DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0219
WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
187
Nunc jacet orbatus Thomas sub marmore tectus,
Sit, precor, electus, et cum Sanctis sociatus.
Octobris fato decessit mense, grabato,
Anno milleno, ter centeno, scio pleno
Corde, quadragesimo quarto. Sepelitur in imo. ,
SYMON DE BYRCHESTON.
This person succeeded Henley November 10, 1334* ; but the manner of his
election is not particular^ described. He had been a monk, and served some of
the annual offices of the monastery; but does not appear to have been the prior
of it at the time of his election-f. In the "following year the king granted him
permission to absent himself from his cloister for three years, for the purpose of
pursuing his studies in the university of Oxford.
He assigned to the monastery, on the condition of establishing an anniversary
ceremonial in honour of himself, at the annual charge of eight pounds, the profits
arising from St. Edward's fair, which belonged to the abbot's portion, to be ap-
plied to the work of the cloisters, and a parlour for the monks, then in a state of
erection; and when they were completed, to the repair and maintenance of the
fabric of the churchj:.
He enjoyed the abbacy but a few years; and it was fortunate for the esta-
blishment that it was of so short duration : for he was of a very extravagant dis-
position, maintained dishonest people about him, and supported relations who
were as wasteful as himself§. He was carried off by the plague May 15, 1349,
* Flete.
t Archives of the Church.
J From the instrument in Flete.
§ Qui locum ilium ore alieno, propria supcrfluifafe, frautle familiarium, atque parentum vasta-
tionc, nimis oneratum rdiqmt.—Bibliolh. Cotton. Cleopatra, A. 16. fol. 158.
B b 2
187
Nunc jacet orbatus Thomas sub marmore tectus,
Sit, precor, electus, et cum Sanctis sociatus.
Octobris fato decessit mense, grabato,
Anno milleno, ter centeno, scio pleno
Corde, quadragesimo quarto. Sepelitur in imo. ,
SYMON DE BYRCHESTON.
This person succeeded Henley November 10, 1334* ; but the manner of his
election is not particular^ described. He had been a monk, and served some of
the annual offices of the monastery; but does not appear to have been the prior
of it at the time of his election-f. In the "following year the king granted him
permission to absent himself from his cloister for three years, for the purpose of
pursuing his studies in the university of Oxford.
He assigned to the monastery, on the condition of establishing an anniversary
ceremonial in honour of himself, at the annual charge of eight pounds, the profits
arising from St. Edward's fair, which belonged to the abbot's portion, to be ap-
plied to the work of the cloisters, and a parlour for the monks, then in a state of
erection; and when they were completed, to the repair and maintenance of the
fabric of the churchj:.
He enjoyed the abbacy but a few years; and it was fortunate for the esta-
blishment that it was of so short duration : for he was of a very extravagant dis-
position, maintained dishonest people about him, and supported relations who
were as wasteful as himself§. He was carried off by the plague May 15, 1349,
* Flete.
t Archives of the Church.
J From the instrument in Flete.
§ Qui locum ilium ore alieno, propria supcrfluifafe, frautle familiarium, atque parentum vasta-
tionc, nimis oneratum rdiqmt.—Bibliolh. Cotton. Cleopatra, A. 16. fol. 158.
B b 2