put out of his Chancellor- ship, and another, viz. Stillington, Bishop of Batk and Wells substituted in his place. But afterwards, Henry the sixth being taken, George Nevil was permitted to be promoted to the Archbishoprick of York, and consequently Metropolitan of all Scotland. Three Years were not hence expired, when Edward was devested of his Kingdom, committed to the Custody of this Archbishop of York : and Hen: the sixth being delivered out of Prison, restored to his own again, which he had before held for almost 40 Years. But Edward enduring an easie Imprison- ment, made, by the aid of his Friends, an escape, recoverr'd his Kingdom, took K. H. 6. and this Archbishop [who had formerly taken him into Custody] But mindful of former Obligations, he let him, viz. Nevil Archbishop forth again ; but suffered K. H. 6. to be murthered in the Tower. And it was scarce a Year after, but K. Edward committed him Prisoner again, and plunder'd him of the worth of 20000/. at his House at Moor in Hereford- shire (among which, is recorded a Mitre set with Gems of a great value, whereof the said King made himself a Crown) Time and death having lost him his 3 1 8 Early History of Balliol College Friends before ; He lay Prisoner after this for the space of four Years, at Calais and Guines in great want, the Revenues of his Bishoprick mean-while being sequestred for the use of the King, This his Calamity began 1472. and he was, 1476. by the Intercession of his Friends, let out of Prison ; and dying of Grief, he was buryed in his own Church. In his time, did Pope Sixttis the fourth divide the twelve Bishopricks of Scotland from York, and subjected them to St. Andrews, which he erected into an Archbishoprick. This our Nevil was a Benefactor to our Colledge in Books, Building, &c. And at his Installation, he made a Feast of a Magnificence unheard of in our Age, Recorded by Bishop Godwin (Bishop first of Landaffe, and then of Hereford^ ' Thomas Gastoing. ' He was Doctor in Divinity, Fellow of Balliol Colledge, and Chancellor of the University : This may be the same with Thomas Gasconiics in Pitsccus, and Thomas Gascoign, called also Vasco in Leland. Htmfletce inter Brigantes nobili loco natus, saith he. Pitsceus notes him to be Anno 1460. and that he wrote many things, viz. Dictionariiim Theologicum lib. 3. Septem flumina Baby Ionics. 1. i. Early History of Balliol College 319 Veritates ex scriptura. 1. i. Ordinarias lectiones. 1. i. Sermones Evangeliorum. 1. i . Vitam Hieronymo Stridonis Senioris viri ad miraculum cum eloqtcentis, turn docti, quern jnirifice coluit. Ita Balseus etiam. ' Stephanus de Cornubia. ' Stephanus de Cormibia was Fellow of this House : He travelled beyond Seas, and became Doctor of Physick in Paris, Anno 1460. He hath left no memorial of himself with us, but the gift of Galen s Works to our Library ; but hath written, Subtiles suas & omni admiratione dignas 7noralitates, viz. In Pentateuckum. libros 5. In libros Regum. 1. 4. In 12 Proph. minores. 1. i. teste Pitsseo. * William Gray. ' He was Bishop of Ely, Doctor in Divinity, born of a Noble Family, viz. of the Lord Grays of Codnor. His ingenuity and towardliness gave occasion to the great care that was taken for his Education, which began in this our Colledge. Afterwards, at Fer- raria in Italy, he was an Auditor of Guarinus Veronensis, and got to himself praise by his skill in 320 Early History of Balliol College polite Language, and various knowledge of things. He is said to have written much both before and after he received his Mitre at Rome : Neither was he a mere Scholar, his Wisdom making him K. H. 6. his Procurator at Ro7ne. After his return thence, he was made Chancellor of England. He gave all his Books, consisting of rare Manuscripts, to our Library ; built part of our Colledge, and bestowed much upon the building of Ely Cathedral, where he was buryed. Anno Dom. 1478. More of this Pre- late in the next that here follows, viz. 'Robert Abdy. 'Robert Abdy, a Gentleman of a good Family, as is evident by his Coat of Arms, was bred up in this Colledge in the time of K. Hen. 6. became Fellow here about the first Year of K. Edw. 4. Anno 1461. and Master of the same about the 17th of K. Edw. 4. viz. Anno 1478. in which place he continued till the time of his death. He built half of the pre- sent Library of our Colledge. The fore-mentioned William Gray and he are never put asunder in places where they are remembred, as particularly in the Colledge Library: wherein are [as I have formerly noted] 2 1 Windows curiously painted: every Window having two Coats of Arms, with Verses in painted Wreathes about them: In one of which Win- dows on the South side their Arms are placed, and Early History of Balliol College 321 none's else [for each Window hath two only] the Verses about them are, Hos Deus adjecit, Deus his del gaiidia cceli. Abdy perfecit opus hoc, Gray Presiil & Ely. ' And in the uppermost Window, on the North side, their Coats Hkewise are with these Verses, Conditor ecce novi struchis hujtis fuit Abdy, PrcEsul & hide yEdi Gray libi'-os conhdit Ely. ' This Robert AbdyViQs buryed in the Nave of St. Mary Magdalen Church [within the Parish whereof this Colledge stands] under a Marble stone, which had once a border of Brass about it, signifying his Quality at the time of his death ; but it's now lost. In the middle of the said Stone is yet remaining his Image in a Plate of Brass, with these Verses under his Feet. Testis sis Christe quod non jacet hie lapis iste CorptLS ut ornetur, sed spirittis et meino^^etur. Qidsquis eris qtd transieris tu respice plora : Sum quod eris, fu-eram quod sis, pro me precor ora. Abdy. ' John Tai'iays. ' He studyed many Years in this Colledge, as BalcEus witnesseth, even till he became Master of Arts ; he wrote SttJJtmas Logicalcs. 1. i ) with other r Qmcstiones Naturales. 1. i ) things, which he testifies to have bc^en in our Library. 32 2 Early History of Balliol College ' Richard Clifford. 'Richard Clifford, supposed onely to be brought up here because not chalenged by others, and a worthy Benefactor to this House ; as is implyed, though not particularized in the 7th Window on the North-side of our Library, in these Verses, Clifford Ricardus Antistes Londiuensis Fusis expensis tale non avit opits. ' He was first Bishop of Worcester, where, having sate about six Years, he was translated to London, Octob: 13, 1407. and Anno 14 14. being sent to the Council of Constance, he made a Latin Oration before the Emperor and Cardinals. In that Council that lasting Schism had an end, and Martin the fifth was declared the sole true Pope. In his Election it was, by the Authority of the Council Ordained, That 30 Electors should be added to the Cardinals, whereof one was to be our Bishop of London: neither were there wanting amongst them that thought of making him Pope. Certainly he was the first that nominated Cardinal Colunina, who, with the consent of the rest, was declared Pope, and took on him the name of Martin. l^his Prelate dyed August 20. 142 1, and lyes buryed in St. Patils, near to the tomb of Sir Christopher Hatton. Early History of Dalliol College o^j ' Dr. Bale. ' Fellow of this Colledge, and Arch-deacon of Ely, 1478, a Benefactor to our Library. 'Johz Bell. 'John i5*^// brought up in this Colledge Doctor ot the Laws, Arch-deacon of Gloticester : He was con- firmed Bishop of Worcester, AtigiLst 11. 1539. where when he had sate only four Years, he left it, as his Predecessor had done before him. He afterwards lived and dyed in his own house in Clerkemvell London, which he left {inter alia) to the Colledge : and was buryed in the same Parish Church, where he lyes under a plain Marble-stone on the North-side of the Chancel, with this Epitaph engraven upon it. Conteoit hoc marnior Doctoi^eni nomine Belluin. Qui belle nexit Prccsulis officitim. Moribus, ingenio, vitcB probitate vigebat, Laudato ctmctis cultus & eloquio. Anno 1556. Aug: 11. 'John Cotes. ' Brought up in Magdalene Colledge Oxon, Master of this House, and afterwards Bishop of Chester, 1556. Marice 4. thus Bishop Godwin of Bishops writes, but there is some mistake in it : I find George Coats Doctor of Divinity to have been Master, 1539. John Cotes I find not at all. \ 2 324 Early History of Balliol Coiicgc \J antes Brooks. ^ James Brooks was Master of this Colledge, Anno 1554, and Bishop of Gloucester 'aX. the same time, where he succeeded Hooper. He was a Learned Man and an Eloquent Preacher : But by delegation from the Pope he condemned to the fire those Excellent Men, and Holy Martyrs, Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, who were burnt in the Town- ditch, commonly called Candyck, over against this Colledge. ' /olm Piers, and Adam Squier. 'John Piers was Doctor in Divinity, De^an of Christ Church, and Master of this Colledge both together: He was admitted here, May 23. 1570. resigned it again, 1 57 1. He was consecrated Bishop of Rochester, 1576. and then made Almoner to the Queen. From Rochester he was translated to Sarum: at \:i?