46. THE COLLEGE OF TOWCESTER
William Sponne, rector of Towcester and
archdeacon of Norfolk, founded a small college
or chantry of two priests, to say mass for his
soul in the chapel at the east end of the south
aisle of the parish church. Licence was granted
for the endowment in 1448, the year after his
death. (fn. 1)
In the year 1440 John Lord Clinton sold a
messuage in Towcester, called the Tabard, with
lands and appurtenances in the fields of Towcester, Wood Burcote, and Caldecote, to William
Sponne, and Thomas Lane, clerk. Thomas
Lane, by deed dated January, 1451, delivered
this messuage and lands to William Hall and
Nicholas Germayne, chaplains of Sponne's
chantry, and to thirteen other honest men,
parishioners of Towcester, according to the
request of Master Sponne, the income derived
from which should be spent in maintaining the
obit of the founder, in keeping the buildings in
good condition, in maintaining the pavements of
the town, and in distributing alms to the poor.
The sum of 40d. was also to be assigned yearly
to the chaplains for the repair and renewal of the
books and ornaments of the chapel. (fn. 2)
Bishop Chadworth confirmed the foundation
of this college in 1457. In 1510 John Godrich,
rector of Middleton Cheney, obtained papal dispensation to hold a chaplaincy with his rectory,
a rule having been expressly laid down by the
founder that the chaplains should hold no other
benefice beyond the space of one month. (fn. 3)
The Valor of 1535 gives the clear annual
value of 'Towceter Colleg' as £19 6s. 8d., of
which sum £12 was assigned to 'Willin
Reynolde p'sedens,' and £7 6s. 8d. to 'John
Stevenson secundar.' (fn. 4)
The college, part of which still remains, stood
to the north-west of the church.
The further history of the Sponne Grammar
School is dealt with elsewhere.