REVIEWS - Archaeologia Cantiana - Vol. 58 1945 pages 86 to 89

The leper hospital of St. Stephen and St. Thomas of Canterbury on the outskirts of the town towards Old Romney was no longer used, because no lepers were found who wished to live there, and the fine buildings were in very bad condition. In 1297, Archbishop Winchelsey discovered at his visitation that the hospital was in debt, the property alienated and misappropriated, and he ordered an enquiry.¹ It is interesting to note that in the endowment of the chantry, which took the place of the leper hospital, by Sir John de Cobham and his sister Agnes as patrons of the hospital, some misappropriations noted in 1298 had been recovered. Agnes as widow of Gervase Alard of Snargate released to John Francis all her right and claim to the advowson of the hospital in 1363 he refounded it as a chantry for a Master and a chaplain who were bound to serve the chapel and pray for the souls of the founders. There is nothing in the charter of 1363 to support Miss Murray's statement that it was to be an almshouse for the aged poor; if the Master failed to appoint a chaplain within a month, he was liable to a penalty every three months of £1 3. 4. to be distributed among the poor of the town by the jurats. In 1481 the chantry buildings had fallen into such disrepair that the property was assigned to Magdalen College, Oxford.²
The publication of Rough's Register was a wise choice, and it has been admirably edited by Miss Murray

who was qualified by her studies for The Constitutional History of the Cinque Ports to throw light on the miscellaneous documents transcribed by the common clerk of Romney. It should be noted that oblations which are voluntary offerings are distinct from obventions which are dues or fees. Some identifications of French place names should be added to the Index, Rupella is La Rochelle, Sanctoinge is Saintonge, Bygors is Bigorre. The Introduction includes a vivid description of the topography of Romney in the fourteenth century and a sketch of the careers of the leading inhabitants who were associated with Daniel Rough.
   Two of Rough's successors in the office of Common Clerk left English versions of the Anglo-French Custumal. The first made by John Bell in 1497 remains in the possession of the Corporation of Romney. The second was that of John Forsett in 1564 for Simon Padyam described as late bailiff of New Romney; it passed in private possession to the present owners who have given permission for its publication, and it is issued with Rough's Register. Mr. F. W. Jessup has transcribed Forsett's translation and carefully edited it with reference to the earlier version of John Bell.
                                               ROSE GRAHAM.
   ¹ Register of Archbishop Winchelsey, p. 220.
    ² Literae Cantuarienses III, p. 306 (Rolls Series).