>i. Anno 1588. after the death of Arch- bishop Sandys, he was advanced to the Archbishop- rick of Yoj'k, dyed 1594. The next Master was Adam Sqiiier, D.D., and a great Mathematician. I know of nothing he has left in Writing behind him. ' Robert Persons. ' Robert Persons was Socitts Sacerdos of this Col- ledge, commonly called Chaplain-P'ellow ; and con- sequently ent(;rcd into Holy Orders whcMi but Early History of Balliol College 325 Bachelour of Arts [for so 'tis required of every one that is to be chosen Chaplain-Fellow] He resigned his Fellowship, Anno 1573. Feb. 13. with dispensa- tion granted him to keep his Chamber and Scholars as long as he pleased ; and his Commons to be allowed him till Easter following : But afterwards he turned Jesuite, received Orders from the Church of Rome, and became Rector of the English Col- ledge there, Anno 1587. ' He wrote Rcsp07isuni ad E dictum RegincE Anglicr. De Sac r is alienis non adeundis. A Christian Directory, or Book of Resolu- tion, an excellent Piece, in two parts. Novani Anglic: reip: reformationem. De 3''"" Anglice conversionibus. English. Martyrologium Catholic2im, against Fox, Censtiram Catholicam contra Hanmerum. &c. The Defence thereof Anno 1582. Contra Edvardum Cocum de antiq: legibus Ecclesiast: Angl: ex tat. 1606. De successione Reoni AnoHcc. Modcstam admonit. contra Fr: Hastingum. De mitigatione erga Catholicos in Anglia. English. ' These are all reckoned up by Pits. 3- I. I. I. I . I. I. 326 Early Ilistojy of Balliol College ' There's a Manuscript written with his own hand in our Library, stiled Epitome controversiartun Inijtis temporis. By all which appears. That it was the wisdom of the Society to use that gentleness and moderation as they did, towards a Man of his excel- lent parts, wavering in his Religion, and already wandring in his mind towards Rome, to the end that thereby they might allure him to stay : which had they prevailed upon him to have done, it had been good service to God, and an acceptable one to the Oueen of Enc^land, which the events of thinfjs })roved to be true. ' Clwistopher Dagshaiu. ' About the same time was Christopher' Bagshazv Fellow of this House ; afterwards, likewise chang- ing his Judgment, he travelled beyond the Seas, and being a ?^Ian of parts, became Doctor in Paris, and one of the T^aculty of Sorhon. He lived long after this, even to the time of King Charles the first, as I have been informed, and was wont to say. He hoped to see a reduction of England to obedience to the Church of Rome, and then he would come and repossede his r^cllowshi[) again here, inasniuch as he was never expelled, nor did he resign his j)lace as b'alher Parsons had done. Early History of Balliol College 327 ' Robert Crane. ' Robert Crane Fellow of this House, a Man of that prudence in the Eye of the University, that he was chosen Proctor thereof, 1581. nor could it be said of him as 'twas of that Emperor Galba, viz. That he was omnium consensu dignus Iniperio si 7ton impei'asset : for they approved of his govern- ment so well, that they made choice of him the Year following : and all this when Proctorships went not by Cycle but by Suffrages, and so continued to do till the Cycle was thought fit to be made as best suitable to the present time. ' Thomas Holland. ' Thomas Holland was Fellow of this Colledge, Dr. of Divinity, and Regius Professor, all at one time. He was chosen Rector of Exeter Colledge, and a great Patron of Dr. Prideazix, as appears by Dr. Prideaux s own Epistle to him, put before his Introductory Tables to the Greek Tongue, a task imposed upon him by Dr. Holland, whom he thus bespeaks viz. Pietatis of eruditionis nextt, non spectabili mimes quam suspiciendo viro, D. D. Hol- lando, S. S. T. Professori Regio, omnibus a me nominibus patrono venerando. It were a sufficient Eulogy of either, to say they were Friends one of the other ; which puts me in mind of the Epitaj)h of 328 Early History of Balliol College Sir Ftilk Grevil in Warivick Church, viz. Servant to Q. Eli 2. C ounce llor to K.James, and Friend to Sir Philip Sidney. He never went any Journey, but he took solemn leave of his Fellows, with this Benediction. Commendo vos dilectioni Dei, odio Papatus & omnis super stitionis. He went beyond others in Reading, and beyond himself in disputing. Him succeeded Robert Abbots. ' Thomas IVenman. * Thomas Wenman was Fellow of this House, and Publick Orator to the University, 1595. He hath left nothing, neither would he leave any thing in Writing behind him : because that whatsoever he had left us, must needs have fallen short of his Per- fections, inasmuch as the best part of an Orator dyes with him. ' Robert Abbots. ' He was of this Colledge and F"ellow here : from hence he became Parson of Alhalloius in Wor- cester : from thence he was preferred to a Living in Leicestershire, which had been refused by Dr. Reynolds, President of Corpus Christi, and George Abbots then Master of University Colledge : from thence he was chosen Master of this House, and then made Regius Professor of the University, in Divinity, whose Patent for the place is in our Trea- sury, in the Box of Admissions of Masters, He was Early History of Balliol College 329 also a frequent Preacher : Rewrote all his Sermons in Latin only, and Preached them out of the Latin Copy : they were begun to be translated into English by a Fellow of this Colledge, but he re- ceiving small encouragement from whence he ex- pected much, went not through with the work. After that the said Robe7^t Abbots had, by Writings extant, confuted the Errors of the Pontificians, he was consecrated Bishop of Sai'um, Anno 1615. One Book not yet Printed, is his Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans : the Original Manuscript Copy whereof is in the University Library. In this, saith B. Godzuin, he matched the happiness of Seffride B. of Chichester, That he, being a Bishop, saw his younger Brother Archbishop of Canterbury, viz. George Abbots. Him succeeded in this Col- ledge, the Reverend and Learned Doctor Park- hurst. ' George Abbots. ' George Abbots was Fellow of this House, pro- ceeded Dr. in Divinity here, then he became Master of University Colledge ; afterwards conse- crated Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, 1609. Decemb. 3. and the beginning of Febrjtary following, he was translated to London ; where he had not sate a Year, before, by the prudent judgement of YJ\x\^ James, he was designed Successor to Bancroft at Canterbttry, and Privy Councellor ; whose Learn- 330 Early History of Balliol College ing, Eloquence. Vigilancy, and unwearyed Study in Writing, in a Man so overwhelmed with business, Posterity will celebrate, though I be silent, says Bishop Godwin. He wrote a Book of Geography, which Dr. Heylen took for the ground-work of his. Another Book called. Look beyond Luther. A third contains his Questions stated in Vesperiis. He new publish'd Foxes Acts and Monuments, with an addi- tion of the Persecution in the Valtoline. ' I^aivrencc Konis. ' Laivixnce Kemis was Fellow of this House, Companion in Travel, and Councellor in Designs to the Renowned Knight Sir Walter Rawleigh, who gave him his History of the World which he bestowed on our Library. Sir JValter not capable of his advice in one thing abroad, he chose [and an ill choice it was] rather to become felo dc se, then scrupling an avroy^eipia, to return home and become a State-criminal. This fact of Kcmis was like that of Torquatus Silanus, who killed himself upon a bare accusation. Tac. L/ist. I. 15. c. 8. of whom Nero said, That he should have had life o-ranted, if he would have expected the Judges clemency. Here was the difference, That the Case of Torquatus Silanus was belter, but his Judge worse then that of Kcmis. Early History of Balliol College 331 ' Hen. Bright, Mr. Moor, and Dr. Hyde. ' Henry Bright was Probationer-Fellow of this House, and afterwards chief Schoolmaster at Wor- cester for above 40 Years before his death : and the number of Scholars under him and the Usher, were usually 300 : out of which he furnished the Uni- versities, and especially this Colledge, with many Scholars well grounded in the Latin and Greek Tongues, 3 or four whereof were usually Fellows of this House together. A Man he was of that in- comparable diligence and method in his Vocation, that he seem'd to be born to that only : this and his temperance, spoke him a Man natum ad reforniandos hominuni mores. He became Preben- dary of that Church of Worcester (in which City he was born) seven Years before his death ; for which Prebend a Patent had been procured him before by one that had been his Scholar, and at last Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England, viz. Lord Coventry. At the same time Mr. Moor was Pre- bendary of the same Church, formerly Fellow of this Colledge too. And Dr. Hyde Prebendary of Saricni, once of this Colledge, Father to the Reverend Dr. Tho: Hyde late Chanter of Saruin, and sometime Commoner here. 332 Early History of Balliol College ' Tho: Lord Coventry, and Tho: Coventry Fellow. ' Thomas Lord Coventry was of this Colledge, a great Lawyer : who became Kings Attorney [in which Dignity he procured Mr. Bright' s Patent aforesaid] last of all Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, wherein he lived for the space of 17 or 18 Years, which he resigned up by his death. He was born in Worcestershire, Father to my Lord Coventry who was likewise of this House ; and Son to Thomas Coventry sometimes Fellow of this House (and afterwards a Judge at Westminster^ see Sect. 31. and more in the description of Tho: Lord Coventry the second. ' Dr. Wakcman. ' Dr. JVakeman was Fellow of this Collcdge, a Learned Man : but hath left no memorial of himself, besides Sermons Preached at Court, &c. Printed 1605, and a Treatise call'd the true Professor. ' Dr. Tho. Hol/ozcay, and Mr. Bosivell. ' Dr. Thomas IIol/ozL'ay born in I Worcester, and Scholar to Henry Bright there, Chaplain-P'ellow of this House, afterwards Vicar of St. Laiurence J ury London ; an excellent and assiduous Preacher there : exceedingly respected of his Parishioners, which is wonder, he being presented by the Colledge : After his death, immediatly succeeded him Mr. Boswell Early History of Balliol College 2)ZZ (Fellow of this House too) after his return from Spain, with the Earl of Bristow : which Mr. Bos- luell gave many Books to our Library, a Person of known equal worth and integrity with the other. ' Edmund Lilly. 