27. THE HOSPITAL OF BRADEBUSK
The hospital of Bradebusk, (fn. 54) in the parish of
Gonalston, was an old establishment dedicated
to the honour of St. Mary Magdalene, founded
by William de Heriz in the time of Henry II.
It is named in the Taxation Roll of 1291,
where entry is made of Ecclesia de Gonoldeston,
preter porcionem domus de Bradebuske indecimabilem,
£8. (fn. 55)
In the year 1325 there was an inspeximus and
confirmation of three charters to the masters
and chaplains of this hospital. The first of
these is the foundation charter by which William de Heriz gave to the infirm of Bradebusk
the mill of la Moore with all its appurtenances,
and the mill which was called 'Heverard' near
the church of Lowdham, to hold by rendering
to Simon son of Richard annually a mark as long
as he wished to receive it, and also certain lands
and meadows. They were also authorized to
collect in his grove all the firewood they required.
All this he did for the love of God and the souls
of his father and mother and of all his ancestors.
Among the witnesses to this charter were the
Abbots of Darley and of Rocester. The second
charter is one of Ivo de Heriz, who was probably
the nephew of the founder. (fn. 56) He granted and
confirmed to the hospital of St. Mary Magdalene
of Bradebusk and to the infirm therein dwelling,
or who should dwell there in the future, fifteen
selions of land near to the said hospital. This
charter is probably early in the reign of Henry III.
The third charter is from John de Heriz, adding
4 bovates of land in Gonalston to the endowments of the house of Bradebusk and to the
chaplains there serving God, to the intent that
they should pray for the souls of John de Heriz,
Sarah de Heriz (his daughter), and of Henry de
Heriz (his brother). The date of this charter
is at the end of the reign of Henry III or at the
beginning of that of Edward I. (fn. 57)
In 1386 Archbishop Nevill granted a confirmatory licence to the chaplains of the chantry
of Bradebusk of celebrating without prejudice to
the church of Gonalston. (fn. 58)
Henry Marston, rector of Cressingham, was
admitted to the custody of the hospital of St. Mary
Magdalene of Bradebusk, on the presentation of
Sir Roger de Swillington, on 30 October 1399.
The vacancy arose through the resignation of
Roger Wydmerepull. Sir Roger again presented
in 1406. (fn. 59)
Some of the property of this hospital seems
to have been lost before 1534. At that date
the Valor Ecclesiasticus names only one chaplain,
Thomas Newton, of the chantry at the chapel
in Gonalston, voc' Brodebask, and the clear annual
value was £5 18s. 9d. (fn. 60) There was evidently
no income for any infirm.
The commissioners of 1545-6 made a like
report as to the annual income. The priest
who received it celebrated three times a week in
the parish church of Gonalston, but the rest of
the week in the hospital chapel of St. Mary
Magdalene, a quarter of a mile from the parish
church. (fn. 61)
The commissioners of Edward VI of 1547-8
returned the income as £6 3s. 9d.; it all went
to Thomas Newenton, chantry priest, who was
reported to be sixty years of age, 'unlerned, lame
and without any other living.' (fn. 62)
When John Kirkby was instituted to the custody of this chapel in 1556, 'Georg Moneoux,
com. Nott. armig.' was patron. Louis Moneoux
was patron in 1603. (fn. 63)
The Heriz estates passed by marriage to the
Swillingtons in the time of Richard II, and thence
in the reign of Henry VI to the Pierreponts.
In the reign of Henry VIII Sir William Pierrepont sold Gonalston Manor and the advowson of
the chapel of Bradebusk to Alderman Monox of
London. (fn. 64) The rector of Gonalston is still
technically warden of Bradebusk Hospital.
Wardens of Bradebusk
Roger Wydmerepull, resigned 1399 (fn. 65)
Henry Marston, 1399 (fn. 66)
Henry Elmessall, resigned 1406 (fn. 67)
John de Asshelby, 1406 (fn. 68)
William Dyngall, 1421 (fn. 69)
Thomas Newton, occurs 1547, (fn. 69a) died 1556 (fn. 70)
John Kirkby, 1556 (fn. 71)
Laurence Mitchell, died 1603 (fn. 72)
Hugh Baguley, 1603 (fn. 73)