Aspects of Kentish Local History

to whom he had given the rectory of Harrow about 1300.¹ Simon of Faversham, regent master in theology, had been chancellor of the University of Oxford since January 31st, 1304. He was a distinguished scholar, who has left considerable literary remains in manuscripts at Merton College, in the University Library of Leipzig, at Erfurt, and in the Ambrosian Library at Milan. He wrote commentaries on the logical, natural and ethical books of Aristotle.² He gave several books to St. Augustine's monastery at Canterbury. He was admitted to the archdeaconry of Canterbury on September 22nd, 1305; but only held it for five months when he gave it up without protest; news came that Pope Clement V had presented Bernard Ezii de Lebreto who was under age and had only received the first tonsure. On February 13th, 1306, in obedience to the papal mandate, the Archbishop admitted the proctor of this Gascon youth who did not reside in England and was privileged to draw the fruits of his English benefices, and again dispensed in 1308 from taking orders until he should be twenty-five.³ Thomas of Chartham had died and the Archbishop presented Simon of Faversham to the rectory of Reculver. On February 14th he resigned from the office of chancellor of the University. He was not to enjoy peaceful possession of Reculver. There was another claimant, Walter of Maidstone, who was obnoxious both to Winchelsey and Edward I. When rector of Nailstone in Leicestershire he had forged letters in the name of the Bishop of Lincoln, and used them in

the diocese of Canterbury. He was deprived of his benefice by the Archbishop, who called in the secular arm to arrest him. He was imprisoned for two years; and when released, returned to Nailstone. The circumstances were made known to Pope Boniface VIII who sent a mandate in 1300 to the Bishop of Lincoln or his official to arrest him, if necessary to call in the secular arm and send him in custody to the Curia with the forged letters held by the King. Whether Walter of Maidstone reached the Curia as a prisoner or travelled there on his own account is not known. Subsequently, he gained the favour of Pope Clement V and was already a licensed pluralist when he aimed at securing Reculver, the only benefice in the diocese in the gift of the Archbishop of the value of £100 a year.⁴
   Winchelsey was no longer able to defend Simon of Faversham. His own long conflict with Edward I was drawing to a close. On March 25th he heard the news that Pope Clement V had suspended him
  ¹ A. G. Little and F. Pelster, Oxford Theology and Theologians, pp. 262-5 (Oxford Historical Society, 1934); J. C. Russell, Dictionary of Writers of Thirteenth Century England, p. 148 (Bulletin of the Institute of Historical Research, Supplement 3, 1936).
   ²  D. A. Callus O. P. "Introduction of Aristotelian Learning to Oxford." Proceedings of the British Academy, Vol. XXIX, p. 52. I am indebted to Dr. A. G. Little for this reference.
   ³  Winchelsey, I, p. 504; C. P. L., II, pp. 47, 48.
   ⁴  C. P. L., I, p. 590; II, pp. 6, 12, 13, 36.