'Edmund Lilly D.D. was many Years Master of this Colledge, as appears by the Catalogue of Masters. He was an excellent Divine, universally read in the Fathers, all whose Opinions he would reckon up upon any Question at Divinity Disputa- tions in the Colledge ; and that with such volubility of Language, and rivers of Eloquence, as made all covet to hear him, and his very Enemies to admire him. He was Chaplain to Q. Eliz. and had been preferred by Her, had not his long-winded Sermon displeased Her, when State-business occasioned Her to enjoyn him brevity.' BENEFACTORS TO THE COLLEGE. 1260 -1600. 1260. John de Balliol. 'Assigned a sum of fixed maintenance to be continued for ever to Scholars studying at Oxford.' 1282. Dervorguilla. Rented Old Balliol Hall, for John de Balliol's Scholars ; and granted them ' all the Goods of John de Balliol,' and all I 28 7. the debts due to his estate. 334 Early History of Balliol College 1284, Dervorguilla. Purchased Mary Hall, for her Scholars ; and ' all the Buildings and place in Ho7'sniongers street without North- gate, in Magdalen Parish, lying between the Land formerly belonging \.o Jeffrey le Sauser on the one part, and the Land of Walter Feteplace on the other ' : and she had the hall, kitchen, and other buildings erected. Dervorguilla gave lands in Stamfordham and Howgh, in the county of Northumberland, purchased by her husband's executors, to her 1287. Scholars, and their successors for ever. 1289-90. Richard Hunsington and Walter Hork- stow. Two messuages : ' one call'd St. Hughs-hall, the other Hert-hall.' 1294. Hugh de Vienne. A soke of land, and several houses, in the parish of St. Laurence, Jewry, London ; and the advowson of the Church of St. Laurence. 1306-7. William Burnel, Provost of Wells. Seven messuages in St. Aldates' parish ; one in St. Martin's ; a .School of the Jews, and the Synagogue. Also, ' the rest of the premises, together with ten Shops.' 1309-10. Gilbert de Pomfrait, and Thomas Humble- ton. Land in Horsemonger Street. I ^10. Huoh de Warkenbv, and William de Gotham. l-"our houses in School Street, Early History of Balliol College 335 with the area adjoining them ; for the sup- port of a Chaplain, for the Chapel of St. Catherine, within the precincts of the Col- lege. 13 10- 1 1. Hugh de St. Ivo, and Geoffrey de Horkestowe. Chimers Hall. 1315-16. Richard de Hunsingoure. 'All that Tenement, with the Houses, Curtilage, and all other the Appurtenances in the Parish of St. John de Merton, lying between Alban- hall and Lomb-hall, which Tenement he had of the Legacy of Walter de Fodringheye, Canon of Lincoln.' 13 1 7-18. Geoffrey de Horkestow, and Richard de Staynton. ^Houses and land, near the City Wall, on the site of the Divinity School. 1319-20. Richard de Hunsingoure. Twelve acres of meadow, called Bayly-mead, in the parish of Steeple Aston. 1327. Nicholas de Quappelad, Abbot of Reading. Money and timber, for building the Chapel of St. Catherine ; and one glass window for the Chapel. 1327. Roger Whelpdale. (In 1327 and following years.) Manuscripts for the Library. 1340-41. Sir William de Felton. The advowson of the Church of Abboldesley ; and the Manor thereof, includino; Beeston. ^2,^ Early History of Balliol College 1341. Sir Philip de Somervyle. 'The advowson of the Church of Mickle- Benton, in the county of Northumberland, and in the dio- cese of Durham, together with two plough- lands of arable land, and twenty acres of meadow, in the fields of the same City.' 1342-43. Thomas de Cave, Rector of Welwick. Left in the hands of William de Broclesby, Clerk, ^100. to buy the advowsons of the Churches of Filyngham, Brotelby, and Risom, in Lincolnshire, for the College, ' that the number of the Scholars might be increased.' 1375-76. John Burton. 'The House and the Ap- purtenances in St. Peters Parish in the Bayly.' 1379-80. John Duke, and Julian, his wife. 'A Messuage and Shop in St. Giles's Parish.' 1386-87. Hamond Haskman, and Thomas Cinlow ' Three Tofts and one Garden, with the appurtenances contiguous to the House of the Master and Scholars of Balliol-hall, for the enlargement of their Mansion.' 1401-21. Richard Clifford; sometime Bishop of Worcester ; and, afterwards, of London. Benefaction not recorded. 1427. Thomas Chace, Chancellor of the Univer- sity, and sonietime Master of the Colk^ge. Early History of Balliol College ^iZl Built the lower part of the Library, adjoining the hall. And, also, contributed towards the building of the hall, buttery, and the Master's lodgings. 145 1. Robert Twaytes. Books for the Library. 1455. George Nevil, Bishop of Exeter. An house in St. Ebbe's parish. Other buildings. Books. 1460. Stephen de Cornubia. (1460, or there- abouts) Galen's works. 1474-75. George Nevil, Archbishop of York. Buildings. Books for the Library. 1477-94. Robert Abdy, Master of the College. Built the part of the Library next to the Chapel. 1478. William Gray, Bishop of Ely. Completed the building of the hall, and buttery. Re- built the east window in. the Master's dining room. Gave rare Manuscripts to the Library. 1478. Doctor Bole. Benefactions to the Library. 1487-88. William Kyrby, and Alice, his wife. Gave Oddington Farm to the College. 1492. John Waltham. Gave Nottingamum Anglum, in MS, super quatuor Evangelia. 1 5 17. Thomas Harropp. 1529. Laurence Stubbys. East window for the Chapel ; and, together with z ^^S Early History of Balliol College 1529. Richard Stubbys. South window for the Chapel. 1538. Mrs. Anne Danvers. Gave L^P- towards repairing Rood Lane Tenements, greatly injured by fire. i555_56. Doctor John Bell, Bishop of Worcester. Property at Clerkenwell. And, it is sup- posed, built the front gateway and tower. 1556. William Wright, Master of the College. Gave, for the Chapel, * an elegant Cor- poralis' ; called, a * Corpore's Case.' 1557. Antony Garnet, Fellow of the College. A silver spoon. 1557. John Smyth. Bequeathed six silver spoons. 1564. William Bell, Fellow of the College. An Horn to summons to dinner. 1564. Doctor John Warner, Warden of All Souls. Bequeathed ^20. to the College ; 6/8'' to the Master, 3/4^^ to each Fellow, and 1/8'' to each Scholar. 1583. Antony Foster. ^200. to the College. 1583. Robert Crane. A silver cup. 1593. William Hammond. ^iroo. to the College. 1602-3. Peter Blundell. Early History of Dalliol College 339 PRINCIPALS, WARDENS, AND MASTERS OF THE COLLEGE. Walter de Fodringeye 1282 Hugh de Warkenby 1296 Stephen de Cornubia 1303 Richard de Chickwell 1309 Thomas de Waldeby 1321 Henry de Seton 1323 Nicholas de Luceby 1327 John Poclynton 1332 Hugh Corbrygge . 1340 Robert de Derby . 1356 John Wyclif . 1360 John Hugate 1366 Thomas Tyrwhit . ^Zl"^ Hamond Haskman 1397 William Lambert . 1406 Thomas Chace 1412 Robert Burley 1428 Richard Stapilton . 1429 William Brandon . 1429 Robert Twaytes 1450 William Lambton . 1 46 1 John Segden 1472 Robert Abdy 1477 William Bell . 1496 340 Early History of Balliol College Richard Barningham 1504 Thomas Cisson . 1511 Richard Stubbys . 1518 William White 1525 George Coote 1539 William Wright 1545 James Brooks 1547 William Wright 1555 Francis Babington 1559 Antony Garnet . 1560 Richard Hooper 1563 Robert Hooper 1567 John Piers 1570 Adam Squier 1571 Edmund Lilly 1580 Robert Abbots 1609 John Parkhurst 1616 Thomas Lawrence 1637 George Bradshaw 1646 Henry Savage 1650 Thomas Good 1672 John Verre . 1678 Roger Mander 1687 John Baron . 1704 Joseph Hunt. 1721 Theophilus Leigh . 1726 John Davey . 1785 John Parsons 1798 Early History of Balliol College 341 Richard Jenkyns . . . .1819 Robert Scott 1854 Benjamin Jowett .... 1870 Many of the earher dates in this list of Masters are not the dates of their admission to the Master- ship ; but only the dates of documents in which they are mentioned as Masters of the College. The dates of their elections have not been pre- served. Some of the above names and dates have been taken from manuscript corrections in a copy of Balliofergus in the College Library. What of Balliol now ? And what of its surround- ings ? More than three hundred years have passed away since the Early History of the College can be said to have ceased. There is a Modern History since then. A story of the slow development of what the College was in Mediaeval days, into what we see it to be now : the collection of new buildings, and new new-buildings, the sets of rooms where so many of our English sons are gathered together. The House of Balliol, founded, as we have seen, for poor Scholars, has become an Home of Learning for the rich, and for the poor ; alike for the Lowlander, the Englishman, and the Celt. They have forgotten. 