St. Iohns Hospitall.
THis was first founded d by Laurence, Prior of Coventre and his Covent about the beginning of H. 2. time, at the request e of Edmund then Archdeacon of Coventre, ad susceptionem pau∣perum & infirmorum, as the words of the grant import; which Edm. procured f a confirmation thereof from Ric. Archb. of Cant. (T. Becket's successor) and was at charge of the buildings. In an. 1221. (5 H. 3.) Pope Honorius the 3. by his Bull g dated at Lateran 15. Cal. Iunii, granted unto the Friers of this Hospitall a speciall prote∣ction as to their persons and possessions; and by name for their land at Smercote (in Bedworth-Parish) which, as 'tis like, was given them at the foundation of their House.
The first of their other Benefactors, whereof our publick Records do take notice, were Rog. de Montalt and Cecilie his wife; who, in 33 H. 3. upon their grant of the Mannour of Coventre to the Monks in Fee-ferme (whereof I have former∣ly spoke) reserved h a Cart-load of wood every week out of the woods belonging to Coventre, to be delivered by the Foresters of the Pr. and Covent, for the time being, unto the Friers of this Hospitall. After which they obtain'd of K. H. 3. Lettersi of protection, bearing date 24. Iulii, 45 H. 3. extending the same likewise to such their Messengers as they should imploy and send abroad to receive Almes for their behoof: who in that Pat. recommended their condition to be so far tendred by all they should so repair unto, as they might expect to be rewarded from God and have thanks of him. As also severall Bulls k from P. Urban the 4. and 5. of immunities from all secular exactions. And by other Benefactors had, as fol••followeth; viz. 4. mess. 2. acres and a half of wood, and 20. s. rent, lying in Coventre and Bedworth, given l by Bernard de Arley 1 E. 3. Twenty acres of land 1. rood of medow and 30. s. rent, in Stonley, Harnale, and Coventre, by m Nich. Crumpe of Coventre 2 E. 3. Three mess. 6. acres of land, and half an acre of medow, ly∣ing in Coventre and Corley, by n Ric. Southam Priest. And 5. more mess. lying in Coventre, by Henry Page of Wellesborough 15 E. 3. Four mess, and 11. s. rent in Coventre, by o Iohn de Filungley Priest, 21 E. 3. One mess. in Coventre by p Iohn de Melton Priest, Iohn Smyth Hosyer, and Tho. Marchall 6 R. 2. Four mess. 5. shops and 12. d. rent in Coventre by q Hugh de Gey∣don, Vicar of Merton, and Will. Suwett Parson of Southam 9 R. 2. Four mess. 40. acres of land and 20. s. rent in Coventre, with two acres of wood in Bedworth. As also five mess, twelve Cotages and eight shops, in Coventre likewise, given r by the said Will. Suwett, and Hugh Geydon, in 16 R. 2. And besides all this an allowance in bread, beer, and two messes of meat, as much as was sufficient for two Monks, every day, given s by the Monks of Coventre to them at the foundation of this Hospitall.
Other lands and rents they had, as is evident by the Survey, taken in 26 H. 8. but when, or by whom bestowed I have not seen; the value of all being then certified t to extend unto 99. l.-13. s.-06. d. per an. Out of which I will onely instance such of their reprises as are most observable; viz. u 33. s.-04. d. yearly to the Mayor and Chamber∣leyns of this City, towards the repair of the walls: 26. s. per an. in bread and beer given to poor people at the Gate of the Hospitall, by the Ordinance and foundation thereof: 60. s. yearly in renewing of 20. Beds, for entertainment of poor and weak people; as also of strangers: 16. l. per an. for the stipend of three Priests serving there, viz. 05. l. 06. s.-08. a piece. All which, with the other de∣ductions not mentioned, amounting to 32. l.-10. s. 04. d. per an. leave the clear yearly value, as it was at that time certified, 67. l.-03. s.-02. d.
But this Hospitall (with most else of the same kind) being dissolved in the Parl. of 37 H. 8. was, by the said K. Letters Pat. w dated 23 Iulii the same year, with all the lands and possessions thereunto belonging, granted unto Iohn Hales Gent. and his heirs; which Iohn, being an active man in those days, and Clerk of the Hamper (an Office then of no small benefit) and having accu∣mulated a great estate in Monastery and Chantry lands, resolved to erect a lasting monument to his memory (for he had neither child nor wife) and thereupon, designing the foundation of a Free-School here, and that the King should have the honour thereof, (for which respect he had no lit∣tle favour in his purchases, as I have credibly heard) obtaind license x for the amortizing of lands thereto, of CC. marks per an. value, converting the buildings to that use; on the front whereof is this following Inscription.
SCHOLA REGIS HENRICI OCTAVI A IOHANNE HALES
Armigero fundata, in qua bonis literis imbu∣antur pueri, usque ad consummationem saeculi in Christi gloriam, & Ecclesiae aedifi••ationem.