23. HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, BRIDPORT
Though the date of its foundation cannot be
exactly stated it is evident, from its mention
in various deeds of the time of Henry III
belonging to the corporation of Bridport, that
the hospital here, like that of Allington, was
already in existence in the earlier half of the
thirteenth century. (fn. 21) Among these documents
is a charter, dated 1240, which recites that
Helias de Wroccheshel, for the good of his soul
and those of his ancestors and successors, has
granted and confirmed to the house of the
Blessed John the Baptist in Bridport within the
east bridge, and to the brethren and sisters
serving God there, leave to graze ten oxen, four
yearling cows, one hog, one steer, and fifty sheep
in the whole of his pasture land at Walditch,
except in his meadows in fence-time (in tempore
defencionis), as well as sufficient fencing from
his wood to inclose their land in Walditch. (fn. 22) Another deed sets forth an agreement,
made on Christmas Day, 1271, whereby John,
son of William Telle of Bridport, leased to Sir
William, prior of the hospital of St. John, a certain croft situated between the land of St. John
and the way leading to the mill of Richard
Killing, together with a house, curtilage, and
croft bounded by the curtilage which lately
belonged to Osbert Baldwyn. (fn. 23) The benefactors
of the hospital were numerous, and included
Mabel, the daughter of Edward Hux, who, in
her widowhood, gave to God and the brethren
and sisters serving God in the hospital of St. John,
Bridport, 1½ acres of land in Portmannefeld for
the soul of Richard her late husband; (fn. 24)
Richard Hux, who, by charter undated but
belonging to the time of Edward I, engaged
himself to pay 12d. yearly to Roger de Rydeclive,
warden of the hospital and his successors, from
his tenement in the South Street of Bridport; (fn. 25)
Christine de Stikelane, who, by her will, dated
in 1268, left various small sums to the religious
foundations of her town, bequeathed 'xiid. to the
"church" of the Blessed John.' (fn. 26)
Little is recorded of this hospital beyond what
is contained in these and similar charters. It
appears to have been in the patronage of the
bailiffs and commonalty of Bridport, who, by
an indenture dated on Sunday after the Feast of
St. Peter and St. Paul (29 June), 1357, granted
the custody of the hospital, together with the
administration of its goods, to John de Shapwick,
chaplain, on the understanding that he by himself or a fit chaplain should celebrate daily in the
chapel. (fn. 27) A document still exists among the
town archives entitled—
Implements of the priory of St. John the Baptist
delivered to Sir John Syltere by Richard Burgh and
John Cryps, Bailiffs of Bridport, received from Hugh
Prior, late prior there, the 9th October in the 32nd
year of King Henry VI,
the possessions and furniture of the inmates are
set out under the following headings:—In the
Chapel, In the Hall, In the Pantry, In the
Kitchen, In the Chamber. (fn. 28) In the deed of
1444, to which all the ecclesiastical authorities
of the town set their hands pledging themselves
to assist in the pious work of repairing the
haven, the master or warden here, John Shipper,
is styled 'prior of St. John.' (fn. 29)
The clear income of the house, according to
the Valor of 1535, (fn. 30) was estimated at £8 6s. 1d.,
the name of the then prior being Robert Chard.
The chantry commissioners in the reign of
Edward VI stated that it was worth £6 15s. 8d.,
out of which 16s. should be deducted in rents
resolute; (fn. 31) the incumbent, William Chard, received the whole profits for his own use; (fn. 32) there
was found there 'one chalice and one gold ringe
of 12 oz.,' two 'lytle' bells worth 20s., and
'certain ornaments' worth 20d. (fn. 33) The last
warden, William Shard or Chard, who may be
the same as the Robert Chard of 1535, received
a pension of £5. (fn. 34)
Wardens or Priors of Bridport Hospital
William, occurs 1271 (fn. 35)
Roger de Rydeclive, occurs temp. Edward I (fn. 36)
William Worgan, occurs temp. Edward I (fn. 37)
Richard Castelayn, occurs 1295-6 and
1316-17 (fn. 38)
John de Shapwick, appointed 1357, (fn. 39) resigned
before 1411 (fn. 40)
John Shipper, occurs 1444 (fn. 41)
Hugh Prior, occurs in 1453 as 'late' prior (fn. 42)
Robert Chard, occurs 1535 (fn. 43)
William Shard or Chard, last incumbent (fn. 44)