342 Early History of Balliol College long ago, the old feuds of Northerners and South- erners ; and live their three or four years in Balliol, forming friendships which, begun under the shelter and fascination of Alma Mater, endure through the turmoil of life's dusty highway, and remain as an abiding honour for their old age ' so blest, That by its side youth seems the waste instead.' Under a common roof, proud of a common name, to-day Dervorguilla's Scholars prove that the bond of honest work, and honest play, the home-feeling of their College life, the common share in the College honours, are even stronger ties than the ties of Nationality or of Citizenship. Citizenship stops at the old stone walls. Nationality is limited to our cliff-bound Islands. But Balliol men may be found now among the people of that vast New World across the Atlantic ; and among the sons of that Older World of southern Europe and Asia. And across seas, through all the breadth of our ' old green-girt, sweet-hearted earth,' the name of the House of Balliol is known and reverenced. We know how the Mediaeval Scholar tramped his way to Oxford, begging from house to house, and asking alms along the road. We can imagine Scholars skirting the forest of Shotover, and finding the Horsepath which, through bramble and across moor, led them to the East Gate of the City. If Early History of Balliol College 343 late in the day, the City would be dim and dusk ; but the sky warm and lurid from the rays of the sun just sinking beyond the Wytham hills. While other Scholars, after receiving hospitality at the Abingdon Abbey, would be making their way along the beaten track, in the midst of the underwood and bracken of what is now Bagley Wood. Perhaps a kindly Lay Brother would walk part-way to Oxford with them, to direct their steps, and point them the Towers of Oseney, or the grey walls of the Domi- nican House, in the distance. They would reach Oxford in the early evening, the moon scattering ghostly rays around them, and a thick white mist rising from the river and the winding streams by Trill Mill and Preachers' Bridge. We like to go back in thought to those first days ; and fancy that we see the tenements, with their small-windowed, low rooms, and uneven roofs. They were, probably, not unlike the old Benedictine rooms at Worcester College, but not so spacious ; and the buildings not so substantial as the old Hos- pital, or Cripples' House, next to St. Giles' Church, which must have been built at about the same time as Old Balliol Hall, St. Mary's Hall, and St. Mar- garet's Hall. Some tall elms now shading the garden quadrangle, were probably planted on the site, and in the line, of Dervorguilla's grove. The gravel paths across the front quadrangle, and round 344 Early History of Balliol College the fine chestnut tree opposite the Master's house, are indications of where she had made the ' pleasant Walks and Groves.' The ground which Dervor- guilla purchased for her poor Scholars, in 1284, has been trod by numberless Scholars' feet since then. The House she founded has sheltered many of her own Scotch boys ; and hundreds of others have faced their first conflicts, and gained their first real know- ledge, within its walls. The footsteps have died away with the centuries ; and the story of lives is left untold. The old tenements are replaced by modern buildings ; the trees of the grove have died, and others have been planted ; the Portitorium . . . . ? Lost, long ago. Yet if Dervorguilla could revisit us, she would find her Scholars still in the Home she founded for them. And if, in these pages, there seems to be much of praise given to the Mediaeval days, and but little said about the House of Balliol now, or about Dervorguilla's Scholars of to-day, it is because the names and the works of to-day are too near to us to be spoken of here. But, what makes the years at Balliol so dear, in memory, afterwards? It is that, side by side with the daily work, and the clinging friendships, came the bright dawn of appreciation amid a world of beautiful things. Of all the beautiful sights and Early History of Balliol College 345 sounds of country ; of all the rare, grey buildings, suggestive of a peaceful Past, which Oxford is so justly proud of; no memory is so cherished by Balliol Scholars as the recollection of the garden quadrangle in summer Term. ' While overhead the burning afternoon Glowed as if May had caught the heart of June.' Then it is that the Old Library is most beautiful. There is a silence in the air around it. The spirit of the Past, which has been chased from every corner of the College, has gathered itself together around the quiet of that upstairs room, where Manu- scripts and books live in happy security. That is the picture Scholars carry away with them, when, Oxford days ended, they bid farewell to the House they have learned to love. There are but few words of parting ; but to each one there comes the thought, perhaps the fear, that ' separate or together scarce our feet Will find another pathway quite so sweet.' The Library deserves especial notice. It is the best College Library in Oxford, except Queen's. Of the first books possessed by the College we know nothing ; but it is safe to conjecture that they were few, and much worn. Antony a Wood tells us about the early Library of the Monks of Durham, and the books which are supposed to have been given to Balliol. * The Monks of Durham hauing 346 Early History of Balliol College begun to build a colledge or studying place for their Nouices in y^ north suburbs of Oxford about y^ year 1 290 on a certaine peice of land w'^'' they seiiall years before had purchased, Richard de Bury otherwise Angeruyll Bishop of y' place not onely finisht & partly endowed it but also before & at y^ time of his death (w*'*' was 1345) left thereto all his bookes (more than all y^ Bishops in England had then be- sides) to y'^ end y' y^ scholars of y' colledge & of y^ Vniusity might vnder certaine conditions haue y*" vse of them. After they had been receiued, were for many years kept in chefts & in a certaine roome under y^ cuftody of seuall scholars deputed for y' purpose, at length a Librarie being built in y' colledge w" moft part of it was built w''^ was in the raigne of H. 4. (William Appleby & Thom. Romo being then succefsiuely Guardians or Wardens thereof) the said bookes were put up in pewes or studies with a chaine to each for y*" vse of scholars, w'''' continuing in y' manner till y*" colledge was dissolued by K H. 8. were then taken & conueyed away, some to D. Vmphreys library (though there they did not remaine long neither) & others to Balliol Coll. library : ' ' No one has any knowledge of what became of those books ; and it is impossible now to find any trace of them. They must be reckoned among the good things lost. Perhaps they shared the fate of ' Antony a Wood. MS. in Bodleian Library. Early History of Balliol College 347 the volumes in Duke Humphrey's Library. That Library ' before it had continued 80 years in its glory & the triumph of its rich treasure, obtained from moft parts in Christendome it with other libraryes in the Vninsitie found Rifelers & Pla- giaryes.' ^ The splendid volumes given by Duke Humphrey to the University suffered sadly. Any that ' looked like missals, and conveyed ideas of popish superstition, were destroyed or removed by the pious visitors of the university in the reign of Edward the sixth, whose zeal was equalled only by their ignorance, or perhaps by their avarice.' ^ In the reign of Edw. VL ' certaine Visitors came to reforme y^ Vnmsity, one of them by name Rich. Coxe Deane Ch. Ch did with some others as zealous as himselfe soe purge this place of all its rarityes especially those y' had rubricks in them or sauoured any way of superftition y' he left not one of those goodly MSS giuen by y^ before mentioned Benefac- tors.' ^ It is a grievous story ; how ' some of those books were burnt, some sold away for Robin Hoods pennyworths either to Booksellours, or to Glouers to presse their gloues, or Taylors to make measures, or Bookbinders to bind books with, & the others the Reformers kept themselues.' ^ In the reign of Queen ' Antony a Wood. MS. in Bodleian Library. - Hist, of Eng. Poetry. Warton, vol. ii. p. 45. ^ Antony a Wood. MS. in Bodleian Library. 