EDMUND STUBB. Edmund Stubb, or Stubbs, eleventh master (1504-1513), was the fourth son of John Stubb, Esq., of Scottow, Norfolk. The family pedigree is recorded in the Visitations of Norfolk. He graduated B.A. 1474-5; and proceeded M.A. 1478. He was a fellow of the college from 1480 to 1504. He succeeded Dr Barly in the rectory of St Michael's Coslany, as well as in the mastership; and, like him, seems to have resided mostly in his Norwich parsonage. He bought some land at the back of the parsonage, and built the stable there. In the University he is recorded as a benefactor by the gift of two balances for weighing the jewels, cups, and other articles of value which students and candidates for degrees were in the habit of pledging. He died shortly after the Feast of St Matthew (Sept. 21), 1513. He desires, in his will, that his body shall be buried "pauperrime et sine pompa" in the churchyard of St Michael's Coslany, or elsewhere, wherever he may die, at an expense not exceeding 13s. 4d. All his tenements on the south side of the rectory of St Michael's are left to support priests, and to provide bread and wine for them, at that church. He leaves a legacy to the Abbey of St Benet's, Hulm. To Mr Alkyn (probably the vicar of Mutford) 'his gown with a tippet of fox fur.' To Gunvile Hall a patchwork bedquilt ('meum superlectile de motley '). The master and fellows are directed to sell the books, and the cloth (lintheamen) of Mr Cabold (Vol. I. 12), in the college chest.' To Mr Swayn (Vol. 1. 16) he leaves two books, and his doctor's cape. Proved (P.C.C.) but date of proof not given. It was not till about this time that the college came into possession of Scholarships,-bible-clerkships, as they were then called. The three first of these, viz. those of Willows, Gale and Sigo, were founded in 1501, 1505, and 1507. Monks now form a characteristic and important element in the resident society. Some of them, at any rate, evidently looked back with gratitude to their stay in college. Thus John Household (1. 20), of the Cluniac Priory of Castleacre, left a number of books to our library; and for the chapel use, "a frontlet, with the Salutation of our Lady curiously wrought in gold, and two suits of vestments having everything belonging to the adorning of a priest to say mass." As described elsewhere (v. Fellowships, under Lady E. Scroop) the college had recently come into possession of the manor of Newnham, held of the Corporation of Cambridge at a yearly rent of 188. A composition was made with the town, Jan. 24, 1506-7 (printed in full in Cooper's Annals, 1. 286) enforcing, amongst other things, a curious and ancient custom. The Newnham Mill and the Town Mill (opposite Queens') drew their water from the same supply, and there was naturally some jealousy between them. The rule was "that before the said mill of Newenham beginneth to grind or go, the bailiff of the King's mill, belonging unto the mayor bailiffs and burgesses, hath blown his horn to warn the miller for the time being of the said mill of Newenham. And, before that, the said mill of Newenham not to grind. And also the said mill of Newenham to surcease of grinding, after and upon blowing of the said horn." About this date we first begin to obtain definite information as to the actual numbers in residence, owing to the insertion of the names of pensioners in the college accounts. For instance, at Michaelmas, 1509, there are included the master and five fellows, one bachelor, two scholars, the cook, and twelve pensioners. The master was away at his Norwich vicarage, but all the others seem to have been generally resident. Of the pensioners, six at least were monks, and three others probably clergymen. One was a University bedell. It is doubtful if there was any representative of the classes who afterwards preponderated as fellow-commoners and pensioners (Vol. 1. 