The history of Newcastle upon Tyne: or, the ancient and present state of that town. By the late Henry Bourne, ...

Sect. IX. COWGATE, TRINITY-HOUSE, BROAD-CHARE.

WHEN we came to Pandon-Hall, we went Eastward into Pandon; it remains now, that we go Southward from the same Place. Leaving then Silver-street on the Right Hand, we come into Cowgate, which has been a Part of the Town where some eminent Men have lived in; such as Gilbert de Cowgate, Walter de Cowgate, &c. who were Men of Fortune and Estate. Going forward, we pass by Blythe Nook on the Left Hand, and the Dog-Bank on the Right, and then we come to the Broad Chare; a little below the En∣trance of which, is the Trinity House; which according to some was a Mo∣nastry, dedicated to the Holy Trinity. This Order of the Trinity House was founded by St. John de Matha and St. John de Valois, in the Year 1198, in the Popedom of Innocent III. The End of its Institution was the Redemp∣tion of Captives. In the Year 1224, a Monastry was founded for this Order in Kent. What Time this Monastry of the Trinity (if there was such a one) was founded in this Town, we are intirely in the Dark: Only it was said by some, that Laurentius of Newcastle, was its Founder. If this be true, it is not improbable but it was Laurentius Acton, who was Mayor of this Town in 1435 and 1436, &c.

WE are also equally at a loss as to its Situation: For Bishop Burnet, in his Collection of Records, P. 146, says, It was on the Wall-knoll, in Newcastle; and that they surrender'd January 10th, 30th of Henry the 8th. If it was here, I know of no Place to fix it in, but where the Carmelites were, and this could never be. I am therefore inclinable to believe, that this Monastry means that of the Carmelites, and through a Mistake is called that of the Trinity.

BUT be that as it will, it is certain that this Place called the Trinity House, was no Religious House: For it is said in our Account below, to have been called of old Time Dalton's Place. And besides, had it been this Religious House, the Mariners could not have got Possession of it 'till its Suppression, which was on the 10th of January, 30th of Henry the 8th; whereas it was conveyed to them the 20th of Henry the 7th, as the following Account testi∣fies.

A Writing in the Custody of the Brethren of the Trinity-House, dated the 4th Day of January, the 20th of the Reign of Henry the 7th, which gives an Account of a Messuage and Garden, which was convey'd by one Ralph Heb∣borne, of Hebborne, of Northumberland, Esq to the Fraternity of the Mariners. It is the Place where is now the Trinity House, which was in old Time called Dalton's Place.

IN the same Writing it is order'd, that the aforesaid Messuage, &c. shall be repair'd for Ever by the common Purse of the Brotherhood; that in some convenient Part of it should be an Hall for the Fellowship to meet in, at all

Times convenient, for the observing of their Rules, &c. and that in the Re∣sidue of the same, there should be certain Lodgings order'd for such of the said Fellowship, as afterwards should fall into Poverty, or be not able to sustain themselves: Those they held during the Term of their Lives, and then were succeeded by others in the like necessitous Circumstances. It was also order∣ed in this Writing, that within the said Messuage, there should be a Chappel and a Priest, to sing and say Mass, and other Divine Service therein, as should be appointed by the Aldermen, and Wardens of the said Fraternity, for the Time being. That the Priest and the said poor Persons so admitted, should pray for the good Estate of the said Ralph Hebborne, Master John Hebborne, George Hebborne, and for the Masters Souls, and for the good Estate of the said Fellowship, and for the Souls of such of the same Fellowship as be depar∣ted, or hereafter should depart to the Mercy of God; and also for the Souls of John Dalton, sometime Owner of the said Messuage, his Ancestors Souls, and all Christian Souls.

ONE Part of this Writing was to be put in a Chest, belonging to the Fellowship, and kept by them; the other was to be kept in a Chest for that purpose, in the Vestry of All-Hallows in this Town, in the Custody of the Church-Wardens, for the Time being, for Ever.

THIS was further confirm'd to the Fraternity of the Trinity House, by Tho∣mas Hebborne, Son of the said Ralph Hebborne, on the 9th of September, in the 16th of the Reign of King Henry the 8th, upon the Conditions following, viz. That the Fellowship should pay to the said Thomas Hebborne, his Heirs or Assigns, within the Town of Newcastle, on the Vigil of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, in the Month of June, a Pottle of Wine, if it be demanded yearly, for Evermore. That the said Thomas Hebborne should be made a Brother of the Fraternity, and Partaker of all Masses, good Prayers and Suffrage, which should afterwards be celebrated, said and done by the Chaplain and Priest of the Fraternity, within the Trinity House, and at the Trinity Altar within the Church of All-Hallows, for Evermore; with such Obsequies and Funeral Ce∣remonies, as usually were done at the Burial of any Brother of the same Fra∣ternity, if the said Thomas departs within this Town of Newcastle. The Priest of the Trinity House at this Time, was one Sir Robert Ellison.

TO this Writing was annex'd the Seal of the Town of Newcastle, and the Names of the Mayor, Sheriff, and Aldermen.

rKING James the 1st, in the third Year of his Reign, granted to the Ma∣ster, Pylots, and Seamen of Newcastle, a Charter.

SEVENTEENTH of October 1664, King Charles the 2d, granted them an∣other Charter.

AND a Third was granted them 26th of July 1687, by King James the 2d.

IN a Manuscript I have frequently mentioned, it is said that the Trinity House in the Broad Chare, was held by the Masters and Mariners of this Town of the Andersons, by giving them a red Rose at Christmas, which Bartram Anderson turned to Wine, and then sold it to Sir Ralph Jenison, and it adds, how they agree I know not. It is at present a very pretty Building, consist∣ing of a handsome Square, very Monastick in it's Aspect, having it's Appart∣ments or Lodgings for the Inhabitants, a very neat Chappel, and a magnificent Hall. It maintains 14 Persons, allowing every one a Chamber, eight Shillings per Month, Coals and Cloathing. There are also 15 extra Persons, which have allowed them, some more, some less.

LEAVING this House of the Marriners, we go down the Broad Chare, without any Thing remarkable, 'till you come to the Key-side; about the Middle of it is a Square, which goes by the Name of Stony-hill, nigh it a Lane, called Spicer-lane, which also leads on to the Key.

Notes

• r

  On Oct. the 5th, 28 Hen. 8. Light-houses were permitted to be built by the Trinity-house, to found, edify, make and build two Towers; that is to say, one on the North Part of Shields, in the Entrance of the Har∣bour, and a∣nother upon the Hill.