104. THE HOSPITAL OF WALSOKEN
There was a chapel dedicated to the Holy
Trinity in the parish of Walsoken, at a place
called Stathe-Dytch, to which was attached a
gild or fraternity of some fame, ruled by a
master or warden. It seems to have been
usually termed the Hospital of the Holy Trinity.
Pope Urban (1378-90) and four of his successors granted particular indulgences to the
brethren and sisters of this house and their
benefactors as appears from a deed of admission
of two persons into this fraternity, dated 6 October, 1481. At that time Eborard was master;
he is termed ' custos capelle et hospitalis
Sce. Trinitatis de Walsoken.' Blomefield also
mentions a like deed of admission granted in
1476, to John Bernus, esquire, and states that
the bishop of Ely granted in 1487 forty days'
indulgence to all who contributed to the support
of this hospital. (fn. 1)
The hospital was served by chaplains as well
as by a master. In December, 1390, Thomas
Fayrandgod and Richard Holn, perpetual chaplains of Holy Trinity chapel, Walsoken, received
permission for themselves and their successors,
from Pope Boniface IV, to celebrate mass in the
chapel even in the time of interdict. This
indult is of value, as it is therein stated that the
hospital was founded by King Richard I. (fn. 2)
The Valor of 1535 estimates the annual value
of this hospital at £5 6s. 3d. (fn. 3)
This house and gild were dissolved at the end
of Henry VIII's reign. The surrender, signed
by Ralph Stanmow, master, and ten others, is
dated 17 July, 1545. Annexed to it is the
king's commission empowering John Ayre to
receive the gild on the part of the crown. (fn. 4)
Masters of Walsoken Hospital (fn. 5)
Thomas Jackson, died 1475
Hewet, 1475
Eberard, 1481
Ralph Stanmow, the last master
There is a cast at the British Museum of a
small circular fifteenth-century seal of this
hospital, having an embattled tower of two stories,
with an indistinct figure on the right, between the
letters T and L. (fn. 6)