18. THE HOSPITAL OF FYFIELD
A hospital or almshouse was founded at Fyfield
in 1442, in conjunction with a chantry at the
altar of St. John Baptist in the parish church,
and pursuant to the will of Sir John Golafre,
who is styled in the foundation ordinance servant to kings Henry V and Henry VI. The
chaplain was to have charge of the almshouse,
and to be called the Master of the House of
St. John Baptist, Fyfield. The endowments
were Fyfield Grove, and the manors of Baldwin's
Court and Wyke, in Charlton. (fn. 18)
The Chantry Commissioners of 1 Edward VI
reported that its value, including the almshouse
to which about two-thirds of the income were
assigned, was £20 15s. a year. The hospital
was swept away, together with the actual chantry, into the royal coffers. (fn. 19) On the pension
roll of 1554 appears the name of Thomas
Clenson, 'Bedesman chantry of Fyfield,' who
was in receipt of 40s. a year. (fn. 20)
Footnotes
| 18 |
Pat. 20 Hen. VI, pt. ii, m. 27; 22 Hen. VI,
pt. i, m. 24. |
| 19 |
Coll. and Chant. Nos. 3, 51. |
| 20 |
B.M. Add. MS. 5082. |