26. THE HOSPITAL OF BRETFORD
A charter of Richard, bishop of Coventry, circa
1180, notifies that, at the prayer of Alured,
abbot of St. Pierre-sur-Dive (in the diocese of
Sées), he confirms to his dear sons, the lepers of
Bretford, the grant made in charity by the said
abbot and convent, to the effect that the lepers
should have a chaplain of their own, saving in
all things the parochial rights of the mother
church of Wolston. He also confirmed to them
the tithes of milk and garden herbs allowed
them in pity by the abbot and convent as
their charter testified. For these grants and
privileges the lepers were to pay 2s. a year to
the abbey. (fn. 1)
This hospital, with its chapel, was dedicated
to the honour of St. Edmund. It was almost
certainly founded by the Turvilles of Wolston,
as they were its patrons throughout the fourteenth century.
The master and brethren of the house of
lepers, Bretford, obtained a year's protection
from Edward I in 1274, (fn. 2) but the further history
of the hospital is unknown.
Chaplains
Richard le Chapelyn, before 1285 (fn. 3)
William de Stretton, 1303 (fn. 4)
Thomas de Olughton, 1308 (fn. 5)
Richard de Pedmor, 1329
Henry de Dene, 1334 (fn. 6)
Thomas de Bilney, 1335
Thomas de Hamstede, 1337 (fn. 7)
Robert de Knighton, 1337
Robert de Dunch, 1340
William le Palmere de Franketon, 1344
William de Lich, 1353
Godfrey Colmon, 1360 (fn. 8)