348 Early History of Balliol College Mary, the books were searched for ; ' there was some inquisition made after them ' ; but only one was discovered. The BalHol Library, with its gift of books from Durham College, very probably suf- fered in like manner. The list of the printed books, which the Library now contains, is a clue to the kind of reading followed by the Fellows, at different periods. There is a very fine collection of historical tracts, which might repay the trouble of a careful sorting and examination : while the very many volumes of medical literature, now antiquated and valueless, prove that medicine was at one time a favourite study. An interesting article in Notes and Qtieries, Jan. 22, 1881, written by Canon Cheyne, formerly Fellow and Librarian of the College, states that, ' Our collection of manu- scripts is a large one, but contains few of interest except to very special scholars. Our greatest bene- factor was William Grey, Bishop of Ely [and Lord Treasurer, 1454-78]. He endowed us with not less than 127 MSS., including some, exquisitely written, of works of Cicero. It is difficult to specify the im- portant MSS. when so much depends on knowledge of subjects not those of the present writer. " One of your MSS. of Isidorus's Etymologice'' writes Mr. Madan of Brasenose, " certainly supplements all published editions in several passages." But Mr. Coxe's Catalogue is accessible, and to his parses I Early History of B alii o I College 349 refer the reader. He does not, indeed, include our most recent benefactions, mostly due to the kindness of Mr. Greville Chester. These consist of various Oriental manuscripts Hebrew, Arabic, and Arme- nian (not, however, of critical importance) acquired by him in his Eastern travels. Among our printed books I ought to mention a choice collection of English translations, and of early editions and trans- lations generally, of the Bible; a copy of the 15 12 folio edition of the Sarum Missal, with remarkable MS. notes ; and two copies of Dean Nowell's Small Catechism, both of which are the only copies known of their editions. I may add a copy of an Italian translation (interesting from the name of its author, Brunetto Latini) of the Ethics of Aristotle, printed at Lyons anno 1568.' The fine room, which was the dining hall before the present hall was erected, is now known as the Lower Library, or Reading Room. It is a delightful room for the purpose. But the books overflow the shelves and bookcases ; and other rooms have, also, to be used. One room, opposite to the Lower Library, contains all the Chronicles published under the direction of the Master of the Rolls, and called, technically, ' The Rolls Series.' Some old stained glass, which in former years was in the Chapel, is now inserted in the centres of some of the large windows on the east side of the Lower Library. 350 Early History of Balliol College The St. Catherine glass, as it is called, is remarkably- rich in colour ; and, remembering the vicissitudes it has experienced, is in fair preservation. ' It was found in a disused cellar,' you are told, if you enquire where it was originally. But the glass itself replies that it was the old Chapel window, which repre- sented the life of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the Patroness of the College. On it there appear to be some remains of the black paint, which so kindly helped to save windows from destruction, at the time of the Reformation ; and there are very evident traces of the same black protection in the beautiful little bits of stained glass which still adorn the windows of the Upper Library. Always it is difficult to bid Good-bye to the friend we value, or to the work we love ; ' For words are weak and most to seek When wanted fifty-fold.' We could linger in the Upper Library, and take down the Manuscripts, and admire the writing, perfect and finished, in those large and small volumes ; and grieve over the pages from whence some unknown hand stole the illuminated capitals. There is Capgrave's autograph ^ Manuscript, to tauch and to hold ; the Co7nmentary on the Acts of the Apostles, which he dedicated to Bishop Gray, ' See, Preface to Capgrave's Ch?-ofiiclc of Enghwd, cd. Mingeston. Early History of Dalliol College 351 and which Bishop Gray afterwards gave to the College. Also a Manuscript of Capgrave on the Creeds, written in a large and careful hand, and corrected in many places in Capgrave's autograph writing.^ There is an Hebrew Bible, exceptionally fine as a specimen of beautiful and exquisite Hebrew writing, with both Masorahs in ornamental style. And there is that beautiful little Manuscript Vulgate, with its closely-written lines, on vellum so thin it might be finest paper, and the writing delicate as finest print. In the glass case, is a Manuscript on vellum, a Book of Hours, Litany, and Psalms, rich with highly-coloured illuminations. A note at the . beginning of the book explains that it was found in the thatch of an old house ; and was, the writer of the note thought, probably hidden there at the time of the Reformation. The old thatch did its work well. The book is in good preservation. Also a printed book, Hore diue Virginis Mai^ie secudum vsu Romanu, printed on vellum, and beautifully illuminated afterwards. And there is a splendid Manuscript, on vellum, of Ovid's Epistles, translated into Norman French, with the Latin text in the margin, and with gorgeous illuminations. Volume after volume we might look at, and speak about ; but we must not stay. The Chapel is quite modern ; but some of the ^ See, Preface to Capgrave's Chronicle of England, ed. Hingeston. 352 Early History of Balliol College windows are the old windows, mentioned by Antony a Wood, in his description of the former Chapel. The Fellows' garden, the small piece of ground on the north of the Chapel and Library, and sepa- rated from the larger garden by a low wall, was one of the various plots given in early days to the College. The wide gravel path, which is parallel to it, by the mulberry tree, was, we may quite safely conjecture, part of the land which reached ' from the way over against the East end of St. M. Magdalens Church, to the land of the Monks of Dunelm, now Trinity Colledge ; passed over by Jeffrey Sawser to Walter Fodringkeye, with liberty to give it to this Colledge.'^ Or the line of the gravel path at least marked its boundary. Looking towards the ' Monks of Dunelm,' we see, inserted in the high stone wall, which separates Balliol from what was their land, several bits of very old carved stone, probably saved from the old Balliol Chapel : all, of stone, which now remains of it. There is a mutilated figure hold- ing an escutcheon, much worn ; yet we recognize Balliol's shield with the orle upon it. There, on another piece of stone, is a St. Catherine's Wheel ; and a St. Catherine's Wheel, again, on another, farther off. On a rather larger stone are St. Peter's two Keys. They were boldly and strongly cut, and are very distinct. And, near, an Angel holds a ' luiniofera^its, p. 29. Early History of Balliol College 353 shield on which we see a carved heart, surrounded by what might, in the rough and worn stone, be a wreath of immortelles, or a crown of twisted thorns. Was it a thought of Dulce-Cor ; or did a more sacred thought prompt its carving ?^ These remnants of carved stones seem to bid us look back once more to the early days, and re- member all that Benefactors have done for us. There comes a longing to go back to the first of all, to ' lean and love it over again,' to ' now forget and now recall. Break the rosary in a pearly rain, And gather what we let fall ! ' The sun is going westward ; the elm trees are in shade. And w^e, standing here in the Fellows' garden, within touch of the grey Library, under the solemn dome of Heaven where the blue sky grows pale, think once more of Dervorguilla, and of all her beautiful love for others ; her care for the living, her care for the dead. And we remember, again, other Benefactors. We think how each benefaction might have a story written about it, longer and more de- tailed than this small book gives ; which would afford many glimpses into Mediaeval days, and would tell us more about the people who were ' exercised 1 In the south transept of the ruined Abbey of Dulce-Cor is a carved heart, and the words ' Christus Maritus meus.' In the College wall there are other pieces of carved stone, of equal interest, but not mentioned here. A A 354 Early History of Balliol College in mind, pondering whether they could do aught for the Honour of His Name.' There is the much more, that might be told, about the Oxford Mayors and Burgesses, who witnessed deeds of gift, and have left their names and their seals to be treasured in the Balliol Archives. The Chancellors of the University, also, had always a voice and an hand in the gifts to the College. St. Lawrence, Jewry, with its Monastic associations, might have an history of its own written, which would tell something of the old Monastery at Montreuil, and its poverty and 'urgent necessity ; ' and how the soke of land had to be sold, and the advowson of the Church. And the account of each gift to the College, of land or house in Oxford, might be enriched with the honoured names of the ancient City families, and the Burgesses to whom such properties first belonged. An history might be written of each Hall, or vSchool, or tene- ment, or toft, in Oxford, which became Balliol pro- perty by the generosity of friends and Benefactors. Everywhere, in Oxford, as we walk by College