have the above information, was educated at Wykeham's colleges; was warden of Winchester in 1450, of New college in 1453, and many years chancellor of the university of Oxford. Both Bekyngton and Waynflete bestowed preferments on him, and his name occurs often in their registers. He was chancellor of the diocese of Bath and Wells, and held the mastership of St. Cross, besides livings, in that of Winchester. We shall have frequent occasion to mention him. The passage is cited from his Life of Wykeham (a manuscript in the archives of New college) by Budden; who uses his testimony as seeming to countenance the general opinion that Waynflete was of that society. He has subjoined another evidence, of no great authority; a drawing prefixed as a frontispiece to a printed book in the library, in which

* P. 56.

y The Life of Wykeham by Martyn. It was printed after the death of the author, London 1597, Oxon. 1690, in a large quarto. Much of the matter is taken from Dr. Chaundler. A. W. Athenæ Ox. vol. i. p. 219. He wrote "Collocutiones de laudabili vita, &c. "W. de Wykeham," which may be seen in the archives of New college. In it he mentions a MS. account of that great prelate, and especially of his donations and charities, in the following terms: "In Coll. B. M. Wynton et vidi et legi. Sed cum Wintoni coll. "præsiderem custos preciosi illius inventi thesauri indignum me

"arbitrabar

which Wykeham is delineated sitting in a chair, with archbishop Chicheley, who is acknowledged to have been of that seminary, on his right hand, and bishop Waynflete on his left, each respectfully presenting to him a picture of his college.

Bekyngton

"arbitrabar custodem; ea de re domino Wilhelmo episcopo jam Wynton custodiendam secretius, quid rogo dicerem an reposui an "obtuli." This was returned to the college, where it yet remains. Lowth, preface, p. xx.

"Me miserum, Wainflete, tuas qui prædico laudes,

"Materia vires exuperante meas.

"Te tuus Henricus dignatus habere magistrum,

"Rex

quoq; Wickamicæ de grege pubis erat. "Te tuus Henricus meritis pro talibus idem

"Wickamico jussit præsul honore fores. "Inde fuit credo quod certabatis uterq;

"Wickamico sacras condere more domos. "Rex duo magnifico struxit collegia sumptu, "Te Magdalenæ nomine fama notat."

MSS. Tanner 102, f. 296, b.

These and other verses are subjoined to a copy in MS. of Martin's Life of Wickham (of which see Lowth's preface, p. ix. x.), which are not in the printed edition. The Life in this MS. is followed, 1. by Wickham's Will; then, 2. "Will' mi Wickami Ep. "Winton. ortus atq; vita," two pages and a half folio, in long and short verse; then, 3. "Catalogus omnium Episcoporum e Collegio Wickami provenientium a jactis collegii fundamentis," three pages of long and short verse, ending with John White, bishop of Winton. None of these are in the printed edit. of Martin, 1597, and Lowth says, that of 1690 was not improved. Quære, Had Lowth ever seen this copy of Martin's Life of W. of Wickham ? White was bishop of Winton from 1556 to 1560.

Dr.

Bekyngton was now rising in favour with the king, Henry VI., and in power. His knowledge and experience, as a member of a large society, rendered him a fit counsellor for a monarch intent on the establishment of new colleges. Henry, it is likely by his suggestions, was led to examine in person the plan of Wykeham's foundation at Winchester, preparatory to his settlement of that which he had projected at Eton. His first visit to the college was on the thirtieth of July, 1440. Waynflete had executed his office there so ably, with such diligence, judgement, and success, that the king, perhaps by the advice of Beaufort and Bekyng

Dr. C. gave to Winchester college, 1472, a tenement with a curtilage in Sadlers Street, Wells, formerly known by the name of the Mitre Iun.-Mr. Blackstone, from Evidence, book C, p.251, and also an ancient MS. in the warden's custody.

Likewise ij Rydell de blod Tartaryn, pro summo altare in capella coll. Wynton.

Item, 1 Crux de argento deaurat cum ymagine crucifixi cum pede quadrato de argento deaurat cum armis Dni Fundatoris in interiori parte ejusdem.

Also a silver cup for holy water.

Also lands at Lepehoke, Hants, and a tenement and lands called Fryresland.

Most Ancient Register, and Computus in 1476.

He was of the city of Wells.

z Lowth, sect. xi. Hugget MS. History of Eton, in the British Museum, vol. iv. p. 9.

ton

ton who knew his merits, resolved to transplant him to Eton; and, as he adopted Wykeham's institution for his model, to begin the seminary with a colony under his master. Waynflete had presided in the school about eleven years, when he was thus suddenly distinguished by good fortune, and became an object of royal attention and favour.

d

b

SECT. V. THE college at Eton, as that near Winchester, was established chiefly on account of the school. It was at first designed to consist of a provost, ten priests, four clerks, and six boys, choristers, to minister daily at divine worship; of twentyfive indigent scholars; the same number of poor and infirm men; and of one master or teacher, to instruct gratis, in the rudiments

a He had been master " per annos duodecim," Budden, p. 57; "twelve or more years," A. W.; "about eleven years," Lowth. b Mr. Blackstone.

It has been the custom to distinguish the wardens of Winchester and the head-masters of the school, from the foundation, by a Latin couplet in the Register. The following is that on Wayn flete, dated about the time of his entering on his station there, but composed at a later æra, perhaps after his decease.

"1430. Par Fundatori factis, Waynflete, locoque,

"Cur arctant titulos disticha nostra tuos?"

d MS. Harl. N° 6962. The date is 11th October, 19 Hen. VI.

of

of grammar, the scholars, and all others who should come to the college from any part of the kingdom of England. In the charter of foundation, which passed the great seal in 1441, Waynflete is named to be one of the six fellows under provost Sever. He removed in 1442, with five of the fellows and thirty-five scholars; and assumed at Eton the station which he had already filled with so much honour to himself and advantage to the public at Winchester.

He

We may form an idea of the state of the buildings of the college at Eton about this time, from an account of the initiation of Bekyngton into the episcopal office. had been made secretary to the king, and keeper of the privy seal, and was now advanced to the see of Bath and Wells. Sunday, 13th October, 1443, he was conse

On

• Godwin, p. 232. Budden, p. 58. Pote Catal. p. 7. not Seaver, as in Budden.

Hugget queries the five fellows; as one (William Weye) at the time of his admission is said to have been about 1440 fellow of Exeter college. The ten priests were perhaps the fellows, and the six to complete the number, but why was Waynflete named as a fellow? ' Mr. Blackstone, from Registr. Coll. Winton.

He has been said to have removed the same year the king was at Winchester, or 1440, and to have held the employment about three years.

• 13th February, 16 Hen. VI. MS. Harl. 6962.

crated