20. JOHN WHITBY. On his resignation in 1491 he was re-elected (Reg. Rotherham, i. 67). "De electione per liberam resignationem Fratris Johannis Whitby, ultimi Prioris ejusdem vacantis, de te de eodem Fratre Johanne Whitby per Suppriorem et Conventum ejusdem Prioratus rite facta et celebrata," are the words of the Archbishop's confirmation of the election. He resigned the office on March 13, 1505, shortly after which he proceeded on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He died in Jerusalem Sept. 5 following, and was buried in Mount Zion (The Pylgrymage of Sir Richard Guylforde, Camden Soc., p. x). 21. JOHN MOREBY, a Canon, elected on his predecessor's resignation in 1505 (Reg. Savage, fo. 64°). He granted a pension of 100s. a year to Mr. John Chapman, Notary Public, on his creation (Ibid., fo. 67). On Sept. 10, 1511, the Archbishop granted licence to John, Bishop of Negropont, to bless'1 this Prior by virtue of a bull lately obtained from the Apostolic See (Reg. Bainbridge, fo. 23'). 22. WILLIAM SPIRES, a Canon, elected in 1511 (Reg. Bainbridge, fo. 24). An annual pension of 100s. was granted to John Underwood, LL.B. on his election. On his death 23. JAMES COCKERELL, S.T.P., Abbat of Lilleshull in Staffordshire, and Canon of Guisbrough, was elected in 1519 (Reg. Wolsey, fo. 44). On Oct. 19, 1523, he was presented to the Rectory of Lythe near Whitby, 1 "Ad impendendum munus benedictionis" are the words of the original. A misreading of this passage seems to be the authority for the insertion of a Prior Benedict between Moreby and Spires. on the resignation of Mr. Thomas Larke, by the Archbishop, by reason of the minority of Francis Bigott (Ibid., fo. 44). He was still Prior on Sept. 1, 26 Hen. VIII. (1534), when he granted a lease for 21 years of the Priory property in Thirsk, including 57 acres of land, to Robert Pert of Thirsk, yeoman, at an annual rent of 40s. (Conventual Leases, Yorks, No. 212). He must have retired soon after this, no doubt to make a way for a man more in favour of the King's policy, as we find HE WAS EXECUTED MAY 25. 1537. AT TYBURN 24. ROBERT PURSGLOVE alias SYLVESTER making a lease on July 1, 29 Hen. VIII. (1537), to Christofer Roger of Commondale, of a tenement in Commondale for 21 years at 42s. a year; and again on April 12, 30 Hen. VIII. (1539), to Adam Pursglove of the Convent's property in the parish of St. Helen's, York, for 41 years, at 30s. a year (Ibid., Nos. 210, 226). |