walls and gateways, or pass by narrow Entries and Streets, and read the names which are like echoes from the Past, a voice arrests us, and bids us think of our forefathers with loving gratitude. Balliol has its history ; here so faintly and so falteringly sketched. Canditrh, with its Fish Ponds, and City Wall, its Prison, and its Gates, has one also. Early History of Balliol College 355 Bocardo has perished ; but the walls of ' our Lady's Chapel' near to Smith Gate, still stand. The carving, now worn and broken, which is supposed to represent the Annunciation, is still over the door, now the door to the book shop near the entrance to New College Lane. The Divinity School, one of the most beautiful relics of Mediaeval Oxford, is instinct with memories of the days and the deeds, which make its history grand and pathetic. The site, or part of it, was Balliol ground once. Then, as we have read, the University took it, in exchange for Sparrow Hall. This arrangement gave to the College its original ' Old Balliol Hall,' and to the University the plot of ground, in busy School Street, which was needed for the Divinity School. It would be a long story to tell, how money was collected for building this School. How the University sent ' petitionary epi- stles to seiiall persons to contribute towards y" car- rying on of y^ work. The first y' appears to haue benne written for y' purpose was y' to y^ order of S. Bennet w'* shortly after was by y care of Edm. Kirton Prior of Glocester coll. in Oxford & others presented to y^ monks of y'' said order in a generall chapter of them held at Northampton, beginning thus Reuerendissimi in Christo patres et pra^stan- tissimi domini &c. written last of June 1427. or else V yeare going before w"^'' request C)f y*" Vninsity 356 Early History of Balliol College being taken into consideration y^ said monks con- sented at length to giue them loo'' towards y^ said work conditionally y' y* said schoole should be free for their order : for y^ receipt of part of w*^*" wee haue y^ transcript of two acquittances viz. one dated y^ last of Aprill 8. H. 6. giuen to Ralph, Abbat of Abendon for his paying of 20 rriarks and another 13. may y*" same year to John Wethamsted S.T.p. Abbat of S. Albans for as much, about y* same time y' y'' said Epistle was written Hen. Chichley Archb. of Canterbury gaue for y' purpose a plentifull summ of gold as y*" Vniusities letter of thanks to him testifie. William Gray Deane of Paules gaue another summe of money, y^ Deanes & chapters of Salisbury, Wells, Exceter & Lyncolne, others, y'' monks or Canons of y^ order of S. Augustine a considerable summe also, to y*" Presidents & Prelats of w'^^ order sitting in a generall chapter at Northampton y" Vniusitie had before sent their Epistle for y' purpose, all w'''' gifts being receiued with moneys also from other persons especially from Humphrey y*" good Duke of Glocester (w'''' were considerable, soe much it seems y' he is stiled y'^ P'ounder of y*" said Schoole) the Vniu'sity pccedcd to build a storie oucr it for a Library & y' y' work might y*" better goe forward they wrote a com- plcmcntall letter to y" said Duke an. 1445 telling him how farre they had proceeded in their work & how y' y' place it selfe being fit for a library because Early History of Balliol College 357 remote from secular noise offered him y*" title of Founder of it, y^ w*"^ whether he accepted I know not, he it seems took it soe kindly y' he did not onlie giue them moneys, but also two years after w" he died 100'' more & dius choice MSS, w*"^ last being with much adoe obtained by y'' Vniusitie were reposed in y^ old library till such time this was finished.' ^ They were generous Benefactors, and we like to recognize the good Duke Humphrey among them. There were other Benefactors, also. It is an his- tory, rich with the names of men about whose gifts and work more ought to be told. The Divinity School is empty now. Not an echo of the old Scholastic Disputations breaks the silence. A young boy loiters near the door, to tell visitors to Oxford that it is, or was, the Divinity School ; for, otherwise, they might not know it. And he adds that it was used as Council Chamber, by Charles I., when Oxford was a centre of civil dis- cord. The Divinity School has its older and better Past than that. And it has its sadder history also. ' To conclude, all y' I shall further adde con- cerning this place, is y' it suffered y^ same fate in y^ raigne of Ed, 6. as y*" Schooles of arts did. It suffered in its roof & gutters of lead w'^'' being not repaired for seuall years great dammage followed. It suffered in its furniture, part of it being taken ' Antony a Wood. MS. in Bodleian Library. 358 Early History of Balliol College away by Mechanicks, in its windows adorned verie curiously with y* pictures of Apostles Fathers & amies of benefactours, most of them being then broken downe & y^ lead w'''' Joyned then to other glasse taken away. furthermore also not onely nettles bushes & brambles grew about y* walls (soe disused was it & y* other schooles adioyning) but a stinking pownd for cattle erected close & joyning to it all w''^ being beheld with sorrowfull countenances by y* Romanists w" their religion was restored, were taken away & all things relating to y"^ schoole it selfe put into good order 1557.' ^ School Street clamours to have its story told. It would be an history of the Schools, and the Teachers ; and of the men who listened, and learned, and went out into the world, owing all that they most prized to the lectures and Disputations in those small and crowded tenements. Though so central, time has been merciful to School Street. It is quiet enough now ; and, opposite, the grass is green around the Radcliffe Reading Room, and on the north side of St. Mary's Church. In School Street there was Balliol ground also ; the four houses, with the area adjoining them, which Hugh de War- kenby and William de Gotham gave to the College, for the support of a Chaplain. ' Aji/o/iy a Wood. MS. in Uodlcian Library Early History of Balliol College 359 So we might wander through Oxford, and recognize ' BaHiol ' in almost every Street. There are still rays of light upon the spire of St. Mary's Church. The Statues we look up to are clearer now, in the evening light, than when the midday sun shines full upon them. There is St. Cuthbert ; and there St. Hugh, the 'Venerable Brother,' mentioned in the Legate's letter to the Burgesses of Oxford. St. Cuthbert looks towards Durham. St. Hugh, also, looks north, to his Cathe- dral at Lincoln. For centuries those sightless eyes have been bent on the old home, where his body was laid to rest. Our eyes follow our thoughts. What do we see ? The Cathedral, which was his Cathedral ; where, also, Oliver Sutton was Bishop ; and others, who wrote letters, and granted Licences to the College. Bishop Oliver witnessed Dervor- guilla's foundation deeds ; and wrote that beautiful and pious letter, which gave permission to Balliol Scholars to have the Divine Office said in their own Chapel or Oratory. We look farther north, and we see the ruins of Barnard Castle, where John de Balliol and Dervor- guilla lived in great state ; and where, in happy days, they entertained Prince Edward. Farther still, to Durham ; and we remember John de Balliol's penance, and the poor Scholars he was to 360 Early History of Balliol College maintain at Oxford. And we think about Bishop Richard, and his love for books. Very Httle farther north still, we see the ruins of Dulce-Cor, the Abbey built by Dervorguilla, in memory of her husband ; and where his heart was placed, in the wall near to the High Altar. At Dulce-Cor, also, Dervorguilla's body was laid, when her spirit passed from this life. We look in vain for her tomb, or any trace of where she was buried. There is no stone left to mark the spot ; no ruined shrine, no broken carving, no time-worn words. There is nothing but the ruin, to tell of her who built the Abbey, and whose body sleeps there. But the memory of Dervorguilla de Galwedia, Domina de Balliolo, will live for very long in the Home of her Scholars at Oxford. I N DEX ABB A BBOLDESLEY, 165, 167, 168, 170, 177, 179 Church of St. Margaret, 262, 278 Abbott, Geo., 104, 306, 328, 329 Robt, 306, 328, 329, 340 Abdy, Robt, 95, loi, 102, 105, 108, 218, 302, 320, 321, 328, 337, 339 Abingdon, 25, 29 ; Abbey, 25, 91, 343 ; Abbot of, 158, 356 Adynton, Stephen de, 59 Agnes, St., 86, 87 Alan, Fitz-Comte, 75, 78-80 Alan of Galloway, 39, 48,49, 51, 87, 88 Alan of York, 43 Alan, Thomas, 260 Albertus Magnus, 37 Alexander VI., Pope, 233, 234, 237 Aleyn, Dr., 273 Alfred the Great, 8-12 All Saints, 21 All Souls College, 103, 293, 338 Alphege, St., 258 Amalric, 1 16, 117, 155 Andrews of Hayles, 34 Appylbe, Tho., 253 Will., 346 Aquinas, St. Thomas, 36 Armachanus, Rich., 302 Asce, Peter, 213, 214 Ascham, or Aschum, Robt., 265, 266 Ascolock, Rouland, 78 Asser, 9, 10 B.VL Atkins, Lawn, 281 Rich., 99, 225 Atkinson, Mr., 254, 295 August of Devon, 43 Augustine, St., 356 Austlyne, The, 260 Avignon, 136, 137, 172, 176, 177, 232 Avranches, Abbey, 210, 21 1 ; Abbot of, 210, 212-215 Aylesbury, John de, 148, 149 gABINGTON, Mr., 251 Francis, 340 