36. THE COLLEGE OF STAINDROP
The college of Staindrop was founded in 1408
by Ralph earl of Westmorland. The establishment was to consist of a master or warden and
certain other resident chaplains and clerks, with
a number of poor and decayed gentlemen or
other poor persons. (fn. 1) It seems probable that the
earl intended the house to serve as a place of
retirement for his retainers and servants when
they grew old or infirm. In 1544 six of the
inmates were 'gentlemen sometime in the service' of the then earl. (fn. 2) Four years later the
household consisted of the master, four priests,
brethren of the house, two choristers, two lay
clerks, five poor gentlemen, six poor yeomen,
and two poor grooms, all 'brethren.' (fn. 3)
The college, which really partook more of the
nature of a mediaeval hospital, was built near
Langley Beck, to the north of the church.
Apparently Joan Beaufort, countess of Westmorland, carried out or completed her husband's
design, for Leland states that 'Johan erectid the
very house self of the college.' (fn. 4)
The original endowment consisted of two
messuages and 12 acres of land in Staindrop,
with the advowson of the church there. (fn. 5) Later
the churches of Lytham, (fn. 6) co. Lancaster, and
Brigham, (fn. 7) co. Cumberland, were appropriated to
the college in augmentation of its revenues.
The clear value at the dissolution amounted to
£126 5s. (fn. 8)
In 1412 Bishop Langley confirmed the appropriation of Staindrop church to the college, and
ordained that, lest the cure of souls should suffer
neglect, a perpetual vicarage should be instituted,
the vicar to be appointed by the warden and
chaplains of the college. The house was to
pay 40s. per annum to the bishop, and 20s. to
the convent of Durham, as an indemnity for
any loss which the church might suffer by this
arrangement. (fn. 9) This vicarage lasted until the
dissolution, when all the possessions of the
college were surrendered to the crown, a small
stipend only being reserved for the officiating
minister. (fn. 10)
Masters of Staindrop
Robert Knayton, clerk, occ. 1432 (fn. 11)
John Norman, occ. 1438 (fn. 12)
William Lambert, occ. 1457, 1477 (fn. 13)
Thomas Nevill (fn. 14)
William Pollard, app. 20 July, 1498, p.m.
Nevill (fn. 15)
John Claymond, M.A., app. 19 October,
1500 (fn. 16)
William Mawdesley, app. 1501, p.r. Claymond (fn. 17)
Edmund Nattres, occ. 1537 (fn. 18)
William Garnett, occ. 1548 (fn. 19)