The New Guide to Peterborough Cathedral | Page 9

reign the library and the monastery lands were increased
considerably.
William de Woodford was next elected abbot. During the latter part of
the rule of Richard, he had assisted him in performing the duties of
abbot, which the latter was unable to do of himself, on account of his
great age.
Swapham informs us that whilst William was abbot, the Pope taxed all
the manors of the abbey.
Woodford is described as a fair and impartial man, of much kindness
and benevolence, who added to the provisions of the monks,--obtained
a charter for the possession of all the deer that might be slain on the
monastery lands, and devoted his attention to the better regulation of
the hospital of St. Leonard.[12] He died after a rule of four years, in
1299, and was succeeded by Godfrey de Croyland in the same year.
This abbot, on his installation, was presented by Prince Edward with a
silver cup, and had the confirmation fees returned to him by the
Bishop's order.
The service in the chapel of Thomas à Becket was for a time suspended
during this abbot's rule, in consequence of a violation of the sanctity of
the place by certain officers, who, being in search of several men that
had transgressed against the laws, and hearing they had taken shelter in
the monastery, dragged them hence by force. The Bishop of Lincoln

therefore put his curse upon the place, nor was it without much
persuasion that he granted an absolution.
The same year, being 1300, says Gunton, "a marriage being intended
betwixt the heirs of Offord and Southorp, king Edward supposing
himself to be interested therein, appointed inquisition to be made
whether the disposal of that marriage belonged to him or the abbot of
Peterburgh. And it being upon the inquisition certified that those heirs
and their progenitors held their lands of the abbey of Peterburgh, the
right of disposal of those heirs did therefore belong to the abbot, which
the king, understanding, desisted." This right of disposal is well worthy
of notice, as it illustrates the spirit of the time better than a great deal of
writing.
Godfrey was remarkable for his generosity and sumptuous
entertainments. The king and queen, with all their retinues, were
provided for at the monastery, and once Prince Edward came with Peter
Gaveston, and the abbot presented them with two magnificent
robes.[13]
Godfrey added many beautiful improvements to his monastery, and
built "the great gate-tower, over which was the chamber called the
knights' chamber," being the gateway leading to the Bishop's Palace.
The walls of this room were carved with knights and their coats of
arms.
[Illustration: Peterborough Cathedral--Remains of Cloisters.]
Whilst Edward was preparing for war against Scotland, he sent five
successive times to this abbey for money to assist him in carrying on
his enterprise, and Godfrey gave him in all about £500. His other gifts
and entertainments were sumptuous and large, and the sum of money
which he expended during his abbacy was £3646 4s. 3d. This
remarkable man died in 1321, after a splendid rule of twenty-two years.
The value of the monastery possessions in his time, about
Peterborough alone, was £621 16s. 3d; but this sum was but a small
portion of the vast property which then belonged to the church.

Adam de Boothby was the next abbot. He entertained the king, queen,
and royal household, in the year 1327, which cost him £327 15s. Prince
Edward, with his sisters and servants, were likewise hospitably treated
at this abbey during a stay of eight weeks. Like Godfrey, Boothby was
a generous man, but the expenses which the royal family cost him and
his predecessors must have been a heavy impost upon the monastery.
He died in 1338, in the eighteenth year of his rule.
Henry de Morcot was installed in February, 1338. There is nothing of
any moment recorded of him, except that he was engaged in successful
litigation with a baron for the recovery of some church lands. He died
in 1346, having ruled eight years.
"Henry being dead, was buried betwixt the quire and the great altar,
near unto his predecessor Adam. His grave being, in the year 1648,
opened to receive the body of John Towers, late head bishop of this
place, there was found a seal of lead (the instrument wholly consumed),
having on one side these letters thus inscribed:--'SPA SPE,' over their
several effigies; on the reverse--'CLEMENS P P VI.' (Gunton, p.
47-48). It is probable that the instrument was some indulgence gotten at
the jubilee, which was but three years before."
Robert Ramsey succeeded to the abbacy in 1346, but of him nothing
particular is recorded.
Henry de Overton was Abbot in 1361, and was followed by Nicholas,
who was noted for his prudence and economy.