18–20). WILLIAM BUCKENHAM. William Buckenham, twelfth master (1513-1536), was probably a younger son of Hugh de Bokenham, of Gt Livermere, Suffolk. He graduated B.A. 1482-3; M.A. 1486; B.D. 1502; and D.D. 1506-7. He was fellow of the college from Michaelmas, 1488, till his election to the mastership; and vicar of Holy Sepulchre, Cambridge, 1512. He succeeded to the rectory of St Michael's Coslany, on the death of Stubbs; and like his two predecessors he seems to have been fond of his Norwich parsonage, to which he added some improvements. His deed of resignation of the mastership (Treas. XIX. 12) is dated in the parish church June 12, 1536 : it is to be revoked in case the person elected by the fellows should not be approved by the chancellor. He continued to live on there, and died June 18, 1540. In the University he was considerably more active and influential than any of his predecessors. He was Vice-Chancellor 1508 and 1509; and whilst holding this office is said to have been the compiler of the "Old Black Book," a MS. volume containing an account of the charters and other records in the University Registry. He was an arbitrator between the University and the Priory of Barnwell in 1506. He was, at any rate indirectly, instrumental in completing the quadrangle of the Gonville Court. The greater part of the east side of that court had been already finished in or about 1490, but apparently there was still room for a set of chambers between that part and the chapel. These were completed by Nicholas Buckenham, of Fressingfield, brother of the master, in or about 1516. Nicholas is also said to have given the college some lands in Haddenham, Isle of Ely; but according to the Annals William claimed them as belonging to himself and sold them to the college, who bought them of him with a part of the money left by Dr Baily (Vol. 1. 26). He was also the instrument of two other benefactions, viz. firstly of Dr Baily's fellowship. He was apparently Baily's executor: in the deed of foundation the lands given in the endowment are described as Buckenham's (see under Fellowships). Secondly of the Elie Almshouses, of which the college is trustee. Here again Buckenham appears nominally as the donor, but he really succeeded to the executorship (see Endowments). 1513. In this year the college came into a rather curious bequest, viz. that of 1000 sheep. John Lestrange, Esq., of Little Massingham, left by will "vir ewys goyng att Est Lexham and 111o lambys...to be delyvered to ye seyde master and felowes at midsomer." The college in return binds itself, under its common seal, to pray for the soul of John Lestrange himself, "his wyffe, his fathere and mothere, his bothe brothers, his father yn lawe Thomas Lestrange esquyer and for the soule of all his benefactors and all good crysten soules" (Treas. III. 5). Dr Caius tells us that the sheep were sold, but the money was mostly never paid. 1520. Geoffry Knight founded the preaching offices at St Mary's, afterwards called the "salaries." 1520, about. Dame Anne Drury gave 20 marks, the proceeds to be laid out for priests celebrating in her own parish of St Michael Coslany, Norwich. 1521. The Annals record in this year an illustration of the frequent faction fights between North and South. The students of Gerard's Hostel, mostly belonging to the former party, instigated by their principal, William Tayte, carried by assault and burnt the Western gate of the college, which was just opposite their Hostel. They invaded the buttery, and poured out all the liquor; and but for the promptitude of the butler, who hid the silver in the well, would have plundered this. Caius declares that they were tacitly supported by the Vice-Chancellor, John Stackhouse, who was himself a northerner. He adds however that Tayte showed his penitence in after life by leaving a number of books to our library. 1524. Robert Thorpe, alderman of Norwich, and his wife Agnes1, gave to the college the nomination of a chantry priest at St Michael's Coslany, Norwich (Annals). This was suppressed, with other such chantries, in the reign of Edward VI. 1531. The great dragon on the roof of the hall was removed. Dr Caius describes it as a sort of weathercock of lead, standing over the lantern, and so heavy that there was risk in stormy weather of its falling through the roof. 1534. Thomas Newton, alderman of Norwich, gave a bell for the chapel. It was sold, not long afterwards, as being too large for the purpose. JOHN SKIPP. John Skipp, thirteenth master (1536–40), first appears on our lists as a scholar at Lady Day 1513. He graduated B.A. 1514-5: M.A. 1518: B.D.2 1533: and D.D. 1536. He was a fellow of the college from Michaelmas, 1516, until his election to the mastership; and held the office of president of Physwick Hostel, the annexe of Gonville Hall, 1519-21. He was vicar of Thaxted, 1534-9: about April 1535, he succeeded Shaxton as canon and prebendary of St Stephen's, Westminster: archdeacon of Suffolk, 1536-40: rector of Newington, Surrey, 1538; and arch 1 Thorpe died in 1501. The deed conveying the chantry (Treasury, x. 2. a) is by John Clerke, Thorpe's executor, and is dated 1524. 