Bacon, Robert, 2)1) Roger, 33, 36 Baconthorp, John, 303 Bagshaw, Chris., 326 Bale, Dr., 323, 337 Ball, John, 293 Balliol, House of, 47, 48, 55, 76-79, 81,93,122, 123, 125, 126,132,133, 135, 136, 166, 184, 185, 204, 206, 208, 210, 230, 234, 235, 238, 342, 344 Alan de, 51 Alexander de, 51 Bernard de, 51 Dervorguilla de. See Dervor- guilla Edward de, 51, 85, 86 Engelram de, 43, 5 1 Eustace de, 5 1 ;62 Early History of Balliol College BAL Balliol, Guy de, 50, 5 1 Henry de, 43, 5 1 Hughde, 51, 83, 84 John de, 7, 39-42, 44, 45, 47-51, 55, 59, 60, 70, 71, Ti, 75-84, 87, 88, 107, 176, 260, 297, 333, 352, 359 John, son of John de, 84-86, 113 Marjory de, 5 1 Walter de, 75 Barbere, Rich., 291 Barker, Roger, 255 Barnard Castle, 47, 49, 50, 87, 88, 301, 359 Barningham, Rich., 220, 340 Baron, John, 340 Barry, Tho., 107 Bayker, Will., 261 Beamond, Robt., 267, 296 Becke, Tho., 97 Beeston,335 Bell, John, loi, 107, 221, 222, 284, 296, 323-338 Will., 95, loi, 220, 338, 339 Benedict, St., 211-213, 355 Berkley, Walter de, 5 1 Bernard, St., 12, 91 Bertram, Robt., 84 Besills, Peter, 35 Blundel, Peter, 216, 338 Blundy, John, 31 Blunston, Mr., 254 Bocardo, 355 Bodely, Sir Thos., 312 Bokingham, John, Bishop of Lin- coln, 97 Bologna, University of, 12 Bonaventure, St., 36 Bonhill, Simon de, 36 Boniface VIII., Pope, 85, 241 Bonkis, Will, de, 94 Boswell, Mr., 332, ^i^, Botilbury, Gilbert, 108 Boughton, Mr., 225 I>radley, Will., 254 CAT Bradshaw, George, 340 Brandon, Will., 339 Brendon, Simon, 108 Bright, Heniy, 331 Broad Street, 1-4, 57 Broclesby, Will, de, 93, 210-213, Brodley, Mr., 254 Tho., 260 Broebden, Mr., 272 Brogden, Mr., 279 Brooks, James, 280, 282, 324, 340 Brotleby, 210, 212-215, 269, 336 Brown, Gilbert, 89 Walter, 254, 260 Browne, Mr., 272 Burcestre, Will, de, 59 Burfurth, 224, 290 Burge, Will., 81 Burley, Robert, 339 Burnet, Will., 147, 148, 150, 151 163, 164, 334 Burton, Mr., 254 Edmund, 251, 260, 261 John, 106, 162, 336 Burwash, Henry, 97 Bury, Richard de, 183, 184, 207, 209, 346, 360 (^ANDITCH, 3, 4, 55, ^o, 162, 323, 354 Canterbury, 12, 30, 31, 161 Abps. of: Gilbert, 313 ; William, 312 College, 158, 159, 281 Christ Church, Prior of, 159 Carfax, 44 Carpenter, Alex., 303 John, 107, 303 Carter, Mr., 278, 281 Cary, Rich., 59 Castell, .A.nn, 34 Catherine, St., 76, 96, 97, 100, 104, 113, 125, 126, 12S, 131, 135, Index 0^0 CAT 138-140, 163, 185, 224, 254, 266, 273, 289, 294, 335, 350 ' Catherine Wheel,'i 62, 163,286,352 Cave, Tho. de, 94, 21c, 211, 336 Celestine II., Pope, 12 Chace, Tho., 100-102, 105, 106,311, 336, 339 Chamberlane, Henry, 51 Chancellors of the University, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 36, 43, 100, 103, III, 112, 185, 190, 197, 205-208, 228, 302, 304, 311, 316, 318, 336, 354 Charles I., king of England, 35,89, 324, 357 Chichley, Henry, 356 Chickwell, Rich, de, 124, 339 Chirkham, Walter de, 45, 46 Chisilhampton, Adam de, 83 Christ Church, 91, 148, 159 Christian, dau. of Alan, 39 Cinlow, Tho., 161, 336 Claiton, i\Ir., 273 Clement VI., Pope, 165, 168, 172, 213, 229, 262 Clerk, Martin, 78 Clerkenwell, 220,221, 251,284, 323, 338 Monastery, 221, 222 Clifford, Rich., 106, 322, 336 Cnaresburg, Will, 58 Collinger, Rich., 263, 264 Cologne, 36, 300 Compton, Will, 100, 225 Coot, John, 269-271 Corbrygge, Hugh, 125, 339 Comubia, Stephen de, 124, 147, 148, 319, 337, 339 Corpores case, 53, 284, 338 Corpus Christi College, 243, 328 Cosinn, or Cosyn, Robt., 267, 272, 273, 278, 279 Cotes, Dr., 160, 323 Cott, or Coot, Geo., 260, 268, 269, 272, 274, 276, 278, 340 DUR Coventry, Tho., 332 Coxe, Rich., 347 Coyolde, Dr., 254 Crane, Robt., 327, 338 Cranston, Lord, 89 Crauncewyk, John de, 58 Crealawe, 76 Croke, John, 274, 277 Crome, Will, 279 Crumwell, Tho., 256, 274, 276 Cumin, John, 51 Curry, John, 43 Cuthbert, St., 359 J^ALDARBY, John, 97 Danvers, Lady Anne, 267? 268, 297, 338 Davey, John, 340 David, king of Scotland, 50, 51 Denmark, 36 Derby, Robert de, 339 Dervorguilla, 2, 7, 39, 47-54, 57-6o, 65, 69-72, 74-77, 80, 81, 84, 86-88, 92,96, 110-113, 124, 129, 131, 132, 138, 142, 161, 166, 176, 180-183, 227, 230, 295, 299, 308, 333, 334, 342-344, 353, 359, 360 Digby, Sir Kenelm, 312 Divinity School, 144, 312, 335, 355, 357 _ Dokelinton, John de, 146, 148 Dominic, St., 34 Dominican House, 343 Duke, John and Julian, 162, 336 Dulce-Cor, 52, 53, 353, 360 Dumfries, 53 Dundee, 52 Dundreynan, Abbot of, 78 Duns Scotus, 36, 298, 299, 307 Duquer, 87 Durham, 40, 41, 46, 359 Bishop of, 40, 41, 44-46,85, loS, 1 1 2, 200, 206, 207, 209 Monastery, 183 ; monks of, 93, 364 Early History of Balliol College DUR 94, 183, 190, 205, 206, 345, 352 ; Prior of, 205 207 Durham, William of, 8, 130, 302 College, 348 J^AST GATE, 3 Edmund, St., 25-32 Edward I., king of England, 80, 84, 88, 93, 120-125, 143, 144, 146, 147, 163, 164 Edward II., king of England, 93, 96, 124, 125, 127, 128, 146, 147, 164. Edward III., king of England, 58, 59, 94, 124, 143, 148, 161, 162, 165, 167, 211, 218, 303, 308 Edward IV., king of England, 104, 108, 217-219, 317, 320 Edward VI., king of England, 102, 219, 221, 347, 357 Edward, king of Scotland, 182- 184, 208, 209 Eist, Will., 290 Elizabeth, queen of England, 216, 217, 253, 254, 306, 328, 2,11 Ely, Thomas, 216 Engleby, 79 Erdswicke, Tho., 105 Eu, J. de, 56, 82, III, 112 Eugenius IV., Pope, 228, 262, 263 Eure, Hugh de, 'j']^ 78, 80 Stephen de, 75, ']'], 80 Ewe, Philip de, 56 Exeter College, 293 Eynsham, 133, 134 pACET, Henry, 119 William, 117 -119 Faculty, 6 Feckenham, 150, 151 Fellows of Balliol College, 57, 186- 188, 192, 194-198, 202-204, 231, 234, 236, 239, 244-249, 254, 255, 258-264, 266-269, 271-275, 278- 284, 286, 288 291, 301, 302 GLO Felton, Will, de, 165-169, 173, 180, 181, 235 Ferbit, Will., 108 Ferrara, University of, 305, 315, 3f9 Fetteplace, Walter, 57, 93, iii, 334 Ffrannt, Mr., 272, 278 Filyngham, 210, 212-215, 301, 310 Church of, 269, 270, 272, 336 Fishacre, 33 Fisher Buildings, 2, 57 Fitz-Cane, Dovenild, 78 Fitz-Roger, Robert, 77 Florence, 102 Fortibus, Will, de, 39 Foster, Antony, 338 John, 260, 268 Fotheringay, 50, 72, 74, 83 Walter de, 75, T]^ 78, 81, 94, 1 1 1, 112, 124, 127, 144, 307, 335, 339, 352 Fo.\, Rich., Bishop of Winchester, 238, 243, 244 Francis, St., y:^, 37 Free, John, 304, 305, 315 Freer, W., 34 Friars, 28, 34, 36, ^tl, 52, 7, 72, 152, 153 Friar)', Dominican, n, 34, 53, 152- 155, 157 Franciscan, 2,Z^ 152, I53, 299 Frideswide, St., 21, 55 QALLOWAY, 52, 61, 87, 88 Gandavo, Simon, 112 Garnet, Ant., 282, 285, 338, 340 Gascoigne, Tho., 103, 318 Gaudia, 295-297 Gaveston, Pieis, 35 Gersingdone, Nicholas de, 83 Gilbert of Dunfermline, 44 Gilleroth, 49 (iiraldus Cambrensis, 13 Gloucester, 80 Index 365 GLO Gloucester, Humphrey, Duke of, 107, 302, 304, 312, 313, 346, 347, 356, 357 Gobyun, Hugh, 84 Godwine, Tho., 291 Golafre, J., 35 Good, Tho., 340 Gotham, Will, de, 96, 125, 126, 138, 142, 334, 358 Gravesend, Benedict, 35 Greme, Barthw., 282 Grey Friars, 34, 53, 69, 300 Grey, William, Bp. of Ely, 95, 98, 100, 102, 105, 108, 129, 296, 302, 307, 319-321, 337, 348, 350, 351, 356 Grosseteste, Robt., 32, 38 Grymbald, St., 8-12; his crypt, 11 I-IALLS : Alban, 126-128, 144, 335; BaUiol, 7, 55-60, 92, 93, 112, 124, 130, 148-151, 159, 161- 163, 169, 173, 207, 238, zi>2>, 336, 343, 355 ; Broadgates, 147 ; Chimers, 158, 159, 335; Hert, 127, 128, 142-144, 334 ; Lomb, 126, 335; Maydenhall, 16; St. Edmund, 32 ; St. Hugh, 143, 144, 334; St. Margaret, 56, 58, 59, 93, 94, no, 343; St. Mary, 7, 56-59, 93, III, 161, 334, 343; Sawcer, 56, 161 ; Sparrow, 55, 56, 59, 161, 355 ; University, 8 Hammond, Will., 338 Hammond's Lodgings, 55, 57, 59, 92, 103 Hamstley, Rodolph, 295 Harrope, Tho., 107, 216, 295, 337 Haskman, Hamond, 161, 336, 339 Headington, 81-83 Hecsaum, Geo., 254 Helen, dau. of Alan, 39 Hengscye, Tho., 145 Henley, Sir Walter, 221 HUN Henry I., king of England, 2, 12 II., king of England, 13 III., king of England, 30-32, 38, 40, 42, 45, 47, 125 IV., king of England, 312, 346 v., king of England, 219, 303, 309, 312 VI., king of England, 94, 98, 104, 218, 304, 312, 317, 320, 356 VII., king of England, 95 VIII., king of England, 34, 98, 102, 131, 215, 221-224, 228, 230, 233, 234, 251, 256, 262, 266, 274, 278, 281, 289, 290, 346 Herbury, Nicholas, 106 Hertilpoll, Hugh de, 61, 64, 70, 124 Hertwell, John, 263, 264 Her>'s, John, 107 Hethingham, John, 228 Hevorth, Tho. de, 57, 93 Heyford Hill, 82 Heyford, Robert de, 81 Heynes, 216 Higginson, Alan, 282 High Street, 44 Hoghton, Peter, 253 Holland, Tho., 306, 327 Holloway, Tho., 332 Holywell, 2, 24 Hooper, Richard, 340 Robert, 340 Horkstow, Jeffrey, 144-146, 158, 159, 335 Walter, 143, 144, 334 Horsemonger Street, 2, 4, 7, 55, 56, 70, 93, III, 161, 334 How, J., 34 Howgh, 112, 142, 334 Howmfrey, Lawn, 291 Hubberden, Will., 277 Hugate, John, 339 Hugh, St., 19-21, 23, 24, 38, 359 Humbleton, Tho. de, 93, 334 Hunsingoure, Rich, de, 126-128, 138, 142, 143, 335 ;66 Early History of Balliol College HUN Hunsingoure, Tho. de, 80 Hunsington, Rich., 143, 144, 334 Hunt, Joseph, 340 Huntingdon, David, Earl of, 50, i Hyde, Dr., 331 Hydes, The, 283 Hygdon, John, 99 JFFLEY, 82 Ingulf, II Innocent II., Pope, 12 HI., Pope, 15 Ireland, 36 Italy, 36, 102 TAMES, King, 103, 215-217, 328, 329 Jeddeworth, Abbey, 167 ; Abbot of, 167, 168 Jenkyns, Rich., 341 Jewels, 216 John, king of England, 8 10, 15, 40, 51 Jonson, John, 289, 290 Jowett, Benj., 341 Joyner, Robt., 287 Julius II., Pope, 228, 237, 238, 262 J^EMIS, Lawr., 330 Kendal, Tho., 253, 260 Kenning^ton Island, 82 Kepchanne, Lawr., 126 Kingeston, Nicholas de, 82 Kings Street, 158 Kingston Road, 83 Kirton, Edmund, 355 Kyngeston, Will., 24 Kyrby, Will, and Alice, ^y] Kyrnessale, Will., 58 Kvtson, lolui, 261 M.