A HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



Northamptonshire rectory of Werrington in 1237. Alemannus de Cokanato 

 (a name obviously not English), described in the register as a cousin of the 

 papal legate, was in 1244 instituted to the rectory of Deene, also in this 

 county.^ It is, of course, almost certain (though it is not possible to state it 

 as a fact) that neither of these foreigners resided in his benefice. Among 

 foreigners beneficed in Northamptonshire later on in the century, may be 

 named J. de Aqua Blanca, the pope's chamberlain, instituted to Geddington 

 in 1282 ; and the imperious Boniface VIII, who only resigned the rectory of 

 Towcester when he became pope, and who was followed in the same living in 

 1295 by another Italian, who, through his proctor, exhibited papal letters to 

 secure it.* 



Another great evil of Grossetete's days that he endeavoured strenuously 

 to combat, was the holding of livings by clerks who were not priests. In 

 1244 the Northamptonshire rectories of Harrowden and Geddington were 

 both filled by sub-deacons. 



There is, however, one other aspect of Grossetete's administrative 

 abilities that may rightly be mentioned under this county. In 1221 he 

 seems to have become archdeacon of Northampton, and it was the knowledge 

 of the manifold and grave abuses prevailing which he gained as archdeacon 

 that caused him to put forth his powers as bishop to such varied and practical 

 purpose. Soon after his consecration he began a systematic visitation of his 

 immense diocese, and he has left on record the admirable and novel plan 

 which he then adopted,' and which there is reason to believe he first carried 

 out in his old archdeaconry of Northampton. Orders were issued to his 

 archdeacons to instruct the rural deans to call together both clergy and laity 

 at some convenient centre in each deanery. On the day appointed, Grosse- 

 tete, with several of the ablest of his much-loved friars, was in readiness. 

 The bishop himself preached to or admonished his clergy, while one of the 

 friars preached to the great concourse of the people. During the day four of 

 the friars were continuously engaged in hearing confessions, to which duty 

 the bishop earnestly exhorted them. When the bishop had concluded his 

 address to the clergy, he then proceeded to the confirmation of the children 

 whom the parents had been previously urged by their parish priests to bring. 

 When this was over, the bishop, with his clerks around him, spent the rest of 

 the day listening to inquiries, and in giving advice or judgment in all cases 

 brought before him. 



Exceptional energy was displayed in the administration of this great 

 diocese by Bishop Dalderby, whose episcopate extended from 1300 to 1320. 

 He paid very close attention to the religious houses of this county, and of his 

 circumspection and vigour generally a good idea can be formed from the fol- 

 lowing brief summary of some of his principal acts connected with the arch- 

 deaconry of Northampton, culled from his register.* 



Indulgences were granted toward the repairs of the bridges of Oundle, 

 Towcester, Geddington, and of the south bridge of Northampton ; for the 

 fabric of the chapel of St. Thomas the Martyr at Thrapston bridge ; to those 

 visiting the church of St. John Baptist, Barnack, the altar of Our Lady at 



' Line. Epis. Reg. Grosseteste. ' Line. Epis. Reg. 



' Letters of Bishop Grosseteste (Rolls Ser.), 71, 134, 146, 305, 344, etc. 

 * Line. Epis. Reg. Dalderby, passim. 



24 



