predecessors. He had felt complacency in observing the good effects of his exertions in its favour, and from the conscious rectitude of his own intentions. He had taken his farewell of it in the true spirit of benevolence; recommending to its members, and to all who abode in the college, to maintain, as disciples of Christ, holy obedience, peace, unity, and perfect charity. He was now far stricken in years, and unwilling or unable to attend to public business. As was the custom of the bishops of Winchester, and of other great persons, he had hitherto frequently changed the places of his residence; removing with his numerous retainers, to his various castles or mansions, as suited with the season, their stores of provision, his convenience, or inclination, until December 1485; when he repaired from Southwerk to Southwaltham, where he did not survive to the fulfilling the treaty of marriage between the two houses, which diffused joy and consolation over the whole realm. An epistle' addressed to him in this year, is prefixed to a book entitled “ Triumphus "Amoris D. N. Jesu Christi," now among * Registr. Waynflete. Athenæ, i. 666, &c. 1 See Appendix, N° XXVII. the the unprinted manuscripts in the library at Lambeth. The author was Laurence William de Savona, one of the friars minors in London, and a doctor in divinity, who compiled a new rhetoric at Cambridge in 1478, which was printed at St. Albans in 1480. It contains an eulogy on Waynflete and on his college. The writer expatiates particularly on his bounty, of which he tells us the poor had daily and large experience at divers places, at his splendid mansions and at churches; and affirms, that his prudence and wisdom, generosity, clemency, and compassion, were every where and generally extolled by the people. Mention is made of the venerable gray hair of the bishop. SECT. III. WAYN FLETE prepared for his departure out of this life, with the dignity and calm composure of integrity and a good conscience. Among his worldly concerns, his college still occupied a principal portion of his care; and Dr. Mayew was often with him, as he had been before he finally left London. In various matters, which for some reason or other were postponed, he declared his mind and pleasure to him, to be fulfilled by the society after his decease. The The war between the houses of York and Lancaster had produced twelve pitched battles, in which eighty persons of royal lineage, and ninety thousand men had perished. Many had been the noble sufferers by attainder, confiscation, exile, and the scaffold; many the tragical incidents and vicissitudes of fortune, witnessed during a long life by Waynflete. Even the recent and grateful triumph of king Henry, was attended with sorrow for the bloodshed, for the slain, for the captured, or the fugitive acquaintance and friend. We cannot wonder if, worn with affliction and age, he wished for a speedy release from the burthen. On the 27th of April, 1486, he received, says Budden, something as it were of a divine impression or admonition, not unlike that of the prophet Hezekiah, 2 Kings v. 1. "Set thine house in order, for thou shalt “die, and not live." His will is dated on that day at Southwaltham. n In the preamble he declares, that he was panting for the life to come, and perceived the day of his expectation in this valley of m P. 59. " See Appendix, No XXVIII. tears tears arrived as it were at its eve, and the time of his dissolution near at hand. He bequeaths his soul to Almighty God, the Virgin, Mary Magdalen, and the patronsaints of his cathedral; and directs that his body should be buried in the tomb which he had provided for it, in a chapel of the blessed Mary Magdalen, in his church of Winchester. He then leaves for the celebration of his exequies, on the day of his sepulture, and on the trental of his obit, as follows, the money to be distributed by equal portions, viz. To the prior of the convent of Winchester, besides a cup and cover gilded, forty shillings to each of the monks, if a priest, thirteen shillings and four pence; if not, three shillings and four pence. To the abbot of Hyde thirteen shillings and four pence: to each of the monks, if a priest, six shillings and eight pence; if not, three shillings and four pence. To the abbess of the monastery of St. Mary Wynton thirteen shillings and four pence to each nun, if professed, two shillings; if not, sixteen pence. • The monastery of St. Mary consisted of twenty-one nuns at the dissolution. Lowth, sect. viii. Το To the warden of the college at Winchester six shillings and eight pence: to each priest two shillings; to each clerk sixteen pence; to each boy four pence; and for two pittances for the fellows and boys, twenty shillings. To the master of the hospital of St. Cross six shillings and eight pence: to each priest two shillings; to each clerk of the chapel sixteen pence. To the religious of the order of St. Austin at Wynton, of minors, of predicants, and to the Carmelites, to each twenty-six shillings and eight pence. To each priest, with or without cure, belonging to the city and soke, two shillings; and to each clerk of a parish twelve pence. The place where these should celebrate his exequies to be appointed by his executors. To the president of his college six shillings and eight pence: to each fellow, scholar, and chaplain, two shillings; to each clerk of the chapel sixteen pence; to each chorister twelve pence. The same to New college, Oxford. P Pietances; allowances on particular occasions over and above the common provisions. He |