\L J^AMBERT, Will., 339 Lambton, Will., 339 Langton, Stephen, 26, 27 Lawrence, Tho., 34c Legate, 6, 16, 17, 40, 43, 86 Leicester, Church of St. Martin, 254 Leigh, Thcophilus, 340 Leson, Tho., 99 Lidington, 76 Lilly, Edmund, 333, 340 Lincoln, Bp. of, 13, 18-24, 35, 97, 177, 220, 272, 280, 282, 283, 291 Oliver, Bp. of, 75, 96, 97, iii- 113, I3i-i35> 138, 359 Litheare, John de, 214, 215 Littlemore, 127 Lobbens, John, 289, 290 Lochleven, Prior of, 88 London, Bps. of: Eustace, 117; Robert, 233 ; Thomas, 233 Churches : St. Andrew, Hoberd's Lane, 219 ; St. Lawrence, Jewry, 107, 113-123, 138, 142, 255, 256, 262, 263, 268, 281, 332, 334, 354 ; St. Margaret Patens, 218, 219, 267 ; St. Mary, Bow, 218 Priories : St. Bartholomew, 263 ; Chrichirche, 263 Longspei, Lady Eliz., 295 Luceby, Nicholas de, 124, 140, 141, 339 Lucie, Nicholas, 216 Lucius VII., Pope, 12 Luke, St., 67, 258, 259, 267, 279 Luterel, John, 146 ]^/|ABEL, 25, 26 Maculaitch, Thomas, 78 Macune, John, 81 Magdalen Coll., 99, 293 Malclerk, Walter, 35 Malcolm, King of Scotland, 167 MaKernc, Jolm, 108 Index 367 MAN Mander, Roger, 340 Margaret, St., 50, 75, ^93, 205 Margaret, dau. of David, 51 Queen of England, 147, 149, 150 Marisco, Adam de, 36 Marius, Antonius, 102 Mark, St., 78 Martin, St., 81, 82 Martin V., Pope, 322 Mar)', Queen of England, 306, 348. See also Philip and Mary. Menyl, Will, de, 61, 64, ^o, 124 Merton, Walter de, 30 Merton College, 2, 91, 127, 128, 293, 299-301, 308 Michael, St., 17, 21 Mickle Benton, 180, 185, 231, 336 Montreuil, Monastery of, 114-118, 354 Moor, Mr., 331 Morras, Tho., 254 Morton, near Thame, 217 Mungumbre, David, 255 Mychell, Mr., 261 AT ASH, Hierome, 216, 217 Nedham, Brian, 282 Neot, St., 10, 12 Nevell, Geo., 94, 95, 100, 106, 162, 217, 218, 277, 296, 302, 307, 316- 318, Z2>1 Rich., 108, 316 New Abbey, 52, 88 ; Abbot of, 88 New College, 355 Newers, Edmund, 269-271 Nicholas, St., 18, 22, 35 Nicholas of Tusculum, 6, 17, 20 Nigel the Scot, 43 Norfolk, Duke of, 221 Normenhale, Andrew de, 59 North Gate, 2, 81, iii Northam, 82 OXF Northumberland, 50, 76, 112, 180- 185, 299 Norton, Edmund, 296 Notyngham, John de, 58 Nowell, John, 260, 273 C\, John de, 81 Occham, William of, 36 Octo, 242 Octobonus, 242 Old Tower, i, 95 Orgum, Ralph, 228 Oriel College, 103, 159 Oseney, Abbey, 13, 43, 44, 343 ; Abbot of, 18, 21, 133, 134 Otham, Tho., 140, 141 Otyndon Farm, 218-220, -^ly] Oxford Churches : St. Aldate, 147-149, 334 ; All Saints, 44 ; St. Ebbe, 33, 162, 2>1>T, St. Edward, 152- 154, 157, 158; St. Frideswide, 2, 33, 91, 126, 162, 278, 281 ; St. Giles, 162, 330, 343 ; St. John de Merton, 126, 335 ; St. Martin, 147 ; St. IVIary Magdalen, 4, 7, 56, 58, 81, 82, 94, 95, 130, 131, 162, 163, 321, 334, 352 ; St. Mary the Virgin, 28, 32, 2,2,, 125, 163, 249, 358, 359; St. Michael, 3, 21, 148, 305 ; St. Mildred, 143, 145, 146; St. Peter, 11, 2S, 33, 249; St. Peter le Bailey, 162, 336 St. Frideswide Priory, 13; Prior of, 2, 18, 21, 56, 158, 159 City archives, 5 City wall, 2-4, 146, 354 University, 5, 7, 8, 15, 17, 22, 24, 27, 29, 36, 43, 44, 55, 56, 60, 70, 76, 100, 106, III, 112, 144, 163, 166, 173, 208, 234, 238, 239, 243, 245, 246, 251, 263, 265, 266, 269, 274, 281, 293, 295, 303, 306, 308, 328, 355, 357 ;68 Early History of Balliol College PAR pARADISE Square, 33 Paris, Univ. of, 26, 326 Parle, Mr., 261 Parke, Tho., 267, 269 Parkhurst, Dr., 329, 340 Parsons, John, 340 Robert, 302, 306, 324, 326 Patrick, John, 107 Paul II., Pope, 305, 316 Pegg)', John, 59 Peircy, Hen., 108 Pekham, Peter, 106 Pembroke, William, Earl of, 312 Pembroke Coll., 147 Peter the Scotsman, 43 Peyrson, John, 253 Philip and Mary, 221, 223, 280, 282, 283 Piers, John, 324, 340 Plugh, Gerard, 254 Poclynton, John, 124, 339 Poleter, Adam de, 96, 97, 139, 140 Polston, 34 Pont de Sorgues, 172, 176, 177 Pontefract, Gilbert de, 93, 334 Tho. de, 57, 93 Pontignac, 30-32 Pool, Edward, 297 Popham, Mr., 225 Portitorium, 53, 64, 69, 344 Pulcin, Robt., 12, 13 QUEEN'S College, 311, 345 '^^ Quelpdale, Roger, 107 Querppelad, Nicholas de, 96, 139, 140, 335 Quincy, Roger de, 39 Quitter, Elias le, 126 RALF, 43 Ramsay, 20, 24 Raymond Lully, y] Reading, 16 SAW Reading, Abbey, 96, 140, 141 ; Abbot of, 139, 140, 335 Rede, Will., 109 Reginald of Cunningham, 43 Rich, 12> Rich, Reinald, 25 Richard II., King of England, 10, 159, 160, 162, 309 Richardson, Robert, 286 Richmond, 300 Rievalle, Monks of, "jj Risom, 210, 2 J 2-2 1 5, 336 Robert, 40 Robynson, Mr., 261 Rochester, 12 Rodwell, Roger, in, 112 Roger the Scotsman, 43 Rok, Robert, 263 Rome, 5, 12, 243 Church of St. Cecilia, 274 Romo, Tho., 346 Ronuauld, 78 Rood Lane, 338 Rotheram, Richard, 304 Russel, John, 220 gACKVILLE, Isabella, 222, 223 St. Albans, Abbey, 38, 42, 91, 314; Abbot of, 356 St. Davids, Monastery, 9 St. Ivo, Hugh, 158, 159, 335 St. John's College, 91, 92 St. Salvius, Monastery, 114- 118, 155 Salisburi, Sir John, 284 Salisbury, 32 Salven, Richard, 265-271 Sandford, Walter de, 145, 146 Sartes, 216 Savage, Henry, 74, iii, 119, 128, 146,217, 340 Sawcer, Jeffrey de, 56,94, 1 1 1, 334, 35^ John le, 94 Index 369 SCH Scholars of Balliol College, 7, 47, 48, 57, 58, 60, 61, 64, 76-79, 83, III, 112, 120, 122, 123, 126, 129, 130, 132, 133, 135, 139, 140, 145, 146, 149, 159, 161, 163, 168, 169, 172, 183, 184, 186, 191, 194, 19s, 198-201, 204-208, 210,230, 231- 242, 247, 250, 259, 263, 265, 282, 288, 291, 308, 333, 336, 342, 344, 345, 359, 360 Schools, Beaufront, 126 School Street, 6, 28, 29, 32, ^jZ-, 96, 125, 126, 138, 142, 251, 334, 355, 358 Scott, Mr., 254 Henr}', 251, 259, 261 Robert, 341 Seacoles, 216, 217 Seal, the College, 226 Dervorguilla's, 60 SegJen, John, 219, 339 Selden, Mr., 312 Selewode, Richard de, 59 Seton, Henry de, 124, 339 Sewy, John de, 93 Shagnes, Rich., 284, 306 Shire wood Forest, 45 Shotover, 43, 44, 342 Sixtus IV., Pope, 318 Skelton, Tho., 107 Skyptoun, Rich., 107 Slatter of Eynsham, 57, 93 Slikeburne, Richard de, 69-72, 74, 79, 183 Smith, John, 220 Gate, 2-4, 355 Smyth, Mr., 279 John, 267, 272, 273, 280, 282, 285, 338 Richard, 277 Somervyle, Margaret de, 202 Philip de, 138, 180-185, 207-209, 227, 231, 296, 301, 308, 310, 336 Roger de, 200 Southwood, John, 220 TUR Sowy, Tho. de, 126 Spens, John, 108 Spotiswood, Robert, 89 Squier, Adam, 324, 340 Stafford, 105 Stamfordham, 112, 142, 334 Standlake, Rectory of, 260 Stanhope, Ralph, 105 Stapilton, Richard, 339 Statutes, Dervorguilla's, 61-69 Bishop Fox's, 244-250 Sir Philip's, 184-209 Stavely, Will., 106 Staynton, Rich., 144-146, 335 Steeple Aston, 128, 138, 335 Stilhngton, Bp. of Bath and Wells, Stodlegh, Henry de, 59 Stop, Mr., 272 Stubbs, Dr., 261 Lawrence, 98-100, 224, 296, 2>2n Richard, 100, 265, 338, 340 Sudbury, Simon, Bp. of London, 227, 228, 232, 234, 238, 241 Sutton, John de, 58 Sweetheart Abbey, 89 Sydyerd Street, 158, 159 Synwell, John, 177 "pACKLEY, 215 Tartays, 305, 321 Taler, Will., 280, 282 Tesedale, John de, 78 Theobald, Abp. of Canterbury, 12 Thomas, St., 67 son of Alan, 48-50 Thomson, Mr., 272, 273, 279 John, 285 Tiptoft, John, 304, 314 Tiverton School, 216 Tredwell, T., 34 Trinity College, 57, 93, 293 Tungeland, Abbot of, 78 Turl Gate, 3 B B 370 Early History of Balliol College TWA Twaytes, Robert, 314, ni, 339 Tynemouth, Prior of, 40, 41 Tyrwhit, Tho., 55, 160, 339 "(JNIVERSITY COLLEGE, 8, 44 School, 281 Urban V., Pope, 135, 136, 138,227- 230, 262 Urban VL, Pope, 97 yACARIUS, 12, 13 Vanling, Abr., 99 Venice, 102 Verre, John, 340 Vicenza, Bishop of, 86 Vienne, Hugh de, 113, 120-123, 334 ^Y^I^HAM, Nicholas, 98 College, 224 Wakeman, Dr., 332 Walderby, Tho. de, 124,339 Wall, Stephen, 35 Waltham, John, 310, 337 Ward, Tho., 107 Tho., 263 Warkenby, Hugh, 96, 124-126, 138, 142, 334, 339, 358 Warner, John, 103, 338 Warnerius, 1 18 Warren, Isabel, dau. of John de, 51 Wehvick, 210 Wenman, The, 328 WYN Wentworth, Peter, 100 Wepere, John le, 81 Whelpdale, Roger, 109, 304, 311, 335 Whitfield, Henry de, 228 Whithern, Bishop of, 78 Whryt Will., 295 Edward, 295 Whytt, Will., 229, 255, 261, 273, 274, 334 Wichnor, 180, 184, 189, 190, 231 Wigton, 52, 53 William L, king of England, 50 William H., king of England, 50 Wilton, Will., 303, 310 Winchester, 10, 39 Bishop of, 31 Monastery at, 10 Winton, Andrew, 88 Wombewelle, Robert, 107 Wood, Antony a, 29, 32, 35, 90, 92, III, 1 19, 124, 166, 180 Woode, Robert, 284, 306 Woodstock, 215-217, 281 Worcester, William, Bishop of, 308 College, 91, 343 School, 331 Wormenhale, Tho., 83 Worseley, Christopher, 267-269 W^otton, 215-217, 281 Wright, Will., 255, 261, 268, 283, 338, 340 Wychenbrook, 1 19-121 Wyclif, John, 300, 301, 308, 339 Wygeton, 78 Wyntouns Chronicle, 50, 52 PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARB LONDON P3 THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW. 60m-l,'63(D4743B8)476 BM"! 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