ABBOTS OF TEWKESBURY.
Giraldus (1102-1109), previously Abbot of Cranbourn, was the first Abbot of the Benedictine foundation. Deprived by Henry I. in 1109.
Robert I. (1110-1124). In his time the greater part of the Abbey as it stands was finished, and dedicated in 1123.
Benedict (1124-1137).
Roger (1137-1161).
Fromundus (1162-1178). No new Abbot was instituted till—
Alan (1187-1202). His tomb is in the south ambulatory of the choir. He was a friend of Thomas à Becket, having previously been Prior of St. Saviour's, Canterbury.
Walter (1202-1213), previously Sacrist of the monastery. He was succeeded by—
Hugh (1214), who had been the Prior. Dying in a year, his successor was Bernard, but the latter was never instituted.
Peter (1216-1231) was a monk from Worcester.
Robert Forthington (1232-1254), or Robert III. had previously been Prior. A tomb ascribed to him is in the south ambulatory.
Thomas de Stokes (1254-1275) had been Prior of St. James, Bristol.
Richard de Norton (1276-1282).
Thomas Kempsey (1282-1328).
John Cotes ( -1347).
Thomas de Legh (1347-1361).
Thomas Chesterton (1361-1389).
Thomas Parker, or Pakare (1389-1421).
William Bristow, or de Bristol (1421-1442).
John de Abingdon (1442- ), who was probably identical with
John de Salis, or Galys.
John Strensham, or Streynsham ( -1481). He was Abbot at the time of the Battle of Tewkesbury.
Richard Cheltenham (1481-1509).
Henry Beoly, or Bealy (1509- ), was Abbot in 1526.
John Walker (d. 1531).
John Wich, Wyche, or Wakeman (1531-1539). This ecclesiastic was the last Abbot of Tewkesbury. He, unlike the Abbot of Gloucester, seems to have been in no wise unwilling to surrender his Abbey. In return he obtained a pension of £266 13s. 4d., and also the house and park at Forthampton. When, later, Gloucester was made a bishopric, he was the first bishop. He was buried at Forthampton.
FOOTNOTES:
[7] In point of actual size the Tewkesbury piers are 30 feet 8 inches high, and 6 feet 3 inches in diameter; while the piers at Gloucester are 30 feet by 6 feet. Those at Malvern are considerably less in height.
[8] This boss represents the Virgin as being present at the Table.
[9] The ball-flower here as well as that in the vestry differs from that in the neighbourhood, as there is a curious little side-twist or kink in it.
[10] Mr. W.H. St. John Hope's description of this quoted in extenso in "Gloucester" (Cathedral Series) is most interesting, and should be carefully studied.
[11] Letters in brackets refer to the plan at the end.
[12] This Transept was used from 1813-17 as a temporary National School.
[13] The columns are, with the exception of one which is round, roughly hexagonal.
[14] In some plans this chapel is ascribed to St. Nicholas.
[15] The arch of this chamber shows distinct traces of fire, not mentioned in any records, and the staircase to the tower, which then communicated with this chamber, shows traces for a short distance on the stonework.
[16] The same moulding is found at Durham in the doorway from the nave into the cloisters, but there it is much mutilated; it is also found at St. Joseph's Chapel, Glastonbury, and in various forms in the West of England.
[17] It is not quite certain whether Sir Guy is actually buried here.
[18] It is generally considered to be that dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The other altar in this chapel may have been dedicated to St. George, though the chapel of the latter was probably one of those in the nave.
[19] The dedication of this Norman chapel, like that of several others here, is not known.
[20] The choir at Gloucester is 140 feet long and 33 feet wide.
[21] The sun was a favourite badge of Edward IV., and is said to have been adopted in consequence of the appearance of three suns before the battle of Mortimer's Cross. It appears upon some of his coins.
[22] The altar-stone at Gloucester was at one time used to pave the south porch, and is now in the crypt.
[23] The safety of the old glass has been ensured by a protective external window of rolled glass let in the mullions from the outside. This was done in 1889.
[24] This Gilbert de Clare is said to have had a copy of Magna Charta and the Charta de Foresta made and deposited in the Abbey.
[25] The floor of the upper part was never flat, and was in all probability never intended for use.
[26] Heraldically speaking.
[27] Henry VII. left instructions in his will that a kneeling effigy of himself should be placed on the top of the Confessor's shrine at Westminster.
[28] The western pinnacle was carved locally in 1825-8, and is a very careful piece of work.