the Founder of Huln Abbey. 49 
esteemed the founder of Huln Abbey; or, at least, 
the learned antiquaries, who assert that he was the 
founder, would have expressed their doubts as to the 
circumstance. ; 
With all proper deference then towards those 
who differ from me in opinion, I shall venture to 
affirm, that Fresburn has no just claim to the appel- 
lation of founder of Huln monastery. 
First: Because Bishop Gibson and others have 
asserted Fresburn to have been the founder merely 
on the authority of John Bale. 
Secondly: Because, from Leland and Camden 
and other authorities, it, would appear that John de 
_Vescy was the founder. 
I, The account of the founding of Huln abbey 
in Gibson, Fuller, &c. and a considerable part of 
Mr. Grose’s account, are wholly built on the au- 
thority of John Bale. Mr. Grose adds, that Fres- 
burn erected the buildings himself :* a circumstance 
of which Bale, &c. makes not the least mention. 
But errors will multiply if suffered to take root. 
Let us hear what Bale himself says. In his fourth 
century he tells us, that Fresburn laid the first foun- 
dation in this kingdom of the order of Carmelites, 
A. D. 1240; and that he died 1254.t In support 
* Antiq. vol. 111, 
+ Gibson, Grose, &c. say 1274$ but Leland. De obitu 
ejus recte computare non possum, 
VOL. V. Cc 
