35. THE HOSPITAL OF PIRHO
It has usually been assumed that the hospital
of Pirho of early establishment became united
with the collegiate church of Cotterstock during
the reign of Edward III., and thereafter ceased to
have an independent existence. But this was by
no means the case; the advowson of Pirho
hospital and priory was simply conferred on the
college so that the warden and fellows continued
to present the master or chaplain until dissolution
of both houses.
One of the earliest references to this house
occurs in a final concord of 1282, by which the
manor of Cotterstock, the advowson of the
church, two mills at Pirho, and the advowson of
the priory of Pirho, were transferred from John de
Cameys to John de Kyrkeby. Another final
concord was arranged at Westminster in 1307,
whereby the manor and advowson, etc., of
Cotterstock, and the advowson of the priory of
Pirho, then held as the dower of Christiana,
widow of William de Kyrkeby, were to be transferred on her death to John de Houly and his
heirs. (fn. 11)
This hospital, which had the exceptional joint
dedication of St. John and St. Martin, was
re-ordained by Bishop Burghersh in May, 1329,
when the inmates consisted of three chaplains,
one of whom was to be prior; the habit was to
be black or russet. (fn. 12)
The foundation charter of Cotterstock College
in 1338 contains the grant made to it of the
advowson of the hospital of Pirho. (fn. 13)
By the time of Henry VIII. Pirho seems to
have ceased to exercise any hospital functions,
and was merely a beneficed chantry. The
Valor of 1535 gives its clear annual value at
£5 9s. 9d. (fn. 14) It is styled a 'free chapel' by the
commissioners of Henry VIII. and Edward VI.,
with a priest to sing there; the chapel is described
as distant three-quarters of a mile from the parish
church of Southwick, and covered with lead. (fn. 15)
The priors, masters, or chaplains of this
hospital were subject to episcopal institution, and
their names appear in due succession in the
diocesan registers from 1289.
Priors or Masters of Pirho
Philip of Putesle, (fn. 16) instituted 1290, died 1305
Simon of Daventry, (fn. 17) instituted 1305, died
1310
John of Wynceby, (fn. 18) instituted 1310
John of Veer, (fn. 19) instituted 1330
Henry of Veer, (fn. 20) died 1344
Robert of St. Neotts, (fn. 21) instituted 1344
John of Aylington, (fn. 22) died 1358
John Quarrell, (fn. 23) instituted 1373
John Aungevyn, (fn. 24) 1382
Thomas Andrew, (fn. 25) instituted 1382
Walter Muskham, (fn. 26) instituted 1427, died 1432
Thomas Leuer, (fn. 27) instituted 1432, resigned
1438
William Appulton, (fn. 28) instituted 1438, died
1444
Richard Andrew, (fn. 29) instituted 1444
Henry Fyfeld, (fn. 30) died 1489
John Kyng, (fn. 31) instituted 1489, died 1497
Robert Dethyk, (fn. 32) instituted 1497, resigned
1518
Robert Barnard, (fn. 33) instituted 1518