Anniversary Address. 27 



of his travelling expenses to and from London, in order to 

 his consecration, is preserved at Durham, and abounds with 

 interest.^"^ 



Bishop Stichill was indefatigable in the oversight of his 

 diocese. Of the two almshouses in the village of Greatham, 

 he founded the larger and older in 1272."° He intended it 

 for the reception and support of forty almsmen, who were 

 all to live in one house and mess at one table. According 

 to an account in the Cornhill Magazine, (January 1895), this 

 institution was refounded by King James I., who reduced the 

 number of almsmen to thirteen poor, unmarried men, and 

 substituted a master for the five priests and two clerks, who 

 were stipulated for by Robert de Stichill. The thirteen poor 

 old bachelors, besides diet, fire, and candles, were ordered a 

 new gown every two years, four shillings at Christmas, ten 

 shillings at the New Year, and four shillings at Midsummer. 

 It is worthy of note that Bishop Stichill endowed the Hospital 

 or Eeligious House at Greatham, with the Manor, which once 

 belonged to Peter de Montford, but was forfeited to the Bishop 

 when he rebelled against the King.''^ In case of eventualities, 

 the Bishop obtained a confirmation by Peter de Montford. He 

 also bought out the right of the superior, for Graystane says 

 "Eobertus de Stichill emerat a quodam Bertram cognomine.""* 



Amongst the grants to Muggleswicke, which greatly increased 

 the wealth of the Convent, was one of 1300 acres of wood from 

 "Robertus de Stichil, Dei gracia Dunelm. Episcopus.""^ To 

 Bishop Walter de Kirham's grant of land in Horsleyhope, 

 Bishop Stichill added more, and 40 acres of enclosed land 

 for a meadow."* 



Amongst the charters of Beaurepaire, where the Prior of 

 Durham resided, is one from him also."* 



Cardinal Ottobanus, who was Legate to England from Pope 

 Clement IV., wrote to him, on 7th July 1268, with reference 



109 Wills and Inventories (Surtees' Society) Part, i., 1833, Vol. ii., p. 

 12. Note. 



"" Feod. Pr. Dunelm (Sortees' Society) p. 149. 



"' Foed. Pr. Dunelm, p. 149. 



112 Tres Scriptores, p. 55. 



"3 Do. p. 182. 



"* Do. p. 183. 



"* Do. _pp. 186, 187. 