2 His thesis for this is preserved in Corp. Christ. MS. 172. 3 He must certainly be the 'Sir Skypp, bachelor' referred to in the will of Margaret Norman, of Norwich, in 1516. "Being in Cambridge shall have this year's service towards his exhibition. And if that I depart before he be priested he shall sing for me and my friends his first mass in St John's Church, Berstreet, Norwich; and so for a year after his first mass singing, for to continue at Cambridge for his increasing and learning and praying for me and my friends." deacon of Dorset, 1538-9. He was prior of Wigmore, Herefordshire, 1535-8, being apparently appointed in Commendam: his name appears in the Surrender, Nov. 18, 1538. He was also appointed titular bishop of Pavada, near Constantinople, in 1535. He was consecrated bishop of Hereford, Nov. 23, 1539; and in June following resigned the mastership of the college. His active life was spent away from Cambridge, where indeed he seems to have resided very little. In his earlier college days he had attached himself to the reforming party, which was then so distinctive of the college, and was one of the regular visitors at the "White Horse," which was their usual meeting place. Dr Caius speaks of him as 'doctissimus et ingeniosissimus vir,' and it is evident that he had a great reputation as a preacher in London and elsewhere'. He was for some time chaplain, and afterwards almoner, to Queen Anne Boleyn, in which station he was very serviceable in recommending many poor students to her charity and in introducing men of learning, amongst these being Matthew Parker2, afterwards archbishop. In 1534 he was sent down to Cambridge with Simon Heynes, to preach and argue in favour of the Royal supremacy. 'Being one of the most celebrated preachers of his time he was often appointed to preach at Court.' On Passion Sunday, 1536, he preached a sermon in the King's chapel, on the text, Quis ex vobis arguet me de peccato? for which he was called to question, as reflecting on the action of the King and Parliament. During the imprisonment of Anne Boleyn he was much with her :- -on May 19, 1536, Sir W. Kingston wrote to Cromwell: "Sir, her almoner is continually with her, and has been since 2 of the clock after midnight." In July 1536 he signed the declaration touching the Sacrament of Holy Orders. In October 1538 he was in a Commission against the Anabaptists. He was one of the compilers of the Institution of a Christian man, and revised the Epistle to the Hebrews for the Bible of 1540. As stated, he had been at first a decided reformer and a strong supporter of the divorce, but in later life he sided with the Romanist party. After the fall of Cromwell he and Heath made a strong endeavour to bring Cranmer over to their own opinions, but failed. He protested against the first Prayer-book of King Edward; but is said to have had a hand in preparing the second. His episcopal life, so far as Hereford is concerned, seems unimportant: indeed the only ascertainable fact is the statement of Strype (Mem. 11. ii. 171) that he wasted the property of the see by granting away the London house of the bishops on a long lease of 200 years. This house was in the parish of St Mary, Mounthalt, and had been given, with the patronage of the church, many years before, to the bishops of Hereford. It was here that Skipp3 died, March 28, 1552. He was buried, like Fox, his predecessor at Hereford, in the church of St Mary, He was one of the Cambridge men to whom Wolsey offered a fellowship, at his new foundation of Cardinal College, Oxford, but he declined this. 2 Four of his letters to Parker (in the Corpus Library) have been published; they are dated from Hampton Court, March 23, 1534-5; and from Westminster, Feb. 13, 1537-8, and May, 1539. He was in attendance as chaplain to the Queen at the time (Parker Corresp. 1, 2, 6, 9). This is stated in the Act Book, "in hospitio suo de Mount haute, Lond., adversa valetudine laborans circiter horam primam pomeridianam ejusdem diei ab hac luce migravit." The house was restored to the See under Queen Mary. |